Using Ball To Line Up A Tee Shot

[ZMendle10]

Is it legal to line up a tee shot with the same straight line that I use to line up my putts on the green?

[GolfSpy MPR]

From all that I've read: yes.

EDIT: found an old thread on this: 

 

[cnosil]

Yep 100% legal.

[ZMendle10]

6 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

From all that I've read: yes.

EDIT: found an old thread on this: 

 

Thank you very much for this. I figured that there would already be a forum on this subject floating around somewhere but I was unable to find it.

[DaveP043]

Just to add to that, there are many times when you are allowed to align the ball using the line.  

If you are allowed to lift the ball, you are allowed to replace it in any orientation you choose, per Interpretation 14.2c/1:

Quote

When replacing a lifted ball on a spot, the Rules are concerned about only the location. The ball may be aligned in any way when being replaced (such as by lining up a trademark) so long as the ball’s vertical distance to the ground remains the same.

This applies on the putting green, but may also apply if you have lifted the ball to identify it, to check to see if it is damaged, or if you are placing the ball after having dropped it twice, or are placing it for any reason.  This does NOT apply when you are required to DROP the ball.

 

[revkev]

On 10/22/2020 at 12:50 PM, DaveP043 said:

Just to add to that, there are many times when you are allowed to align the ball using the line.  

If you are allowed to lift the ball, you are allowed to replace it in any orientation you choose, per Interpretation 14.2c/1:

This applies on the putting green, but may also apply if you have lifted the ball to identify it, to check to see if it is damaged, or if you are placing the ball after having dropped it twice, or are placing it for any reason.  This does NOT apply when you are required to DROP the ball.

 

Unless you've perfected your drop.

[dlow206]

I always use the line on tee shots, helps me feel more confident that I lined up the ball where I want to aim.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I use the line on tee shots as well. I line the ball up with the portion of the fairway I want to hit. It also helps me with those tee boxes or tee marker positions that are off-set to the fairway. The kind that are designed to visually throw you off.

[yungkory]

14 hours ago, dlow206 said:

I always use the line on tee shots, helps me feel more confident that I lined up the ball where I want to aim.

 

9 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I use the line on tee shots as well. I line the ball up with the portion of the fairway I want to hit. It also helps me with those tee boxes or tee marker positions that are off-set to the fairway. The kind that are designed to visually through you off.

This is actually something I should do. I hate when the tee box is crooked, especially when the groundskeeper makes the markers crooked!

[Tarheelvolvo]

As others have said, I also line up the ball on tee shots as it helps me aim down the fairway. Oddly, though, I found aiming the ball in greens was counter productive. 

Tested the Align XL and discovered my putting average went UP vs just placing it randomly or putting it as it lays. Go figure...

[DiscipleofPenick]

I just tee up behind an existing divot, leaf, broken tee, etc. and use that as my aim point. It's illegal to place anything or make a mark, but whatever is lying on the ground already is fair game.

Take Dead Aim

[Alf. S]

Use to do this last year but stopped and been focusing on other things but I think I might go back to this. I don't do this on the green it puts me off I more likely to put the logo at the back and use this to focus on until I've completed the stroke.

One interesting fact, if in match play your opponent asks to mark your ball off the green because it impedes his swing or line. You are not allowed to clean the ball and he could claim the hole. 

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, Alf. S said:

One interesting fact, if in match play your opponent asks to mark your ball off the green because it impedes his swing or line. You are not allowed to clean the ball and he could claim the hole. 

That's true, and it's a penalty in stroke play as well, but you ARE allowed to replace it in any orientation you choose.  You can align a mark, or you can rotate it so a glob of mud is no longer in the side of the ball you'll be hitting.

Edited October 24, 2020 by DaveP043