This one is twofold. When I set up and through the swing process I am looking at the ball trying to make sure I don't move my head and not sway back. On my backswing, I am still looking at the ball, but to be completely honest I do not think I am looking at the ball at impact. Should I be?
I also ask this because on MANY occasions I do not see where the ball is going. Not always but it is not uncommon. Even good shots when I feel solid good contact, I have no clue where it went.
Ah, where should you look? The age-old question. There is no right or wrong answer. It could be different for everyone. I haven't done extensive research, but I bet most people look at the ball.
I change where I am focused depending on my swing for the day, my desired flight plan (meaning height, trajectory, and shape). Maybe this would be something to play around with.
Almost always when my eye is on the ball, it's not on the ball as a whole, but rather, I see one dimple or mark on the ball, I am just trying to slash through it (not hit that spot). That mark on the ball will change based on the flavor of shot. For a draw, I typically look in the inside quadrant of the ball, but it could move as far as the dimple that is way on the inside (draw a line perpendicular to the target line through the ball, the dot that's on that line as if I am trying to hit it straight right).
If I want a high er shot, or if I am going to make sure the ball will turnover right to left, I usually pick a blade of grass just inside back quadrant of the ball. Goal is to slash through the grass and the ball just gets in the way.
If I am going to hit a lower trajectory shot, I usually pick a blade of grass about an inch past the ball (closer to the target), in line with the outside quadrant of the ball. On this I focus on staying back and cutting that blade of grass from inside. Again, the ball just gets in the way.
I will change what I am looking at based on my intent for the shot AND it also changes based on my swing for the day.
Keep in mind, I pretty much play a draw exclusively. Thats why my spots are typically along a swing path that is in-to-out. If I am hitting a fade, I change my target to match up to the swing path I want to see.
It's something to experiment with. Understand that your swing for the day may mean a specific target isn't ideal. As an example, if you are hitting the ball fat, it will rarely be a good idea to look at a spot behind the ball. If you are knifing the ball, picking a spot in front is probably not a good play.
Give it a shot and report back. Interesting to hear what you discover works for you.