CB or OB last

[stljohnny]

maybe nothing works for me, perhaps i should just close my eyes..

Mike

Honestly, I think you should. I'm serious. If you're not getting different results from your eye patterns, then I'd suggest the issue is with stroke or alignment. Get in and shoot the same shot (maybe without the power draw - that could be dangerous) with your eyes closed and see how you do.

 

[Shaft]

I look at the OB first to get my alignment. If I have done that correctly and I have my bridge set and my CB contact point identified, nothing should change. (The OB is not going to move from where it is.)

Then I focus on my tip as it moves back and forth in the practice strokes. This is the only objective feedback I can get on what my grip hand is doing behing my back and the way my tip moves tells me if my stroke is straight.

Before, during and after CB contact, I endeavor to send that tip straight through the chosen CB contact point, for a good follow-through.

Focusing on my stroke, CB contact point and follow-through has helped me.

I certainly don't make every ball, but I think I missed more balls due to stroke problems than I did due to aiming alignment.

Note: golfers look at the flag before they hit, but the golf ball when they hit.

 

[dr_dave]

I like this quote from Bob Jewett from a different thread:

One reason to look at the object ball last is so that you can immediately see the result of your shot -- how full did the cue ball land on the object ball and was it the right fullness to put the object ball in the pocket? That's immediate feedback about your performance. I think that's important for learning.

I think this is a fairly strong reason. Also, looking at a more-distant point might help create a straighter delivery of the cue, in the desired direction.

Regards,
Dave