I am a no line guy, but I have a question for the Line players: Your ball is two inches off the green on the fringe and your line is pointing 5 degrees above or below the hole. How does the misaligned line affect your mind if you putt from the fringe with the line pointing elsewhere?

Remember, Lexi lost the Major-ANA because she was too focused on the line on her ball to tap in a one-footer. Her mind said, “Line-up the line with the hole” and she did that without focusing on her mark position and ended up with the 4-stroke penalty. A no-liner would have tapped the putt and won the tourney.

Line or no directional line there are three things that will drop putts – reading the line ‘correctly’ – weighting the putt ‘correctly’ and probably the most important one is aligning your putter face at 90 degrees to your intended line of play. If you line up your putt, have the right weight but strike the ball with an offline club face you are going to miss your putt left or right – even the slightest deviation you will miss.

I believe strongly that you would get a very different result if you removed reference lines on the putter.

The main reason to use a line is to see if you are consistently rolling your putts pure. Straight putts rolled purely with a line roll with the line going straight over itself. If you cannot consistently do this by definition the putts you do make are luck. Maybe, like playing a 40 yard slice everytime, you can be a decent putter poorly striking putts because you do it the same every time so you know where it is going, but that is not the preferred method especially at the highest levels. Having said that if you putt with a line and do not spend 10 to 15 minutes almost every day practicing you’re probably wasting your time using a line. The point of a line is to confirm you are not miss hitting your putts. You still need to pick the correct line and match the speed for breaking putts. What works well for me is using a line, getting set, and then only thinking about speed on breaking putts.

Anyone that says “no line ” is a bad putter or I should say a “streaky putter “

Line is the best if you can actually ROLL YOUR BALL !!

Done both. No line works better

Not a chance

Line. It helps me start the ball on the line I picked. I think it is somewhat irrelevant on really long lag puts.

Helps me a lot. My eyes tend to wander and the line or writing on the ball gives me something to concentrate on.

No, not if you’re a shitty green reader/putter
Guy hits it right where he lines up, pulls it another 2 feet. Misses the actual line by 5 feet
And it slows play
Pick a spot within 2 feet of the ball
Hit the spot
Rarely happens
Caddies perspective

Absolutely … the line w the line of the putt … gets me completely focused

I like a line but before you worry about the line you need to know if you are left or right eye dominant and be able to put a good stroke on it.

Depends whether you are a linear or non linear thinker (it is very easy to figure out).

It’s a double edged sword. I do use the printing on the ball and line up my putt as I stoop behind the ball but it’s funny that when I stand up and square myself to the ball, the line of the putt that’s in my head doesn’t line up with the printing on the ball. I’ll move the ball at that point to a new position. If I putt from the original placement, I’ll miss the putt. After the realignment, it’s a truer line and I’ll sink the putt.

Surely the line only aids your putting if your reading the green correctly? If you aim the line on the ball wrong and hit it on the wrong line you won’t hole it.

Does it make me putt the ball better, no, absolutely not, but it tends to add just a touch more confidence in my alignment and my line. Makes it that much easier for me to feel I get it started on the right line.

My personal take on the line is its good for my putting when say 5-10 feet. Inside its hit or miss. Outside the same way. I did however like the alignment aid on the volvik ball I found. More so the line perpendicular to me on the opposite side of the arrow. I was hesitant to buy those balls, so I found one on the course. Then was super upset when I hooked it into a pond. Putting is where I excel, so I think for me a line helps more than hurts.

I just use the writing on the side of the ball.

No. It fouls me up. Makes me worry too much about the line on the ball and not enough the actual line of the putt.

Great study. I do however wonder what the green reading ability of those tested was. A key component of using a line is understanding of green reading and a players ability to start the ball on the correct arc to sink a putt. A key to good putting is eliminating controllable variables; alignment is one of those variables. If a person truly knows how to read a green and the physics of starting a ball on an arc, then the line on the ball is far more effectice. I would be interested to see more info on this topic.

Sincerely,
Brandon Knight

There’s a small addition error that barely affects the results. The total for no line should be 464, not 463 (assuming the individual numbers of 126, 153, and 185 are correct). Due to rounding, that brings the average strokes per hole up to 1.55, bringing the two data sets even closer together.

Fascinating that you received so many comments on this article. Wish you would do one on Plumb Bob to see if it really helps to find the break of a putt. !!

It is a test that leaves me in the blind. I use line but found it difficult to line it up into the direction I want. That is because the line is on a round surface. To accommodate this pain I prefer to line up with a ball marker that has a clear line. Then stand behind it and see where it aims.
I do this directly when picking up the ball. In between I read the putt; find the brak gimme.
When its my moment I re-aim the marker AND only then I align the ball with the marker.
This eases the mind. I prefer a horizontal as well which I aim at during the stroke. I believe striking the ball at the right height is very crucial for good roll and distance control.
Will I make more puts without using these lines? I don’t know but I don’t care. The point is, it is part of the routine I follow.
Not usng the ines sets chaos; I prefer structure. Not being mechanic but intuitiive clean.
So this this test- no entirely crap but since the margins are small maybe a repetitive will bring different resuts.

It’s all preference of course but a line just makes me second guess my self and adds to my OCD anxiety.

That’s why I stopped – so often I would hit the putt exactly where I’m aiming and miss. I focus on speed. If I get the speed right it’s a guaranteed 2 putt. And a few will drop by accident

Some people see things in grids i.e. lines and others in arcs. There is a test to determine which one you are so your results would depend on you test subjects and how they see the line of the put. Arc putters align themselves naturally and can “feel” the putts arc along the length of the putt to the the hole. Line putters need a line pointing a straight line to where the ball will start to turn towards the hole. Unfortunately your test doesn’t take this into account so your results are flawed. It’s like having a sample group all aim the same way shooting a gun regardless of whether they are left or right eye dominant. I agree however that more than 15 feet it provably doesn’t matter as much.

Hate the line

Seen cross bars like a rifle site on a PGA players ball. Is there a rule or limit to markings.

I have used the line method for years, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. Usually when I have been most successful with this method has been when I’ve used the line to line up the putt with a spot just in front of the ball then after linning up the line/stance I concentrate on speed and making a smooth stroke. Although I have been more successful using the line perpendicular to my line. Gonna try other things just for fun though.

I have a different approach. I’m not looking at the ball at all. I look only at the hole.
I’ve never putted better than I do now!

I think it has it is helpful on a very long putt but I like a plain white surface for short putts. I have used a triangle filled in that helps also and is not that busy interference that a thick line provides.

Couldn’t agree with the result of this test more, I tried the line and it totally destroyed my pace control!

I switched to the Dave Stockton spot method a two years ago. He wants No line or any visible marking when you address the ball. Simply pick a spot a few inches in front of the ball and focus on that spot. Do not look at the ball. Look at the spot. Been putting great since the switch.

the shorter line on the ball from the manufacturer is good enough for me

Most balls have a pointer or small line of some sort anyways and yes I believe line to line putting is got to be better! Its all about alignment thus putting accurately. Line on putter, Line on ball. Make!

The line helps me a ton with putts about 12′ and shorter.

Good test! I do use a line, and disagree with the author’s premise this this is a time suck. It takes a few seconds at most to place the ball using a line. I find it interesting this could take a putter’s mind off distance control. It’s a good thought.

This is quite interesting to say the least and holds true for me with regard to the distances. I do line up my ball, but a couple of weeks ago, simply to speed up play as I usually play alone but with two balls, started putting long putts ( say from 10 feet) without using the line. In fact I would simply pick a spot that I want to roll on the green and not using the line just putt concentrating on pace. Surprisingly I sank a lot of putts from this distance or left me short putt. Whenever I was within say 10 feet, I would line up using the alignment and it worked as a charm. So I was suprised to see that your test actually confirmed what I discovered myself.

The line Titleist puts on the ProV1 is all I need. It gives confidence to being lined up from ball line to putter line, then feet, hips, and shoulders, now roll that rock.

No. It bothers me.

But yourself a line um up Tim

I line my ball up directly at the hole, regardless of slope, and then adjust left or right if needed only with my stance, not the ball marking. This way, I have a better idea if my compensated angle is too large or small. It’s like creating a stationary reference axis.

Waste of time drawing a line on my balls at the rate I lose them

I have eyesight issues. My dominant eye is my left eye, I play right handed. But also, I have a blind spot in my left eye as well and was also damaged with a screwdriver nearly punctured it, to make matters even worse, I also have an astigmatism in the left eye. I worked out that having a single line on the ball – which I was used to having – I was no longer able to line up the line to the intended start line. At 10 feet, my aim was off to the right by about 4 inches. Once I changed the single line to a “T” shape, for some reason I was then able to aim the ball on the exact line I wanted to put along. I’ve also experimented with a lot of different putters and with lasers, using the Edel method, basically, because of my eye sight issues, I can’t seem to aim any putter straight at my target or intended start line. I also don’t take long to aim. Contrary to the comments in this article. I work out my line and aim the ball and putt, easily inside 30 seconds.

Using line needs practise, players in this test just started using it. Not much Merit in this kind of testing.

No line… I sank a 15-footer and a 10-footer this past weekend in Tennessee, using only the factory “brand” markings.

you used the wrong putter for the test. as posted by PuttingDoctor at GolfWRX (Glen Coomb), research on the subject indicates that players align the putter best when there is no alignment aid on the putter itself, only on the ball. While I like that you’ve standardized the data, it unfortunately was doomed to begin with. try a putter without any alignment aid at all and you’ll get wildly different results.

Putting is the best part of my game. And I use a 40+ year old ping o-blade. No sharpie lines. I just square up to my chosen line. No problem. If I were to replace it, I’d probably get a Cleveland 2135.

OK guys I just spent the last hour straight testing out the lined ball technique for myself ..I have a carpeted section of my house that rolls pretty true where I can put 70 feet I tried 15 feet 30 feet and 70 feet using the lined technique only..for a true test for me I literally laid down on the ground Camillo style and lined the arrow straight to my head cover.. Then at all three distances did a total of 30 putts 10 putts each ..I hit the The 15 footer 8/10 then at 30 feet was pretty much missing everything about 1 ft to the right at 70 feet was missing 2-3 ft to the right consistently..then did a total of 30 putts 10 putts from each location using my spot/line of sight technique.. At 15 feet I would pick a spot around 3 feet out then roll the ball through that spot hitting 15 feet 10 times in a row then at 30 feet I pick the spot about 4 feet out and hit 7 of 10 .. At 70 feet I picked a spot about 9 feet out concentrated on that one spot then rolled 10 balls through it only hit the head cover once the other 9 were less than a foot left or right
..I think for me concentrating on such a tight space like a line on a ball constraints my view too much .. I think that line gives you a general direction but it’s too much a variable if that line was just 3 cm off it could be 3 feet off by the time it reaches a long putt like a snipers rifle from 1 mile if your rifle is off a few millimeters on the muzzle side at 1 mile you could miss by 50 feet..for me I need to see the bigger picture ..kind of like a 50 foot putt up over a ridge that sweeps all the way to the left like a 20 foot breaker instead of looking at a line on your ball for me picking in an area where I think it’s going to fall off the break side and settle closest to the pin frees up my swing ..that’s only on my one hour experience for all I know it works wonders on the green.

Did you, in your SG18 analysis, consider the leave as well? If you’re leaving yourself 4′ or 1′ from 20′ with one or the other that is going to impact on which works better.

I always use the number on the ball as my “arrow” to aim down the line I want, then I make sure my blade is parallel to the lettering on the ball. Works very well for me.

I put my Pro V1 line down so I see nothing but the ball when I look down over the putter.

Im a scratch player and surprisingly enough I have never ever used a line on the ball never even thought about it and till I read this article ..depending on the distance of a putt I’ll pick a spot 3 feet 6 feet 10 feet and roll the ball through that spot with speed .. Just for the fun of it I think I’m going to hit a green with some good undulations to practice on and spend an hour or so with a lined ball and see what’s what

I use the line to line the middle of the putt! I use that line to find my break I have made more putts this year because of it!

If you don’t have a frame of reference, how do you know if you misread a putt or mishit it when you miss? With a line, you can see if you put a good roll on it.

I prefer the line. I align the line on my intended target line and all I have to do is stroke the putt. Of course the line doesn’t prevent the occasional push or pull but it does take the need for a spot a foot or so in front of the ball as alignment.

I personally do not use a line….. But, beware the constraints of the collective and test yourself to determine your strengths as an individual. You and your coach should make the decision, a test offers workable data not an absolute.

Doesn’t need to be a line all around the ball but a line. Makes me think about the alignment. Just part of the routine.

Interesting test, I’ve never putted that way and wondered if it would make any difference.

I’ve always putted okay without marking my ball and this test at least confirms it shouldn’t make any difference.

I think they’d be more effective if they did it with tour professionals then I think the outcome would be different…they didn’t say what handicap the participants were!

Would results bethe same for a putter with a line?

Forget any line on the ball-do these 2 things-and remember, “every putt is a straight putt, straight off the putter face”
1. check to see if you have an astigmatism-if you can’t aim it you have problems-to check, you and a buddy set 2 lineup sticks end to end (or use a chalk line) from the hole on a level putt and put a ball at the end-stand beside the ball with your back to the hole then, without looking at the hole, turn and address the putt/ball using the lineup stick/chalk line only to line up your putter-have your buddy remove the sticks and get behind you to see where you are aimed-now rotate your head to look at the hole and see where it actually looks like you are lined up at the hole. For most of us, it will look like we are aimed to one side or the other. Again, If you can’t aim it you have problems. This is what putter fitters check using sophisticated equipment.
2.In practice, this takes seconds to accurately aim putts Pick a 3-5 ft putt with a 1-2 inch right to left break (for right handers)-roll a couple to know the break-now stand 4-6 ft behind your ball, in line with your aim spot up by the hole for the break you now know is correct-pick out a spot 2-3 inches in front of your ball that is between your ball and your aim spot up by the hole (if necessary, hold your putter shaft up and use the left side to connect the center of your ball to your aim spot up by the hole and pick your spot 2-3 inches in front of your ball)-fixate on the spot 2-3 inches in front of your ball and walk up and address your ball aiming your ball directly over the spot 2-3 inches in front of your ball-you are now perfectly aimed regardless of what it looks like and your goal is to roll your ball over the spot in front of your ball-again, every putt is a straight putt, straight off the putter face over the spot 2-3 inches in front of your ball.

Give it time to get used to it and watch your confidence grow as you make more and more putts. (Note: Putters with longer alignment lines can be helpful-easier to line up to your 2-3 inch spot and they show your eyes where a straight thru stroke should go)

happy putting

I do draw a line on my ball, also to serve as an identification mark, since most people don’t mark their balls at all. But I am certainly not anal about lining it up exactly. I take if anthing a millisecond longer to line it up than I would without one. Previously I used the script on the ball, so I was always using something.

So true!

Well it worked for me bc I made more putts then u sir

You should do a test using the Check Go Pro which spins the ball and finds it’s true balance point. I use it mainly as a training aid to show when I hit it perfectly square, the line is straight.

AimPoint and picking a spot to putt thru a couple fee out has helped my putting the most. The line on my ball helps me align my feet and square the putter to that line so is very helpful for me at least.

Just placing a line on the ball does not help putting…….but, with the line you simply line it up with your aim. Now that the target is selected all you need to focus on is the speed of the putt.
I have found this very beneficial to lowering the number of putts per round.

And I don’t line it up in a putting comp and im sick at them haha

The only reason I do it is so that if I’m rolling it bad I don’t know 😂 that way I can keep positive!! #psychologist

NOPE….. Proper grip, patients, the read and the stroke….. Keep it somple…. We don’t need no stinking line….

If anyone has ever gone thru the Edel Golf putter fitting, you will be tested with and without a line. I used to put a line on my ball, after going thru the fitting process, we discovered that I was more accurate and made more putts without a line…

Why am I not surprised by this result?

If I did your test, I would be terrible without a line. I mark a line on the ball, and another line perpendicular to it that is parallel to the putter face. I have to line up the putt with my intended line because I look at the hole (or a spot on the green for a break), not the ball. By knowing that I am aimed correctly and my putter face is square to the line, I can focus completely on speed and not second guess the line at the same time.

I took an Aimpoint class a few years ago. When my instructor saw me doing it, he asked why. I said it helps me focus on speed rather than line/alignment. He said there are very few people who can accurately line up a putt with it, especially at greater distances. He said that your eyes and are much better at lining up putts. So I tried it out his theory and haven’t used it since.

I do still have the line drawn on my ball for ID purposes. I also use it occasionally on the practice green just to make sure I’m hitting my putts straight. But never during a round and I think I’m a better (and faster!) putter without it. Glad to see there’s some data to back me up!

Once again, you HAVE to conduct a test multiple times to get any accurate result. In one test, one method is ALWAYS going to come out on top, it doesn’t prove anything.

Since developing issues with my eyesight golf has become even more challenging. I have found that an alignment line on the ball certainly assists.

How about if your line is on the true balance point, center, high side…whatever you want to call it by method of floating your golf balls or spinning and applying the line. Would it make a difference to know whether it will roll true or have “wobble” while trying to find its heavy point?

I have eye dominance issues, that is my dominant eye changes from right to left or vice versa. I found that a line on the ball was a great help as I used both eyes from behind the ball to decide the putting line and the pointed the line on the ball toward my target. it takes practice to use a line on the ball correctly but when you learn how to do it it helps.

I’ve tried the ” line -to- the-hole ” method for two years , no noticeable improvement . Then I tried a line at 90 degrees to the previous one
( same as the putter – face ). Result ? Gets your putter aiming least 20% better . Give it a go folks , cheers , Nige .

No line usage by me from now on

The problem comes when a 25 handicap (who thinks he / she really plays to a 10) marks the ball after each putt (including the 4th or 5th putt from 18″) and gets the line going to the hole. But the REAL problem is when that person’s “golf instructor” tells them to do it on every putt. Also plumb bobing a two-foot putt while a foursome is waiting on the fairway and another foursome is on the tee.

And the “powers that be” throughout the whole golf industry wonder why people are leaving the game due to slow play.

How about half a line? Use it for short putts, don’t use it for longer putts.

Absolutely … Get me in the putting “groove”

Have you (or anyone) ever taken the time to spin-balance the balls BEFORE marking the line? It is my understanding that is being done with all the Pros

For me, no line. I can’t lineup a line at all but I can lineup a putter.

Was looking forward to these results! Great stuff. Would be curious if you’d see the same results for putts that have a break and require aiming at something other than the hole.

This wasn’t actuality the first study on this subject. There was a scientific study a year or two ago which came to the same result.

No Line

The line only makes sense if you have the ability to read the greens properly, as well as the ability to aim the line down the intended line of your putt. I would expect that a better golfer would have an advantage in this regard, as well as a putting stroke to send the ball off on the line chosen.

Been putting lately with an unlined ball and putter. Makes the overall putting experience less stressful.

So, taking time to place a larger line on the ball is useless. Most balls now come with a small alignment aide imprinted. Has anyone thought to compare using the imprinted line versus the ball with no line?