The “Left-Eye Ball Check” for the Driver

One of the best ways to check whether a player has completed a proper driver backswing is with a simple visual checkpoint using the eyes.

In these photos, a small white dot was placed near the corner of the sunglasses lens. At the top of the backswing, the relationship between that dot and the golf ball tells you a tremendous amount about the player’s pivot and shoulder turn with the driver.

The Correct Driver Backswing — Full Turn Into the Right Side

In the photo on the left, the player has completed a full shoulder turn and properly loaded into the trail side for a driver swing.

At the top:

• the shoulders have fully turned,

• the body has loaded into the right side,

• and the player can only barely see the golf ball out of the corner of the left eye.

That is an excellent checkpoint for the driver.

With the driver, you want a full turn and full loading into the trail side. The head should naturally move slightly away from the target as the body coils behind the ball.

Because of that turn, the dot is no longer directly over the golf ball. That is correct.

The golfer has turned away from the target properly and created depth, width, and power.

The Incorrect Position — Reverse Pivot

In the photo on the right, the player stays too much over the golf ball during the backswing.

The dot still lines up over the ball because the upper body never fully loaded into the trail side.

This is the classic reverse pivot:

• too much weight stays on the lead side,

• the upper body leans toward the target,

• and the backswing becomes narrow and restricted.

With the driver, this often leads to:

• loss of power,

• steep downswing angles,

• poor contact,

• and inconsistent ball flight.

Why This Driver Drill Works

Most golfers think they are making a full driver turn when they are actually staying centered or leaning toward the target.

This visual checkpoint gives immediate feedback.

At the top of a correct driver backswing you should only barely see the golf ball out of the corner of your left eye.

That simple visual helps players:

• complete their shoulder turn,

• load correctly into the trail side,

• and eliminate the reverse pivot that robs distance and consistency.

I hope that this drill helps you improve your drive!

-- Brian