Quick answer: On putts under 2 m the head and eyes dart toward the hole before impact and the stroke shrinks: a normal backswing and a timid follow-through that dies at the ball.
What it does to the ball
The putt comes out weak and off line: a ball without speed on a short putt obeys any break and hangs on the edge.
Root causes (by frequency)
Result anxiety: looking to see if it drops before the stroke is finished
The fresh memory of a missed short putt
A backswing too long that forces braking at the ball
How to fix it
Keep staring at the spot where the ball was until you HEAR it drop: with the head still, the stroke completes itself and the face arrives stable
Drills that fix it
The coin that stays · 10 min · 20 reps
Keep head and eyes still on short putts Place a coin on the green and the ball on top of it (or just in front). Hit 1-1.5 m putts with a single rule: after impact you keep looking at the coin until you hear the ball drop in the hole. No lifting your eyes to watch. Ten putts in a row looking at the coin — whether they drop or not — to finish.
Frequently asked questions
What is "Timid short putts (peeking early)" in the golf swing?
On putts under 2 m the head and eyes dart toward the hole before impact and the stroke shrinks: a normal backswing and a timid follow-through that dies at the ball.
What does timid short putts (peeking early) do to the ball?
The putt comes out weak and off line: a ball without speed on a short putt obeys any break and hangs on the edge.
How do you fix timid short putts (peeking early)?
Keep staring at the spot where the ball was until you HEAR it drop: with the head still, the stroke completes itself and the face arrives stable
Sources
Dave Stockton (con Matthew Rudy) — Unconscious Putting