Line on ball as a putting aid

[Marinemike]

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

OK. I'm gonna try to trust you on this this afternoon. I stopped using the line because of what everyone else is saying. I guess it can't hurt to try with my avg 36 putts per round.

[jfrain2004]

I used the Line-Em-up little marker to put a big + on my ball. The hardest thing about using this line method is to tell the wee man on your shoulder to shut the f*** up when he tries to tell you the ball is aimed left as your standing over it. Take your time in getting the line right behind the ball. Quicker to line up a 1 putt correctly than to have to make a half ar$ed effort at lining up 2 or maybe even 3 putts on one green. Only concern yourself with getting the distance right.
This is coming from a guy who was hitting 36+ putts per round.
As a previous poster mentioned the + on the ball is also very useful for allignment on the teebox ( Let us know how you get on )

[Leftygolfer]

Ive been doing it for years. That man is no longer there. I verify my line post line up with a quick look from behind the ball visualizing it going in the hole. I have no doubt of where I am aiming my putts. Now with the long game.......

[jfrain2004]

I choked the leprechaun on my shoulder with 3 one putts on my first 4 holes and that was the end of him .. lol
Also the knock on effect of getting more confidence with your putting is the pressure comes off your approach shots and you know that at least a par is in the bag if you can get the ball anywhere on the green and you don't have to be right up at the pin. ( Unless your on the tour or something )

[CarlSpackler]

I used to do this, but lately have been relying more on picking a blade of grass or something a foot or so in front of the ball. I think this helps me putt through the ball and not at it as much. It also feels like I have a better line as a target since it is longer.

[lumpuckeroo]

I don't like using the line on the ball, I'm more of a feel putter and prefer to putt to a spot in front of the ball.

[sp33d]

i use the arrows on the balls, it just helps me line up and think about the shot. I dont know that it actually helps me putt.

[OnePutt]

I don't like using the line on the ball, I'm more of a feel putter and prefer to putt to a spot in front of the ball.

I'm the same. I feel like a line would just bring about another distraction.

[87vert]

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.

Hmm I use red because it matches my putter. But maybe thats why I usually jam it 20feet past the hole?

[rfmf23a]

I find that the line on the ball provides good feedback for how well you "rolled" the putt. Now, a logo or other mark can provide the same visual effect, but if I get the ball rolling true with the line spinning perfectly round and round and not wobbling, I know I hit a good putt (mechanically). If I hit a good putt and if I miss, I know I mis-read or missed on speed. This helps me stop second guessing myself about my putting mechanics on the course (how many times have we all been guilty about "experimenting" on the course instead of just playing with whatever "game" you've got with you that day!)

I do agree with the other posts ... it does sometimes look different when you are over the ball (especially on long putts) and it does seem to help me on short putts ... and it's a simple and inexpensive thing to try.

[microcrayfish]

I also use a line on the ball as a putting aid. I draw mine on though, I don't like using the ones already printed on the ball.

I found it didn't take long to trust the line and not your eyes when you're over the ball, especially when you miss a few by just the amount you corrected. It makes sense that the line would be more reliable, because when you think about it, you're trying to look at something side on with you head titled when you're standing over the ball, how is that going to give you a good look at the proper line of a putt?

[Fourputt]

I not only ignore any such markings, I deliberately turn the ball so I don't subconsciously try to line up to anything. I've always been a spot putter and I use a visualized line from the ball to a spot about 2 feet in front of it that I want to roll it over for my alignment. All a mark on the ball does is make me second guess my setup, so I make sure that any such markings are not even close to where I'm aiming.

Anyone can use what they want as long as they don't take all day doing it, but in my opinion, a line 1.5" long at most can't really do a lot for lining up a putt of 20 feet. If you are misaligned by 1/32 of an inch, you'll be off by 5.4" in 20 feet, and that's if you hit it exactly where you aim the line.

I must be doing something right, since I don't average even one 3 putt per 2 rounds, and only about 30-31 putts per round.

[Leftygolfer]

You must be very accurate with the line. I verify it post line up for that vary reason. I am quick now at it and takes me no time at all to do it. For me, I KNOW that is the exact line I want to start my putt. I use a mid size mallet with a black line for alignment. It lines up perfectly with my line on the ball and I just have to make a good stroke.

I feel naked without this. I have trouble spot putting because I seem to loss the spot. For me it is so much better.

[Guest]

I use the line-em-up tool and a green (has to be green! ) sharpie. Just one less thing to worry about so I can just work on the pace and getting it to the hole. My putts per round has dropped considerably since using this aid (very few 3 putts).

FYI, I also balance the balls in saline solution to find the heavy spot. Whatever point end up floating on top when spun, I mark the line through.

[SpacklersEdge]

I did this for the first time last round, and really committed to it. By this, I mean that I would line it up until I thought it was good from behind, and then I never questioned it once I got over it. I found it helped me with my speed more than anything, since I only had to concentrate on speed and speed alone as the line was already taken care of. Needless to say I made couple birdies and had 29 putts total, which for me is very good. I will continue to do this for sure.

[wrx_junki]

I use the line as an alignment aid for tee shots and once in awhile for putting. Not sure how much it helps with my putting though since my green reading isn't the greatest.

[ApocG10]

where do you get a tool to draw the line straight and dead center? I dont believe I have ever seen them, though I never looked.

[SpacklersEdge]

where do you get a tool to draw the line straight and dead center? I dont believe I have ever seen them, though I never looked.

http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Ball-Line.../dp/B000J4DHLG