Posted on: 21 December
Putting… why do I miss so many putts?
Do you ever have the feeling that you have made a perfect putting stroke only to end up missing the putt? It’s so frustrating and leads to you ask what more can I do?
Did you know that around 80% of poor golf shots are caused by poor alignment? The game is difficult enough without having to make adjustments in your swing to accommodate for you lining up in the wrong direction. Putting is very much included in this statistic. The perfect read+ the perfect stroke + the perfect speed = nothing if you are aligned incorrectly.
The answer could be as simple as understanding which of your eyes is your dominant eye and how this affects your alignment when putting.
When looking at a putt you may think you are looking at a putt with both eyes equally. But actually the brain will be favouring one eye to judge the distance and direction; this is called your dominant eye. Your eye domination will fall into two categories.
1. Same-side Dominant (e.g. Right eye dominant and right-handed swing). Most players (over 70%) are same side dominant.
2. Cross dominant e.g. Left eye dominant and right-handed swing. Jack Nicklaus is a cross dominant player and it’s why he tilts his head to the right when he plays.
Here is a simple test you can do to determine which category you fall into.
1. Extend your arms out in front of you and create a triangular opening between your thumbs and forefingers by placing your hands together at a 45-degree angle (see animation).
2. With both eyes open, centre this triangular opening on a distant object — such as a wall clock or door knob.
3. Close your left eye.
4. If the object stays centred, your right eye (the one that’s open) is your dominant eye. If the object is no longer framed by your hands, your left eye is your dominant eye.
So why is it important to know which eye is dominant? If you are over a putt and are same-side dominant you are more likely to:
• Prefer a putter with minimal offset or a centre shafted putter
• Setup with the ball forward of middle in the stance
• Prefer to have an open stance to your putting line.
A cross dominant putter is more likely to:
• Prefer a putter with an offset
• Have the ball in the middle of the stance
• Stand squarer to their putting line.
So if you don’t know which is your dominant eye you are at a disadvantage… and it could explain why your putting is giving you grey hair. Take the test to figure out your dominant eye and how you might better aproach your putting – and start holing more putts!!!
If you would like to understand more about your game and find more ways to play better golf book a lesson at michaellonggolf.com and take your game to the next level. My diary is now open.