Line on ball as a putting aid

[CarlSpackler]

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.

I won one at an outing. I tried it, but never use it. The sharpie that came with it comes in handy though.

[Smarf]

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.

They have them at most golf stores in the accessory section where they sell tees, markers, divot tools etc. There are various kinds. Some are electronic and spin the ball to find it's true center of gravity. Some are just a plastic cup you snap the ball into with an opening for you to draw a line.

I picked one up at Walmart for 5 bucks, because I also play pool and use a striped ball to determine if I'm hitting off center. But the thing I didn't like about the tool is that the dimples make drawing a straight line next to impossible. It's better to use the ones put on some balls by the manufacturer, and less distracting to the eye.

[topspin4hand]

I started trying lining the ball logo up for putting a couple weeks ago but it took too long mainly because of the exact same problem others had with the behind-the-ball view being so different than the over-the-top view. I never thought of the over-the-top view as an "illusion." I'll try this as soon as I can back onto a putting green!

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,

[topspin4hand]

Just an update in case any other beginners are going back and forth with this means of alignment. In the middle of last summer's season I started trying to align the logo of the ball with my target line on putts. My big problem until then was mostly putting distance, and I did get closer than I did before I started this method. However, I noticed that while I was closer in my misses, I still wasn't really making anything over 5 feet. SO, this year - after practicing my stroke all winter - I recommitted to trying to pick a spot a short distance in front of me on the green and putting that way. I have to worry about hitting the line AND distance but my past few rounds have included a couple middle distance makes as well as many more 2-putts and less 3-putts. My scores have dropped significantly playing the greens is exciting now b/c I can make the occasional long putt.

I started trying lining the ball logo up for putting a couple weeks ago but it took too long mainly because of the exact same problem others had with the behind-the-ball view being so different than the over-the-top view. I never thought of the over-the-top view as an "illusion." I'll try this as soon as I can back onto a putting green!

[Zeph]

Why do you have to worry about hitting the line? Once you have set up the club face, there is no need to think about it anymore. It's what I do anyways. Find a spot at the line of my putt a couple of inches in front of the ball. Take my address position and aim the club face to the spot I picked out. From there, my alignment is done, I don't want to think about it anymore. Only focus is getting the right speed after taking my address position.

[MMouse]

I always line up my putts this way, and my putting is the best part of my game.

Doesn't matter what the putt is, I mark my ball, pick it up, take a look, align it, put it down and take my putt ( sounds drawn out, but actually takes very little time )

For me I think it's more about actually taking that much time to look at each putt, the long and the short. I just know that once I've lined it up I am good to go. If I do miss, it's not by much.

Now if I could just hit a ball....

[topspin4hand]

Why do you have to worry about hitting the line? Once you have set up the club face, there is no need to think about it anymore. It's what I do anyways. Find a spot at the line of my putt a couple of inches in front of the ball. Take my address position and aim the club face to the spot I picked out. From there, my alignment is done, I don't want to think about it anymore. Only focus is getting the right speed after taking my address position.

You're right, Zeph. though sometimes after I address the ball, I do have to take a quick look at my intermediate target ... I need that point a couple inches front of the ball to help me gauge whether I'm taking my putter back the way I want it to. This putting routine/method is still in progress as I've only been trying it for 2 maybe 3 weeks tops. It's just so much better that I had to share!

[Tifosinumerouno]

Forget about buying a tool. The ring around a standard size Gatorade bottle fits the middle of a ball perfectly. Just take one off next time you buy a drink and put it in your bag.