by Aster C. Lilly

Created on: April 03, 2007   Last Updated: July 01, 2008

Any golfer can tell you than putting is one of the most difficult parts of the game. A solid drive can be ruined without decent putting skills; a good putt can make a game. The key to a putt is looking at the hole while making a smooth motion.

To illustrate why it is important to look at the hole when putting, here is a simple exercise to try on your home putting set. The point is to "feel" the location of the hole, and associate your eyes with that feeling.

1. Assume your most comfortable putting position.
2. Not moving your head, imagine a clock face.
3. Look at the hole. Your eyes should be at 9:00 if you're right-handed, 3:00 if you're left-handed.
4. Now look in the opposite direction. (9:00 goes to 3:00, 3:00 goes to 9:00.)
5. Now, putt. Don't worry about missing the hole, just feel how weird it is not to look at the hole.
6. Reset your stance. Now, without moving your head, look at the 6:00 point.
7. Putt. Did you feel any difference?

Try this exercise a few more times, hopefully you'll gain a whole new perspective on YOUR perspective - break some bad habits, and create some new, good ones. You can try it with eyes closed, with minimal light, or however you want to try it.

The other option available (and this is a common visualization technique) is to close your eyes and imagine a laser beam traveling from the ball to the hole. Imagine the ball traveling down the laser line and into the hole. Imagine what would happen if you were to put the ball into motion along that line.

Your eyes should fall on the hole in a doe-like fashion; it may seem comical to think about, but your peripheral vision will end up on the hole and the line between the hole.

Think of it like 'bedroom eyes': relaxed and calm.

What kind of motion occurs in your imagination when you strike the ball? Is it soft? Does the club make your hands tingle? Try to get the visualization as specific as possible, down to the very nerves on your hand.

For sloped greens, try to imagine the same scenario, just allow your brain to curve the laserbeam along the incline. In your mind, feel the putter striking the ball and sending it along the laserbeam. Imagine the ball traveling along the incline and into the hole.
If you are performing the visualization correctly, you should be able to actively ignore your immediate environment. All that remains is your body stance, the ball, the club, and the green forget about your kids, your mortgage, what you have to do tomorrow, your job, and any other clouding thoughts. Just focus on the immediate surroundings.

Remember, your extraneous thoughts should simmer down into a dull murmur.

Part of the enjoyment of golf is the simplicity of the action hitting a ball into a cup is the can be the most sublime human enjoyment.

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