Golf - Seeing is not always seeing

One to one coaching

I thought these could only be used in labs, not on the course…how wrong was I? - Male amateur golfer

Introduction

As in other settings, the visual system is vital to successful performance.

Just think about it, how much do you use your eyes in golf? From being able seeing the lye of the ball, reading the green and being able to visualise your target the visual systems connection to your brain is nothing short of essential.

If you are unable to 'see' and interpret visual information consistently and effectively, being honest, you are unlikely to perform to your best regardless of how good your swing is.

There are a variety of visual skills that are considered essential for successful performance:

  • Depth Perception - Judge distances consistently and accurately
  • Eye Alignment (aiming) - Keeping both eyes targeted on relevant stimuli even when fatigued.
  • Eye Tracking - Track moving objects efficiently.
  • Attention - The cognitive capacity of selection of the desired information.
  • Concentration - The capacity to maintain the attention on a stimulus selected.
  • Eye to Hand Coordination - React to incoming visual information with accurate body movements which influences timing and control.
  • Focusing - Ability to shift from near to far consistently and accurately.

Applications

Using an eye tracker throughout a round of golf will reveal some vital information about the efficiency of how the visual system used. From there training points can be put in place for consistent development.

First Hole Yips - Now view this video of a common occurrence, an inefficient first hole contact. Now you should know that after conversation with this player, they dislike the first tee, want to get off it quickly as possible and the ball did not end up where they were intending. What do you notice?

This is a classic case of ‘seeing is not always seeing’. Meaning they are looking right at the head of the club, but don’t interpret the fact that the head is at an angle that will lead to the ball going in a direction that is unintended. Their gaze behaviour is erratic moving from feet, to the fairway, the club, the ball in no particular order. By the time they make contact with the ball, their focus is more on the club going backwards than the ball. All factors that can be trained and make a significant positive difference to performance.

Focus on the Feet - Here we have tee shot where an individual is focusing so much on their feet that they fail to focus on the ball or club enough. The result was a shot that landed only 50 yards away from the tee. A clear example of someone that is not focusing enough on the relevant information to enhance their performance.

Focus on the Relevant - During a round we are able to watch the process of each shot taken. Which means in between each hole feedback can be discussed and actioned. Here is an example of the same golfer who was focusing on their feet, now focusing on more relevant information more consistently.

    Watch this video of the process they go through when arriving at the ball:

  • Assesses the lye of the ball
  • Identifies hazards
  • Internalises his thoughts on current skill level
  • Selects the appropriate club
  • Adopts a good position for him
  • Focusses on the ball to make clean contact
  • Outcome the ball roles up to the edge of the green

It would have been so easy to focus on the over hanging trees, the bunker or being so close to the bush...

Instead he focused on the relevant information rather than being distracted

Such an important skill...yes skill...meaning it can be trained