The Optical Illusion Costing You Putts: How to Fix Parallax Error

Do you consistently pull putts to the left? Do your playing partners say you're putting "slice spin" on your putts? If so, you're likely falling victim to one of golf's most common yet overlooked putting problems: parallax error.

This optical illusion affects 90% of golfers I teach, from beginners to scratch players. The good news? Once you understand what's happening and learn to fix it, you'll see immediate improvements in both your accuracy and distance control.

What Is Parallax Error in Putting?

Parallax error occurs when your eyes are positioned incorrectly relative to your target line, creating a visual distortion that makes you aim your putter in the wrong direction.

Here's what happens:

• Your eyes are too far inside the target line (toward your body)
• What appears straight to you is actually aimed left of your target
• You compensate by opening the putter face at impact
• This creates inconsistent contact and poor distance control

The result? Putts that start left, bounce more than they should roll, and rarely travel the intended distance.

The 90% Problem: Why Most Golfers Aim Left

In my 35+ years of teaching, I've found that roughly 90% of accomplished players who struggle with putting have their putter aimed incorrectly—specifically, they're aiming too far to the left.

This isn't a technique problem; it's a setup and visual alignment problem. When your eyes aren't positioned correctly over the target line, your brain receives false information about where your putter is actually aimed.

The Simple Solution: Get Your Eyes Over the Target Line

The fix is straightforward but requires conscious effort to implement:

Position your eyes directly over your target line. When your eyes are correctly positioned, what looks straight to you will actually be straight.

Why This Works

Think of putting like shooting a rifle. You wouldn't position your eye several inches to the side of the scope and expect to hit your target accurately. The same principle applies to putting—your dominant eye should be positioned directly over the intended path of your putt.

Demonstrating the Parallax Effect

Here's a simple way to see parallax error in action:

1. Set up a string or alignment aid along your target line
2. Position your eyes over the target line - the string should appear to block out the alignment line on your putter
3. Move your head 3-4 inches inside the target line (toward your body)
4. Notice how the string now appears to be right of your putter's alignment line
5. Your brain will naturally want to aim the putter left to "correct" this visual discrepancy

This demonstration shows exactly why you've been missing putts to the left—your eyes have been lying to you!

The Line on the Ball: Essential Tool or Distraction?

There's ongoing debate about whether to use a line on your golf ball. Here's my take:

Benefits of Using a Line:

• Provides visual confirmation of proper aim
• Helps identify face angle errors (if the line doesn't roll straight, your face isn't square)
• Improves distance control by eliminating directional uncertainty
• Forces you to be more precise with your setup

When NOT to Use a Line:

• If you become so focused on the line that it hurts your distance control
• If you can't get comfortable with how "correct" aim looks

The Uncomfortable Truth

When you first start aiming correctly, it will feel wrong. Players constantly tell me, "That doesn't look right—it feels like I'm aiming to the right!"

My response: That discomfort is exactly your problem. You've been aiming incorrectly for so long that correct aim feels foreign. This adjustment period typically lasts about 6 months, but the improvement in your putting will be dramatic.

Training Aids That Actually Work

Unlike full-swing training aids, putting training aids are incredibly effective. Here are my top recommendations:

1. Putting Mirrors

What they do: Show you exactly where your eyes are positioned relative to the target line

How to use them:

• Set up the mirror along your target line
• Position your eyes so they appear directly over the line in the mirror
• Check that your shoulders and forearms are parallel to the target line
• Practice 8-10 putts daily to ingrain proper setup

2. String Training Aids

What they do: Create a visual reference for proper eye position and putter aim

How to use them:

• Set up the string along your target line
• When your eyes are correctly positioned, the string should block out your putter's alignment line
• Practice until this position feels natural

3. Chalk Lines

What they do: Provide an inexpensive way to practice proper alignment

How to use them:

• Snap a chalk line on the putting green
• Practice rolling balls along the line
• Focus on getting your eyes over the line before each putt

The Distance Control Connection

Proper aim doesn't just improve accuracy—it dramatically improves distance control. Here's why:

When You Aim Correctly:

• Square clubface contact creates consistent ball speed
• Proper roll (not bounce) provides predictable distance
• Mental confidence allows you to focus solely on speed

When You Aim Incorrectly:

• Compensating with an open face creates inconsistent contact
• "Cutting" the putt causes excessive bounce and unpredictable roll
• Directional uncertainty forces you to manipulate both line and speed

Practice Recommendations

Daily Setup Check (5 minutes)

1. Use a mirror or string to verify eye position
2. Check shoulder and forearm alignment
3. Hit 8-10 practice putts focusing only on setup
4. Don't worry about making putts—focus on process

Weekly Intensive Session (20-30 minutes)

1. Practice with alignment aids for proper eye position
2. Work on various distances (3-6-10 feet)
3. Use a line on the ball to verify face angle
4. Build confidence with proper setup positions

Course Application

1. Take extra time to ensure proper eye position
2. Trust your alignment even when it feels "wrong"
3. Focus on speed once alignment is established
4. Be patient as you develop new habits

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Eyes Too Far Inside

Problem: Creates the parallax error we've discussed Solution: Use training aids to establish proper eye position

Mistake #2: Eyes Too Far Outside

Problem: Less common but can cause aiming right of target Solution: Find the "sweet spot" directly over the target line

Mistake #3: Inconsistent Eye Position

Problem: Variable setup leads to variable results Solution: Practice with a mirror until proper position becomes automatic

Mistake #4: Ignoring Shoulder Alignment

Problem: Even with correct eye position, misaligned shoulders affect stroke path Solution: Check that shoulders and forearms are parallel to target line

Special Considerations for Glasses Wearers

If you wear glasses, parallax error is often more pronounced. The multiple lenses can amplify the visual distortion, making it even more critical to get your eyes positioned correctly over the target line.

Extra attention to eye position training is essential if you wear corrective lenses.

The Professional Standard

Every tour player you see on television practices eye position daily. They use mirrors, strings, and other alignment aids not because they don't know how to putt, but because proper setup is so crucial that it requires constant maintenance.

If it's important enough for the best players in the world to check daily, it should be important enough for you too.

Key Takeaways

1. Parallax error affects 90% of golfers and causes putts to start left
2. Position your eyes directly over the target line to eliminate visual distortion
3. Proper aim will feel wrong initially but stick with it for 6 months
4. Use training aids consistently - they actually work for putting
5. Correct aim improves both accuracy and distance control
6. Check your setup daily like the tour pros do
7. Be patient with the adjustment period - the results are worth it

Final Thoughts

Putting is the one area of golf where age and athleticism don't matter. A 90-year-old can be the best putter in any group. But only if they understand and implement proper fundamentals.

By fixing your parallax error and learning to aim correctly, you'll not only make more putts—you'll also reduce pressure on every other part of your game. Better putting makes chipping easier (you don't need to get it as close), reduces stress on approach shots (you're not afraid to miss greens), and ultimately leads to more birdie opportunities.

Start with your eye position, trust the process, and watch your scores drop.