Sharpie line on the seam?

[withdrew]

I prefer a line through the side logo as my "mark" rather than some scribbled initials. I will try and use different color sharpies to do this, so my ball stands out from the others, and it definitely helps me get putts closer to the cup. they don't go in though.

that snap-on cap that comes with the sharpie is MONEY, perfect thick line EVERY TIME.

[Fourputt]

While I mark my ball for identification, I don't use a line, nor do I believe that it is more than a rough reference for alignment. I would go so far as to stipulate that if a player was to use that line and nothing else to align his stance, he would almost never make a putt.

IMO, it's much more of a mental confidence boost than it is a physical alignment aid. In that respect it might really help one who uses it, because making a good stroke on a putt is directly proportional to the confidence level of the person hitting the putt. But I have a hard time believing that a 1-1/2 inch long line (ok 1.68 inches) is long enough for someone to actually be able to accurately aim a 20 foot put with, using that and only that for setup. In reality, you look at the hole and whether you realize it or not, at least subconsciously you adjust your aim.

I use the spot putting method... just pick out a spot on the green about 2 feet in front of my ball on the line of play, and set up to that, and I don't even look at the hole until I've finished taking my stance. Once I'm aligned, I look at the hole to "feel" the distance, then strike the ball, no readjustment. I may not always read the putt correctly, and I may miss the speed, but I almost always hit the spot I set up to, without the help of a line on the ball. I have seen guys use the line and the spot method together, but I don't see them putting any better than I do just because of the line. And the line sure won't help a misread....

[iacas]

While I mark my ball for identification, I don't use a line, nor do I believe that it is more than a rough reference for alignment. I would go so far as to stipulate that if a player was to use that line and nothing else to align his stance, he would almost never make a putt.

I use the sidestamps on the new Pro V1x (the "AIM" technology) or, when I play the TP Black, the sidestamp on there (no arrows, but it says "

[scotton]

I tried using the line for a few weeks, but I couldn't get comfortable aiming the line on the ball to the line of the putt. I'd line up the line, stand over the ball, look at the hole, adjust the ball, on and on. It turned into a situation where I was constantly second guessing the line on the ball and I started pulling a lot of putts.

I'm more of a feel putter anyway. Very rarely do I feel like I didn't hit the putt where I wanted to. My problems are more to do with pace and reading breaks.

[AndrewM]

IMO, anyone that doesnt benefit from that line is making a subconcious error in their stroke.

If you can roll the ball purely, end over end ON your line, then the line on the ball will help. If you take your set up, THEN adjust your line and face angle, the line on the ball becomes useless. In addition if you have a hard time adjusting that line on the ball, to your line on the surface consistently, the it wont work for you. You HAVE to be able to trust that line. Which wont happen if you dont make square contact with the ball. If you regularly push the ball (and you can still be a good putter doing that) or similar unorthodox movement, the line wont work.

The fact is, after about 5 or so feet, the only thing that matters is speed. If you can consistently putt the ball straight and purely for 5 feet, then you WILL make putts.

If the line isnt helping for those first few feet, i can absolutely guarantee that there is a hitch in your stroke, an alignment issue, misfit putter or some combination of all of those. Like I said, that doesnt make you a bad putter by default, but it does mean there is another issue at play that stops the alignment tool from working for you.

[sandtrap]

I don't mark my ball mostly because I think it looks tacky and mars my new pearl. However I will use the "oneplatinum" to give me a lline to hit the ball along. I do believe you should look at the hole and concentrate on were you want the ball to end up. In the hole.

Much like if you think about the lake you will hit it in the lake.

The toughest 9 inches in golf is between your ears.
have possitive thoughts and good things will happen.

let's all meditate now. oooooowwwwmmmmm

[Robiola the Monster]

Trust.....


Thats all you have to do, trust the line. When i first started using the line i didnt trust the line and i would miss the putt & if i had just trusted the line i would have got the ball closer.

I now have 99.999% trust in the sharpie line, i'm still a woefull putter, but thats not the lines fault. Atleast i know that i can put a 3-foot putt within 3-foot

[gotgolf?]

What seam?

[MGP]

I play Top Flite D2 Feel balls and they already have an alignment mark on them. I don't use it, but it's there if I wanted to.

[gaz d]

I used to do it.
I would line it up then go to address it and realise it wasnt pointing where i wanted it, this happened so often i just gave up on it.

[cbe_golfer]

I used to do it.

I think this is more because your eyes are not perfectly over the ball when you take your stance. For what it is worth, you may want to try to place a ball on a mirror and check whether your eyes are directly behind the ball. I am an advocate for trusting the line

[erniebanks]

Every time I use a line on the ball to line up a shot, it looks very right of the intended line once I get over the ball.

I'm talking "way right", and have to go back and re-look at the putt.
It is very hard, but I go back and putt on the line I chose originally (without thinking of what it looks like), my putt is very close to where it should be. Speed will kill a putt more often than "line" if the break is not excessive.
I have learned to trust the line I chose from behind the ball (read with ball mark line) and make more putts than ever.
It is very tough to putt when you think you are not on line. Just learn to believe in the mark you (or the ball manufacturer) gave you.
Putting is a very mental thing. Hit the darn ball on the line you see from behind it!!

[lamebums]

I draw a line all around the ball on the seam. How many of you use a line on the seam to align putts?.

I don't draw lines on the seams, and I don't line up the ball. That doesn't help me one bit (I've tried it numerous times.) I'm better off using the line on my putter to get the line right - I take one look at the hole and go. I don't waste time on the putting green. (And if possible, slowing me down makes me worse.)

[Ringer]

I believe everyone should see this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypiL9ao90NM

[iacas]

I believe everyone should see this video...

Pfffft. Buy good balls.

[rusek]

This is just my opinion, but I wish the USGA would outlaw this and the range finders!

Wow....since when have players NOT marked their balls and made lines to help aim? And how much of a hipocritt is one if they say they want the game to be played more traditionally, yet play a titanium driver with a graphite shaft, and moveable head weights?

[benny]

I tried it for a while also but when addressing the ball it never seemed lined up where it should. I still use the writing on the ball, but usually find I need more break when addressing the ball.

[tigerstripes]

I line up all my putts over 1 ft with a line on the ball. I practice making sure my eyes are over the ball by setting up, and dropping a ball from my eyeballz. Wherever the ball lands is the spot your eye is directly over.

I read somewhere if you tee it up with a seam in a certain direction it'll make it go further, but I rarely care to kill it so the extra 1 yrd doesn't make a difference for me. I just tee it up in any random position.