Lining up putts, ball or putter?

[Curls]

nothing but the top of a plain white ball

I'm you you Fader, I tried with the lines but thought them a distraction. I like the bare top of the white ball, reminds me of my head.

My buddy uses the alignment line to good effect but when he's off the green and wants to putt he's useless, relies too much on being able to rotate the line and when he can't loses confidence and aim. Guess it horses for courses but I never felt like I could get the line thing right quick enough, would have to replace and rotate it, too much hassle.

Whatever works for you as long as you're not taking the proverbial with the amount of time you're doing it.

 

[Jack_bfc]

If im not in anyones line a bend down mark and realign the ball whilst others are puttin or quickily if its my turn. Quick peek down the line then line up the Odsee two ball and hit and hope.

I only mark and pick up if it needs a clean or I am on someone elses line.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

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.

I do exactly what you do - except my putter has two little white grooved lines that indicate the sweet spot. We may however be in the minority.

My buddy has got himself into the practice of lining the ball up precisely - it's a bit of a pain to be honest as he fiddles about for ages trying to get it exactly as he wants it.

 

[tsped83]

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...?

Draw an alignment mark on your ball (black line usually), then when you mark and replace your ball, aim the line on the line of the putt you wish to make. Then proceed to hit and hope.

 

[cookelad]

I use the alignment line on the ball to set the general direction (within a couple of degrees) that I want to send the ball, I'm a feel putter so more often than not I'll set up over the ball and adjust my alignment based on how my feet feel at address!

 

[gregbwfc]

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?

Indeed.
Especially on approach putts.
Think they are useful on short putts.

 

[AmandaJR]

I hate alignment marks on my ball so also have a clean side to the ball and use the alignment aid on my putter to square up to the chosen start point for the ball to roll along. I have tried using the line on a ball but it never seemed to look right once I got over it so 2nd and 3rd guessed it - doesn't work for me. I have seen players precisely place the ball line and then check, place again and so on. Also seen them remark and replace for every putt - even a tap in.

It's what works VISUALLY for you that is important and a routine you trust and is robust under pressure.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I have seen players precisely place the ball line and then check, place again and so on. Also seen them remark and replace for every putt - even a tap in.

^^^This does my head. Putts up and leaves himslef with an 12" 'tap in' - but a car is passing and he doesn't putt when a car is passing so he marks his ball. Then goes through the placing and alignment rigmarole

 

[duncan mackie]

^^^This does my head. Putts up and leaves himslef with an 12" 'tap in' - but a car is passing and he doesn't putt when a car is passing so he marks his ball. Then goes through the placing and alignment rigmarole

I'm glad I'm not the only one on this; mind you I already knew that from bar room discussion!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm glad I'm not the only one on this; mind you I already knew that from bar room discussion!

What - you'll mark if a car is passing or a plane is overhead or there are noisy golfers on the adjacent fairway? or those that do this do you head in

 

[Stuey01]

I don't care how my ball is lined up.
I use a putter with a single line up line. Seems to work ok for me