Alignment Marks on Golf Balls

[One Planer]

Specifically for putting.

On the back of the Pre-shot routine thread, I see plenty of folk where I play using an alignment line/mark on a ball for lining up their putts.

I have a tendency to aim too far to the right when I'm putting so I'm considering a adding an alignment mark to help me.

Is adding an alignment line a help or a hindrance?

Is it purely a preference thing?

 

[Paperboy]

I imagine its a horses for courses thing tbh.

I used to mark over the name of the ball I.E. Pro V1 etc. I stopped putting an extra line on and just used the name/model of the ball to line up my putts.

 

[ger147]

All the balls I use come with a line already on them so I just use that one.

 

[Tiger]

I put two lines on mine. On for putting line and another across that for putter face. Helps me line up square and online. Also when you stroke your putt - if you've put a good roll it will roll end over end so you'll see the line rolling over rather than oscillating if that makes sense :thup:

 

[Capella]

I used to use an alignment mark (or on some golf balls the name/model if that suited my eye) to line my putts up when there is a lot of break. I do find that it can be fiddly to get the ball to rest exactly as I want it when lining up, though, and if the line is off even by a millimeter, it makes matters worse instead of better. So when I am in doubt now, I rather pick a spot on the green about a foot in front of the ball to aim over while standing behind the ball and then set up to that. If I can aim more or less straight at the hole or a cup outside I normally do not bother, because I can usually depend on my setup being on line. I just need the visual aid when there is break.

 

[3565]

your alignment issues might be to do with the type of putter you use and also the alignment markings on your putter can have an effect as well.
But alignment is key in golf from the tee to holing out, so if it helps then why not? I do it all the time, line up my line to where I want the ball to start then the placing of the putter and knowing that the line on my putter be in line with the ball to my intended target gives me one less thing to think about. All it is now for me is the speed.

 

[patricks148]

i tend to draw a line around the ball if its a comp, bounce games i don't always bother.

does help lining up, so at least i know I am sort of pointing the right way.

 

[UlyssesSky]

I used to use an alignment mark (or on some golf balls the name/model if that suited my eye) to line my putts up when there is a lot of break. I do find that it can be fiddly to get the ball to rest exactly as I want it when lining up, though, and if the line is off even by a millimeter, it makes matters worse instead of better. So when I am in doubt now, I rather pick a spot on the green about a foot in front of the ball to aim over while standing behind the ball and then set up to that. If I can aim more or less straight at the hole or a cup outside I normally do not bother, because I can usually depend on my setup being on line. I just need the visual aid when there is break.

Interesting!

I tend to do the opposite...

When there is a lot of break the most important parts of putting are reading the break correctly and the coorect pace relative to the chosen line, the starting line itself becomes more of a "feel based" decision depending on the expected break. So since it's quite easy to misread the break by a couple of millimeters, the exact starting line is less important.

If the putt is relatively straight I will line it up using the marker on the ball, though, since in that situation starting the ball on the right line and getting it to the hole are the most important factors.


To sum it up I guess you could say I don't line up lag putts but use the marker on putts I see a realistic chance of holing.

 

[3565]

Interesting!

I tend to do the opposite...

When there is a lot of break the most important parts of putting are reading the break correctly and the coorect pace relative to the chosen line, the starting line itself becomes more of a "feel based" decision depending on the expected break. So since it's quite easy to misread the break by a couple of millimeters, the exact starting line is less important.

If the putt is relatively straight I will line it up using the marker on the ball, though, since in that situation starting the ball on the right line and getting it to the hole are the most important factors.


To sum it up I guess you could say I don't line up lag putts but use the marker on putts I see a realistic chance of holing.

Just shows that there isn't a right way or wrong way in how to play the game as its allll down to personal preference and what works for one doesn't work for another. It's all about opinions, pass on our thoughts and try them out, if it works great if not then try something else.

at least this thread hasn't turned into a Naga Munchetty!!!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't use any alignment marks on my ball and avoid using pickups with them - unless they are minor.

I don;t want to find myself getting hung-up about whether the alignment marks on my ball are pointing precisely along the direction I want to hit it. And I also don't want to be faffing about if I change my mind - having to mark and tweak my ball position so that the alignment marks reflect my new thinking.

When I have decided on my line I just plonk the ball down any old way at my marker and then focus on my stroke.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

I think it's useful to some, for sure. I like to line up that Pro V1 line thingy approximately with the hole to get the feeling it's pointed vaguely in the right direction but that's plenty and saves time faffing around. It's not easy to see anyway - I cover the whole ball in purple scribbles; looks like Jackson Pollock sneezed on it. Do get lost balls handed back regularly as they are a bit hideous.

 

[jamielaing]

Specifically for putting.

On the back of the Pre-shot routine thread, I see plenty of folk where I play using an alignment line/mark on a ball for lining up their putts.

I have a tendency to aim too far to the right when I'm putting so I'm considering a adding an alignment mark to help me.

Is adding an alignment line a help or a hindrance?

Is it purely a preference thing?

I had the same problem. Every putt went right, my putting was a shambles, never expected to make anything outside 6 feet.

I decided to try lining up the ball and just used the branded line on the ball rather than draw a line on it but the difference was incredible. First few times of putting this way I felt like I was aiming 10 foot left all the time. Imagine my surprise when it went in! Turns out my set up makes me aim right somehow which this is now fixing!

Try it, you never know until you do!

 

[Berger]

I draw a line on the ball and line it up from behind. It means I can stand over the putt and focus on getting the pace right without thinking about the line. Sometimes it feels like the way I have aligned the ball is not right when standing over it but I just have to trust my original read and go with it. Works for me. Some other people I play with hate seeing anything on the ball when putting.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Specifically for putting.

On the back of the Pre-shot routine thread, I see plenty of folk where I play using an alignment line/mark on a ball for lining up their putts.

I have a tendency to aim too far to the right when I'm putting so I'm considering a adding an alignment mark to help me.

Is adding an alignment line a help or a hindrance?

Is it purely a preference thing?

Don't specifically put a mark on, but usually use the brand name as the line.

I had a similar issue last year. Had a lesson and was given a piece of elastic on two pegs. Stick one behind the centre of the hole on the putting green, the other behind your ball line up with your eyes over the ball and the string, use the string to as your guide to see how your putting stroke deviates. Found practicing with this for a couple of hours (over a couple of weeks) made a big difference to the stroke. Started off with putts from 2 foot, then extend the string a foot at a time, eventually moving back to 8 foot.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I rather pick a spot on the green about a foot in front of the ball to aim over while standing behind the ball and then set up to that.

This is me too.

 

[tsped83]

Each to their own of course but no line at all for me. I like looking at a plain white ball when putting (logo down) so I don't manipulate my stroke to hit the line of that makes sense? Minimal alignment aid on my putter too.

 

[Big_G]

I draw a line on the ball and line it up from behind. It means I can stand over the putt and focus on getting the pace right without thinking about the line. Sometimes it feels like the way I have aligned the ball is not right when standing over it but I just have to trust my original read and go with it. Works for me.

Exactly the same for me, without the line I find I'm trying to steer the putt towards the hole rather than trusting my alignment

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Each to their own of course but no line at all for me. I like looking at a plain white ball when putting (logo down) so I don't manipulate my stroke to hit the line of that makes sense? Minimal alignment aid on my putter too.

Makes sense to me :thup:

 

[BoadieBroadus]

i find my reads are much more accurate from behind the ball rather than standing over it. lining them up with a line means that i can trust the read and not change it no matter what it might look like when i'm actually standing over the putt.

 

[Ross61]

No line for me. I tried practicing it on a few times. I found it more off putting than useful, also I struggled to feel confident that I had got it lined up with the hole before the putt. I use a 2 ball putter that lines me up very well anyway.
Anyone I see using the line on the ball seems to faff about for ages and then either miss to one side or fall well short on length.
Getting your stroke on line and the length right helps more.