Lining up putts, ball or putter?

[tsped83]

Good evening people. When lining up putts, do you predominantly use the lineup marks on your putter, or more the line up marks (if present) on your ball? Also, how many employ a putter with no sight lines?

Cheers

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I use the logo on the ball but have it up at 90deg to my aim line and use it to aim the putter face. No need for lineup marks on the putter doing that.

 

[Wenglish]

I line up the ball to the line I think is correct and then line the putter up to the line on the ball.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Putter with sight line but I align the ball so I am looking down on a plain area with no marks of any kind

 

[Bratty]

I line up the ball to the line I think is correct and then line the putter up to the line on the ball.

Yep, exactly what I do.

 

[Fader]

I'm totally the opposite to most people on this when addressing the ball i like to look down and see nothing but the top of a plain white ball. Something in me just not comfortable seeing alignment aids on a ball it totally throws me off.

I have the 2 black lines that are standard on my putter and that's it. Rest is about trusting myself and my aim.

 

[ScienceBoy]

My routine is line up the putt with the ball aid.

Then I take a couple of practice swings next to the ball, looking at the hole. I tell myself" I have the line sorted, now all I need is the pace".

I then step up to the ball, leading with my left foot but putting my feet together and putting the putter line aid behind the ball line aid.. I step out left foot first then right, take a look at the hole and fire down the line.

Seems to work a treat! The important things are leading with the left foot to stop me standing too open and telling myself I have the line sorted, if I don't I have a tendency to try and steer a putt which is a huge No No.

 

[duncan mackie]

lining up the ball marks is one of the single biggest causes of slow play IMO - so I don't. Watching someone mark, allign, remark adjust, adjust again, etc is one of the most soul destroying element in the game today. When it's a senior who can't really get down behind the ball either it becomes even worse!!! (and I am one)

I really wouldn't be surprised if regulations came into play that banned lines and line related markings at some point.

 

[ScienceBoy]

lining up the ball marks is one of the single biggest causes of slow play IMO - so I don't.

I always ensure I have it ready with the line up before I go to place my ball, I have probably already read the putt too. It takes no more than a couple of seconds longer for me to put the ball down, unless I have to read the putt too.

I think a rule around "once you let go, that's it" wouldn't be a bad idea. I never adjust it once I let go anyway so its never a time waster.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

lining up the ball marks is one of the single biggest causes of slow play IMO - so I don't. Watching someone mark, allign, remark adjust, adjust again, etc is one of the most soul destroying element in the game today. When it's a senior who can't really get down behind the ball either it becomes even worse!!! (and I am one)

I really wouldn't be surprised if regulations came into play that banned lines and line related markings at some point.

That like saying pre-shot routines cause slow play. It depends on the person. I use the line but have my line picked while others are putting, if I can, I'll have my ball on the green already lined up so when it's my turn to putt I'm ready to go. What takes the time is when people don't read the green until it's their turn

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I always ensure I have it ready with the line up before I go to place my ball, I have probably already read the putt too. It takes no more than a couple of seconds longer for me to put the ball down, unless I have to read the putt too.

I think a rule around "once you let go, that's it" wouldn't be a bad idea. I never adjust it once I let go anyway so its never a time waster.

Beat me to it

 

[duncan mackie]

I think a rule around "once you let go, that's it" wouldn't be a bad idea. I never adjust it once I let go anyway so its never a time waster.

there was some (brief) consideration about this line of thought, but the ability to mark remove your ball on the green is so fundamental that my understanding is it was concluded that it wasn't viable to pursue.

I agree that not everyone's procedure is significantly time consuming - but this just highlights how painful others make it

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

For me it has to be the putter line.
If I focus on the ball but don't use my putter smoothly it's pointless ( for me) so I go with my putter alignment.
The ball is going to go where I tap it regardless of its markings.

On the subject of placing your ball before putting we have a member who is, well, OCD.
He will place, lift, place again, align, lift etc etc until we are just rolling our eyes in frustration.

 

[sydney greenstreet]

My ball has an arrow on it srixon soft feel so I use that. Then match my putter up with it.

 

[Evesdad]

I just use the putter and about a month ago started placing the ball with no markings at the top. Read green, pick target and align putter. Working very well at the moment, I tried the line on the ball ages ago and just didn't get on with it and really struggled to line the markings up properly.

Ps putting average has dropped to 1.83 so something must be working!

 

[ScienceBoy]

I tried the line on the ball ages ago and just didn't get on with it and really struggled to line the markings up properly.

Its very easy to over read a putt when you use the line on the ball, well I used to all the time until I realised it.

On the practice green I can hole them with and without so I know its not essential to use the line. I just find under pressure it helps me focus on the weight as the line is already decided upon.

 

[One Planer]

I pick the line of my putt,then align the putter face to it. I usually aim for a mark, or blemish on the green that's on my intended line. This also giveme a idea of how ell I struck my putt (If it travels on lne to that point) and how well I judged the line of the putt if I hit my mark.

I've considered using the alignment mark on the Pro V before now but found it to be hit and miss (.... Pardon the pun).

 

[TonyN]

Ive always found that on putts with a good swing, no matter how long I take to pick the line it always needs more borrow when I get over it.

So whilst everyone else is doing their bit I have a quick look and use a line on the ball as an idea. I'll trust it 90% and when I set up ill make a slight adjustment if need be using the putter face square to the final target.

 

[Scrindle]

Fairly new to attempting to seriously play this game admittedly, but I'm a bit confused. How would you use the ball to align a putt? Wouldn't that require picking the ball off the green randomly and putting it back down again...?

 

[USER1999]

When I practice I use a 4ft alignment stick. I can't even get this pointing accurately at the hole. What chance have I got aligning a 1/2" mark on the golf ball?