Line on ball as a putting aid

[jfrain2004]

Anyone use a line drawn on their ball to aid with allignment and do you think it has improved your putting game?

[EnergyMatt]

Yes, I have started to do this recently and find it really helps on the short putts.

Over the last three rounds, I dont think I have missed anything under 6-7 feet.

It is probabaly more psychological than anything else, but if it works - don't knock it...

If you want the real psycho-mumbo-jumbo - the line has got to be blue or green, as these get you into a calm and relaxed mind-set, black is a possibility, red definitely not - too agressive a colour.

[ddalet]

I use it, but find that it takes too long to get the line on the ball to line up with the line on the green perfectly.

So i set it down to what it roughly should be, then take a look at it from behind to see which way I should compensate when I line up on my stance.

[opie]

I do it. Helps me off the tee box also

[David in FL]

I use the alignment line on the ProV1's. I'm not married to the darn thing, but it does seem to help me with my own stance and alignment.

[kfowler]

Yes, I have started to do this recently and find it really helps on the short putts.

This is actually a pretty good idea. I used it for years but found what I thought was in-line while placing the ball and what it looks like standing back were two different things. I started second guessing or trying to make compensations in my stroke. I stopped using it this year and my putting has improved.

All that being said, using it on short putts is a good idea. I think I'll try that again.

[Zeph]

That is a very good point kfowler. Especially on long putts you have a totally different view of the shot from behind the ball than above it.

In my case I don't trust my aiming and end up aiming way to the right. If I should hit the cup it's because I'm hitting it outside to inside or with a closed clubface. I've been working on aiming, essentially finding a spot on the ground close to the ball which I want to roll it through. When I set up I don't care about how it looks from there, it does look like I'm aiming a meter to the left, but if I swing square, the ball goes where I planned it to go.

I tried using the arrow on my ball once, but since my view from above the ball was so far off I didn't trust it and nothing worked out. I will be giving it a new go to force myself into becoming a better putter. Correct alignment is, as with all golf shots, essential to getting the ball where you plan.

[saltman]

Ever since I was 12 years old, I have lined up the side logo of the ball putting and big logo right where I want my driver to hit the ball off the tee.

I think some old guy once told me that the sweet spot of the ball is right on the big logo and truest roll come from lining up the side logo. I am sure it was BS, but I have steadfastly played that way over since.

[mojoe]

I started using the marked line. I don't know if anyone else had this problem. When I lined it up kneeling behind the ball it looked good, yet when I stood over it, it looked way off.

[atrapasuenos]

I use the alignement that the ProV1x has and it helps me a lot, my putts are going at least where I was pointing. Last round I made 27 putts.

Cheers

[trumps4]

I use a line mostly because so many pros do. I think it helps me overall but from time to time I blame it for poor speed. In other words, I focus so much on lining it up along the line I choose that I ignore any feel for the pace the putt will require. It usually leads to a woefully short putt.

[glbrum]

I use it, but find that it takes too long to get the line on the ball to line up with the line on the green perfectly.

I found the same thing, I can never get it lined up exactly where I want to hit the putt. It's easier to line it up on shorter putts, but on the long ones I try and get it close to the line and then compensate from behind before hitting

[Gambler]

I started using the marked line. I don't know if anyone else had this problem. When I lined it up kneeling behind the ball it looked good, yet when I stood over it, it looked way off.

I noticed this too, but you learn to trust it, when you don't you pay.

[Lovgoel]

I've used the line for a while. I think it's helped me forget about the line and worry about pace more than anything else (which should be more important anyway). I just take the extra couple of seconds to line up the putt, then forget about the line entirely. Just worry about hitting it 1 foot passed the hole. I can't say it's helped me make MORE putts because i started using it fairly early on (i should start making more by virtue of just playing more), but I can tell you that i generally have a 1-3 footer left on my second one. (barring a mistake that wouldn't be implicated by a line at all).

The best part about using the line, though, is that it's the cheapest "gimmic" you can try, and you dont even need to do it in a round. Just get the $3 dollar tool and a sharpie and you can draw lines forever!

I think it also helps you tell whether you're hitting your putts flush because you can watch the line "roll over itself" immediately after impact. if the line starts wobbling on a straight putt, you know you came across the face. Hope that helps!

[TigerCent]

I've often wondered about this.
I am in the same boat as most. When i line it up it feels wrong when i get over the ball. My guess is it means my alignment is just off. However i feel like it is hard even on short putts to line it up properly. I find it interesting that the pros seem to easily line it up, sometimes in a second or so. Then when they stroke it, the lines rolls pefectly so obviously they stroked it along the line they aimed it. How are they able to line it up so properly...? Practice i guess...

[Leftygolfer]

I am totally addicted to the line on the ball. I can't putt without it. Well I can and do when off the green but it feels wierd.

[mdvaldosta]

I use a line, and yes I feel it helps. Especially with short puts, complete confidence that you've got the right line and all you have to do is worry about speed. You do have to trust the line though, because it's gonna look off when standing over it.

[jfrain2004]

I had some other swing changes going on that might have helped me hit my career best at the wknd but I think a lot of my 1 putts were due to having a line on my ball. Hell, If I was putting any better I could have been arrested. I have to agree with some other posts that standing over the ball it appears to be aimed way left, but when you just ignore this illusion and trust your line up from behind then the ball just dives into the hole