How many of you mark a line on your ball?

[peaty]

I just wondered how many people mark a line on their ball?

You see a lot of the pros doing it, I think it could really help me to forget about the line once I have aligned it and just concentrate on the distance, you never know it might even stop me 3 putting!

Do people use it off the tee aswell to align an awkward tee shot?

 

[haplesshacker]

Yes and yes.

But not always! Don't know why! Mind you my pre-shot routine is a bit seat of the pants.

But when I do use the line, it does help. Doh!!

 

[fundy]

yes i use a line but only use it on the green

 

[Region3]

I tried it but I'd line it up from behind the ball where I thought I wanted it to go, then when I stood over it, it looked like the line was pointing left of where I wanted to aim it

I guess that means there's something wrong in my setup, but it just put doubt in my mind so I gave up with it.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I use a line. Even if I've misread the putt it still helps me to guage how good a roll i've put on it.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I've been doing it for a while and never really felt it was helping,it possibly even hindered me as I was so intent on focusing on the ball line with my putter alignment line it got in the way of swinging properly.I've stopped doing it recently and havent noticed any major mis-reads but the swing is better.

 

[Matty]

I use the alignment aid that is already printed on the ball but only on the putting green.

 

[viscount17]

I tried it but I'd line it up from behind the ball where I thought I wanted it to go, then when I stood over it, it looked like the line was pointing left of where I wanted to aim it

I guess that means there's something wrong in my setup, but it just put doubt in my mind so I gave up with it.

It usually looks that way to me too (mine I mean! )
the number of times I've thought it was off line so aimed where it looks to be stood over the ball - and missed right.

I was told recently to put the ball down (leave the marker alone) and line it up, then go back 6 ft and check it. If it's right, pick up the marker and putt that line - without constantly rechecking.

 

[Bacardibatman]

never actually marked a line, always used the markings on the ball
pro v1, professional90 etc

and the Titleist name pointing forward in the direction when on the tee

 

[surefire]

I personally prefer no marking, and deliberately place the ball with no markings showing.

If you do like the alignment line though, you might be interested in one of these markers - Link

You mark the ball, then find your line relative to the lines on the marker. You can then use these when placing your ball, to get the alignment line pointing in the right direction.
This particular example is the Scotty Cameron version, but there are others out there.

 

[The23rdman]

I spent hours marking balls and tried this on the course. Hate it. Spent so long trying to line the line up with my intended putting line and still not trusting it was accurate it screwed me up. I much prefer to see just plain white ball and pick a spot 6 inches in front of the ball.

 

[USER1999]

Can't see how the line helps at all. Even if you draw it all the way round, you see what? 1 1/2" of it.

Now aiming at a hole 20 foot away, using a 1 1/2" line is never going to be accurate. Even if it's a couple of degrees out, you're going to miss. Most people would struggle to line up a metre long steel rule accurately from 20 ft. I struggle to get an alignment stick pointing in the right direction at the golf range.

Chuck the ball down, have a look, whack it. Chances are you aren't even hitting the ball square either. Factor in a poor read of the green, a few bobbles, a dodgy strike, and getting the pace wrong and it's a flippin miracle anything ever goes in.

 

[fundy]

any idea where I can get one of them surefire?

 

[The23rdman]

Can't see how the line helps at all. Even if you draw it all the way round, you see what? 1 1/2" of it.

Now aiming at a hole 20 foot away, using a 1 1/2" line is never going to be accurate. Even if it's a couple of degrees out, you're going to miss. Most people would struggle to line up a metre long steel rule accurately from 20 ft. I struggle to get an alignment stick pointing in the right direction at the golf range.

Chuck the ball down, have a look, whack it. Chances are you aren't even hitting the ball square either. Factor in a poor read of the green, a few bobbles, a dodgy strike, and getting the pace wrong and it's a flippin miracle anything ever goes in.

That's why I couldn't trust it.

 

[kinhell]

any idea where I can get one of them surefire?

http://www.scottycameron.com/webstore/do/products/cameroncreations/96317

A tad expensive !

 

[fundy]

$44 roflmao

wouldve had one for a few quid lol, guess the scotty name adds to the price 5 fold

 

[surefire]

I don't use the marking, so I don't have one.

I know I have seen some non Scotty versions out there, which are much cheaper. I'll see if I can remember these.

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

I use a nice pink line on my ball

 

[Gillespie16]

I use a line on my ball, but only on the green!!

 

[peaty]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

That Scotty Cameron thing looks good, but $44!!

I think its worth a try (marking my ball I mean), think I will order one of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOLF-BALL-ALIGNMEN...=item1c15fa0e21
only a £5 down the drain if I don't get on with it, and I can still keep the sharpie pen!