Master the Art and Science of Putting 5: Focus Control

 Controlling eye movement is extremely in important in golf, especially on putts under 10 feet.  Remember, the eyes move because the mind is either unfocused or your attention shifts from one point (thought) to another.  If your mind is unfocused, your eyes, naturally follow the movement of the putter head during the stroke.  Your eyes also move if you are concerned about the accuracy of your putting stroke or fear missing the putt. 

Trying to keep your eyes from moving by focusing on the ball may not keep them from moving if you are concerned about your stroke or outcome of the shot.  The more short putts you missed in the past, the stronger your concern and fears. And the more difficult it is to keep your eyes from moving. 

This is especially true on putts under 10 feet.  Research conducted when I was still a PhD student a lifetime ago demonstrated the fact the short putts were consistently missed when the eyes moved.  Because you can see both the ball and the hole simultaneously through your peripheral vision, there is a very strong pull to see if the putt is made or missed, which causes the head to turn towards the hole to provide the eyes a better view of the outcome. 

As such, it’s imperative to give your mind a task that keeps the eyes glued to the ball such that the hole disappears from your peripheral awareness.  If you already use the label for alignment purposes, you can bring your attention to the label for help in neutralizing your concern, quieting your mind, and keeping your eyes still.  Here’s how it’s done. 

Start with a 2-foot straight putt on a flat surface

Align the label to the center of the hole

Assume your address position

Bring your attention to the first letter of the label (i.e. “T” in Titleist)

Start your putting stroke by saying or thinking “T”

Continue spelling out loud or silently each letter of Titleist to the same rhythm of your putting stroke until the stroke has been completed

Stay with 2-foot straight putts till you can make 10 in a row

Move out to 3 feet and make 10 in a row

Continue the same process with 4- and 5-foot putts.

Then move to uphill, downhill, and side-hill putts of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-foot putts. 

The ultimate goal of this exercise is to become so focused you literally do not notice the putter moving and forget about whether the putt will be holed.  You are so focused that you don’t even know the ball has moved until it has stopped moving at the bottom of the cup.  At this point, you will have established a Zone Mindset and accessed The Zone, on short putts at least.