If you want to make more putts, close your eyes. Whenever you take away one of your senses—in this case, your vision—the others are heightened. When you close your eyes, you are able to feel the putter head better and identify any movement you make with your body, hands or wrists.

Some golfers have “jerky” putting strokes. Others have sudden changes in their hands. Many have the tendency to move their head. There are a lot putting faults we all struggle with from time to time. Putting with your eyes closed will help improve all of the above mentioned flaws.

Here are a few good things it does for your stroke:

• It helps you feel the path of your hands
• It helps you feel the path of the putter head or any sudden movements in the putter face
• It helps to keep your head still  (With your eyes closed there is not the urge to “peek” or move your head)
• It allows you to feel if you have any body movement during the putting stroke
• Gives you a sense of calm

The next time yo practice, do two things:

1. Lay down two clubs just wider than the width of your putter.  Start making a few strokes to work on the path with your eyes closed. If you hit the clubs, you need to work on the path and, with your eyes closed, you will be able to improve your path quickly.
2. Find a 3-foot putt that has no break. Set-up to the putt and look at the hole for a few seconds and really “burn” the image of the cup into your mind. When you bring your focus back to the ball, close your eyes and stroke the putt. You’ll be surprised at how many putts you’ll make practicing this way. 

With your eyes closed you should start feeling a smoother stroke and noticing how your body and putter are working through the stroke.

Wishing you lots of one-putts!