Hi Mattyv!
I'm legally blind in my left eye from an accident that happened 3 months ago. I was hitting balls into a practice net in my yard with a 4 iron, I hit one thin, it stayed low, hit the net's frame, and came back directly into my left eye. I was completely blind for about 3 weeks. I can kinda see out of it now, but I can't see a golf ball any farther away than about 10 yards and don't use it, so I'm blind in my left eye for the purposes of this post. If I use my left eye for anything, it's passively for my balance, but I have to consciously not use it when I swing because the light and blurriness mess me up horribly.
Luckily, I'm right eye dominant, so I still have my 'good' eye to play.
Since I can't use my left eye, my golf coach and I changed my set up. It was a minor adjustment, but it has worked and I'm hitting the ball better now than when I had 2 eyes. Here's what we did:
- I set up normal. The ball is positioned where ever it is supposed to be based on the club I'm using - same distance from me, same spot in my stance as before.
- Once I'm set up good. I may bump my hips a little more forward than normal - like 2-3 inches. Very little bit.
- Then I tilt my head a little more down toward the right side than normal. I tilt it enough to where I can see it perfectly with my right (good) eye. Sometimes, I close my left eye to make sure that I'm not using it. (If you buddy is totally blind, then he won't need to close his left eye).
- At this point, I pretty much put the same swing on it as before. I have shortened my swing up a little bit because if I try to go waaay back, I tend to sway or slide and the ball shifts into my bad (left eye) field of vision and that's a complete disaster because I can't see the ball. Shortening my back swing was probably something I needed to do anyways since it was causing me to sway instead of turn.
The results are great! I am hitting the ball straighter and getting much more consistent contact, compression, and distance than before my injury.
The reasons are pretty easy to identify. Here they are:
- I stay behind and on top of the ball better.
- I've eliminated all lateral movement and turn my shoulders (like you're supposed to).
- I keep my head down and stay in the shot better than before because if I don't, I can't see the ball.
- I focus and watch the ball better than before (because I have to).
- Putting is about the same process. Just tell him to move his head until he's over the ball and can see it good.
The only drawbacks that I have are:
- I have trouble seeing where the ball goes. If I lose it in the air, I have to go look for it or my partners help me watch.
- Sometimes I misread greens. I think I'll figure this out with more practice and getting used to it. This is only 3months old and I'm still adjusting to being a pirate.
- I need help with distances. I'm not a pro so I can use a range finder.
Obviously, I wish that I had sight in both of my eyes, but this is the hand that life has dealt me. BUT - I'm actually hitting the ball better with 1 eye than I was with 2. I'm about a bogey golfer for reference. I shot an 88 the last round I played, but I was playing with guys in their 60s and we played from the white tees. It was pretty short for me, so my driver made it really easy. I don't I used anything more than a pitching wedge on any par 4 approach.
If you or him have any questions, please reach out. I can relate to the sadness, fear, anxiety, and depression of losing eyesight. It sucks, but at least most of us get 2 eyes, so you get do over kinda.
Hit em good, brother!
Daniel