MYTHCONCEPTION
Looking down the target line from our stance just prior to the shot is a good thing.
BUSTED
Here is a tip that a lot of people have never thought about.When we are in our proper address position and we turn our head towards the intended target, our eyes are at a 45 degree angle and turned to the left (for right handed players). Our brain then interprets things more from one eye as we are looking at the target in what is referred to as monocular vision as opposed to when we stand normally and our brain translates the world with two levels or horizontal eyes, known as binocular vision.
THE TEST
Take your normal address position. If you are a right handed player, release your left arm off the club and while looking at the ball (don’t peak!), attempt to point at the flag or target. Once you think you are pointing at it look up and see if in fact you are pointing at it. Many people are shocked to see that they are pointing way left of it and have to move their arm to correct it. This relates to swing path as well as your brain will send your hands to where it thinks the target is … but we will save that for another article.
THE SOLUTIONS
Watch, learn and imitate! Try taking note of how better players and professionals look at their target in their preshot routines. They almost always tilt their head up and get their eyes horizontal while over the ball but they also visualize their shots from behind the ball first with their eyes level to the target. Build this into your routine and always remember to look at what you are aiming at with level eyes and don’t change your plan based on what you see from over the ball.
Keep on swinging!
Matt Daniels
Core Golf Academy, Instructor
