The problem is we trust what our eyes tell us, even if the “picture” they create is not accurate. This inaccuracy occurs much more often than we realize. Since visual and perceptual inaccuracies have an influence on the basic fundamentals of our golf shots, it has to be difficult to set ourselves correctly if we don’t see the direction accurately.
While we all see things in the same manner, our perception of what we see is different for everyone. Much of this is caused by the concept of a dominant eye and its position relative to the image. Since there isn't any agreement about how a dominant eye influences us as golfers, we are left to our own devices to find the “best way” for an accurate view of the target. Do you know your dominant eye? The classic method to evaluate the idea of a dominant eye is to make a circle with your index finger and your thumb. With both eyes open hold the circle at arms length put an image in the circle. Now close one eye. Does the image stay in the circle or move? If the image stays in the circle, the open eye is your dominant eye. If when you close one eye it moves, the closed eye is the dominant eye. Now do the test again closing the opposite eye first and see if the results are the same.
For any golf shot it helps to create an imaginary line at the ball, but many of my students have trouble with this concept. What I have found is that it is easier to create reference points either from behind the ball ending at the ball or in front of the ball going toward the target. In an interview with my online clients I found there seems to be a correlation between the dominant eye and which side of the ball they look to create this imaginary target line. The following is a test I have had some success with. Get a 12 inch ruler and a golf ball. Set the ruler on the ground pointed to a target across the room and put the ball at one end of the ruler. Now with a golf club set the club behind the ball and set up to the ball using the ruler as a reference to the target. How does the ruler look in relation to the target? Now put the ball at the opposite end of the ruler and do the test, again setting up to the golf ball. Was there a position that looked like the ruler was aimed more accurately? If there was we suggest that you focus on that side of the ball when try to create an imaginary reference for your set up.
While it might seem that for right handed golfers the line behind the ball would be most accurate for right eye dominant players and the one left of the ball for left. After more than a year of testing I can tell you there is no pattern or rule. Each player has been different. Head position tilt of the head, How we approach the ball, visual patterns on the putter all seem to have an influence. Yet all agree that how the information pertains to them has been helpful. At the end of the day for me how to help the individual means more than finding a rule that pertains to everyone.
We have found one pattern as it pertains to the actual stroke. The following are generic and average images of the path we see on PuttLab, relative to the target line. One for players who see a line to the ball and for those who focus on the line past the ball. These are average arc shapes, in the real world some are smaller and some are bigger. I don't have enough data to make any claims. What I don't know yet is whether stroke mechanics influence a visual preference or if vision forced the mechanics. But we do have enough to know that those that match one of these patterns in general are less conflicted and more consistent than those who don't.
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