Putting while looking at the hole

[Apollo311]

I tested this technique yesterday at the practice green and was fairly succesful, any thoughts out there on this practice?

 

[SteveT]

What did you 'feel' when you were putting like that ...???

Have you ever tried putting by turning your head to the opposite direction after hitting the ball ...???

 

[natep]

I tested this technique yesterday at the practice green and was fairly succesful, any thoughts out there on this practice?

For what it's worth (not much), I read an article in Golf Magazine where they did a test with golfers of handicaps between 8 and 36 and had them putt conventionally at first, then had them putt looking at the hole. Supposedly they putted 28% better while looking at the hole.

 

[TaylorMadeAP25]

Could work for straightish putts...wouldnt really suggest doing that on doublebreakers...but it is a good drill i suppose on the practice putting green.

 

[chino]

I use this technique all the time. For me it doesn't have to be a straight putt either.

I have made some unbelievable putts while looking at the hole. I have used it in tournaments at times. Most of the time when I fail with this approach it lies in the fact I'm "thinking" about the stroke itself OR conscience of someone noticing me looking at the hole. Others don't notice because watch they stroke or watch your ball. . They aren't watching your head.

You allow your brain to "feel" the roll. The brain will do its work if you get the hell out of the way!

It's like shooting a basket or throwing a ball or rolling a bowling ball . Throw a pass. You don't look at the object you are moving. You look at your target.
It's great when your feel gets really off. You will not make every putt. You WILL be surprised at how many & the different types of putts you will make.

If it doesn't work for you then you are in your own way. If I was shooting hoops all day & was just thinking about my arm & my release & looking at the ball during the motion..........making a hoop would be just lucky & I WOULD NOT BE LETTING MY COMPUTER DO ITS JOB !

Don't give up after the first few tries. The trick is to get out of the way ..........look at the hole & release the putter.

 

[Eagle59]

I have putted this way for at least a year. I consider myself to be a good putter and I rarely miss a putt I "should" make regardless of whether it is uphill or downhill or sidehill. I started this way in practice to free myself up from worrying so much about the stroke. I did it after reading Shoemaker's book, Extraordinary Golf. I think it really helps with accelerating the putter through the ball. When you think about it, you are not looking at the ball in your hand when you are tossing it to a target. I don't look at my hand when I am reaching to turn on a light switch. Since the golf ball isn't moving, once you've lined it up properly, why do you need to look at it, it's not going anywhere until you hit it. I am amazed at how solid I strike the putt. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot on the practice green. You'll be amazed by your distance control on lag putts and how many 20 and 30 footers you'll make! Another great drill is to putt with eyes closed and listen for the ball falling into the cup. Great drill to help with developing a feel for the speed of the green.

 

[Bigwill]

I've found that this works especially well for speed in my case. I've never tried it on the course, mainly out of habit. But there are touring pros who have done this. Whatever works.

 

[watson08]

Spot Putting

I've putted for 20 years by looking at a spot ~8" in front of the ball on the target line. I work hard on setup and putter alignment and then just try to feel the speed. While I'm not a great putter, you should have seen me before.