Where Are You Looking When You Putt?
Your eyes play a more critical role in putting than you might think. It’s not just about where you’re looking during the stroke, but how your eyes are engaged throughout the entire routine—from your initial setup to the moment the ball leaves the putter face.
Some professionals, like Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia, have taken eye placement to the extreme, even keeping their eyes locked on the hole during the stroke itself.
This week, we’ll explore how eye positioning can influence your putting performance—and how small adjustments might make a big difference on the greens.
Where Should Your Eyes Be at Setup?
You’ve probably heard that your eyes should be directly over the ball when putting—but that’s not always the case. In reality, optimal eye position varies from player to player. Some may benefit from having their eyes slightly inside or outside the ball line to improve their stroke and alignment.
Where your eyes are positioned at setup can significantly impact how you perceive your line and how accurately you start the ball on your intended path.
A helpful calibration drill is to find a straight 15-foot putt, then place a coin 8 feet from the hole directly on your intended line. Set up to the putt and observe where the coin appears in relation to the hole. Adjust your posture and eye position until the coin looks perfectly in line with the hole—this is when you’re “seeing straight.” Once you find this position, make a note of it so you can replicate it during practice.
What Should Your Eyes Be Doing During and After the Stroke?
Many golfers make the mistake of consciously watching their putter during the backstroke, which can lead to distraction and reduced focus on the actual task—making a solid, well-directed stroke.
To quiet your eyes and improve focus, try fixing your gaze on a specific point such as the number or logo on the ball. Some players even choose to lock in on a small blade of grass just in front of the ball. This helps keep your eyes stable and reduces unnecessary movement during the stroke.
If you’re someone who tends to follow the ball too early, maintaining your focus on that fixed point—even after the ball has been struck—can be an excellent way to stay down through the stroke and improve your strike consistency. It’s perfectly okay to watch the ball roll out—just make sure it doesn’t come at the expense of a smooth stroke and solid contact.
The Power of Staring at the Hole
Before you make your stroke, taking a deliberate, steady gaze at the hole can have a surprisingly powerful impact on your putting performance. A focused 2–3 second look helps quiet the mind, sharpen your intention, and reduce anxiety—especially for players who tend to overthink.
Think of it like throwing a ball to a friend: would you concentrate on how your arm is moving, or would you naturally focus on your target? If your friend held up their hand as a target, your attention would lock in even more. The same principle applies in putting.
Basketball players don’t watch their shooting hand—they focus on the hoop. Your brain is remarkably capable of coordinating movement toward a visual target, as long as you let it. Try this on the putting green: before pulling the trigger, fix your eyes on the hole for a few seconds. Notice how your body begins to respond. You might just find your eyes and stroke working in harmony to produce better results.