Using a line on a golf ball for putting

[RollingGreens]

I have been considering a new method for putting to try and shave off as many strokes as possible. I have never used lines on a golf ball for aiming at the target. I’ve always been a feel player. For Christmas my father in law purchased me a golf ball marking tool. I’ve seen the data on the triple track and how beneficial it can be. I also just read this article that talked about some of the positives and negatives, https://www.google.com/amp/s/golf.com/instruction/putting/should-you-use-line-on-golf-ball-top-100-teacher/amp/

 

I’ve tried it for a day or two now albeit only indoor putting on the perfect putt out. Results are positive initially as I feel more confident once I decide my line and aim point. Curious to see what other members think, and what kind of results they have had with the triple track or other ball alignment setup for putting. 

[Tarheelvolvo]

Was part of the Align XL test that was putting this very theory in practice. I'm one of those rare people that did MUCH worse with an aiming aide (apparently Rory also has the same condition) but others have found it useful.

Check out the Align XL test here

[cnosil]

Using a line on the ball is personal preference and is often based on how you see the line of the putt and what you need to focus on to get the startline correct.   Some people use it for all putts, some for short putts only, and others not at all.   All you can do is experiment and see how it works for you.   Many people abandon it due to the parallax error that occurs if you don't see the line correctly. 

[DawgDaddy]

I'm in the camp that they help.  This is the one I use and have been for over a year now, I use the center line and the 4 small lines parallel to the center.   I purchased it from Amazon for about $6.   If you have Amazon Prime it is a cheap option to try and see how you like a line or lines on the ball.  

 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I have used the line for years. For me it works better than no line. My process is to aim the line at the intended target line. I then go a few feet behind the ball to verify the target line.  I use an Odyssey Marksman Fang putter which has the long alignment line on the putter head. I align the line on the ball with the line on the putter and as much as a straight back straight through stroke as possible. 

I also use the line on my drives. My course has many tee boxes that are offset or on an angle to the fairway. I will align the line on the ball with where I want to hit the ball in the fairway. Then swing along the ball line Its just something that works for me.  

[CarlH]

I do not use a line.  I typically set the name logo along my intended path, however, I do not fixate on it being the exact line.  I use it more as a focusing aid for my eyes to help me remain centered and stay still over the ball throughout the stroke.

[Thin2win]

I really want to be better using a line, but I'm not. It makes me worse for whatever reason, my eyes see the line and the parallax error between them, the ball and the hole causes issues for me. I'm much better off not using a line. But I've given it a lot of effort and tries to make it work. 

[TBT]

I don’t use any kind of line or the name on the ball at all, in fact I tend to put my ball where I see nothing at address.

I’ve tried the lines and the triple trac and they seem to “counter act” my normal putting methods. Most that know me or have played with me a time or 2 consider me a good putter....I average right around 27 putts a round and I haven’t had a 3 putt in my last 3 rounds.

I’m not sure why but the lines on the ball seem to cause me to block putts to the right...I look at my aim point when putting then back to the ball right before my stroke.


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[JFish350]

I use a single line when putting. Its the line I want to start the ball then all I need to worry about is speed. I am an avg putter usually 32-36 putts per round. I believe this higher number has more to do with proximity to the hole on approach shots. 

 

Someone mentioned using the line on tee shots/drives.  I haven't tried that but will try it out. I am someone that struggles with the driver and alignment. 

 

[DiscipleofPenick]

No line or anything. I actually turn my ball to a plain side. I find that thinking about anything other than the ball in the cup is a distraction.

Take Dead Aim

[RollingGreens]

19 hours ago, DawgDaddy said:

I'm in the camp that they help.  This is the one I use and have been for over a year now, I use the center line and the 4 small lines parallel to the center.   I purchased it from Amazon for about $6.   If you have Amazon Prime it is a cheap option to try and see how you like a line or lines on the ball.  

 

I was gifted one similar to this for Christmas 

[RollingGreens]

20 hours ago, cnosil said:

Using a line on the ball is personal preference and is often based on how you see the line of the putt and what you need to focus on to get the startline correct.   Some people use it for all putts, some for short putts only, and others not at all.   All you can do is experiment and see how it works for you.   Many people abandon it due to the parallax error that occurs if you don't see the line correctly. 

Thanks for bringing up the parallax. I just watched a video by Mike Malaska, who helped me get an understanding for the alignment and limiting the parallax 

[tony@CIC]

I use a line and found it really helps for short putts. Two summers ago, a couple of my partners were chuckling about using a line, last summer the same guys had drawn a line on their golf balls.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[RollingGreens]

48 minutes ago, tony@CIC said:

I use a line and found it really helps for short putts. Two summers ago, a couple of my partners were chuckling about using a line, last summer the same guys had drawn a line on their golf balls.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I’m gonna give it a go this year. I feel that it can’t hurt. Hope I am not changing too many variables. I have gone from standard to left hand low, also back to a double blade or mallet putter with a large aiming line

[Kenny B]

On 12/28/2020 at 7:09 PM, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I have used the line for years. For me it works better than no line. My process is to aim the line at the intended target line. I then go a few feet behind the ball to verify the target line.  I use an Odyssey Marksman Fang putter which has the long alignment line on the putter head. I align the line on the ball with the line on the putter and as much as a straight back straight through stroke as possible. 

I also use the line on my drives. My course has many tee boxes that are offset or on an angle to the fairway. I will align the line on the ball with where I want to hit the ball in the fairway. Then swing along the ball line Its just something that works for me.  

Same for me, except I also mark another line perpendicular to one end of the alignment line forming a T.  I align the long alignment aid on my Ping putter with the alignment line, and also square the putter face to the top of the T line.

I always use the T to aim my tee shots.  Many times the tee markers are aimed when you do NOT want to go!!

[jb0330]

On 12/28/2020 at 6:22 PM, RollingGreens said:

I have been considering a new method for putting to try and shave off as many strokes as possible. I have never used lines on a golf ball for aiming at the target. I’ve always been a feel player. For Christmas my father in law purchased me a golf ball marking tool. I’ve seen the data on the triple track and how beneficial it can be. I also just read this article that talked about some of the positives and negatives, https://www.google.com/amp/s/golf.com/instruction/putting/should-you-use-line-on-golf-ball-top-100-teacher/amp/

 

I’ve tried it for a day or two now albeit only indoor putting on the perfect putt out. Results are positive initially as I feel more confident once I decide my line and aim point. Curious to see what other members think, and what kind of results they have had with the triple track or other ball alignment setup for putting. 

 

23 hours ago, TBT said:

I don’t use any kind of line or the name on the ball at all, in fact I tend to put my ball where I see nothing at address.

I’ve tried the lines and the triple trac and they seem to “counter act” my normal putting methods. Most that know me or have played with me a time or 2 consider me a good putter....I average right around 27 putts a round and I haven’t had a 3 putt in my last 3 rounds.

I’m not sure why but the lines on the ball seem to cause me to block putts to the right...I look at my aim point when putting then back to the ball right before my stroke.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

Silly me, I thought everyone on tour used a line on their ball or the logo to line their putts up. Great article @RollingGreens. While reading the comments here made me think about a few things. I have always line up my putts with something on the ball, unless I am having a bad round and just a little heated. I also tend to not "line" the putts up when its my third putt no matter how close or far it is away from the hole. Want me to make a 10 footer for birder, pff probably not. You want me to drain a 15 footer for double bogie and it be my third putt, oh yeah middle of cup baby. I never thought there maybe a connection to how I putt until this thread, so this year I will be going the opposite directions and I will not be "lining" up my putts, ALL Feeel. 

[PMookie]

There have been two “tests” that showed that using the line on the ball did not increase the number of made putts, etc. I’ve found that it adds significant amounts of time to my reads since getting the line just right takes a bit. I use my Aimpoint and go... I don’t care how the ball is sitting on the green. Makes no difference to me how it’s oriented.

[RollingGreens]

2 hours ago, PMookie said:

There have been two “tests” that showed that using the line on the ball did not increase the number of made putts, etc. I’ve found that it adds significant amounts of time to my reads since getting the line just right takes a bit. I use my Aimpoint and go... I don’t care how the ball is sitting on the green. Makes no difference to me how it’s oriented.

I wish I could say that it would add time for me but I may just follow the norm. I think this is going to help me strategize and come up with a sequence for putting going forward

[BMart519]

I use an intermediate point to line up the ball and putter face approx. 2-6" in front of the ball. Usually a specific blade of grass or some discoloration on the green. The line can help on shorter putts up to about 12-15' if I am having trouble identifying a specific spot to help aim. On lag putts 20'+ where speed is more important, the focus on line seems to lead to worse performance. 

One of the biggest benefits of the line is seeing if you are rolling it end over end or cutting across the ball. 

[mikeanthony]

I’ve been marking the ball with three lines for the past 2 years, and for me, it’s helped my putting game. 

And as others have mentioned, if it’s a putt that’s 20-30+ ft, my intent is to just get the ball close to hole and judge the correct speed ... really don’t bother with lining up the putt. 

I’ll add that if there is significant break, of say 2 to 3 ft of right/left break, no matter the distance, I’ll put with the clean white side up. 

[excourse]

As others have said, it's personal preference. I personally cannot use any type of line on the ball without getting myself all screwed up. Picking a spot a few inches in front if the ball as my aim point has served me well, since I consider putting to be the strongest part of my admittedly anemic game.

[stephenmatt]

On 12/28/2020 at 10:09 PM, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I also use the line on my drives. My course has many tee boxes that are offset or on an angle to the fairway. I will align the line on the ball with where I want to hit the ball in the fairway. Then swing along the ball line Its just something that works for me.  

I never even thought about doing this... I have to try it next time I play now, lol. Great idea!

[pozzit]

I have been putting a line on my ball the last few years and have no clear proof if it did or didn't help my putting. I do it on anything I put intention into. My own mindset it set it and forget it. I will be marking my ball to clean it, I will need to ready the green and pick my aim point, if I set the line and "confirm" it I then ignore the line all together and only focus on the speed. It helps take that out of my mind and focus on only one thing at a time. 

I am a quick golfer. I played 18 holes walking in 2 hours 15 minutes (taking my time) and marked 90% of my putts. It doesn't take long if you its a clear part of your routine. If I place my mark back up decide I'm off, Ill adjust check again and still am not happy I just spin the ball and hit it by feel. In all it should take no more then 10 seconds with practice. The biggest point to make is if you don't fully trust the line its only a distraction. 

It is all personal preference and whatever works it what's important. I have tried to encourage my dad to try and it breaks his train of through enough that he doesn't want (and bending down more then necessary is avoided). I have tried lining up my drives but have had issues since my eyes are not directly above the ball and skews my aiming up.