Holding your head steady

The improvement in my game in recent months I attribute to a good degree to finally learning to hold my head steady.

For four years I had trouble doing that. If you are right-eyed—as I am—and cock your head to the right as you go back, there's no way you can see the ball. If you're left-eyed, as Sam Snead and Louise Suggs are, for example, cocking your head is fine for you. Right-eyed golfers, however, must learn to hold the head in a fixed position over the ball.

When players are working on refining their backswing, they sometimes unconsciously pick up the habit of turning their heads to the right to check certain positions of the hands and the clubhead. Be certain you avoid this not uncommon pitfall. For another thing, don't become overimpressed when you hear that the top players can hit the ball without looking at it. They can, but when they go off their games it is probably because they have taken their heads and eyes off the ball.

Is there any simple prescription that will enable you to hold your head still? I think there is. Practice closing your bad eye. It will steady not only your head but your entire swing as well.

RUTH JESSEN, Inglewood CC, Kenmore, Wash.

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Incorrect: head has moved

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Correct: head still

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Train your good eye

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