Keeping my eye on the ball.

[Golfmmad]

I find this the most difficult thing to do in golf. As I'm walking up to the ball, be it on the tee or fairway, my swing thoughts are, low and slow eye on the ball. Most of the time I haven't kept my eye on the ball and very often resulting in a poor shot.

Any help,tips or advice would be much appreciated. I'm playing in a practice round on Saturday so any tips will be put to good use during the round. Thanks,

Golfmmad.

 

[Herbie]

I did have a vid clip I could send you to that is excelent for making you keep your eye on the ball, but I deleted it accidentally. Its a method where you can only hit the balls by keeping your head down focussed on the ball, its impossible to do it looking anywhere else.

Its a tick tock method where you line up 10 balls 3" apart then hit number one with half swing then as you draw the club back you take the little step forward adjustment for the next ball then strike ball 2 and so on, making the exercise all one movement without breaks, never looking where the ball goes because you cant if you are to hit the next one.

This teaches you to keep your head down looking at the ball and striking it without the eager wish to follow the ball.

I will put the clip up later when I have time.

 

[roccokj]

You're thinking too much when you swing. You should keep doing the drill HNJ posted and make sure that you can do that consistently and without thinking about it, then out on the course just think of your one swing thought...low and slow. I used to look away from the ball when I swung but during practice I made sure I kept my eye on the ball...even after a few shots I was able to keep my eye on the ball "consistently."
If you read this month's issue of GM you would have seen the swing sequence of Stiggy Hodgson and his eyes barely ever see the ball during the swing and yet he's excellent at the game

 

[Golfmmad]

Thanks HNJ, that drill you suggest sounds good and look forward to seeing the vid. but when you have the time,no rush.
Cheers,

Golfmmad.

 

[Golfmmad]

Roccokj,

Thanks for tips, which I'll try on Saturday.

Yes I saw the Stiggy swing sequence, are you seriously suggesting that I should try and replicate it?!!!!lol.Would insert smiley face here but don't know how to do on this site.

If I went back that far I'd probably end up on the floor and needing an ambulance to take me away!!!

Golfmmad.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Try and keep just one swing thought in you head if you must have any. Otherwise trust in your technique and once you have pulled your club. Draw an imaginary line two foot behind the ball. Once you cross that line you are committed to the shot. No swing thoughts just address, and fire.

Before you cross that line that is the time to take a good practice swing and focus on your swing thought and imagine how you are going to play the shot. See it before you play it. The time before the line is the time to make decisions based on distance and conditions and club accordingly. Once you have crossed the line, no doubts and no second thoughts.

Try it. I'm sure a clearer picture will let you swing in a better tempo and allow your natural swing to come through.

 

[Golfmmad]

Thanks Homer,

Interesting thoughts - haven't heard before.

I usually like to get to the course an hour before tee time, and it's surprising how quickly that time goes. With all the useful tips I'll have to get there even earlier and hit a bucket or two of balls on the range.
Will let you know how I get on.

Golfmmad.

 

[mono217]

relax and dont think too much about the shot

 

[mikmo]

So Homer, you don't take a practice swing when you address? I usally do one or two full practice swings a few inches inside the ball just to get a feel.

You do it before you walk over to the ball?

 

[Macster]

I hardly ever take a practice swing when I am addressing the ball, - any loosening up swing is done during my pre-shot routine, usually standing 6/8feet behind the ball looking at the line and feeling the shot.

If you read 'Bob Rotella's - Golf is not a game of perfect' , he definitely doesnt like all the 'practise swings etc etc, or people to even think about the mechanics of the swing at that point, he thinks that it simply introduces tension into the swing, and I agree. Once you're on the course, you should simply 'feel' the shot, and play with whatever swing has come with you that day.

Definitely worth a read.

As far as 'not looking at the ball during a shot', I just dont know how you can possibly look away from the ball during the shot ???

Put the logo facing you and keep those damned eyes on it !!!!

 

[KeefG]

Stiggy Hodgson isnt doing so bad, and he takes his eye off the ball all the time

That lads swing is unreal and yet excellent all at the same time!

 

[Leftie]

I try to look at a specific spot on the ball rather than the whole ball during my swing e.g. a logo, the number, part of the name, etc. Seems to concentrate the mind a bit more.

If you are referring to looking up too quickly after you have hit the ball, a friend of mine has found the answer. Off the tee, he will watch for the tee peg before looking up. Off the grass, he will look for the divot. A slight exageration maybe but you get the picture. He never looks up to see where his ball is going - we do that for him and it is usually down the middle.

 

[Golfmmad]

Thanks for all replies, and Mono,ChrisMc and Leftie, your tips are all in the memory bank to be tried out tomorrow!

Watch this space!!

Golfmmad.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I do all my practice swings before I cross that line. I found years back I would make my practice swings and if I took a divot or something near the ball that I'd be thinking of that instead of my shot. Also I wasn't really taking constructive practice swings and ended up frozen over the ball worried that my swing didn't feel right.

Now I stand by my bag and assess the shot given the yardage, pin, trouble to negotiate and the weather and pick my club. I take my swings, stand and focus on seeing the shot, and then walk into my zone and line up, one small waggle and release. No time to get any swing thoughts whispering in my ear or for having second thoughts or doubts.