Putting is a crucial aspect of golf that can make or break your game. Many golfers struggle with putting, and one factor that can impact putting performance is eye dominance. In this article, we will discuss left eye dominant putting and provide tips to improve your putting by understanding eye dominance.
Understanding Eye Dominance
Eye dominance refers to the eye that the brain relies on more heavily when processing visual information. While most people have a dominant eye on the same side as their dominant hand, this is not always the case. In golf, it is important to understand your eye dominance because it can impact your ability to aim and judge distances accurately.
Left Eye Dominant Putting
If you are left eye dominant, you may find that your putting is not as accurate as it could be. This is because your left eye is the one that is primarily responsible for lining up shots and judging distances. If you are not aware of your eye dominance and are right-handed, you may be inadvertently using your non-dominant eye to line up your shots, leading to inconsistencies in your putting.
Tips to Improve Left Eye Dominant Putting
Fortunately, there are several tips and techniques you can use to improve your putting if you are left eye dominant. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Determine your eye dominance: The first step is to determine your eye dominance. There are several ways to do this, including the triangle method, the hole method, and the camera method. Once you know which eye is dominant, you can adjust your putting accordingly.
- Align your stance with your dominant eye: When setting up your stance, make sure your dominant eye is directly over the ball. This will ensure that you are using your dominant eye to line up your shots and judge distances accurately.
- Keep your head still: To avoid using your non-dominant eye, it is important to keep your head still throughout the putting stroke. This will help you maintain your dominant eye’s alignment with the ball and prevent your non-dominant eye from taking over.
- Use a dominant eye putter: Some putters are designed specifically for left eye dominant golfers. These putters feature a hosel that is offset to the left, which helps align the putter with the dominant eye.
- Practice, practice, practice: Like any aspect of golf, putting takes practice to master. Spend time on the putting green practicing your stroke and getting comfortable with your dominant eye alignment.
- Use a putting mirror: A putting mirror is a training aid that can help you ensure that your dominant eye is directly over the ball. The mirror provides a visual reference that can help you align your stance and putter correctly.
- Experiment with different putter styles: Different putter styles may work better for left eye dominant golfers. For example, a mallet putter may provide more stability and accuracy for some golfers, while others may prefer a blade putter. Try out different putters to see which one works best for you.
- Focus on your breathing: When putting, it is important to stay relaxed and focused. Take deep breaths and exhale slowly to help calm your nerves and maintain a steady stroke.
- Keep your eyes on the ball: To ensure that you are using your dominant eye, keep your eyes focused on the ball throughout the putting stroke. Avoid looking up too early, as this can cause your non-dominant eye to take over.
- Get feedback from a coach or friend: A coach or friend can provide valuable feedback on your putting technique. Ask them to watch your stroke and provide feedback on your alignment, posture, and stroke mechanics.
Potential Challenges for Left Eye Dominant Putters
While left eye dominant putting can be improved with the right techniques and strategies, there are some potential challenges that left eye dominant golfers may face. These include:
- Lack of awareness: Many golfers are not aware of their eye dominance or how it can impact their putting. If you are left eye dominant, it is important to determine this early on and make adjustments to your putting technique accordingly.
- Equipment limitations: Some golfers may find that their preferred putter style or brand does not cater to left eye dominant golfers. However, there are several putter styles and brands that are designed specifically for left eye dominant golfers, so it is important to do your research and find one that works for you.
- Adjustment period: It may take some time to get used to adjusting your stance and putter to align with your dominant eye. During this adjustment period, you may experience some inconsistencies in your putting, but with practice and persistence, you can overcome these challenges.
- Over-reliance on dominant eye: While it is important to use your dominant eye for putting, it is also important to maintain a balanced posture and use both eyes to judge distances accurately. Over-reliance on your dominant eye can lead to inconsistencies in your putting and may hinder your ability to judge distances effectively.
Left Eye Dominant Putting Techniques
| Technique | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages | Example Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-handed grip | Placing the left hand above the right on the grip | Promotes a straighter stroke | Can feel unnatural at first | Jordan Spieth |
| Claw grip | Placing the left hand in a “claw” position on the grip | Promotes a more stable stroke | Can be difficult to control distance | Phil Mickelson |
| Left-hand low grip | Placing the left hand lower on the grip than the right | Reduces wrist action for a more stable stroke | Can feel awkward for some players | Justin Rose |
| Arm lock grip | Extending the left arm and locking it against the side of the body | Reduces wrist action and promotes a straighter stroke | Can feel uncomfortable or unnatural for some players | Matt Kuchar |
| Split grip | Placing the left hand above the right, but with a wider gap between the hands | Allows for greater wrist flexibility | Can be difficult to control distance | Adam Scott |
Putting Statistics for Left Eye Dominant Players on the PGA Tour
| Player | Putting Average (Strokes per Round) | Putts per GIR | One-Putt Percentage | Three-Putt Avoidance | Putts from 3-5 feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Spieth | 1.745 | 1.704 | 36.35% | 2.03% | 85.71% |
| Phil Mickelson | 1.765 | 1.734 | 36.02% | 2.87% | 82.24% |
| Justin Rose | 1.781 | 1.734 | 34.29% | 2.04% | 80.95% |
| Matt Kuchar | 1.783 | 1.757 | 31.78% | 2.15% | 87.50% |
| Adam Scott | 1.792 | 1.742 | 35.57% | 2.36% | 80.00% |
Left Eye Dominant Putting Tips and Drills
| Tip/Drill | Description | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye patch drill | Covering the right eye with an eye patch while practicing putting | Helps train the left eye to take over as the dominant eye | Rickie Fowler |
| Left eye check | Closing the right eye at address to confirm that the left eye is directly over the ball | Ensures proper alignment and setup | Dustin Johnson |
| Gate drill | Placing two tees in the ground to create a gate for the putter to swing through | Helps promote a straighter stroke and better accuracy | Rory McIlroy |
| Clock drill | Placing balls at different distances around the hole and practicing putting to each one in a clock-like fashion | Helps improve distance control and green reading | Jason Day |
| Speed ladder drill | Placing balls at varying distances and practicing putting them to specific speeds | Helps improve distance control and feel | Tiger Woods |
Left Eye Dominant Putters on the LPGA Tour
| Player | Putting Average (Strokes per Round) | Putts per GIR | One-Putt Percentage | Three-Putt Avoidance | Putts from 3-5 feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inbee Park | 1.735 | 1.691 | 38.11% | 1.70% | 83.33% |
| Lydia Ko | 1.750 | 1.704 | 34.70% | 2.49% | 79.17% |
| Nasa Hataoka | 1.765 | 1.724 | 35.02% | 2.60% | 81.25% |
| Minjee Lee | 1.769 | 1.729 | 32.53% | 2.43% | 85.19% |
| Lexi Thompson | 1.780 | 1.744 | 32.85% | 3.33% | 83.33% |
Conclusion
In conclusion, left eye dominant putting can be a challenge for many golfers, but it is a challenge that can be overcome with the right techniques and strategies. By understanding your eye dominance and making adjustments to your stance and equipment, you can improve your putting and ultimately improve your golf game. Remember, practice is key, so make sure to spend plenty of time on the putting green honing your skills.
