I am a retired PGA professional, this video is undoubtedly the best on TH-cam. I remember when I was taught, that the eyes must be over the ball, wrong. As mentioned, with the eyes over the ball, will cause a loss of line perspective.
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch. You just move the putter face back and forth on the putting line much the same as you'd move a pool or snooker cue back and forth before making a shot. I putted professionally on the Professional Putters Association.
Your a retired PGA professional? So, when picking out a spot to line the ball up. How far do you look ahead when your putting the ball. I was told to pick out a spot about a foot in front of the ball. And putt.
@@williammills8953obviously him saying he’s a retired PGA pro means he has some experience and knowledge. It varies, each player is different, each putt is different, sometimes there will be an obvious blemish or something 4” (inches) from the ball, sometimes 14”, etc. there’s no exact measurement but rather seeing and visualizing the line before you putt and being able to set up consistently in a place you can visually see the correct line, your aimed correctly on your intended line and roll it down that line with the proper speed. There is very much an art to golf that requires being able to confidently visualize every shot/putt before it happens and confidently make that visual a reality. “Hitting to the picture” as Tiger calls it. It’s an unmeasurable mental factor that is truly the biggest difference between ok players and great players. It’s the biggest mistake in golf thinking if you just get into certain positions correctly you’ll play high level golf. That might work alright on the range but a players mentality, focus and confidence is by far the greatest strength or weakness there is but that can’t really be taught or sold so you don’t hear as much about the real secret to golf. “The Moe Norman mentality” is what I call it, he knew he was going to hit a great shot before he hit it. Manifest reality. ⛳️🧙♂️💭
Amazing... I did this on my putting mat at home. What an immediate improvement. I have been working so hard on getting my eyes over the ball and I feel like I am just missing so many putts that should go in. This was almost an immediate fix!
Geez.. I stopped using the line on the ball because my eyes saw 2 different lines (Behind the ball setting the ball down and when i got ready to putt). I can kick myself never thinking about moving my feet. I always thought EYES ABOVE THE BALL was a MUST! Can't wait to try this - thanks so much for this....
Pure gold. I'm a right handed golfer, but left eye dominant. Since I've learned this with Mike, I find that when I'm standing to the ball while putting, I'm more inside and way more behind. Making way more putts. Mike Malaska is the best.
at 13:15 and afterward for correction it still looks like the ball is going to go to the right of the hole, where other ball is sitting actually. i assume this is just the camera skewing with the perception, but still i would have expected the camera to at least show evidence of change. correct me if i'm missing something. i know i need to get out there myself and experiment of course.
I finally can see the straight line between the ball and hole. Before, I was blind when I was doing any putting. After seeing line, I can putt right speed with very accurate direction. Thank you for great information of putting Mr. Malaska.
Ive never believed in the classic putting instruction and avoided all tuition trusting my eyes and feel , this right here is a game changer for me , this one lesson has basically given me the answers to so many questions ive had and a solid base for all my putting . I dont use an intermediate target or line on the ball , but the very concept of lining my sight and set up so i can see the putt is the missing piece that has evaporated on my off days that i couldnt find because i hadnt identified it . Big thanks 👍
We all have a dominant eye. Find out which yours is ( lots on TH-cam to tell you how) and then close you weaker eye when lining up. Really helped me fix this problem.
Hey Mike, I’m a teaching pro from Philly. Just to add a thought if I may. Your head is not parallel to the ground. Therefore you can not have the ball directly under your eyes. You hit the nail in the head when you said that Nicklaus “TUCKS HIS CHIN”! Thereby putting his eyes on the same plane. It’s not your eyes that change everyday it’s how much you bend at the waist and how much bend your neck. Having said that, because you can never be consistent with these things on a daily basis, the method you describe here is genius in negotiating that last little bit of accuracy that you need for a hike that is way too small for the general public. 😂. Great video.
Putting instruction gold right there! 15:00 and out, never forget. Cross two lines on the ball, one for line, one for putter face. Line it up, step up to the ball as Mike is saying and just trust the line 👍.
This works for me too. After ball alignment and set up, I look at the hole rather than the ball. I find muscle memory is enough to hit the ball straight, looking at the hole helps me judge pace better and keeps my stroke on line. It's not the way most people are taught but it works for me.
Mike, something I was down years ago and works well for me. Find the line, setup, follow the line with your eyes to the hole, back to the ball and again back to the ball. Now putt it with out looking at the ball. You trust your mind and your line. Just reminded me of some of what you said.
I do that but I close my left eye and with my right eye I trace the line from the hole back to my ball one or two times. Then I take the club back on the line extension and then make sure I don't pop the ball but strike the ball as the putter head continues straight through the ball towards the hole on the line I viewed with one eye. The ball will go in the direction the putter head goes so it's critical to throw the putter head directly towards the hole.
Watched this video and just shot a course record, 1 putted every green .... I missed every putt but told myself it didnt matter cause I hit it great and online!
Thank you Mike! I stuck to this change and had my 2nd best round in AZ ever today from making this change. Shot 69 at ocotillo today with 11 greens and 24 putts. By making this change I now focus on speed only now and not direction. Big thank you!
Glad to see I'm not the only one that my eyes do not agree/TRUST the putting line and causes a conflict with my stroke... I use the line on the ball and trust this line from behind and it looks good until address. I know the line is good, so I force myself to stroke to this line (but not with 100% commitment) even though it doesn't look right to my eyes. However, I do sometimes tweak the path or decelerate the putter because I'm not confident. From now on, I will try and move around until the ball line and my eyes see the same line... Another key point you made is when you said the eyes change everyday (Ding, Ding, Ding!)... This makes so much sense to me, by not making adjustments in the set up for the eyes creates the streaky good/bad putter because most of us operate on the theory; it worked yesterday, why isn't working today?... Sorry for being so long winded but this also made putting practice very frustrating because I wasn't making the correct adjustment for my eyes, so I basically skipped putting practice and took my chances on the green during the round.... Basically I thought it was something I was going to have to live with because I was left eye dominate or something to that effect... I'll let you know how I make out... Thanks... Great Post!...
I love this video. Mike is excellent as always. I really like what they are talking about around the 11 min mark about what success in putting - and it’s not whether putt is made.
This is no doubt the best Putting video and demonstration I have seen. I can't wait to get out to work on this technique. I have taken lessons with the same comment of "everything I'm doing looks great". They even changed my grip to left hand down, but yet I still 3 Putt a lot!!
This concept has changed my game more than anything over the last 30 years I’ve played this game! Thank you Mike and BBG for allowing the public to see this for free🙏🏼
Wow - so often I’d line up the ball to the target, but then it would appear OFF target when I’d stand over it. This was maddening because I didn’t know what to trust: the original ball alignment, or my eyes standing over it. Enter this video (8:50): I practiced today by setting up with my eyes to see the ball’s line pointing to the target. And wow - was making putts, and confidently! This combined with using my dominant eye (which I just learned is my right eye; not my left) is game changing. Thank you for this brilliant, enlightening video.
I have only watched 2 of your videos (one on putting and one on chipping). I am subscribed to others teachers on you tube and I appreciate their knowledge and time to make their videos. For me in my golf evolution Your videos are simply the best ones I have ever watched. I am excited to try these out. Thanks very much!!😎😎😎
This was one of the best pieces of information i have ever received that helped make me better almost instantly. I was always close and did the same thing so once i let my self adjust to line i trusted it so much more i was free to only worry about speed. Best thing that ever happened to make more of them not be close i was so focused on line i lost feel for speed. Fixed now Golf Life saver
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch. You just move the putter face back and forth on the putting line much the same as you'd move a pool or snooker cue back and forth before making a shot. I putted professionally on the Professional Putters Association.
This is the best description of what I do but didn't understand why I was doing it... thank you so much for sharing this study and explaining why and how it works ... it's solidified my understanding and boosted my confidence. When I hit a bad putt it would cause a cascade of doubts ... missing a putt doesn't matter!!
Thanks so much for this. I've struggled with this for years. Can't wait to get this into my game. This is a great video and concept. So much better than the approach of "I must make a perfect stroke to make a putt." It brings the body's natural ability to make split second adjustments into play. Love it. BTW, I bet this also helps cure the yips.
Traveling for work, ran down to my trunk to get my putter and 3 balls to try this in hotel room. What a great concept and great instruction. Will take to practice green tomorrow...
Wow this was incredibly valuable info. I’ve really been struggling lately with not holing well stroked putts from under 10 ft. This makes so much sense and thank you for sharing this knowledge.
This is great advice. I watched the first video about a month ago and tried this and it’s easily saved me several strokes per round. I’ve even hit a few 15 foot putts that I would never hit before. Great technique.
This really freed me up yesterday as I realised I am most comfortable with my eyes outside the line ( unusual) and I got more instinctive shot 75 my best score in months on a day others were battling
Just did this today. After going through the setup he recommends, doing it 10 or 20 times, I started holing about 50% of my 15 footers which is very good, especially for me and how I have been putting. His rationale is 100% spot on.
OMG...You guys are brilliant!!! When you changed camera angles to his view over the ball I immediately said "That doesn't look like it's going in at all!" The golf season here in Canada (at least where I live) ended today and I played my last round yesterday but now I can't wait to get out next season and try this!!! Cheers from Canada.
Interesting. I've always been a good distance putter; but been poor in the 5'-20' (in terms of puts holed). AND I always miss to the left as a right-hander. Listened to good players; could never make sense of what they were seeing that I couldn't. No kidding: I putted better with my eyes CLOSED. This has given me something to look at. Makes sense. For years I wondered why (as a Cat.1 player) I struggled to make progress. Thankyou.
I watched the original video and that was already a game changer. However, I do still get that disconnect with the planned line and what I see. So I often fudge it with some success, as I'm conscious of how long I spend lining up (you can feel the other players staring at you). I'm definitely going to try this method next time I'm on the course. Thanks so much for the update! ♥️
The "drop the ball from eyes" works for (most) cross-dominant golfers (e.g., right-handed and left eye dominant, or left-handed and right eye dominant). Golf setup totally depends on which eye is dominant. But I love this drill as it takes the uncertainty out of it, and allows for accuracy regardless of which eye is dominant.
I know this is old but I was scrolling for this exact point. Former pro/teacher. Worked with many too teachers anyway. I was eyes over right hand/left eye dominant. The whole video I kept saying Mikes right eye dominant. He could make a slight head tilt. I did the same with my left eye along the line. This whole video should be on eye dominance more than anything.
@@bobseamann7253 It is like shooting a gun.. that's all they had to say. Learned this in hunters' safety. I have to shoot left-handed even though I am right-handed because I am left-eye dom.
@@Aceman48237 Totally makes sense. I was always more accurate left handed, just not as strong. Individual awareness is greatly overlooked when teaching golf.
Mike, I think you are absolutely correct. I have had years of doing exactly what you had trouble with.....getting my eyes over the ball. I'm going with the line on my ball, and not hit the putt until I am lined up to my read. Thanks and cheers!
For some reason I can read puts and sink them at a much higher percentage than my buddies. One thing I noticed is even pros usually miss low so I always read the break and aim a little higher than it feels. I find this works give it a try.
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
I saw a video by pat perez on putting and this confirms that the eyes are different for everyone. I have the same problem with lining up normal golf shots. When I’m lined up on the target line it feels way left of target. In my opinion one of the hardest things to do in golf! Nice job!
Great help. Been trying to learn to shallow the club forever. Watched the 2 videos on standing the club up and with very little practice shot 75 and 74 my next two rounds. Love it.
I stumbled across the channel a few weeks ago and finally got time to have a look at what was on offer .In a word "THANKS" . I watched the video and went and played yesterday the difference in my putting was unbelievable . I would leave lag puts well short and often 3 (sometimes 4 ) putt on many occasions . Putting the lesson in practice had my lag putts at worst 18 inches away Thanks again
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
This is very interesting! I wear glasses because my left eye is not as good as my right, I’m a right handed golfer, iv always had a sense of unease when I line up my putts as can’t see the true line. I will definitely try this method. Thank you
Explains a lot. I was a multi sport athlete, and got back into golf after basically a 25 year hiatus. Originally made a decent amount of putts considering my layoff (only part of my game that was good). My much better playing partners were amazed that I putted so well. Watched a video that said you needed eyes over the ball, and putting has been horrendous ever since.
One of the rare instances in which a video game help me improve in actual Sports is playing lots of Tiger Woods EA sports games back in the day. I took the pudding gameplay from those video games and made a mental image of it in my head on the actual course, visualizing beeline to the hole and the grid with the dots running faster slowed depending on the severity of the brakes
Just come across this video and loved it! As daft as it sounds I address the golf ball for my driver and iron the same way as your teaching putting, but for some unknown reason I don’t do this with my putting!!! Probably because I’m concentrating so much on pace and line I forget to aim properly into the putt!!! Thanks so much for this
Thanks Mike....great stuff that works here. I'm an arm-lock putter...and this advice on where the eyes line up is reliable in play ...I take it back and let it go smooth and confident....no matter the equipment choice. 👍😎
Hello! Awesome video. Do you mind if this video is downloaded and shared to the country club members of various golf courses? We are doing a golf/tennis/health tip campaign for the beginning of 2021
For me, the line on the ball looks like it's aimed left at address, so this video makes a ton of sense... the practice I do with a ball/string/mirror line is fighting the practice I do without any alignment aid (where I'm presumably aiming right at compensating left). However, I have not found any head position at address that stops the line on the ball from looking like it's aimed left. Any thoughts on next steps?
Good advice. I would like to add something. Both eyes should be in line to the target. If you are dropping your rear shoulder even slightly your site goes to to left for a right hander. To prove that close one eye than the other. You will see two different lines. Solution: Make sure both eyes are in line continously through the putt. Dropping your right shoulder even slightly will pull your sight line will be unconsciously be pulled to the left. Like he said golf is a game of adjustments.
When you stand over the putt with your eyes above the ball you have an open stance, so that alone makes you see the ball going left of the hole because your feet are aiming slightly left. This will make your head tilt also and what that does alone makes you see different lines. Just my thoughts on what I've watched. I stand above the ball not inside or outside and hold my head quite still and straight and I'm a very good putter.
Trust or confidence is based on success, exactly! As a PGA Club Professional myself, I tell people you can stand over a putt saying your the best putter in the world but if you line or stroke sucks, it won't go in unless you push or pull it on the correct line.
I never thought of it this way, but I just got a new putter last month after trying a bunch out and I completely understand how/why it fixed my putting now!
Very good tip which I have used to my benefit over the last few months. I stand about 15 inches from the ball and use a line on the ball as well. On some occasions during my round of golf, when I line up the 15 inch distance, it doesn’t look right. As putts can be long/ short/ uphill/ downhill etc my question is can the distance from the ball vary on some shots or is it another one of my inconsistent set up flaws ?
So this explains why I putt better with my eyes closed after lining up?? But I do not pick a spot; I always just try to line up to the line I see. But I close my eyes so my eyes (which are directly over the ball) do screw with my mind. I only us feel to make a mechanically correct stroke. One of best videos ever.
Thank you for the video. I have struggled with alignment for years. It really does work. Plus I can see and feel if the putter is not contacting the ball square to the line as well. It really relaxes the mind to make a better stroke.
Fantastic advice. Didn't 3 putt all day last time out because of this. One thing though, don't get too focused on the hole. Because of break, your target isn't necessarily the hole.
14:54 how does he set the line? Is he using some small markers that he places on the ground? (I noticed earlier he talked about a white mark, near / 'behind' the ball (i.e. inbetween the ball and the hole)?
Absolutely brilliant and scientific advice that works. I have felt exactly the same problem where the line on the ball seems to go left of the hole when I see from top of the ball. Very useful tip.
Great Video Mike! My question is on what you mean by "You better get a new putter". I'm assuming that if you're now standing a little behind and inside your line(if that's the adjustment that makes it line up), your putter will be too short or the toe will be up off the ground? Can you elaborate with a video on that? Thanks!
I shot a 79 with 40 putts the other day. I never use the line on the ball because once I address the ball it looks crooked. I worked on this in my garage and I make almost everything. I can’t wait to get back out and try this out!
Hi Mike, nice tutorial. If I do say so, I am a good putter, but I do find I have a slight tendency to miss putts to the left of the cup. I suspect it may be my alignment, where I want to look at the hole with both eyes. However, I have a 'dominant' left eye and wondered whether this might be the root cause? I play snooker as well, hence I am aware of the impact of the dominant eye.
This is a fantastic video. I would add a few more thoughts which I think the video was actually confirming. First, you should use your dominant eye to see the line then move in with your right foot and make the necessary adjustment to align yourself. In doing that it is easier to putt with an open stance much like Nicklaus did. An open stance with your head behind the ball gives you a much better look at the line.
Well makes sense I can't even play golf to save myself.wat I see is that ur angle u stand when correct and u use ur setup seems more comfortable and ur totally right most putters aren't at a perfect right angle
Ok, awesome video! Easiest way to line the ball up on to the path is to use a line on the ball? Either use a line or try to line the center of the ball up to the path.
I know this is old video but WOW! This is some really great content. I started working on my putting indoors during winter with a putting mirror and was trying eyes over line and felt like the line I was seeing was off. This video might have just saved me years of frustration. Thanks man!!!
The great Bob Charles said that when he was lined up correctly he felt he’d miss to the right so he got used to that feeling and he was one of the greatest putters ever
Absolutely makes sense... and funny enough the only thing I worry about is where my clubface aims at impact... now I also understand why I miss some, always when I feel I can’t see the line... as soon as I see the line I am very confident and make many putts... thank you for making it more aware for me
Mr. Malaska: I was recently fitted for a new putter. I putt right-handed, but I'm left-eye dominant. My fitter said that I am constantly aiming my putter slightly to the left of the hole (when I feel I'm aiming straight at the hole) and I told him that most of my short-putt misses are missing left. What adjustments would you recommend for me?
I am a retired PGA professional, this video is undoubtedly the best on TH-cam. I remember when I was taught, that the eyes must be over the ball, wrong. As mentioned, with the eyes over the ball, will cause a loss of line perspective.
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
You just move the putter face back and forth on the putting line much the same as you'd move a pool or snooker cue back and forth before making a shot. I putted professionally on the Professional Putters Association.
Your a retired PGA professional? So, when picking out a spot to line the ball up. How far do you look ahead when your putting the ball. I was told to pick out a spot about a foot in front of the ball. And putt.
@@williammills8953obviously him saying he’s a retired PGA pro means he has some experience and knowledge.
It varies, each player is different, each putt is different, sometimes there will be an obvious blemish or something 4” (inches) from the ball, sometimes 14”, etc. there’s no exact measurement but rather seeing and visualizing the line before you putt and being able to set up consistently in a place you can visually see the correct line, your aimed correctly on your intended line and roll it down that line with the proper speed. There is very much an art to golf that requires being able to confidently visualize every shot/putt before it happens and confidently make that visual a reality. “Hitting to the picture” as Tiger calls it. It’s an unmeasurable mental factor that is truly the biggest difference between ok players and great players. It’s the biggest mistake in golf thinking if you just get into certain positions correctly you’ll play high level golf. That might work alright on the range but a players mentality, focus and confidence is by far the greatest strength or weakness there is but that can’t really be taught or sold so you don’t hear as much about the real secret to golf. “The Moe Norman mentality” is what I call it, he knew he was going to hit a great shot before he hit it. Manifest reality. ⛳️🧙♂️💭
An underappreciated aspect is if you are left or right eye dominant.
Amazing... I did this on my putting mat at home. What an immediate improvement. I have been working so hard on getting my eyes over the ball and I feel like I am just missing so many putts that should go in. This was almost an immediate fix!
Thx
Geez.. I stopped using the line on the ball because my eyes saw 2 different lines (Behind the ball setting the ball down and when i got ready to putt). I can kick myself never thinking about moving my feet. I always thought EYES ABOVE THE BALL was a MUST! Can't wait to try this - thanks so much for this....
Pure gold. I'm a right handed golfer, but left eye dominant. Since I've learned this with Mike, I find that when I'm standing to the ball while putting, I'm more inside and way more behind. Making way more putts. Mike Malaska is the best.
at 13:15 and afterward for correction it still looks like the ball is going to go to the right of the hole, where other ball is sitting actually. i assume this is just the camera skewing with the perception, but still i would have expected the camera to at least show evidence of change. correct me if i'm missing something. i know i need to get out there myself and experiment of course.
This makes perfect sense! I’ve spent years keeping my eyes over the target line, and it’s NEVER felt comfy. Mike just set me free. Thank you, sir!!
I just want you to know, I watch this every few weeks.. it's GOLD.
I finally can see the straight line between the ball and hole. Before, I was blind when I was doing any putting. After seeing line, I can putt right speed with very accurate direction. Thank you for great information of putting Mr. Malaska.
Ive never believed in the classic putting instruction and avoided all tuition trusting my eyes and feel , this right here is a game changer for me , this one lesson has basically given me the answers to so many questions ive had and a solid base for all my putting .
I dont use an intermediate target or line on the ball , but the very concept of lining my sight and set up so i can see the putt is the missing piece that has evaporated on my off days that i couldnt find because i hadnt identified it .
Big thanks 👍
We all have a dominant eye. Find out which yours is ( lots on TH-cam to tell you how) and then close you weaker eye when lining up. Really helped me fix this problem.
This fixes everything they are talking about. It's like shooting a gun. Close the weak eye and it lines up.. Period.
Hey Mike, I’m a teaching pro from Philly. Just to add a thought if I may. Your head is not parallel to the ground. Therefore you can not have the ball directly under your eyes. You hit the nail in the head when you said that Nicklaus “TUCKS HIS CHIN”! Thereby putting his eyes on the same plane. It’s not your eyes that change everyday it’s how much you bend at the waist and how much bend your neck. Having said that, because you can never be consistent with these things on a daily basis, the method you describe here is genius in negotiating that last little bit of accuracy that you need for a hike that is way too small for the general public. 😂. Great video.
You beat me to the punch Hugh. Geoff Mangum has an excellent explanation of the angle of the head in determining how you see the line.
Putting instruction gold right there! 15:00 and out, never forget. Cross two lines on the ball, one for line, one for putter face. Line it up, step up to the ball as Mike is saying and just trust the line 👍.
This works for me too. After ball alignment and set up, I look at the hole rather than the ball. I find muscle memory is enough to hit the ball straight, looking at the hole helps me judge pace better and keeps my stroke on line. It's not the way most people are taught but it works for me.
Mike, something I was down years ago and works well for me. Find the line, setup, follow the line with your eyes to the hole, back to the ball and again back to the ball. Now putt it with out looking at the ball. You trust your mind and your line. Just reminded me of some of what you said.
I do that but I close my left eye and with my right eye I trace the line from the hole back to my ball one or two times. Then I take the club back on the line extension and then make sure I don't pop the ball but strike the ball as the putter head continues straight through the ball towards the hole on the line I viewed with one eye.
The ball will go in the direction the putter head goes so it's critical to throw the putter head directly towards the hole.
Watched this video and just shot a course record, 1 putted every green .... I missed every putt but told myself it didnt matter cause I hit it great and online!
How do you 1 putt every green and miss every putt? That's called a two putt at least
😂
@@peanutpetal1 he means do one putt then pick up
@@peanutpetal1 that was sarcasm, Sheldon!😊
I was a great putter, but didn’t make as many as others.
Thank you Mike! I stuck to this change and had my 2nd best round in AZ ever today from making this change. Shot 69 at ocotillo today with 11 greens and 24 putts. By making this change I now focus on speed only now and not direction. Big thank you!
I've struggled with this mismatch between what I see behind vs over the ball for years. So happy to see someone finally explain it clearly. Thanks!
Glad to see I'm not the only one that my eyes do not agree/TRUST the putting line and causes a conflict with my stroke... I use the line on the ball and trust this line from behind and it looks good until address. I know the line is good, so I force myself to stroke to this line (but not with 100% commitment) even though it doesn't look right to my eyes. However, I do sometimes tweak the path or decelerate the putter because I'm not confident. From now on, I will try and move around until the ball line and my eyes see the same line... Another key point you made is when you said the eyes change everyday (Ding, Ding, Ding!)... This makes so much sense to me, by not making adjustments in the set up for the eyes creates the streaky good/bad putter because most of us operate on the theory; it worked yesterday, why isn't working today?... Sorry for being so long winded but this also made putting practice very frustrating because I wasn't making the correct adjustment for my eyes, so I basically skipped putting practice and took my chances on the green during the round.... Basically I thought it was something I was going to have to live with because I was left eye dominate or something to that effect... I'll let you know how I make out... Thanks... Great Post!...
Just been out to play golf trying this method, it really works! I was so much more comfortable over putts and putts were on line.
I love this video. Mike is excellent as always. I really like what they are talking about around the 11 min mark about what success in putting - and it’s not whether putt is made.
This is no doubt the best Putting video and demonstration I have seen. I can't wait to get out to work on this technique. I have taken lessons with the same comment of "everything I'm doing looks great". They even changed my grip to left hand down, but yet I still 3 Putt a lot!!
this is the best putting video I've ever seen.
This concept has changed my game more than anything over the last 30 years I’ve played this game! Thank you Mike and BBG for allowing the public to see this for free🙏🏼
Mike is the best Pro Teacher there is out there. Mike is very magnanimous.
Wow - so often I’d line up the ball to the target, but then it would appear OFF target when I’d stand over it.
This was maddening because I didn’t know what to trust: the original ball alignment, or my eyes standing over it.
Enter this video (8:50): I practiced today by setting up with my eyes to see the ball’s line pointing to the target. And wow - was making putts, and confidently!
This combined with using my dominant eye (which I just learned is my right eye; not my left) is game changing.
Thank you for this brilliant, enlightening video.
I have only watched 2 of your videos (one on putting and one on chipping). I am subscribed to others teachers on you tube and I appreciate their knowledge and time to make their videos. For me in my golf evolution Your videos are simply the best ones I have ever watched. I am excited to try these out. Thanks very much!!😎😎😎
This was one of the best pieces of information i have ever received that helped make me better almost instantly. I was always close and did the same thing so once i let my self adjust to line i trusted it so much more i was free to only worry about speed. Best thing that ever happened to make more of them not be close i was so focused on line i lost feel for speed. Fixed now Golf Life saver
This is the best putting explanation I have ever seen. It explains why I putted well in tournaments in my 20s and now putt it close, but miss a lot.
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
You just move the putter face back and forth on the putting line much the same as you'd move a pool or snooker cue back and forth before making a shot. I putted professionally on the Professional Putters Association.
This is the best description of what I do but didn't understand why I was doing it... thank you so much for sharing this study and explaining why and how it works ... it's solidified my understanding and boosted my confidence. When I hit a bad putt it would cause a cascade of doubts ... missing a putt doesn't matter!!
Thanks so much for this. I've struggled with this for years. Can't wait to get this into my game. This is a great video and concept. So much better than the approach of "I must make a perfect stroke to make a putt." It brings the body's natural ability to make split second adjustments into play. Love it. BTW, I bet this also helps cure the yips.
Traveling for work, ran down to my trunk to get my putter and 3 balls to try this in hotel room. What a great concept and great instruction. Will take to practice green tomorrow...
at work and did same thing
Brilliant 😀😀
Excellent instruction. I just knew all my missed putts were not my fault!!- It was a bad setup.
The absolute best putting video on TH-cam, thanks !!
Wow this was incredibly valuable info. I’ve really been struggling lately with not holing well stroked putts from under 10 ft. This makes so much sense and thank you for sharing this knowledge.
The best putting lesson of all time. What a great teacher you are.
This is great advice. I watched the first video about a month ago and tried this and it’s easily saved me several strokes per round. I’ve even hit a few 15 foot putts that I would never hit before. Great technique.
This really freed me up yesterday as I realised I am most comfortable with my eyes outside the line ( unusual) and I got more instinctive shot 75 my best score in months on a day others were battling
Balling!
Just did this today. After going through the setup he recommends, doing it 10 or 20 times, I started holing about 50% of my 15 footers which is very good, especially for me and how I have been putting. His rationale is 100% spot on.
OMG...You guys are brilliant!!! When you changed camera angles to his view over the ball I immediately said "That doesn't look like it's going in at all!" The golf season here in Canada (at least where I live) ended today and I played my last round yesterday but now I can't wait to get out next season and try this!!! Cheers from Canada.
Interesting. I've always been a good distance putter; but been poor in the 5'-20' (in terms of puts holed). AND I always miss to the left as a right-hander. Listened to good players; could never make sense of what they were seeing that I couldn't. No kidding: I putted better with my eyes CLOSED. This has given me something to look at. Makes sense. For years I wondered why (as a Cat.1 player) I struggled to make progress. Thankyou.
I watched the original video and that was already a game changer. However, I do still get that disconnect with the planned line and what I see. So I often fudge it with some success, as I'm conscious of how long I spend lining up (you can feel the other players staring at you). I'm definitely going to try this method next time I'm on the course. Thanks so much for the update! ♥️
The "drop the ball from eyes" works for (most) cross-dominant golfers (e.g., right-handed and left eye dominant, or left-handed and right eye dominant). Golf setup totally depends on which eye is dominant. But I love this drill as it takes the uncertainty out of it, and allows for accuracy regardless of which eye is dominant.
I think your right hand right eye dominant theory is why I've always been a horrible putter. 👍
I know this is old but I was scrolling for this exact point. Former pro/teacher. Worked with many too teachers anyway. I was eyes over right hand/left eye dominant. The whole video I kept saying Mikes right eye dominant. He could make a slight head tilt. I did the same with my left eye along the line. This whole video should be on eye dominance more than anything.
@@bobseamann7253 It is like shooting a gun.. that's all they had to say. Learned this in hunters' safety. I have to shoot left-handed even though I am right-handed because I am left-eye dom.
@@Aceman48237 Totally makes sense. I was always more accurate left handed, just not as strong. Individual awareness is greatly overlooked when teaching golf.
I love this. I've watched it at least 4 times over a year and a half to learn, re-learn, improve and perfect this. Well done on this
Mike, I think you are absolutely correct. I have had years of doing exactly what you had trouble with.....getting my eyes over the ball. I'm going with the line on my ball, and not hit the putt until I am lined up to my read. Thanks and cheers!
For some reason I can read puts and sink them at a much higher percentage than my buddies. One thing I noticed is even pros usually miss low so I always read the break and aim a little higher than it feels. I find this works give it a try.
Exactly as you can never fluke a putt on the low side of the hole only on the high side.
Definitely a game changer!!!
Within an hour at the putting range....I have a new game :)
Peace and Love from Atlanta
Fantastic. As a boy I was a great putter now I suck. I bet this is the reason. Gonna try it thanks for sharing
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
This is great explains what I feel some days when I make putts compared to the next day when I lip everything out. Thanks
I saw a video by pat perez on putting and this confirms that the eyes are different for everyone. I have the same problem with lining up normal golf shots. When I’m lined up on the target line it feels way left of target. In my opinion one of the hardest things to do in golf!
Nice job!
Mike u are a genius! Thanks please keep the content coming for us mere mortals
Great help. Been trying to learn to shallow the club forever. Watched the 2 videos on standing the club up and with very little practice shot 75 and 74 my next two rounds. Love it.
I stumbled across the channel a few weeks ago and finally got time to have a look at what was on offer .In a word "THANKS" .
I watched the video and went and played yesterday the difference in my putting was unbelievable . I would leave lag puts well short and often 3 (sometimes 4 ) putt on many occasions .
Putting the lesson in practice had my lag putts at worst 18 inches away
Thanks again
I used to putt standing up on a 6x12 foot snooker table making combination shots with golf balls into the pockets. This is where you learn to putt properly as the table is plum level to one, one thousand's of an inch.
How many times did you post the same thing?
Best putting video I've seen. Can't wait to give this a try on the course
This is very interesting! I wear glasses because my left eye is not as good as my right, I’m a right handed golfer, iv always had a sense of unease when I line up my putts as can’t see the true line. I will definitely try this method. Thank you
Explains a lot. I was a multi sport athlete, and got back into golf after basically a 25 year hiatus. Originally made a decent amount of putts considering my layoff (only part of my game that was good). My much better playing partners were amazed that I putted so well. Watched a video that said you needed eyes over the ball, and putting has been horrendous ever since.
Best description I have seen. Outstanding, thanks.
One of the rare instances in which a video game help me improve in actual Sports is playing lots of Tiger Woods EA sports games back in the day. I took the pudding gameplay from those video games and made a mental image of it in my head on the actual course, visualizing beeline to the hole and the grid with the dots running faster slowed depending on the severity of the brakes
Just come across this video and loved it!
As daft as it sounds I address the golf ball for my driver and iron the same way as your teaching putting, but for some unknown reason I don’t do this with my putting!!! Probably because I’m concentrating so much on pace and line I forget to aim properly into the putt!!! Thanks so much for this
Thanks Mike....great stuff that works here. I'm an arm-lock putter...and this advice on where the eyes line up is reliable in play ...I take it back and let it go smooth and confident....no matter the equipment choice. 👍😎
That's exactly my problem. You talked right to the point. The best putting instructions
Hello! Awesome video. Do you mind if this video is downloaded and shared to the country club members of various golf courses? We are doing a golf/tennis/health tip campaign for the beginning of 2021
You can share the link to the video or embed it but not download and share, no.
For me, the line on the ball looks like it's aimed left at address, so this video makes a ton of sense... the practice I do with a ball/string/mirror line is fighting the practice I do without any alignment aid (where I'm presumably aiming right at compensating left). However, I have not found any head position at address that stops the line on the ball from looking like it's aimed left. Any thoughts on next steps?
Good advice. I would like to add something. Both eyes should be in line to the target. If you are dropping your rear shoulder even slightly your site goes to to left for a right hander. To prove that close one eye than the other. You will see two different lines. Solution: Make sure both eyes are in line continously through the putt. Dropping your right shoulder even slightly will pull your sight line will be unconsciously be pulled to the left. Like he said golf is a game of adjustments.
That really is a game changer - especially for mature golfers whose eyes have adjusted over the years.
This is my practice regime from now on !!
Changed my putting after buying a laser to fix aim and have had yipps since. Will give this ago.
When you stand over the putt with your eyes above the ball you have an open stance, so that alone makes you see the ball going left of the hole because your feet are aiming slightly left. This will make your head tilt also and what that does alone makes you see different lines.
Just my thoughts on what I've watched.
I stand above the ball not inside or outside and hold my head quite still and straight and I'm a very good putter.
Great tips!! I like walking up behind the ball, should be easier to see the line with both eyes square to the hole ⛳
This is great. Makes so much sense. Can't wait to get out there and practice this. Thanks!
Best putting lesson ever
Trust or confidence is based on success, exactly! As a PGA Club Professional myself, I tell people you can stand over a putt saying your the best putter in the world but if you line or stroke sucks, it won't go in unless you push or pull it on the correct line.
Priceless lesson here. Thanks so much to both of you
This is one of the most useful tips I’ve come across! Thank you
very helpful; answerts some questions about "line" that i definitely had...
I never thought of it this way, but I just got a new putter last month after trying a bunch out and I completely understand how/why it fixed my putting now!
Very good tip which I have used to my benefit over the last few months. I stand about 15 inches from the ball and use a line on the ball as well.
On some occasions during my round of golf, when I line up the 15 inch distance, it doesn’t look right. As putts can be long/ short/ uphill/ downhill etc my question is can the distance from the ball vary on some shots or is it another one of my inconsistent set up flaws ?
So this explains why I putt better with my eyes closed after lining up?? But I do not pick a spot; I always just try to line up to the line I see. But I close my eyes so my eyes (which are directly over the ball) do screw with my mind. I only us feel to make a mechanically correct stroke.
One of best videos ever.
3 footer -- eyes closed
Thank you for the video. I have struggled with alignment for years. It really does work. Plus I can see and feel if the putter is not contacting the ball square to the line as well. It really relaxes the mind to make a better stroke.
Fantastic advice. Didn't 3 putt all day last time out because of this. One thing though, don't get too focused on the hole. Because of break, your target isn't necessarily the hole.
14:54 how does he set the line? Is he using some small markers that he places on the ground? (I noticed earlier he talked about a white mark, near / 'behind' the ball (i.e. inbetween the ball and the hole)?
Aha, no, but he finds some already existing 'identifier' mark/spot along the path and uses that, to see the line correctly
Absolutely brilliant and scientific advice that works. I have felt exactly the same problem where the line on the ball seems to go left of the hole when I see from top of the ball. Very useful tip.
Great Video Mike! My question is on what you mean by "You better get a new putter". I'm assuming that if you're now standing a little behind and inside your line(if that's the adjustment that makes it line up), your putter will be too short or the toe will be up off the ground? Can you elaborate with a video on that? Thanks!
I shot a 79 with 40 putts the other day. I never use the line on the ball because once I address the ball it looks crooked. I worked on this in my garage and I make almost everything. I can’t wait to get back out and try this out!
I worked on this every day after work for a week. Played 18 on Saturday and was making 8-10 ten footers!
Love that!
Thanks for your time and effort with these videos. Very helpful
Superb method. Thank for the content.
I’ve subscribed.
Welcome! Thx!
Hi Mike, nice tutorial. If I do say so, I am a good putter, but I do find I have a slight tendency to miss putts to the left of the cup. I suspect it may be my alignment, where I want to look at the hole with both eyes. However, I have a 'dominant' left eye and wondered whether this might be the root cause? I play snooker as well, hence I am aware of the impact of the dominant eye.
Great video that gently flies in the face of the rigid 'eyes over ball' talk. I agree 1000 percent!
This is a fantastic video. I would add a few more thoughts which I think the video was actually confirming. First, you should use your dominant eye to see the line then move in with your right foot and make the necessary adjustment to align yourself. In doing that it is easier to putt with an open stance much like Nicklaus did. An open stance with your head behind the ball gives you a much better look at the line.
Well makes sense I can't even play golf to save myself.wat I see is that ur angle u stand when correct and u use ur setup seems more comfortable and ur totally right most putters aren't at a perfect right angle
WOW!!! Mind blowing!! I can't wait to try this.
Ok, awesome video! Easiest way to line the ball up on to the path is to use a line on the ball? Either use a line or try to line the center of the ball up to the path.
Best putting advice... ever!
I know this is old video but WOW! This is some really great content. I started working on my putting indoors during winter with a putting mirror and was trying eyes over line and felt like the line I was seeing was off. This video might have just saved me years of frustration. Thanks man!!!
I have been taught to have my left eye over ball and it works great for me. However, I will try this method, can always get better :)
Tried it, was a game changer for me thank you
Makes total sense! Going to work on seeing the line.. Thanks guys!
The great Bob Charles said that when he was lined up correctly he felt he’d miss to the right so he got used to that feeling and he was one of the greatest putters ever
Absolutely makes sense... and funny enough the only thing I worry about is where my clubface aims at impact... now I also understand why I miss some, always when I feel I can’t see the line... as soon as I see the line I am very confident and make many putts... thank you for making it more aware for me
Mr. Malaska: I was recently fitted for a new putter. I putt right-handed, but I'm left-eye dominant. My fitter said that I am constantly aiming my putter slightly to the left of the hole (when I feel I'm aiming straight at the hole) and I told him that most of my short-putt misses are missing left. What adjustments would you recommend for me?