Putting with eyes closed

[Moppy]

I have a putting mat in the back room and hit a few putts whenever I can and I was trying it when it was kind of dark there, I could see the ball and the hole, but not the head of the putter very well, since it is black. I tried anyway and after missing the first two wildly, I started making putt after putt without seeing how the club head was aligned.  So I started trying it with my eyes closed and that worked too, and looking at the hole and not the ball. Admittedly these are close range, 5ft putts which I rarely miss on a mat anyway, but is this a thing?

I sometimes feel like visually lining up the putter head is distracting and leads me to make in-swing adjustments. 

[dennyjones]

I'm no expert but I read and saw video that suggest putting with your eyes closed.   It is supposed to help get a feel for distance and tempo.   I've not tried it.  Jordan Spieth putts without looking at the ball so there may be something to this logic.  

[David in FL]

Well, at least you won't have to watch your misses....  

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, Moppy said:

I have a putting mat in the back room and hit a few putts whenever I can and I was trying it when it was kind of dark there, I could see the ball and the hole, but not the head of the putter very well, since it is black. I tried anyway and after missing the first two wildly, I started making putt after putt without seeing how the club head was aligned.  So I started trying it with my eyes closed and that worked too, and looking at the hole and not the ball. Admittedly these are close range, 5ft putts which I rarely miss on a mat anyway, but is this a thing?

I sometimes feel like visually lining up the putter head is distracting and leads me to make in-swing adjustments. 

Try focusing on a spot an inch or two in front of the ball. Dave Stockton talks about that in Unconscious Putting.

[zipazoid]

I've always done something unusual ever since I was a kid - I watch the putter instead of the ball. Just track it with the eyes. I know that has its drawbacks (head may move, etc) but it's always worked for me. 

[Moppy]

1 hour ago, boogielicious said:

Try focusing on a spot an inch or two in front of the ball. Dave Stockton talks about that in Unconscious Putting.

That sounds like a book I am ready to read. Thanks. That's exactly what I am trying to do is take the thinking out, of the stroke, anyway.

Edited June 7, 2017 by Moppy

[Moppy]

Ha! Sergio putted the whole Masters with his eyes shut! Line yourself up, decide on your stroke, and try to put unconsciously.

[saevel25]

If you need to close your eyes then you probably need a putting lesson. 

[Moppy]

I have never had a putting lesson, it might help. It's just a low priority for me right now, not what is costing me major strokes.  What I have actually settled on is focusing six inches in front of the ball, as suggested up thread, and that has helped me put some long putts really close and to sink some six to eight footers.

Edited June 22, 2017 by Moppy