Putting

The same thing is true in putting. First reading the green, we select the "target" line. In order to "bring that line back" to set the putter square, we want to eliminate the sight plane aberration described above. Set the address posture, bend forward to place the eyes vertically above the ball and have your neck horizontal so that when you turn your head to establish the "target" or aiming line, your eyes remain on the vertically oriented sight plane. This eliminates the aberration. There are only two positions in which the head can turn without altering the perception of sight plane: horizontal axis and vertical axis of rotation.

Once the putter face is set to hit on the "target" line, stand as erect as possible to allow a good smooth swing, use the eyes as range finders to determine how hard to hit the putt, an execute the stroke. The most important 4 inches of putter travel are the 1 inch before striking the ball and the 3 inches after striking it. If the putter is traveling square to the "line" before and after striking the ball, chances are it is a perfectly struck putt, and its roll will be affected only by contour and texture of the putting surface.

While talking about the eyes, consider why a down hill putt breaks more than an uphill putt reversing the direction between two points. The answer is that the down hill putt is slower and therefore the forces (gravity and surface texture) affecting the ball have a longer period of time to act on it. While reading the putt, consider the direction in which the ball will be rolling over the last six inches before it stops, either by dropping into the hole, or comes to rest near the hole. This will tell you the direction from which it must come as it approaches the cup, a big assist in reading the break.