Do you put a line on your ball?

[jhawker23]

If so, do you use a "line marking device"? I like a perfectly straight, clean line and I'm not able to get that kind of accuracy free-handed.

The few products I've looked at get terrible reviews because the balls moves too freely to get a straight line.

[microcrayfish]

I put a line on my ball and I use a little plastic line marking aid similar to:

http://wsd.ie/images/Golf/Golf%20Bli...0line%20up.JPG

It's not great but I find if I really hold the ball tight I can get a straight line. It's a bit wavy with the dimples on the ball but I make them pretty thick so they end up straight. I have a pretty good perception whether something's straight or not - the reason I started marking my own line was because I could notice a slight misalignment of the stamped on alignment aids on some balls - and the lines come out nice and straight if not "clean".

[d373rm1ned]

I just line up the text on the side of the ball for all putts. Seems to work pretty well since I can not mark a straight line for the life of me.

[Doctorfro]

No. I just line up the words on the ball with my target line.

[Spackler-esque]

I hate alignment aids or alignment marks on the golf ball. I know I'm undoubtedly in the minority, but I find them distracting. I'd rather concentrate on the green and on my putter than on my ball. The ball just gets in the way of a good stroke anyway, right?

Making sure the line on their ball is aligned perfectly gives most golfers an excuse for taking half-an-hour to line up a five foot putt, I guess.

[Bflynn23]

No I dont, really no need for it. Just use the text on the side of the ball.

[pachardos]

I used to use the text on the ball...now my 2 ball putter lines it up just fine. I look at marking your lines helpful and traditional...I'm just too impatient to do it. LOL.

[Comeback City]

Yeah I just use the lettering. Still I read a recent article (not exactly sure where I read it) that said if you draw a full line across the entire ball with a sharpie you'd be able to tell if you made good contact as you can see the straight line as the ball rolls.

[Blades4me]

If so, do you use a "line marking device"? I like a perfectly straight, clean line and I'm not able to get that kind of accuracy free-handed.

I used to, as a matter of fact I used to do the "Spin & Go" to all of my balls. I found that the premium balls really didn't need it and already had a line on the ball. Since I use preium balls for money games, tournaments and Mens club I don't put a line on them b/c a line is already there, lol, and I'm lazy

[jhawker23]

I also use a premium ball (and dislike the idea of a black marker "ruining" the look of my beautiful Callaway Tour i) but the side lettering of the Tour i is so small and insignificant, I need more than that to practice with. I'd like one to encompass the whole ball so I could have a few to watch the roll.

May not help, but a sharpie and a piece of plastic is worth the investment to experiment.

And of course, if Tiger does it, don't we all have to do it?

[imtomtomim]

I don't really draw a line but I started using the words on the side of the ball.

However, my mother-in-law got me a plastic stencil for the golf ball only for drawing the line. The ball pops into it and holds it really tight and you jsut draw a stripe down the ball. Works great, I just don't like getting permanent marker on my clubs.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I don't line up the ball at all. It just doesn't work for me. Its too much time and effort, and my line is always off where I want the ball to start out. I average 28-32 putts a round btw.

[PiKapp23]

I never put a line on my ball. I find the line distracting when hitting full shots or putts. I prefer to look down and see nothing on my ball. Ideally, I would play balls with no markings whatsoever, but I've never found any. When I line up ball for putt I turn the ball so that I can see no markings - the alignment line is turned toward hole and the side stamp logos are facing out on each side so that when I look down I can't really see any of those markings.

[Jay-Bird]

I freehand it, it's not perfect, but it works. I'd like to have a perfect tool though. Maybe a plastic Easter egg?

[Franco!]

Yes
On my practice balls all of the time, and on the course sometimes.
Use a Gatorade ring, it's the perfect size.

[Vince]

If the green was perfectly flat, smooth as glass and absolutely level an alignment aid would work great, but I haven't found that green yet. Regardless of how you point the ball it follows the green, so just take your best guess and putt.

[Jay-Bird]

If the green was perfectly flat, smooth as glass and absolutely level an alignment aid would work great, but I haven't found that green yet. Regardless of how you point the ball it follows the green, so just take your best guess and putt.

Wanna play for money?

[quiggz]

I also have always found th text to be the best alignment aid, plus you dont have to take the extra time to dig through your bag when you go to use a dfferent ball