Eyes Over the Ball (Putting)
Also known as: eyes over the ball, eyes over the ball when putting, eye position when putting, eye position putting, eye line putting, eyes inside the ball
Many coaches suggest setting your eyes directly over the ball or just inside it, on or slightly closer to you than the target line. Eyes well outside or well inside the line can make the line look bent and pull your aim off. Check it by holding a ball at the bridge of your nose and letting it drop.
Your eyes act like the sight on a rifle. When they sit over the target line, the path from ball to hole looks straighter and is easier to judge. When they sit beyond the ball or well inside it, the line can look curved. Many golfers then aim the face off line without knowing it. The direction of the error varies from person to person.
To check, take your putting stance and hold a ball against the bridge of your nose. Let it drop. If it lands on the ball at address or just inside it, your eyes are in a common position. If it lands well outside or inside, adjust your posture. Bending more from the hips moves the eyes out toward the line. Standing taller moves them in.
Putter length plays a part. A putter that is too long makes you stand tall with your eyes inside the line. One that is too short pushes them out over or past it. Ball position matters too. Many golfers set the ball just forward of center, under or slightly ahead of the lead eye. A putter fitting checks length, lie and eye position together.
Tips by skill level
Do the ball-drop test at home in front of a mirror. Once your eyes are over the line, notice how your posture feels and copy it on the course.
A putting mirror with a target line and eye marks gives instant feedback. A few minutes on one before a round helps you settle into the same setup.
Example
She keeps pushing short putts right. A mirror check shows her eyes well inside the ball. She bends a little more from the hips until a dropped ball lands on the one at address, and her start line improves.
Why it matters
Eye position affects how you see the line and how you aim the face. A quick drop test removes one common cause of missed short putts.
Common mistakes
- Standing so tall that the eyes sit well inside the line
- Reaching for the ball so the eyes sit beyond it
- Playing the ball far behind the lead eye
- Changing eye position from putt to putt
Frequently asked questions
Should my eyes be over the ball when putting?
Directly over it or just inside it is a common position. It helps you see the target line more accurately. Check by dropping a ball from the bridge of your nose at address.
How do I check my eye position for putting?
Take your stance, hold a ball against the bridge of your nose and let it drop. It should land on or just inside the ball at address. Bend more or stand taller to adjust.
Where should the ball be in my putting stance?
Many golfers play it just forward of center, under or slightly ahead of the lead eye. That helps the putter meet it level or slightly on the way up.
Related terms
- Putting FundamentalsSet up with your eyes over or just inside the ball, the ball a little forward of center and a light grip. Rock your shoulders to move the putter back and through with quiet wrists. Aim the face first, then focus most of your practice on speed.
- Putter LengthPutter length is fit to a golfer's height, arm length, and preferred posture. Most standard putters run 33 to 35 inches, but a mismatched length forces a compensating posture that changes lie angle and face position at address.
- Putter FittingPutter fitting matches a putter's length, lie angle, loft, and balance style to a golfer's actual stroke path, using putting-specific measuring tools.
- Putting StrokeThe putting stroke is the controlled pendulum motion that rolls the ball along the intended line. Good mechanics include a square face at impact, consistent tempo, and path that matches the putter's arc.
- Aiming a PuttTo aim a putt, pick a spot on your start line a few inches ahead of the ball. Set the putterface square to that spot before you set your feet. Many golfers use a line on the ball, pointed along the start line rather than at the hole, then match the putter's sight line to it.
- PostureGolf posture is the spine angle at address, bending forward from the hips with a straight back. It lets the arms hang freely and the body rotate athletically.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into practice
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