Why Are There Three Lines On Mickelson's Golf Ball?

[nevets88]

I totally missed the telecast of Pebble last weekend and missed this, don't know if this was explained on TV, but here are the details.

Quote

The lines, what Mickelson’s equipment manufacturer Callaway calls “Triple Track Technology,” are an example of vernier acuity, according to Carl Bassi, a Ph.D. professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. In the simplest terms, vernier acuity refers to the ability of the brain to process subtle differences in alignment detected in the eyes. By having the right kind of multiple reference points (like a center line flanked by two parallel lines), the brain perceives the straightness of aim better. It’s a technology used in gun sights and the landing strips on aircraft carriers.

 

Those aren't just three lines on Phil Mickelson's golf ball—they're science

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Three lines on Mickelson's ball are a Callaway technology by way of octogenarian entrepreneur and optometry researcher aimed at improving your aim.

 

[dennyjones]

32 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

octogenarian

So this guy has experience?   

[klineka]

There have been studies done that show virtually no difference for people that use lines on the ball vs no lines on the ball when putting.

I'd be pretty surprised if suddenly 3 lines on a ball makes that much of a difference compared to just one or none.

This was just one study I found real quick about the line vs no line

Quote

Our test revealed that marking the golf ball with a line (as 70% of our test participants reported doing) provides no statistical advantage whatsoever over putting with an unmarked ball

https://mygolfspy.com/mgs-labs-line-vs-no-line/

 

Edited February 14, 2019 by klineka
Removed words for clarity

[boogielicious]

44 minutes ago, nevets88 said:

I totally missed the telecast of Pebble last weekend and missed this, don't know if this was explained on TV, but here are the details.

 

Those aren't just three lines on Phil Mickelson's golf ball—they're science

---

Three lines on Mickelson's ball are a Callaway technology by way of octogenarian entrepreneur and optometry researcher aimed at improving...

 

I would find all that very distracting.

[DaveP043]

This isn't anything really new, the KickX Tour Z golf balls (sponsor of the 2015 Newport Cup) had 3 lines on the golf balls.

I didn't use those lines for alignment either.

[ChetlovesMer]

Dave Pelz has been selling this technology for over 15 years. 

I've actually had a set for about that long. I like to try to roll them down a metal yardstick as a way to practice my putting stroke in the winter months. 

I wouldn't want to use them in "real life" because it can literally take me like 10-30 seconds to get the damned thing lined up right and that's when it's on a metal yardstick not even aiming toward a target 10 or 30 feet away. 

[Lihu]

There’s a patent for marking balls?

US20120264539A1

 

[Vinsk]

50 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I would find all that very distracting.

Well Phil also said it would take him ‘a month to get used to a new ball’ so he’s probably got all kinds of ‘silly’ ideas about his golf ball.

[Missouri Swede]

3 hours ago, nevets88 said:

 

Those aren't just three lines on Phil Mickelson's golf ball—they're science

---

Three lines on Mickelson's ball are a Callaway technology by way of octogenarian entrepreneur and optometry researcher aimed at improving your aim.

 

I was wondering what Doc Ock had been up to recently.

(Yeah, I know what octogenarian means, but it was too close to let it pass by.)

Edited February 14, 2019 by Missouri Swede

[jamo]

He might have 3 lines on his putter that he tries to line them up with. 

[Buckeyebowman]

9 hours ago, klineka said:

There have been studies done that show virtually no difference for people that use lines on the ball vs no lines on the ball when putting.

I'd be pretty surprised if suddenly 3 lines on a ball makes that much of a difference compared to just one or none.

This was just one study I found real quick about the line vs no line

https://mygolfspy.com/mgs-labs-line-vs-no-line/

 

 

But who are these people on which the study was done? FWIW, I don't use a line on the ball either. When I address a putt, all I want to see is white! 

[paperclip]

Only to marketing guys could that be called "technology"

 

[boogielicious]

9 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

But who are these people on which the study was done? FWIW, I don't use a line on the ball either. When I address a putt, all I want to see is white! 

It is based on this study.

 

[jlbos83]

I heard someone (but I don't recall who) say that for some people lines on the ball are useful, for some not.  Perhaps a left brain/right brain sort of thing?  I have also heard the suggestion that one should place the ball with the line perpendicular to the target line, making it easier to actually align the putter with the ball.  I do imagine that if one was trying to align the ball, the three lines would make the process more accurate.  But I think it would drive me crazy.

[Missouri Swede]

56 minutes ago, jlbos83 said:

I heard someone (but I don't recall who) say that for some people lines on the ball are useful, for some not.  Perhaps a left brain/right brain sort of thing?  I have also heard the suggestion that one should place the ball with the line perpendicular to the target line, making it easier to actually align the putter with the ball.  I do imagine that if one was trying to align the ball, the three lines would make the process more accurate.  But I think it would drive me crazy.

I’m not sure how accurate I would be with that.  One thing to aim a line at a point. Trying to be 90* from it would be more difficult, I think.

[Club Rat]

Found one of the ERC Soft today and played it on my last hole.
The ball felt soft, good distance/ball flight, but did not like the three lines when used for lining up my putt.
Just couldn't quite focus on which line to use, the center line seemed correct, but the outer lines seemed misguiding.
Having different colors also seemed distracting, would probably prefer all black.
Also, I did not like the spacing between the lines. I would prefer the lines to be closers together.

Just my first initial thoughts on the lines, but playability of the ball, I was impressed. 

[jlbos83]

3 hours ago, Missouri Swede said:

I’m not sure how accurate I would be with that.  One thing to aim a line at a point. Trying to be 90* from it would be more difficult, I think.

I would think so, as well.  It might work with a "+" sign type thing, line one up to the target, the other would be perpendicular.  What do I know?  I usually don't even mark my ball.

[iacas]

3 hours ago, Missouri Swede said:

I’m not sure how accurate I would be with that.  One thing to aim a line at a point. Trying to be 90* from it would be more difficult, I think.

You'd be surprised. Some people see "perpendicular" more so than they see "parallel" or "pointing at."