[BinasiDombrs]

Most manufacturers now put some sort of alignment aid on their golf balls, usually it is the model of the manufacurers ball you are playing.

Just wondered how many of you use that aid when putting or off the Tee?

On the green I am more of a speed putter than a line putter, and pick out an area to aim at. I use a Heel Shafted Blade style putter with no markings on it and prefer to set my ball so that I cant see any of the markings on the ball as I try to align my putter's blade at the area I am aiming for and focus more on the speed of the put than a specific spot or blade of grass.

This habit was reinforced for me when I heard an interview with Rocco Mediate and he was talking about his Pro-Am partner who asked him if he should be trying to aim at a blade of grass that was four or five feet ahead of his ball on his intended line, on a put of length and Rocco told him that he was a PGA Tour Pro and he aimed at an area and focused on speed more because even though he is an "Elite" player he had a hard time hitting a blade of grass that far in front of him, but found it far easier to pick an area and get his speed right and he felt that proper speed made more puts of length than line did.

However it's the opposite for me when hitting a tee shot, I prefer the blank portion of the ball as I have picked out a spot a foot or two ahead of my teed ball and focus on swinging the club out over that spot.

I would love to hear your method.

Thanks in advance for the thoughtful answers as well as the snyde ones.

[Erexecike]

I don't. If I do, I become obsessed with the line and I don't trust my instincts on feel. I like to look down on nothing on the ball when it comes to putting.

[PebydataFeents]

I only use the alignment line when putter. It gives me a more immediate targe to aim for. I don't have to look infront of the ball to see it.

[paypaltoegold1]

For the most part I don't.. I pick my line based on the green, not where I've aligned my golf ball. It seems like I've got a heck of a lot more confidence in doing that.

[NicolasOL]

On the green I am more of a speed putter than a line putter, and pick out an area to aim at. I use a Heel Shafted Blade style putter with no markings on it and prefer to set my ball so that I cant see any of the markings on the ball as I try to align my putter's blade at the area I am aiming for and focus more on the speed of the put than a specific spot or blade of grass.

This is pretty much me too. I like to look at as much white on the ball as possible. I usually aim to a spot about the size of a golf ball. Like if there's a darker patch that I'm aiming at about 6" wide, I'll aim for the heart of it or the left/right side. Always about speed. I'm annoyed if I'm unable to putt for at least a few minutes before my round to get an idea of what I'm working with that day.

I'll remember that tip for the driver. Can't hurt to try it.

[WhonyGataxott]

I've tried it a time or two and don't care for any alignment lines on the ball. I will generally turn it to look at a white expanse of golf ball if I pick it up to clean it on the green. Otherwise I'll just putt it as it lies. Same thing goes on the teebox... let me see clean unmarked ball and I'm a happy hacker.

[johnsonjunior]

I use it because I have issues with aiming correctly. It's just something I can check off the list of things to think about once I'm set up to the ball.

[atmowasia]

I do, when I'm putting, if I haven't drawn hieroglyphics on my ball beforehand.

[Agehoobionibe]

I have always flip flopped back and forth. I currently use a line, but I am not annoying with it. I set the ball down with the line pointing down the line I saw when looking at the putt. If the line is a little off, I will not realign the ball, I will just adjust my setup right or left depending on how I need to hit it. I may quit using the line tomorrow however.

[jackie Obrian]

I use the line for short putts... long putts i just pick a spot and try to get the distance right.

[Rnlvifov]

I did not, but I have started using the line on the ball and I think I'm going to sharpie a bigger line, after trying out the line for a couple of rounds I've noticed that I have a tendency to line up quite open to my line so I'm not even giving the ball a chance to roll on my line. Now I setup the ball on the line then setup the putter square to that and I know that if I stroke the putt right I'm starting my ball on the line I've chosen. That's the most I've ever type the word line I think.

[Sthjrderfida]

I use the line for all putts to help with the putter alignment, but I don't fixate on it, I use it to check that the putter is on the line I have read and then step into the putt and make my stroke.

[sportlife]

I personally think that the line is a lifesaver when I putt. Since I'm not the best, I find it hard to actually aim the ball properly on my intended line unless I use it. It gives me more confidence when putting which is absolutely huge. I just recently starting using it and I have noticed a drastic increase in my putting.

[Meerenuch]

I dont use at all..

[dietpillxanaxaxx]

Since revamping my putting routine during the SeeMore testing, I now use alignment marks on the ball religiously.

It appears to be working.

[avaissema]

I've started to use it from 10' and in but I'm not 100% sold on it

[Lymneterfeiff]

I use it on every single putt. I also use the same line on every tee shot. If I can do something to help my alignment, why not do that?

EDIT: I do not use the writing on the ball, I take a marker and draw an alignment line on the ball that is longer than the writing on the ball.

[newwebstar]

I use it on every single putt. I also use the same line on every tee shot. If I can do something to help my alignment, why not do that?

EDIT: I do not use the writing on the ball, I take a marker and draw an alignment line on the ball that is longer than the writing on the ball.

Word for word exactly the same for me.

[suidinguilelf]

I use it on every single putt. I also use the same line on every tee shot. If I can do something to help my alignment, why not do that?

EDIT: I do not use the writing on the ball, I take a marker and draw an alignment line on the ball that is longer than the writing on the ball.

Same for me, except I use the small writing on the ball.

It just helps me align correctly.

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

I use the ball marker that puts the cross hair looking thing on the ball. I pick my line place it on what I think is the right live and then just think speed. I do seem to putt better with the line.