John Elliott, Jr., is listed as one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and Golf Digest's #39 instructor in the world. He is the head professional at the Country Club of Ocala in Ocala, Florida.
How to Position Your Eyes and Feet to Improve Putting Accuracy
You know one of the neatest things about teaching is learning, and I have had the opportunity over the years that I have taught to learn from you that in putting we have not done a very good job of helping you get set up correctly. So I want you to think about these three letters for a minute: E, B, F. What does it mean? Eyes, Blade, Feet.
3 Things to Focus on for Better Putting Accuracy
When you are setting up we want you to set your eyes first. Where? Over the target line. Then your blade second. Where, behind the ball on the target line. The last thing we want you to do is set your feet parallel to that target line. Now the question would be why do it that way, what is the difference? Well, every thing on the green that you process you process through your eyes. The shape of the green, the color of the green, the slope of the green, the distance of your ball to the pin, what your opponent has just done.
Setting the Eyes for Putting
If that is true and everything we are seeing is coming through our eyes then common sense says let's set the eyes first. Let me demonstrate. I have this pin here for a reason, so that as I set my eyes over the target line my eyes will also be in line with that pin line. Then we are going to set the club, the blade, behind the ball and we are going to aim it down that line. Then the last thing we are going to set are our feet.
Every Ball Falls
Eyes, Blade, Feet and then watch. The acronym for Eyes, Blade, Feet is Every Ball Falls. Most of the time. Now that one it did not, but I still did what I tried to do correctly. You will never make all your putts, but the better you set up the better chance you have of making more of your putts. Now let me take the pin out of the hole and show you how you can check yourself at home. I have a line here on the ground, I am setting my eyes over the target line, or at least I think I am.
Putting: Pre-Shot Routine
How do I know for sure? While I am standing here I put the club in my lead hand, bring it up to the bridge of my nose, and as I sight down the shaft I can see that it is directly over the red line. I will let the club drop and as you can see it hit the line on the way down. So let’s go over the routine. Eyes, Blade, Feet. Set your eyes, aim your blade, spread your feet. Hit your putt. Maybe for you every ball will fall. In my case I am zero for one.
About the Instructor
John Elliott, Jr.
St. Andrews Golf & Country Club
3N441 Route 59
West Chicago, IL 60185
Tel: 630-231-3160
3N441 Route 59
West Chicago, IL 60185
Tel: 630-231-3160