It is said that golf is a life-long sport, that most of us can play well into our twilight years mainly because it is a game that requires a great deal of concentration and passion, not necessarily physical ability. As Arnold Palmer said, “success in golf depends less on strength of body, more on strength of mind and character.”
We often hear golfers discussing ways to improve their golf swing or handicap, yet rarely hear them talk about improving one of the most valuable assets in the game - their vision. As we age, or frankly at any age, our vision may deteriorate and affect our game. Shepherd Eye Center has “seen” this for years and has been caring for the eyes of Southern Nevada residents since opening in 1968. Renowned worldwide for Dr. John R. Shepherd’s pioneering techniques and instrumentation that improved the way cataract surgery was performed, is still recognized for excellence and advancement in eye care and eye surgery, caring for many locals who want to enhance their vision for their personal, professional, and hobby lifestyles. Shepherd Eye Center performs more cataract surgeries at its on-site surgery center than any other eye practice in Nevada. Their team of trusted ophthalmologists and optometrists provide unparalleled vision care using the latest medical techniques, surgeries, and the most sophisticated technology.
Robert Taylor, III, MD, who joined Shepherd Eye Center in 2001 and specializes in small incision cataract and refractive surgeries, sees patients daily that come in for help because they have realized they can’t see as well while playing golf. “It is a very common complaint. Golf is a difficult visual task,” says Dr. Taylor. He states that
"generally when having vision trouble, it is common to notice it first while playing golf, but even people with perfect vision have trouble seeing the golf ball flying at high rates of speed. A golf ball is only about 1.7 inches in diameter and typically white. At fast speeds, a golf ball moving against the low contrast of a blue sky or white clouds, is a very hard visual task for the eyes."
Dr. Taylor’s recommendation to patients that start having issues seeing long distance, is to “get an eye exam, because there can be a lot of reasons for changes in vision.” Dr. Taylor specifically advises golfers to “maximize their potential vision with the correct eyeglass’ prescription, refractive or cataract surgery.”
Several PGA Tour golfers have had surgical procedures to ensure their best vision. Tiger Woods, for example, had LASIK and continued to win at an unprecedented rate after his laser surgery. It’s worth envisioning for yourself, it may just improve your game.