Touring professionals sometimes practice putting with their eyes closed as a way of developing "feel" in their putting strokes. On rare occasions, a touring pro will even close his or her eyes on some putts during tournament play.
Can recreational golfers learn anything from this technique? First thing to learn: You're not a touring pro, so don't close your eyes on any putt that counts. But yes, recreational golfers can use the eyes-closed method during practice to work on developing their own "feel" on the greens.
Michael Lamanna is the Director of Instruction at The Phoenician resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. He recommends the following drill as one way golfers can improve both their feel for the putting stroke and their distance control on the greens.
Step 1
On the practice green, place three balls 10 feet from the cup, three more 20 feet out, three more at 30 feet, 40 feet and 50 feet from the hole.
Step 2
From 10 feet, putt the first ball as normal, with your eyes open.
Step 3
Line up the second putt as normal with your eyes open, then close your eyes just before you make your stroke. Focus on the feel of the putter head during the stroke and try to guess where the ball will end up when it stops rolling.
Step 4
Putt the third ball from 10 feet just as you did in step three, closing your eyes just before making the stroke.
Repeat this procedure at each three-ball station out to 50 feet.
If you incorporate this putting drill into your practice routine, you should begin to develop a better feel on the greens.
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