Putting: Alignment problem

[TJ106]

I have tried to start using a straight line drawn on my golf ball during putting to help keep me on the line i pick out.  However as much as I read it from behind the ball and set the line towards it, when I stand over the ball to go ahead and putt it looks off.  Is my mind playing tricks on me?  Anyone else have issues with this?

[jlh1508]

I have tried to start using a straight line drawn on my golf ball during putting to help keep me on the line i pick out.  However as much as I read it from behind the ball and set the line towards it, when I stand over the ball to go ahead and putt it looks off.  Is my mind playing tricks on me?  Anyone else have issues with this?

Yes your mind is playing tricks on you. I have the same problem, but have learned to trust my alignment from behind the ball.

[tefunk]

TJ, I'd consider myself a pretty good putter (typically 30-34 putts per round... Best part of my game. Here are a couple things that have worked for me: -I don't really look at the ball, I focus on the line and path of my putter. I don't use a line on the ball for aiming, only the line across the center of my putter. -I practice a bit. During the winter I use a cheap putting mat maybe 10mins a day and focus on feel and putter path (I putt btwn alignment sticks, or two balls). During the beginning of the season, I'll spend quite a bit of time working distance control and reading lines. After a month or so of that, I really only practice putting before a round (and on the occassion I hit the range to work on other parts of the game). I'll also find an old guy on the practice green at the range and ask to have a gentlemen's putting match (old guys are usually good putters). -My setup over a putt is similar to Jack Nicklaus, it helps me see the line better. This has worked for me, and maybe some of it could work for you. Who knows, everyone is different. Good luck with the putting!

[pepsiplusconker]

Your mind playing tricks is exactly what it is, something to do with looking to the side over your nose, can't remember exactly.

Isn't it obvious though, if you line that putt up with the line on the ball, then no matter where it "looks" like you are hitting it, it's always going with the line.

I never used to line my putts up, but then putt sharpy lines on, probably helped me drop 8 shots off my score easily back then.

Just line it up, get the feel for pace, and just stroke it.

[guiseppe]

When I get over a put, the line on the ball (AND the putter head) look to be waaaay left (I'm right handed). I have the same problem on my full shots (but not as bad).

It is easier to overcome for me if I concentrate on the line imagining it running from behind the ball, through the line on the ball and all the way to my aim point.  For whatever reason if I concentrate on the line, my mind can make sense of it at that point.  I also have done this same drill, alternating closing one eye to get a better vision of the line.

I continue to use the line on the ball because I find it forces me to pay attention more and commit to an aiming point.  But, it absolutely looks left to me when I get over it every time unless I can imagine the path it takes to the hole, then it makes sense.

[TJ106]

Glad I'm not the only one experiencing this.  Guiseppe, I'm also a righty and it always looks way left to me.  Even if I see a line going mabe 6 inches to the right of them ball I stand over it and looks like I'm aiming left.

The hardest part is I can't fully get my head out of it and always seem to miss the sweet spot on my putter because of it looking off.  So I have a lot of bad misses.

I did buy a cheap putting mat and I like the idea of using some alignment sticks to straighten it up.

Thanks for the input everyone

[Pretzel]

It does this to me too, but I've found a way to solve it for me mentally. I use a method of Dave Stockton's, where you pick a spot in front of the ball (1-2" in front) and just focus on rolling the ball over that spot. When I do that, I feel I am much less likely to push/pull a putt based on how it looks to me in my mind.