Posture and Eyeline are significant factors in making more putts. While not everyone is the same, it’s important to take an athletic stance and have our eyes in the proper position.
The diagram below is a good example of correct posture and eyeline.
The player has his eyes parallel to the ground, a flat back, is bent at the waist and has a more upright athletic stance.
I think posture and eyeline pretty much go together. Let’s take a look at both.
individual golfer
Posture
By upright I mean slightly more upright than your full swing posture or less knee bend.
What this suggests is that your are hips over your feet, your hands are under your shoulders and your eyes are close to the ball in the position that is correct for you.
I’ve tried several postures. Mostly due to my back getting stiff.
I’m fairly tall so my tendency is to want to stand up. That brings my arms too close.
Why is that a problem?
The taller you stand you can block your swing. You end up turning your body.
The idea is to swing with your shoulders and arms in a free motion.
Here is a good video from Titleist Tips on posture.
What I’ve done to help with the back issue is to buy a folding camp stool that I put right next to the green.
I like taking about 10 putts and then stop to think about things. I ask myself….What did you do right and what did you do wrong?
Eyeline
Where your eyes are over or around the ball varies by golfer.
I cringe when I hear a pro on YouTube say your eyes need to be right over the ball. That is not correct for everyone.
First of all, it matters which eye is your dominant eye. (See or article on Putting Aids – Your Eyes)
I will use myself as an example. I’m right eye dominant and right handed.
My correct eyeline is left eye over the ball, right eye behind the ball and right on the aim line.
When I turn my head to look at the hole, I see a straight line to my aim point or to the hole.
I practice this using putting mirrors that have lines on them like the PuttOUT compact putting mirror.
I found this out by trial and error. Here is a video that helped me a lot by putting instructor Phil Kenyon.