What Is Improper Eye Alignment In Putting?
Improper eye alignment putting simply means your eyes are not positioned over or just inside the ball at address.
Eye position has a direct effect on your view of the target line and changes how you aim the putter.
How Does It Affect Your Putts?
- Misreading the Target Line
Poor eye placement shifts how straight lines appear. You may think you’re aiming straight when you are actually aiming left or right. - Starts Putts Off-Line
When the target line looks incorrect, you may adjust your putter’s face without realizing it. This leads to pushes and pulls. - Unstable Stroke Path
Misaligned eyes can cause an incorrect stroke because you’re not aiming properly. Your brain changes the stroke’s path to push or pull the ball onto the correct line, which causes inconsistency. - Bad Distance Control
Bad visuals increase tension in your stroke, which in turn hurts rhythm and makes speed control unreliable.
What Causes Bad Eye Alignment?
- Poor Posture at Setup
Rounding the upper back pushes the head forward. This forces the eyes outside the ball. - Incorrect Ball Position
If the ball is too far forward or back, your head tilts and changes eye location and visual perception. - Grip Tension
A tight grip on the putter can cause you to change your posture and shift your eye height, as well as your position over the ball. - Inconsistent Routine
Not checking and ensuring that your eye position is the same every time leads to constant aim changes.
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What Other Faults Does Improper Eye Alignment Cause?
- Aiming Left or Right
Having improper eye alignment can make you set up off-line without realizing it. - Pushes and Pulls
Once your aim is off, your stroke path will follow the wrong visual line. This produces misses on both sides. - Face Not Square at Impact
Your brain makes adjustments for a distorted view by rotating the putter face. This leads to a poor start direction for your putts.
Putting Cues & Feels
- Let your arms hang naturally before gripping the putter.
- Feel your nose directly over the ball or just inside it.
- Keep both eyes level to the ground so the line looks straight.
Putting Adaptations
- Use a slightly shorter putter if you cannot get your eyes over the ball.
- Widen your stance to support a stable head position.
- Move the ball one inch forward or back until the target line looks straight.
FAQs About Improper Eye Alignment
How do I know if I have bad eye alignment?
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Should my eyes be directly over the ball?
Most coaches, including golf coaching platforms like MyTPI and Pelz, prefer having the eyes over or slightly inside the ball for a clear view of the target line.
Does eye dominance matter in putting?
Yes. Your dominant eye affects how you see straight lines. Some golfers need their eyes positioned slightly inside the ball for best aim.
Can poor posture cause eye alignment issues?
Yes. Your body posture directly controls head position. Bad posture almost always causes your eye line to shift.
Why do I aim straight but still miss?
Your eyes may be giving you a distorted view, so although you think your aim is “straight,” it may not actually be straight.
Alternate Names
- Misaligned Eye Line
- Incorrect Eye Position
- Eyes Too Far Inside
- Eyes Outside the Ball
- Faulty Visual Setup
Final Thoughts
Eye alignment is a simple but critical putting fundamental. When your eyes are in the wrong place, your mind and stroke follow a distorted picture of the target line.
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