Any golfer knows that playing an open course is an experience that, though exciting, comes with its own drawbacks. Sometimes, even the elements seem to be against you, and when that sun shines a bit too bright, it can even be difficult to see your ball in flight.
If you can’t see your golf ball in flight, that’s usually because you’re either playing in unfavorable conditions or experiencing sight-related issues. When playing directly under a bright sun, some difficulty spotting the ball is normal. Otherwise, an ophthalmologist visit might be advisable.
If you often find yourself struggling to spot your ball in flight despite your best squinting efforts, read on below to find out more about why you might be facing these difficulties, along with some tips on how to become better able to spot the ball next time.
Why It’s Hard To See a Golf Ball After You Hit It
As mentioned, there are a few factors that might be contributing to your issues with seeing your ball in flight. The first, and most common one, is unfavorable conditions. Playing an open course is just as unpredictable as it is exciting, so you never know how the elements are going to affect your game.
If you’re playing in a hot summer midday, some ball spotting difficulty is to be expected, as the bright sun can often impair your vision. If that’s the case, there’s little you can do except ask your companions to keep a closer eye on the ball or wait until the sun has swindled a bit to resume playing.
However, if you’re not playing in the direction of the sun or have difficulty spotting the ball even on indoor courses, the issue might be a bit more challenging to resolve. Chances are you’re experiencing a sight-related issue, most likely, one linked to eye sensitivity.
How To Track Your Golf Ball
Now that you know more about the two most common reasons behind your ball-tracking issues, it’s time to discuss some possible solutions.
If you often find yourself experiencing this difficulty, regardless of the conditions you’re playing in, it’s best to schedule a visit to the ophthalmologist.
They’ll be able to tell you whether there are any issues with your eyesight you can attend to, not to mention you’re probably due for a check-up either way. As a golfer, you’ll want to attend to your sight regularly, as it’s one of the most important tools in your arsenal.
With that out of the way, some additional measures you can take to become better able to spot the ball in flight is to invest in some UV-filtering glasses you can use when playing in bright conditions. You can also invest in a more brightly-colored ball, as bright pinks, reds, and yellows can be more easily seen against a blue sky than the standard white.
Last but not least, avoid tunnel vision as much as you can. Try to scan the entire view rather than focus on a specific spot where you expect the ball to be, as your predictions aren’t always accurate.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these tips will help you better follow your shot in the future. With that said, remember that when playing big open courses, keeping an eye on the ball is never easy, so the responsibility of seeing it as it follows its trajectory falls on everyone present, not only you.