Two Invaluable Putting Tips

By Dean Sklar, PGA Professional

Putting using a name or line on your ball can really help in setting you on the correct path line. The key is to use your dominant eye so you will not struggle in correctly lining up your ball.

First, to determine your dominant eye, hold both hands out in front of you clasped together and create a small hole to look at the flag. Close one eye at a time to determine which eye is still able to see the flag. The eye that you see the flag with is your dominant eye and you will want to use that eye in lining up your ball.

If you are left eye dominant you will want to aim your ball line with your left hand. If right eye dominant, use your right hand to aim your ball line at the target. Use the same hand to increase the odds of getting the ball directly in line between your dominant eye and the target. You should now find it much easier to aim the ball directly at the target.

Once your ball is all lined up, go set up to the ball and make sure the clubface alignment matches the balls. Now you are ready to stoke it at your target. Trust your aim, begin focusing on your speed and you will become a better putter. If you are having difficulty matching your putter to the line (so it feels like you are aiming at your target), you may want to change your set-up until they match.

Check to see if your eye is directly over the ball. Think about why this is so important. When you line up to putt you want to see the direct line from the ball to the intended target. In this case, it’s the hole that you are putting the ball into. Set up to putt with your normal putting stance over the ball and place a ball under your eye. Now you want to release that ball to see if it lands directly on top of the ball that you are using to putt into the hole. If the ball lands before it, you are standing too far away. If the ball lands past the ball to the right, you are standing too close. Keep trying this test to make sure your eye is directly over it with the ball always landing directly on top of it. You will be surprised how you need to make the proper adjustment to get the eye directly over the ball and see the right line that you are stroking the putter head on the same path your eyes see it.

As always, see your local teaching Professional for a putting lesson. No one knows the game better than them.

▸ PGA Professional Dean Sklar is a member of the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years. If you would like to talk to Dean about your golf game, contact him at Dean@SklarTeam.com or visit Rose and Dean Sklar at Coldwell Banker online at www.SklarTeam.com.

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