Why and how to use a line on your golf ball?
Why and How to Use a Line on Your Golf Ball?
For years, I've been refining my putting routine, and one of the most impactful changes I've made is using a line on my golf ball. It's a simple trick, but it provides invaluable feedback and helps me understand exactly where I'm aiming. If you're looking to improve your putting alignment, this method is a game-changer.
The Power of a Simple Line
A line on your golf ball might seem like a minor detail, but it's a crucial tool for my putting routine. It's not about making every putt, but about understanding my aim and learning from each stroke.
My Step-by-Step Process for Using the Line
Here's how I incorporate the line into my putting routine:
Draw a line on your golf ball: This is the first step. I use a sharpie and a ball marker with a line guide to make a clear, straight line. [00:12]
Initial Placement: When I'm on the green, I place my ball marker, pick up my ball, and then place the ball back down with the line roughly pointing where my instincts tell me to aim. [00:21]
Step Back and Check: This is a critical step. I always step back behind the ball and check where the line on the ball is actually pointing. [00:32]
Read the Green (and Adjust Your Putter, Not the Line): After checking the line, I then read the green. If I determine I need to aim differently than where the line is pointing (for instance, if there's more break than I initially thought), I don't change the line on the ball. Instead, I use the line on the ball as a reference. I'll align the lines on my putter slightly to the left or right of the line on the ball, depending on my read. [00:51]
Know Your Aim: This method helps me know exactly where I'm aiming before I even take my stroke. [01:07]
Why This Method Works (and What to Avoid)
The beauty of this technique is its flexibility. The line doesn't have to be perfectly aimed every time. It's a reference point, especially useful for longer or bigger breaking putts. I find that using the line as a reference is much easier than trying to perfectly align to a distant target from the side. [01:43]
One thing I make sure to avoid is spending excessive time trying to get the line perfectly aligned. This can slow down play and actually hurt your rhythm. The goal is to gain information and confidence quickly.
By integrating a simple line on my golf ball into my putting routine, I've gained a much better understanding of my aim and improved my game on the greens. Give it a try – it might just be the simple trick your putting game needs!
🎯 Join my Free 7-day Break 90 challenge - https://www.paulwilliamsongolf.com/break-90-7-day-challenge
