Take Your Eyes Off that Ball!

O.k., so you love golf. I know, I know. Me too.

There you are, exhilarated just by being on the course again, away from the worries of real life. Man, this is great.

But come on, underneath all that titillation is - way too often -- the pang of frustration. Why? You know the routine. You get all set up and quickly run through the 20-item checklist in your brain. This time, everything's just right, perfect. And then, wack, off the ball goes, to Slice City or to Hooksville. Or perhaps a dribble or a pop fly.

Dang! Isn't there a way to end this misery? Well, no, there isn't, not entirely.

But I do have a suggestion that may help sometimes, and that is to take your eye OFF the ball. That's right. Let go.

Here's the idea. First, make every backswing as slow as you can. And keep it low to the ground as long as you can, especially with your driver and woods -- whether off the tee or on the turf.

Now, as you start that backswing -- as straight back as you can - and keeping it low -- shift your focus from the ball to the lower edge of your clubface or to the clubface itself. As you bring the club back those first eight to twelve inches, either watch just the club edge or face or quickly dart back and forth between the club and the ball, keeping the lower edge of the clubface perpendicular to the intended line of flight of the ball.

This helps to keep the clubface perpendicular to the line of flight during those first few inches -- and tends to help to bring the club face in perpendicular during the forward swing, resulting in straighter, truer flight and better distance.

Why is this? Well, some people are natural athletes with great "body sense." Eye-hand co-ordination is second nature to them. But to the rest of us 26 million or so golfers in the United States, athletic co-ordinated movement doesn't come so naturally. So we cheat a little, using the eyes to help the body movement to stay in alignment. And that little help can make a big difference.

This technique can work equally well with the driver, other woods, irons, and (especially) the putter. That's right, slow up that backswing with the putter too, and watch that club as it goes back. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

So keep your exhilaration -- and your titillation -- but lessen your frustration by taking your eye off the ball. (Oh, by the way, eventually it is a good idea to get your eyes back on that ball. But you knew that, right?)

Ned Jacobs is an attorney in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Director of the Phonics Institute. He can be reached at edwardjacobs@yahoo.com, and at 7 Church Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; 340-773-3322; fax 340-773-2566.

---

What A Golf Conditioning Tip Must Have

There are certain aspects that any good golf conditioning tip... Read More

Confusion Feeds the Golf Industry

The policeman drops his paycheck on the kitchen table so... Read More

Wanna Play More Consistent Golf? Learn and Apply 10 Proven Techniques Golf Professionals Use

For the past seven years I have been researching what... Read More

The One Lever Golf Swing Involves Chipping And Putting

The one lever golf swing involves chipping and putting. To... Read More

Womens Golf Equality

Women have been trying for years to be viewed as... Read More

Improve Your Golf Performance With These 5 Tips

Improve your golf performance. Is this always on your mind?... Read More

Quickly Improve Your Golf Swing

Do you need some golf swing tips? If you could... Read More

Super Golf Wheel Chair that Enables Disabled Golfers to Play Normally

Last week when I was at the driving range I... Read More

Facts and Fallacies of Strength Training for Golf

Various aspects of golf training have expanded rapidly, but one... Read More

The Golf Channel Highlights Fitness

If you're a Golf Channel addict or merely an avid... Read More

Can A Golf Swing Video Change your Game?

There are many golfers who have been exposed to many... Read More

How to Develop More Consistency in the Golf Swing

Imagine every one of your shots in the middle of... Read More

Golf Secrets To Dramatically Improve Your Game

Every amateur golfer is constantly looking for golf secrets to... Read More

Golf Humor Poetry:- Ode to the Fanatical Golfer (Part One)

He wanted golf to be experienced by all, And hoped... Read More

Golf Schools Require Golf Fitness

Are you planning on attending a golf school on your... Read More

How A Simple Golf Stretch Can Add 20 Yards To Your Drives

To quickly improve your golf, stretch your golf muscles regularly!What's... Read More

Golf Nutrition On And Off The Course

For best competition performance on the golf course, maintaining proper... Read More

History of Golf- How it all Started

Since before the time Mary Queen of Scots was disciplined... Read More

How To Play Better Golf

High handicappers, low handicappers and even the pros consistently have... Read More

How a Woman Can Improve Golf Performance

Everything else being equals a woman cannot drive a golf... Read More

Golf Weight Training Is The Answer To Longer Drives

It is no secret that most of the male and... Read More

Golf Fitness DVD: Improve Your Game In Your Living Room

Plugging in a golf fitness dvd is a great alternative... Read More

Do You Dream Of A Golf Swing With Power

If you are one of those golfers whose idea of... Read More

How to Win at Golf

What's the point of playing sport if you don't want... Read More

Golf Holiday - Plan Your Holiday Golf or Your Ireland Golf Vacation

Try Ireland for a golf holiday full of emerald green... Read More