Alignment Marks on Golf Balls

[WWG]

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?

If you want to draw one properly here is something to help.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOLF-BALL...hash=item51da997e31:m:mYz6oKKE-mFG6rpaGnuai-Q

 

[Mozza73]

I tried it once, soon became apparent that a small black line drawn around a dimpled 1.68 inch ball was of no aiming use to me whatsoever. Prefer to pick a nearby spot and roll the ball over it.

 

[Fish]

No line for me, I see more and more people taking far too much time aligning them up, even on silly 2 footers, encourages slow play IMO

:smirk:

 

[dewsweeper]

Makes sense to me :thup:

I agree with both of you and dot line anything up on the ball
I do mark my ball though by circling the name both sides, preferably in red.
This I think ,more often than not, enables me to identify my ball without bending.
I have a very stiff lower back and not having to bend so much is easier for me.
Never quite understood having to align a round ball, to me it is as mysterious as plumb-bobbing with a putter!
Dewsweeper

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The brand of ball I use has the alignment. Well to be honest most do don't they. I vaguely line it up but it doesn't form part of the routine. Pick the spot from the aimpoint read, couple of practice swings and go

 

[Jack_bfc]

I sometimes mark the ball but always line up the ball with either the logo or the markings, depending on the make.
Its only once so no messing about and not slow play in my book.

Srixon have the good ones and prov.'s..

Really helps line up with the 2 ball putter for me..

 

[HankMarvin]

Never seen the point in using one.

 

[KenL]

I prefer to see nothing.

personally, I think using this method slows a lot of people down. Especially those who put their ball down and leave the marker down, have another look at their line, adjust and so on...

 

[HankMarvin]

I prefer to see nothing.

personally, I think using this method slows a lot of people down. Especially those who put their ball down and leave the marker down, have another look at their line, adjust and so on...

^ this

 

[Slab]

I don't 'line up' but not against the concept (pace dependent of course) but for those that do, how often does your ball actually run smoothly on the axis of the line?

 

[Oddsocks]

I've just found they slow play up as every putt needs the ball marker sorted in the pre putt.

Pick a spot in the line of the putt, get the weight right and wack it! To much over thinking especially on short putts causes issues!

 

[moogie]

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?

This is exactly as I do
I'm starting to really hate those lines drawn on balls, a real cause of slow play at times, as some have 3-4 goes at getting ball lined up with the hole, or their line.
I assist the JLO at my club with the junior section, and this is becoming the case with a few of these now, the time taken is just plain stupid.

I use the cleanest part of the ball to look down on, take aim at a spot on the green (if break) to hit on this line, clears your mind of unnecessary clutter

 

[MashieNiblick]

I don't mark a line but most balls now have something anyway. I do line this up but not obsessively and it is as much to give me something to focus on when I am over the ball as an alignment aid.

 

[Beezerk]

I once marked 2 boxes of balls with lines but got bored with faffing around on the greens after 3 holes so I don't bother anymore. As above really, find the line you want to hit, a pick a spot in front of the ball and go for it.

 

[Wayman]

I mark a line around my ball helps lining up putts