Putting using a line on the ball

mag · 09-09-2009 2:44pm #1

My putting been pretty sketchy lately & it got me to thinking about, and inevitably trying, some quick-fix stuff that ive either seen a pro do on tv or in a mag.

This months voodoo is drawing a line on the ball, lining this up from behind on my intended line and putting in this direction. First impression was - i never knew i was aiming so far off where i 'thought' i was... must have been some serious compensating going on to actually get the ball in the hole sometimes.

So, after i trusted that the putter was aiming in the right direction, even though it felt miles off due to my skewy perspective, i actually started to make quite a few more putts. Its good in that once ive lined up the putters line with the ball the main focus now is on rolling at the right pace, a better focus than wondering if im aming on the right line too.

Anyone else use this method? It'll do for me until next months trick...

NITFBY · 09-09-2009 3:06pm

I dont use a line on the ball myself but Instead I use the name on the golf ball just like you do... just too lazy to take out a marker

Shannonsider · 09-09-2009 3:07pm

As above, I use the logo to line up the ball. Has greatly improved things.

mag · 09-09-2009 3:42pm

If you find, upon marking your ball and cleaning it on it green, that the line youve drawn has come off due to wear/wet/etc.. can you redraw it while waiting for others to putt?

Burgerman55 · 09-09-2009 3:48pm

Remember to stick a protractor in your golf bag always.

NITFBY · 09-09-2009 3:49pm

mag wrote: »

If you find, upon marking your ball and cleaning it on it green, that the line youve drawn has come off due to wear/wet/etc.. can you redraw it while waiting for others to putt?

yes you can.

mag · 09-09-2009 4:06pm

Burgerman55 wrote: »

Remember to stick a protractor in your golf bag always.

t-square with a man u headcover?

fullstop · 09-09-2009 4:41pm

Burgerman55 wrote: »

Remember to stick a protractor in your golf bag always.

Or you could use on of these.....http://www.golfcow.com/golf/catalog/accessories/ball_liners/line_m_up_golf_ball_marking_tool.html?item=1725

thegen · 09-09-2009 6:27pm

fullstop wrote: »

Or you could use on of these.....http://www.golfcow.com/golf/catalog/accessories/ball_liners/line_m_up_golf_ball_marking_tool.html?item=1725

Dont use one but our pro is selling them in the shop. I just use the arrow's on a Pro v1

mag · 09-09-2009 6:46pm

thegen wrote: »

Dont use one but our pro is selling them in the shop. I just use the arrow's on a Pro v1

PhilipMarlowe · 09-09-2009 8:10pm

I don't tend to line up putts using the line at all. Sometimes over shorter putts what I will do is when I replace the ball, I place it so that there is just an identification mark barely visible at the back of the ball as I stand over it. A weakness of mine is sometimes I will watch the putterhead going back and once I start this I can tend to push some putts wide of the hole. Having a point on the back of the ball to focus on helps me counteract this.

One benefit to the 'draw a straight line around the ball' thingy is if you are practicing on the putting green... It's easy to see how true you are striking your putts when the ball is rolling with a dirty big line on it. I find that same dirty big line off-putting on the fairway, and it's probably pointing at the lake

Maverick.ie · 09-09-2009 9:07pm

I use the name myself, line this up on the line I want to putt. This make up the bottom bar of the letter T I then square the putter to the ball thus making the top bar. The reason I stand so close to the ball is you will find it stops everything else bar your head from moving leaving only the rocking motion of your shoulders to make the putt and knock it into the hole. I think putting is the easiest part of the game and whilst I don't I expect to hole every putt I take.