Wanted to get everyone’s thoughts on this topic. I took a deep dive in today’s articles but wanted to get a sense of how strongly people actually feel about this. Thanks.
Tried it. Can’t do it. I get over the ball and second guess the line every single time.
theKman24
I line up the line on my ball but honestly don’t really focus on it. I suck but my putting currently is the best part of my game.
Major_Burnside
I putt with a line and it has help me considerably. I line the ball up from behind and then line my putter with the ball. I’m cross eye dominant and I’ve learned that when I’m standing over the ball it always looks misaligned vs lining it up from behind.
Travelinlite87
I don’t and three putt just fine! Sheesh!
CaddyWompus6969
Depends on your outting style. Mostly you should use it
Louderish420
It has changed my putting for the better. Inside of 10ft feels so much better. Outside of 10ft doesn’t matter because I suck.
Brabinski
I like a single line. Either drawn myself or use whatever is on the ball. When I’m on the practice green I never line anything up and feel like I putt just as well though 🤷🏻♂️ Golf, right?
john_shitass
I personally always play with a line on my ball and couldn’t go back. I think it helps a lot especially for short putts where I just need to hit a spot
uu123uu
Whatever works for you tbh.
I use a line, it helps most of short putts under 6 feet and longer putts over 30 feet. In between it doesn’t make much difference for me, but still use it most of the time.
GaryIske
Should you be playing with a line on your ball?
2004ClubChampion
Interesting, this is going to get spicy and I’m here for it
AssumptionOrganic194
General rule of thumb/starting point is to use a line for shorter, straighter putts and don’t on long ones. Obviously there’s a ton of variance/player preference around this — some always, some never, and everything in between. I use the line on all fairly straight putts within like 15ish ft. Beyond that I don’t because I don’t think my distance control is quite as good.
bveb33
I will use the line on a ball if its there but I prefer drawing my own. I like the line 15ft and in so I avoid careless alignment misses. Anything longer and I get too line focused when pace is more important.
Jarich612
I’ve tested pretty extensively for myself and I putt statistically better without a line. I putt by picking a spot that I try to roll the ball over and when I use a line to try to hit that spot I second guess it visually and it messes with me. For others it may be good, putting is incredibly individualized.
Cosmiccowinkidink
I need the line especially on anything inside 15 feet. The only time I won’t line it up is if it has a ton of break or it’s super fast, in those cases I just rely on my eye and feel.
opiate82
I use a line, but it’s more to help my stroke than it is my aim (although I do point the line at where I want to aim). I use a center-shafted putter so if I imagine that I’m trying to slice the ball in half with the shaft right down the line, that thought keeps my stroke dialed.
BBQ_IS_LIFE
To me drawing my own helps as opposed to factory line because the ones i draw span half of the ball which helps me with top dead centering it better.
dkpriv777
It distracts me so much more
flaginorout
The line on my putter is good enough.
Smper_in_sortem
Don’t the majority of balls have some kind of line on them between the logos now?
Emergency-Shirt2208
Works for me. Single line. Triple track. Even the single line of text on most balls.
Unlocks hyper focus for me.
maple_leafs182
No line, no practice swings
TMLVWFC
I recently had a lesson and mentioned I like using a line for closer putts. My coach mentioned there were some studies saying it was most beneficial inside 5ft, still slightly better from 5-10ft and after that if actually becomes better to not use a line. My take away is farther putts require a little more feel. Shorter putts, the line takes away the feeling of a poor aim and also gives you another focus outside the hole and can help avoid that head movement trying to sneak a peak at the hole when you putt.
Tl;dr I think good for shorter putts but longer putts it can take away from feel
Stock_Spot_5038
I find it incredibly helpful. One less thing to thing about when you actually make the stroke. Trust the line and let it go
RandomUserName316
I’ve toyed with the idea of it at home and like the idea of it rolling end over end, but I can’t do it. I’d probably add 20 min to my rounds just finagling with the line that seems to wobble offline once I take my fingers off which would annoy me even more. I also have gotten marker on my driver club face using balls I’ve found in the woods, that’s never come off, and that still kinda annoys me.
Effective_Impossible
I do and have been since high school. (25+ years). It provides me confidence on my read, alignment, and instant feedback on my stroke/contact. A few years ago i switched from a center shafted putter to a heel shafted and had difficulty with longer putts. I had started to putt my longer putts without the line or line on the bottom, but switched back to a center shafted putter (and zero torque) and have gone back to lining it up everywhere.
There’s nothing quite as pleasing as seeing a 25 foot putt roll perfectly end over end into the hole. Hoping to see that more often this season.
StankFist1397
Will the line disappear if I sniff it ?
azmacman
Whatever floats your boat. Whatever instills confidence. As for myself, i like it because it makes my golf ball look cool with the stripes.
CheesecakeInner336
I point the flat of the logo towards the hole rather than a narrow line. Something about feels better, Idk.
imahawki
Having listened to about 500 hours of golf podcasts per year for several years the data says line it up inside 6-10 feet and don’t line it up outside of that range. That’s also a nice compromise for pace of play.
Due-Meal-8760
My putts start on my intended line more often and I’m just more confident with the line on the ball so that’s how I roll.
31 Comments
Tried it. Can’t do it. I get over the ball and second guess the line every single time.
I line up the line on my ball but honestly don’t really focus on it. I suck but my putting currently is the best part of my game.
I putt with a line and it has help me considerably. I line the ball up from behind and then line my putter with the ball. I’m cross eye dominant and I’ve learned that when I’m standing over the ball it always looks misaligned vs lining it up from behind.
I don’t and three putt just fine! Sheesh!
Depends on your outting style. Mostly you should use it
It has changed my putting for the better. Inside of 10ft feels so much better. Outside of 10ft doesn’t matter because I suck.
I like a single line. Either drawn myself or use whatever is on the ball. When I’m on the practice green I never line anything up and feel like I putt just as well though 🤷🏻♂️ Golf, right?
I personally always play with a line on my ball and couldn’t go back. I think it helps a lot especially for short putts where I just need to hit a spot
Whatever works for you tbh.
I use a line, it helps most of short putts under 6 feet and longer putts over 30 feet. In between it doesn’t make much difference for me, but still use it most of the time.
Should you be playing with a line on your ball?
Interesting, this is going to get spicy and I’m here for it
General rule of thumb/starting point is to use a line for shorter, straighter putts and don’t on long ones. Obviously there’s a ton of variance/player preference around this — some always, some never, and everything in between. I use the line on all fairly straight putts within like 15ish ft. Beyond that I don’t because I don’t think my distance control is quite as good.
I will use the line on a ball if its there but I prefer drawing my own. I like the line 15ft and in so I avoid careless alignment misses. Anything longer and I get too line focused when pace is more important.
I’ve tested pretty extensively for myself and I putt statistically better without a line. I putt by picking a spot that I try to roll the ball over and when I use a line to try to hit that spot I second guess it visually and it messes with me. For others it may be good, putting is incredibly individualized.
I need the line especially on anything inside 15 feet. The only time I won’t line it up is if it has a ton of break or it’s super fast, in those cases I just rely on my eye and feel.
I use a line, but it’s more to help my stroke than it is my aim (although I do point the line at where I want to aim). I use a center-shafted putter so if I imagine that I’m trying to slice the ball in half with the shaft right down the line, that thought keeps my stroke dialed.
To me drawing my own helps as opposed to factory line because the ones i draw span half of the ball which helps me with top dead centering it better.
It distracts me so much more
The line on my putter is good enough.
Don’t the majority of balls have some kind of line on them between the logos now?
Works for me.
Single line.
Triple track.
Even the single line of text on most balls.
Unlocks hyper focus for me.
No line, no practice swings
I recently had a lesson and mentioned I like using a line for closer putts. My coach mentioned there were some studies saying it was most beneficial inside 5ft, still slightly better from 5-10ft and after that if actually becomes better to not use a line. My take away is farther putts require a little more feel. Shorter putts, the line takes away the feeling of a poor aim and also gives you another focus outside the hole and can help avoid that head movement trying to sneak a peak at the hole when you putt.
Tl;dr I think good for shorter putts but longer putts it can take away from feel
I find it incredibly helpful. One less thing to thing about when you actually make the stroke. Trust the line and let it go
I’ve toyed with the idea of it at home and like the idea of it rolling end over end, but I can’t do it. I’d probably add 20 min to my rounds just finagling with the line that seems to wobble offline once I take my fingers off which would annoy me even more. I also have gotten marker on my driver club face using balls I’ve found in the woods, that’s never come off, and that still kinda annoys me.
I do and have been since high school. (25+ years). It provides me confidence on my read, alignment, and instant feedback on my stroke/contact. A few years ago i switched from a center shafted putter to a heel shafted and had difficulty with longer putts. I had started to putt my longer putts without the line or line on the bottom, but switched back to a center shafted putter (and zero torque) and have gone back to lining it up everywhere.
There’s nothing quite as pleasing as seeing a 25 foot putt roll perfectly end over end into the hole. Hoping to see that more often this season.
Will the line disappear if I sniff it ?
Whatever floats your boat. Whatever instills confidence. As for myself, i like it because it makes my golf ball look cool with the stripes.
I point the flat of the logo towards the hole rather than a narrow line. Something about feels better, Idk.
Having listened to about 500 hours of golf podcasts per year for several years the data says line it up inside 6-10 feet and don’t line it up outside of that range. That’s also a nice compromise for pace of play.
My putts start on my intended line more often and I’m just more confident with the line on the ball so that’s how I roll.