Most people have a dominant eye, the eye the brain relies on more for visual information. In golf, eye dominance can affect how you see your target, how you aim and how you line up putts. Some golfers find small adjustments based on their dominant eye make aiming easier. Here's what you need to know.
What is eye dominance?
The brain uses both eyes, but tends to favour one when judging where an object is. That's your dominant eye. It can be on the same side as your dominant hand or the opposite side (cross-dominance).
How to test your dominant eye
- Extend both arms and make a small triangle with your thumbs and fingers.
- With both eyes open, look through the triangle at a distant object.
- Close one eye, then the other.
- The eye that keeps the object in the triangle is your dominant eye.
How it can affect golf
- Aim: some golfers aim slightly left or right because of how their dominant eye views the target line.
- Putting alignment: the dominant eye may make a line look straight when it isn't.
- Head position: some golfers turn their head slightly at address to see the target with their dominant eye.
- Ball position on putts: some golfers prefer the ball slightly under or inside their dominant eye.
Practical adjustments
- Check your aim with alignment sticks or a putting mirror. Read alignment stick drills and golf alignment: how to aim.
- Experiment with ball position in your putting stance.
- Allow a slight head tilt at address if it helps you see the target, while keeping a consistent routine.
- Use a line on the ball to check alignment. Read golf ball alignment lines.
- Read putts from behind the ball with your dominant eye.
A coach or putter fitter can help assess how your eyes affect your set-up. Read how to choose a putter.
Vision and golf
Beyond dominance, good eyesight matters for:
- Judging distances and seeing slopes. Read how to read greens.
- Tracking the ball in flight.
Have regular eye tests, and talk to an optician about lenses that suit golf. Read our golf sunglasses guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my dominant eye?
Look through a small triangle made with your hands at a distant object, then close each eye in turn.
Does eye dominance affect putting?
It can influence how you perceive your aim and alignment.
What if I'm cross-dominant?
Many golfers play well cross-dominant. Check your alignment and adjust head position or ball position if needed.
Should I change my stance because of eye dominance?
Only if testing shows it helps your aim. Make small adjustments.
The bottom line
Eye dominance can subtly affect your aim, especially on the greens. Test which eye is dominant, check your alignment with sticks or a mirror, experiment with head and ball position, and keep your vision checked. For more putting help, read how to hole more short putts.