The concept of "eye line" when putting

[mr_divots]

I was watching some portions of Tom Watson's "Lessons of a Lifetime" last night. 8 majors is a heckuva career, but I never had heard of Tom Watson being mentioned as a "great" putter. It was honestly the section of the DVD's I expected to take the least away from. However, there is a piece of advice he gives on the "eye line."

Does anyone do anything to insure their eye line is pointing to the hole? (Watson's contention is that the putter is going to go where the eyes are pointed.) I actually found myself using my putter shaft to check my eye line was pointing at the hole as I practiced last night. Now, granted, indoor practice from 10 or so feet isn't exactly like the real thing, but I was surprised at how confident I became with the stroke and how they repeatedly went in when I checked my eye line and found I was indeed pointed at the hole/target.

[SPY ZINGER]

Have you seen Mickelson's Secrets of the Short Game?  He's got a similar concept.  Never believed in eyes over the ball, but looking down the line like a sharp shooter does a rifle.

[mr_divots]

Have you seen Mickelson's Secrets of the Short Game?  He's got a similar concept.  Never believed in eyes over the ball, but looking down the line like a sharp shooter does a rifle.

I haven't it. Like a rifle? Wouldn't that mean standing facing the target?

[Backspin9]

I putt with my eyes over the line and slightly behind the ball.  I had a video lesson of my putting done last summer and I was standing too far away from the ball.  It was causing too big of an arc and not being able to hit the center of the putter consistently.  Once he got me in a better posture the arc became smaller and the putts were much more on the intended target line.  It made a huge difference.

One thing he had me do was take my stance and hold a ball next to my left eye and drop it.  It should hit either on or slightly inside of the target line, and behind the ball.  It's a good way to check how your set up is.  

[Sillybodkins]

I was watching some portions of Tom Watson's "Lessons of a Lifetime" last night. 8 majors is a heckuva career, but I never had heard of Tom Watson being mentioned as a "great" putter. It was honestly the section of the DVD's I expected to take the least away from. However, there is a piece of advice he gives on the "eye line."

Does anyone do anything to insure their eye line is pointing to the hole? (Watson's contention is that the putter is going to go where the eyes are pointed.) I actually found myself using my putter shaft to check my eye line was pointing at the hole as I practiced last night. Now, granted, indoor practice from 10 or so feet isn't exactly like the real thing, but I was surprised at how confident I became with the stroke and how they repeatedly went in when I checked my eye line and found I was indeed pointed at the hole/target.

Great putter?  Watson was as good as anyone in the late '70's and early '80's.  I've heard pros talk about how solidly he struck putts; they used to marvel at the sound his putter made.  He made plenty of bombs during his time, and was money on the short ones back then.

He always enjoyed practicing that part of the game, as well.

[mr_divots]

Great putter?  Watson was as good as anyone in the late '70's and early '80's.  I've heard pros talk about how solidly he struck putts; they used to marvel at the sound his putter made.  He made plenty of bombs during his time, and was money on the short ones back then.

He always enjoyed practicing that part of the game, as well.

I'm not saying he wasn't (the part about me mentioning his 8 majors.) 
In those scenarios of "who would you want standing over a putt if "XYZ" depended on it," how many times is Watson mentioned with Nicklaus and Woods?  His record speaks for itself, but he's never mentioned in those conversations.

[Desmond]

I think if your head is aligned parallel with the rest of your set up - you're OK. That doesn't mean that eyes need to be over the ball. But feet, hips, shoulders and eyes are all aligned together.

[mr_divots]

I think if your head is aligned parallel with the rest of your set up - you're OK. That doesn't mean that eyes need to be over the ball. But feet, hips, shoulders and eyes are all aligned together.

Yes! It feels like the rest of the setup almost automatically falls in place provided the eyes are parallel to the target.

[Desmond]

Just watch that right hip. It tends to open

At least for me.

[Typhoon]

I saved Stockton's putting segment on GC's "12 nights at the Academy"  or what ever it was called.  Simple and it works for me.  Got hooked on his stlye after reading an article he did about Phil.