Line on Ball

[cmarkmyers]

I put a line on the ball. Once in a while I will stand over the putt and decide I don't like the look of the line and make some adjustmens. 9 times out of 10 I should have trusted the original line. For the life of me I cannot figure out why I still keep making adjustments :/ Dear God PLEASE let me start trusting my line!!!

[neudi]

i think the line really helps me to aim the putter at the mark

[sole wolf]

I have started using the line that bridgestone gives me.

[You're Away]

Once in a while I will stand over the putt and decide I don't like the look of the line and make some adjustmens. 9 times out of 10 I should have trusted the original line.

I use a line too, and like you I don't always trust it once I stand over the ball and then things go bad.

But, on the other hand, not much feels better than when you hit that perfect putt and it looks like a solid line around your ball while it's rolling. Those don't always go in either but at least I know it was either my read or speed and not the stroke. Chris

[thecraftersbin]

hmmmm, I am fairly new to the game of golf. I just started playing last summer. My putting is actually not to bad but this is something I am going to try. I will try a line on my ball and see how it works for me. Actually what I need ALOT of practice with is my distance on the fairway. I need to work my muscles a little so I can swing harder. LOL

[xian]

Dave Pelz offers a product that might be of interest to some people:

http://www.pelzgolf.com/ProShop/OBALL/Default.aspx

Dave argues that the line(s) not only aids in aiming, but also provides valuable feedback about your stroke. I have a few balls that I have drawn a line all the way around and I use them when I practice putting. I watch the line as the ball is rolling to see how "on line" it is. It also helps commit to an intended line. All of my aiming is done when I place my ball on the surface. When I get over the ball, the only thing I have to think about is speed. If I don't like the direction, I move the ball and start over. I never change my mind about direction without reaiming the ball (if I don't, I can't evaluate my stroke).

[Candycane]

I have tried using a line and I can never seem to match up the line of the ball with the line that I want to hit...if that makes any sense. I'll put the ball down and step back and it's not quite right. Then I'll make an adjustment and step back and it's still not right! Needless to say, I didn't find it very useful because I was not talented enough to set the ball properly. LOL I will be trying again though.

[Will]

I usually pick a spot a few feet ahead of the ball to aim, I don't use the ball markings. Everyone has to use what works for them, but my feeling is that if you line it up with the ball marking, you lose feel over the putt. Makes it hard to change your mind as well. :)

[cdriver]

I line up the "Pro V1x" line on the side of the ball. I find the little thin line formed by this makes a great aiming device. My biggest problem is squatting behind the mark, lining up that logo with the line of the putt and then getting over the ball and second guessing myself. If I can ignore the little man in my head telling me I am on the wrong line for a couple of holes, I usually putt pretty well. My read from behind the ball is usually right. I just have trouble trusting it at first.

[NCGolfer]

Dave argues that the line(s) not only aids in aiming, but also provides valuable feedback about your stroke. I have a few balls that I have drawn a line all the way around and I use them when I practice putting. I watch the line as the ball is rolling to see how "on line" it is. It also helps commit to an intended line. All of my aiming is done when I place my ball on the surface. When I get over the ball, the only thing I have to think about is speed. If I don't like the direction, I move the ball and start over. I never change my mind about direction without reaiming the ball (if I don't, I can't evaluate my stroke).

I have no problem with using a line for practicing, but in regular play it just doesn't work for me. It's like candycane was saying...I try and line it up and it just isn't quite right and have to keep slightly adjusting the ball. I spend more time doing that than reading the putt. To me it is a distraction.

Just pick a spot a foot or so ahead of the ball and aim at it.

[SubPar]

If you watch the pros, you will see they always use something on the ball to indicate their line, even on short putts. I find when I am over the ball I always feel I am set up left of the intended line, so I enjoy the confidence a clear line-up marking gives me. I know if I make a square strike on that line I have a good chance of making the putt.

I use a plastic template that puts a line for directional line-up and has two perpendicular lines to help square the club face. I use it on the tee as well as when putting. It is not a given that you will square the putter face perpendicular to the directional line, if you have no guide. This thing has made a big difference for me over the years.

I got it from some site on the web, but I don't remember where.

This one is similar to the one I use. It cannot hurt to have a guide for line-up and squaring the club.

http://www.personalizedgolfballs.com/linemup.html

[Jeepthrills]

Dave Pelz offers a product that might be of interest to some people:

I don't think I could ever use one of these things. It looks like a christmas candy. And I'm the guy who played in an outing with the Pink Noodle.

P.S. For those of you in Michigan who are putting the line on your ball, I really wish you would stop. It irritates me when I find a perfectly good ball in the woods that has a huge line on it.

[InTheTwenties]

I used to just hit it, but then I read petlz putting book, as well as some posts here, so I balance it and draw a line. I feel like I putt better, and its definetly closer to the whole.


Even Tiger Woods uses a line.

[Puttin4Bird]

Last nights round I lined up my putts for the first time. It was a bit time consuming but I felt that it really helped. I actually holed a double breaking 35 footer for birdie! But I did seem to get a bit quicker as the round wore on so I think if you get used to doing it and incorporate it into your pre-putt routine it will not average out to be more than a couple of minutes extra over 18 holes, if anything.

If it can save me a few strokes it's time well spent in my book!

[iacas]

Last nights round I lined up my putts for the first time.

You realize we're talking about drawing lines on the ball, not "lining up putts," right?

P.S. I find it ironic that someone named "Puttin4Bird" admits to just now starting to line up his putts.

[Xt1ncT]

I mark my balls, but don't like having a line on them.

I do however, like something to concentrate on - ie marking the ball so I am looking at a specific dimple it seems to help me make a more positive move at the ball with irons and my putter when I concentrate on a smaller target rather than the ball in general.

[redvet]

Another reason why I put a line on the ball is to help me achieve the

I agree and I always try to find the seam, ProV are amongst the easiest seams to locate. Not sure whether there is the extra 10 yds that Nicklaus claimed could be had, in fact, I read that if you don't have a swingspeed in excess of 118 mph you won't be able to generate enough speed to get the best out of the ProV's.

[iacas]

I agree and I always try to find the seam, ProV are amongst the easiest seams to locate. Not sure whether there is the extra 10 yds that Nicklaus claimed could be had, in fact, I read that if you don't have a swingspeed in excess of 118 mph you won't be able to generate enough speed to get the best out of the ProV's.

Bogus and bogus.

The USGA proved the second false (see this article for more) and Titleist has told me the second is false, too. Remember the rules require a ball to play in a uniform way no matter how it's oriented. So if you did get a boost by "seaming" then you'd be playing an illegal ball.