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Where Should You Look When You Putt?

Today, I’m diving into another research paper. Last week I reviewed a research paper I found to be interesting and received a ton of feedback from readers asking for more newsletters like that.

So here is some interesting research on putting that may help you improve your performance on the greens — especially those tricky breaking putts. This study by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie and Neil MacInnis from St. Francis Xavier University compared two different visual focus strategies: near target (focusing on the ball) and far target (focusing on a spot along the break line) for breaking putts.  Sahso has been on my podcast a couple times now – he is an INCREDIBLY smart guy and I have learned a lot from his research.

Let’s dive into the details and see what the data says!

The Study Setup

Twenty-eight experienced golfers, with an average handicap of 12.5, participated in this experiment, which took place on an indoor putting green with a slope of about 1°. They took a total of 144 putts from distances of 6, 10, and 14 feet with putts breaking in both directions—either from left to right or right to left.

The golfers tested two visual focus methods:

1. Near Target (NT): The traditional method, where the golfer keeps their eyes on the ball during the stroke.

2. Far Target (FT): The golfer focuses on a spot along the target line that is closest to the hole (to account for the break), instead of the ball.

The goal was to see if focusing on the far target (where you intend to roll the ball) would improve accuracy and make more putts.

The Findings

The study found that the far target method (FT) resulted in higher success than the near target method (NT). On average, golfers using the FT strategy sank 40% of their putts, while those using the NT strategy only holed 37%. Not a massive difference at first glance, but those extra holed putts will help the scorecard.

The FT method was especially effective on putts with heel-to-toe breaks (left-to-right for right-handers). Golfers sank 41% of these putts using the far target method, compared to 36% using the near target method.

This strategy also helped improve accuracy when putts were missed. Using the FT method, missed putts ended up closer to the hole than the NT method.

What Does This Mean for You?

So, what’s the big takeaway here? Should you start shifting your focus on breaking putts to a spot along the target line? Based on the data, it seems like this should be something you experiment with, especially if you’re struggling with speed control on breaking putts.

The far target could help you better visualize the break and control the pace of the ball, which is key on breaking putts. The study suggests that focusing on a point down the line might improve your ability to hit the ball at the right speed and with the proper break, rather than getting too locked into the mechanics of your stroke.

A Few Quick Tips

1. Experiment with the Far Target Method: Try focusing on a spot along your intended line instead of looking at the ball during your stroke. See if it helps with your accuracy on breaking putts.

2. Practice Different Distances: The 10-foot putt was where the far target method showed the most significant improvement in the study. Practice from multiple distances and see how focusing down the line impacts your game.

3. Test. Experiment with this approach. Measure your results. Figure out what works best for YOU.  

My Thoughts

The next time you’re on the practice green, give the far target visual strategy a shot. Whether you’re trying to shave off strokes or just become more confident on breaking putts, this strategy could be a game-changer. Like with any technique, it might take a little time to get used to, but it could make a big difference in your putting.

See you next week!

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