Eyeline Trick With Your Driver

**Lou Guzzi PGA teaches at Talamore Country Club in Ambler, PA. You can find more information about Lou and his instruction at louguzzi.com
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[@romellbrown5610]

I struggle with a slew of fundamentals that create inconsistent ball flights. Recently, i tried something radical; i opened my shoulders to the target. I didnt know what i was doing. I was desperate. I loosely swung for my target in my backyard. My practice waffle golf ball went left as a pull hook. Ultimately, I stopped focusing at the ball and locked on the target to swing to. Now i needed a professional to backup this guess. Your video fortified my claim. The journey now begins to break the bad habits in my golf swing and replace them with quality fundamentals that would lower my score. Thank You!

[@CogornoGolf]

Fantastic to have you here with us, Romell! Appreciate you watching the channel!

[@stevenolmstead]

Hey Eric! Wow - fascinating! Two big takeaways for me. One - just how much the aim line can change from standing behind the ball to how it "looks" at address. As you were surprised - I would bet many/most of us are seeing it incorrectly as well. And two - that we, consciously or subconsciously, do adjust the shape of our golf swing to how it "looks". It makes you stop and wonder how many "swing faults" are actually not faults at all - but the body's natural reaction to what the eyes are "seeing".

[@CogornoGolf]

Yessir! Love the thoughts and takeaways

[@gold4every1]

I feel the need to say this is possibly the single most underated and overlooked part of the swing. Fantastic video guys !!!! thanks

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it! Lou is great!

[@rahickey002]

Golf Digest (2008) and other golf magazines published articles "Men align to much to the right of their target" for decades. Their solution has always been to use alignment rods to fix the issue. This is the first that someone has explained why we keep on setting up to the right. Thank you Eric and Lou.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for watching!

[@roberto1933]

One of the best instruction video's I have watched all year. Lou and yourself take all the brain thoughts out and really simplify the swing. Nice Job

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it Robert!

[@mrfuckyou1972]

Bravo to you Eric. You have/discuss subjects no other instructors mention.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@derrickdavis3170]

Finding the intuitive nature in golf is the key and you bring that home to us Eric thank you

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Derrick!

[@wworld00]

This is a brilliant lesson. Thanks.

[@gaopronove4633]

Fantastic lesson. Lou Guzzi is a very good teacher couple that with Eric and you have a super lesson. And what an important lesson it is! Your aim impacts your swing is so insightful!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Rao! Lou is great!!

[@davekent6275]

LOU!!!! Was at Talamore for a few years. Great dude....well done.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it, Dave! Lou is great!

[@jimeiring]

This information is gold. I can’t wait to share this with my friends. They will freak out whine they see how far left they’ve been swing due to the sight line illusion. I have always felt that a major challenge in golf involves an optical illusion of some kind. You guys just fleshed all that out beautifully.

[@CogornoGolf]

Lol appreciate it James!

[@rafaelherrera129]

Awesome, this tip is really going to help my golf swing and my aim,thanks.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it does, Rafael!

[@reale32590]

I can't wait to give this a shot, never even thought about thinking in this manner!

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps, Ross!

[@nickjohnson83]

Excellent video and concept! Makes sense. Well explained and well demonstrated!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Nick!

[@randyglay7474]

Eric great video. I have been struggling with this topic and can’t wait to practice this idea. Thanks

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps, Randy!

[@Murf1802]

Nice Eric,, amazing how that works!! Love it!!!

[@CogornoGolf]

Yessir!

[@PMeade]

This is brilliant! I will be trying this soon.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@johncreet1254]

Great topic clearly explained. Thanks for posting.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, John!

[@ksmit68]

I appreciate the info. I will try it next time I'm at the range.

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure!

[@legend9018]

Very cool concept. I normally find my landing area and use an intermediate target that I can see in my peripheral vision when I set up. I like the idea though of shifting that into the scope area of vision to the start line. Makes sense.

[@CogornoGolf]

Agreed!

[@davidhomer5685]

This makes sense for me, I been struggling with by alignment to where I am hitting a fade 20 to 30 right with my driver and a 30 to 40 yards left draw with my irons. I have a tendency to swing out to in and when I set up alignment stick the ball will start straight at my target but then fade or draw. The last time at the driving range I started to try and hit it to the right of my target line stick to swing more in to out and everything was working right back to might target. This is a video that I will be saving Thank you.

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure my friend

[@jayb5001]

Cant wait to try will let u know... thank u

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps!

[@gypsyboysla]

I like it to me your explaining set up for success to be successful the more you can do right before you swing the better your chances to hitting the shot you want great mental aspect I like it

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Paul!

[@patrickcosgrove5272]

Everything makes sense !

[@doneswan]

Great lesson!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Don!

[@jonprice7853]

Wow! A light just came on TY.

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@derrickdavis3170]

Thank you Eric this is one of those things that you know is happening (visually) but you haven't quite put a tag on it yet.... thank you

[@KB-le7jb]

Well done! I'll give it a go.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope it helps

[@stevedickson3037]

Eric, seems from the comments, a lot of viewers have got this straight off. Some have got confused. Like me. Would you say that you are aiming parallel left, but your subconscious knows your target is right, therefore on the downswing, you feel you have to swing out more to the right. Thereby eliminating the over the top? More video’s on this subject would be most welcome and interesting to watch. Thank you.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Steve! Agreed...sorry for the confusion...I should have done a better job. Will try and explain better next time--appreciate the support1

[@andyv6299]

Excellent this is interesting I've always aimed my feet to right of target because that naturally looks straight to target but like you a d my coach told me I'm pulling ball which is my straight on target shot

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Andy! Yeah I would play around with aim and see what works best to get the ball going where you want. Lots of people aim right then pull left subconsciously.....but sometimes its chicken or the egg thing

[@johnzell30]

I'd add IMHO figuring out if you are left or right eye dominant is very important. Determine which eye is your dominant and you'll see why: 1. Extend your arms out in front of you and create a triangular opening between your thumbs and forefingers by placing your hands together at a 45-degree angle. 2.With both eyes open, center this triangular opening on a distant object - such as a wall clock or door knob. 3. Close your left eye. 4. If the object stays centered, your right eye (the one that’s open) is your dominant eye. If the object is no longer framed by your hands, your left eye is your dominant eye.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, John!

[@johnzell30]

Thanks Eric - your killing it!

[@Mr5thWard]

This is awesome, I never looked at aiming like this. I hate I didn't see this video yesterday before playing a round, maybe I would not have sucked hitting my driver.

[@CogornoGolf]

hope it helps!

[@scottterry4590]

Wow, I'm truly an amateur and that's being generous. But this instruction made since to me, I see how my my sight line and my aim line are different. Allowing to develop a swing that is built for the end result or landing. Hope that made since?. Thanks very much.

[@CogornoGolf]

Our pleasure Scott-thanks for being with us

[@nreifer04]

In my fitting I was hitting into a net, so no target. Hitting much straighter shots and more draws on the trackman. I guess because my eyes weren’t throwing me off!

[@CogornoGolf]

Could be!

[@brianday9216]

Brilliant

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Brian!

[@ryanrichmond7168]

I closed my eyes for a moment and I thought you were getting a lesson from Fred Couples.

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@carloslacambra8218]

Wow, interesting way to see the set up. I struggle with alignment. Can you use graphics to better show or point out where you were try to hit to, where your “scope” was looking at? I understood what Lou was saying though it would help more if I knew what you were looking at. I play a draw (r to L) just like you were playing. Thanks a million for bringing other coaches to your channel and letting us see their unique pointers.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Carlos! Great idea. Will try and add in better visuals to explain next time

[@LOHO8682]

Great concept, but understanding the scope is a bit difficult, can you re-visit this issue? This situation on the range, not knowing the "tree", other flags etc. doesn't help the viewer see the target line and aim etc.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Lee! Seems like there was some confusion here with the group. I will try and do a better job next time, sorry about that.

[@marklucey1]

@@CogornoGolf I think this scope idea is crucial but agree it’s hard to understand in this video and echo previous comment about going over it again please Eric. Also how can we find our own scope without out someone to help block it out like in the video. Thanks so much.

[@niceperson5962]

Hey Eric love your work. Love this idea too. However I think it will confuse some folks. Two questions .... am i right in saying there are three separate "targets" 1. The line I start the ball on. 2. The landing area. 3. Where the ball should finish up.??? If so, I think the problem for most golfers is they assume the line they start the ball on (their aiming line) is the same as where the ball should finish up. Second question... how does this set up look if you want to hit a fade?

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate the kind words, support and feedback! 1. Yes-Lou was presenting this with 3 targets there. 2. Understood....very rarely a ball lands on the same line it starts....dead straight with 0 degrees of curve is next to impossible....I would always suggest players lean toward a curve and curve it one way. But I understand your point. 3. You would flip it for fade Hope that helps

[@thomasfraser9072]

How about getting rid of the noodle entirely and use the scope of eyes to determine your landing field. How? Simply do as the pros do. Once you are in your golf posture and the club head is square to your ball simply turn your head comfortably to the scope of your eyes line to view your landing field, then; still in your golf posture; turn your head back and swing the handle. This way you head is the noodle that sets your swing on the right path. Cheers

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Thomas!

[@thomasfraser9072]

@@CogornoGolf You’re welcome. Just something I observed as I watch the players in golf tournaments set up and aim. Hope you try it and have your students do it as well. It also serve as a memory of exactly how our head will naturally turn once the momentum of the club head takes over and wraps our trail arm around us post impact to the ball. Bear in mind that the momentum of the head of the club and its path to ball can only occur if we pay less attention to the movement of our wrists cocking and un cocking. Also we should never roll the handle ever; but simply swing the handle back and forth. Ed Merrins These are elements of the swing that I believe all pros do. This is why a professional golfer never lets his body get in the way of the momentum of the club head no matter how they swing their handle. It took me 40 years to learn that the mass and weight of my hands on the grip of the club counter balances the mass and weight of the head of the club. So now I simply Grip it and Whip it! At age 73; 2020 is my best year in golf ever. Cheers

[@TimJE1976]

Great video Eric. Regarding alignment (i.e. feet, shoulders,etc.) - do you align yourself to the target line (ie intended finishing spot) or to the aim line/ scope point)? Or perhaps I’ve misunderstood

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Tim! Sorry for any confusion. I like to align club face where you want the ball to start....feet would be about parallel left of that. Left of all 3 of the targets mentioned here. So lets say you have a target 150 yards away You want the ball to start 3 yards right Curve 2 yards left so it lands 1 yard right of flag Bounces and rolls in the hole. I would aim club face about 3 yards right of target and swing just right of that line. I would allow feet to be roughly parallel left of club face at setup.

[@TimJE1976]

@@CogornoGolf Thanks Eric. So feet roughly parallel left of club face at setup = feet aiming/aligned just right of target?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Tim! Feet parallel left of face.....no need to add any more detail to that :) Where face is depends on shot you want to hit.

[@CB-nd9ki]

@@CogornoGolf feet left of target (closed) creates outside in path for a fade ball flight correct? I think people, including myself, are confused a little because of a lack of visual cues. If you drew some graphics on the screen of your foot path, aim path, and target line, this would clarify things.

[@cwbynthjngl]

Great video, one question though. How do you use this if your ball flight is normal a 10 yard cut?

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks! Just flip it to left side.

[@erickatch4149]

Count me among the confuse Eric. Are the tees and noodle in line with the array of flags ? Does the noodle look like it is displaced to the left ? What is the scope ?......... I tend to have a hook as my miss. I set up the same , but after watching the video, I look to the right for my aiming line to start my ball on. This has really helped me with more of a baby draw. ..... Love your videos, any help is appreciated.

[@CogornoGolf]

sorry about the confusion---will work to do better next time! Appreciate the support!

[@nelsonjames1272]

Interesting video. I was just curious as to whether your dominant eye might affect this.

[@massspike]

I'm a right-handed golfer with a very dominant right eye (aka having a lazy left eye) and feel it helps me align better when over the ball maybe because this "eyeline trick" is natural (fwiw: I have trouble lining up putts from behind the ball). I just ran a little off-course experiment (opening and closing the dominant eye) and found my normal/dominant scope is well right of my non-dominant scope. At driver distance from the ball this works (I align over the noodle) but shorter clubs moves it left of alignment (and maybe why I miss left). I'd love to go out and try this scoping for real but 6 inches of snow is getting in the way and it'll have to wait 5 months to see if the trick works.

[@CogornoGolf]

Could def play a role!

[@nelsonjames1272]

@@massspike I am a right handed golfer and left eye dominant so there you go. Opposite effect I suppose so people have to be careful when discussing this. It comes into play a lot in golf; this is why I brought it up. Proper strategy makes a big difference.

[@lawrencebogar6136]

@@massspike you may have a point. I am left handed and left eye dominant. I work as you do.

[@s3gts]

@@CogornoGolf It will if you stand up to See with your Right Eye. (bridge of your nose in the way) Knowing this, you simply rotate your head on it's tilted axis and you will be perfect. Still want to see it right as you demonstrated.

[@ddawgs18]

Really good insight... ha

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@salvatoresanjose712]

Hi Eric, the video is a bit confusing for me. Are you saying we line up from behind and when we get to our address position, we should be aiming to the RIGHT of our target? I usually pick an intermediate point between the ball and the target - and I align myself to that intermediate point (maybe 6 inches from the ball). I can't see the merits of the video unless you are a person who does not aim from behind the ball and simply walks up to it and addresses it.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Salvatore! Sorry for the confusion-seems to be others in the same boat. Will work to do a better job explaining next time around!

[@martymcnellis5993]

Eric, I’ve watched your videos forever and think you’re one of the best instructors out there. But I have to say this was the most confusing video you have ever done. What’s frustrating is that the “parralax” concept is very interesting to me and I would very much like to understand how it relates to setup and alignment in the full swing, especially with the driver. Any chance you could re-do this video or at least clarify the concept here?

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the kind words and support, Marty! I appreciate the feedback....will see if we can do better next time!

[@rrisky18]

I’m sorry to say it was a little confusing, you needed a little bit more detail on the concept, I liked where u we’re going but not enough detail to use the method you were trying to show. 🤔😘

[@ffowler6263]

Eric love your instructions but this is confusing

[@derrickdavis3170]

Well you just have to basically study it like you would do anything else

[@johnm900]

Great video Eric. Mike Malaska does a similar idea of this concept on his channel. Aim is theeeee most important skill to master in golf, as without good aim, the best grip, stance and swing are of no use to anyone and in my opinion, incorrect aim is the most prevalent reason for poor shots as it causes a golfers swing to adapt and compensate in order to get the ball on target. That leads to flawed muscle memory and makes teaching pros a lot of money undoing the resulting swing faults. BUT I've never had or seen a club/range pro teaching this ! I''m not sure it's something they know rather than do automatically without thinking. Whenever I explain it to golfers, they have a hard time 'getting it' but when they do, it's a revalation to them. I got a 19 handicapoer playing single figure golf over 9 holes purely by sorting their aim and some ideas around putting. Keep the ideas coming John M UK.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it

[@josephwirtz8352]

“Scope” - is Lou saying Scope is when you look at 1 o’clock from the “Aim Line”? Also, does eye dominance affect this Scope concept? Thank you Eric!

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Joseph! Yes and yes! We will likely do more videos on this to explain more in the future!

[@josephwirtz8352]

@@CogornoGolf - Excellent! I thought that’s what I heard him say about the 1 o’clock. As always, thanks for all you do Eric!⛳️🏌🏽‍♂️❤️

[@nicholasortiz4222]

Didn't come away clear on the "scope" he talks about. I'll watch the video again to see if I can understand it better with a second look. I'm right handed but left eye dominant. As another person commented, I would think right/left eye dominance would affect this. Very interesting stuff here.

[@angelounelli2515]

Agree I didn't quite get it and I too am extremely left I dominate. Almost every poor round is based on poor alignment. I know it but can't find the fix. Can you try this again as I do think it will help.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Will watch back and see where we can do better for next time

[@duainewilliams9018]

Im a little confused, is the scope my starting line, then my swing path to the right of that, to hit the draw, or is the swing path the scope

[@CogornoGolf]

Sorry for any confusion....I will work to make it more clear next time!

[@klaysaurus_3498]

Eric can you do a swing analysis for Wilco Nienaber?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! I don' think we are planning any more swing analysis but we will see!

[@bryancastle5773]

👍👍

[@lloydfriedel428]

Very important video Eric. However I agree with a few of the comments as confusing. There was no way for us the viewer to determine the target line and site line as you referred to the tree as target etc. I hope you redo with proper site lines etc. So we can actually tell the difference between the scope and target.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, Lloyd! Sorry about that.

[@miketanaka2862]

Do you set up square to the pool or do you set up to your scope point out there to the right? (Feet/shoulders)

[@CogornoGolf]

I would setup more square to noodle....but I dont think that will be the same for everyone. Have to find where to aim best for you to get start line and curve you want

[@nortonsurveying]

So, the only question I have is: Are your shoulders, hips, knees and feet still parallel with the original target line? And the eye line or "scope" is dictating swing path? Or do you adjust your alignment to the scope?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Rodney! I would try each and see what works best for you. I don't think either A or B options you presented will be the same for everyone.

[@nortonsurveying]

@@CogornoGolf I think this is great. I wanted to play or go to the range today, but it wasn't in the cards. But I was able to go out back, practice my alignment and make some practice swings, it feels great. I've been fighting a hook for a couple years now. The more "inside" i would come from, the worse it got. But adjusting my scope out like you guys describe feels like is going to be key. Thanks for this.

[@CogornoGolf]

Yeah if you struggle with a hook you will likely need to change something mechanically Making the face less closed to the path (lots of ways to do that) Or making the path less from inside to the right (also lots of ways) Thats should NOT be hard to fix....find a good coach or check out www.cogornogolf.com so you can send me your swings

[@sammiller827]

Clear as mud

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, Sam! Sorry about that

[@sammiller827]

@@CogornoGolf really appreciated the aspect of video but could not follow the solution

[@CogornoGolf]

Understood-will work to do better next time!

[@tretre4435]

I don't have a shot shape yet. I also don't like hitting balls before a round. Guess this won't help me

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope you find solutions that help serve you better!

[@1billiedale]

I understand the principle you presented but I didn't get the mechanics.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, Billie! Sorry for the confusion!

[@RobertYoderTruckee]

Aiming is so important. Almost all amateurs aim to far right and never using aiming sticks or clubs. Go to a tour event and almost all of them are using an aiming aid EVERYDAY!!!

[@CogornoGolf]

Yessir!

[@RobertYoderTruckee]

Interesting how amateurs continue to practice aiming incorrectly ????

[@CogornoGolf]

1/20 are aimed AND SETUP to the ball correctly.

[@dmpt39]

Confusing

[@CogornoGolf]

Sorry about that! Will try and do better next time

[@timgath242]

I think more amatuers work the ball the other way. Maybe a demo for a fade would assist more followers. Thanks

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks, Tim!

[@chadaitken5476]

Eric. This whole concept is fascinating, bc ave golfers get it so wrong. Then add in tee boxes that line up wrong to the fairway. 🤪 How many times with ur foursome of friends that your stop ur $$ partner and ask “Where the f-- r u aiming? It’s comedy act. Sugg: have 4 ave golfers that r friends do this drill. 😎

[@CogornoGolf]

Yessir

[@jimsarlanis2214]

I've tried this as seen on Malaska's video. Doesn't work for me but I only use my right eye so that may be why. Also, i rarely hit the ball the same shape on the course that i do in warm up so this wasn't much help for me. Just sayin'...

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, Jim. All good. Hope you find a solution that works for you!

[@ouyrwq]

Huh?

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@brianmenendez]

what tree are you talking about, ? nothing but trees in the background

[@CogornoGolf]

Lol fair point!

[@davecue]

Anyone else is bothered that they never hit the ball? Did i miss it?

[@CogornoGolf]

Sorry about that Dave!

[@rickwilliams3515]

Not explained well at all. Very confusing!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks for the feedback, Rick! Sorry about that...will try and do better next time!

[@s3gts]

Money. This is not a Trick, this is real. This is know as the Parallax Effect. Fancy word for a set a rail road tracks. For a right handed player we stand on the inside left track. The problem is that the Ball is on the outside, or Right track. We as humans instinctively want to satisfy where we are in space but the ball is not where we're standing. But wait, there's more! Unless you have experienced this, the likelihood is that you grip the club with the face pointed left. Again, satisfying where your standing. Some years ago I made a 3 ft long magnetic pointer with a whiffleball at the end. I would ask the player to Grip and Aim the Club. I would I grab the club and have the player go back and look for themselves in disbelief. There is still more. We go thru life seeing the world on a horizontal axis. The Game is played on a Vertical Axis. Eric, because he is the real deal, did a good job of seeing thru his Scope on a Tilted Axis as if he was IN the Shot. Many want to stand up to see the Shot on their comfy Horizontal Axis. No bueno. People put Aim sticks at their toe line and reach into the ball with their right arm, and never get their Left side in. Left Shoulder wide Open, Face Pointed Left and you can't release the Club...See the Shot for what it is, Right of where your Standing. That's all for now, but digest what Lou and Eric just demonstrated and know that it's Real....

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate the kind words, feedback and info here Dave!

[@annefilippobertozzi7601]

Well explained, thanks.