Olympian Q & A
Dear Joe, How does being right eyed or left eye dominant effect my putting?
Brent Kohler, Olympia
Dear Brent, you have been doing some reading I think? Your dominant eye is the eye the brain sights with accurately and uses that eye to target objects in terms of direction. The non dominant eye of course is used but more in distance rather then direction. Since this is the case and it is undisputable, we need to use both eyes wisely in set up and sighting.
First, in set up it may be important to you to make sure your dominant eye is not only on the target line but well behind the ball. This means that if you’re a right handed putter but left eye dominant you may consider putting the ball a bit more forward in your stance so your dominant eye is behind the ball and not in front of it. A little secret here for my students is to make sure both eyes are on the same target line and not off to the right or to the left but parallel and on the line your putting on. Not only that but also that your eyes are looking straight down out of the eye sockets. This direct look at the line has paid great dividends to many students.
From behind the ball we need both eyes of course since depth perception and distance is so important. However I have found that green reads are best seen with the dominant eye on the putting line rather then setting up with your body positioned on the middle of the line.
To find your dominant eye extend both arms out with your index fingers only touching each other and sighting an object off in the distance with both eyes open. Close one eye at a time and when the object stays in the sight that is your dominant eye. Use this information to become a better putter and green reader.
Should I create a line on my ball for aiming help on the greens or should I just use my eyes and aim the best I can?
Many many players create a line on the seam of the ball for this purpose and it has helped them a lot. It is a very good tool for those big breakers but my ideas are a bit different. I think it is very difficult to get those aiming lines lined up perfectly without slowing down the game. I feel that each person needs to be able to aim their putter face correctly and then use the markings on the ball or self created lines as a secondary assistant not the primary aiming device.
Joe