A successful golf swing starts with the eyes. This applies to driving off the tee, long and short irons, chipping and putting. The eyes need to be in a direct line with the intended target. This can happen consistently when a player performs the same routine before every shot. Accuracy is down to where you aim. Getting the eyes in the correct line is crucial to improving your golf game.
Before the Shot
Achieving the correct eye line starts as soon as you arrive at your ball. As you approach it, think about the next shot and where you want to aim. Select a club based on the distance. Stand two or three yards behind the ball, and pick out a target. With your arms straight out in front of you and point the club at the target, never letting your eyes leave the target. Walk toward your ball until you're just behind it, still looking and visualizing the line.
The Set-up
Place the clubhead behind the ball. At address, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. During practice, place a golf club touching the front of both your feet, with the grip pointing on an imaginary line running parallel to and left of the target. The ball will be on the correct target line; the feet, the knees, the shoulders and, most important, the eye line must be parallel to the ball.
Keeping the Head Still
Before taking the clubhead back to begin the swing, focus on keeping the head still. Pick a spot on, or just behind the ball. Jack Nicklaus -- a winner of 18 major championships and the most successful golfer in history -- was coached by Jack Grout, a Florida professional who used to grab Nicklaus' hair when his head moved during the swing to remind him that any movement of the head was painful, not just in physical terms, but also with alignment and accuracy.
Swinging the Club
A golf swing can create clubhead speeds of 100 mph and above, this means trying to keep your head still throughout the whole swing is impossible. The intention is the limit the movement, and not adjust the parallel eye line. Once the clubhead comes into contact with the ball, consciously focus on the spot where the ball was before you hit it. You can only do this for a split second, as the natural rhythm and rotation of the swing means your head should naturally rotate around as you enter the follow-through phase.
Putting Technique
The set-up, the length of swing, the head position and the eye line are all different when it comes to putting. The feet are closer together. The length of swing is smaller and resembles the pendulum of a clock. The head is directly over the ball. The eye line is now in a direct line with the target or hole. If a player decides the putt will move from right to left, the eye line will be aiming right of the hole. Keep the head still, and when practicing on putts less than 10 feet, try to listen for the sound of the ball falling into the cup, instead of watching the ball -- this can get you into the habit of keeping your head still.
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