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Hey every1,
I was wondering if there is any way to draw a STRAIGHT line around the golf ball for alignment purposes. I know that there are stencles and tracers that you can buy to make the perfect line, but I dont feel like paying $10 just for a stencle. Is there any way, or common household item, which I can use to draw a straight line around my ball? or will i have to dish out the money for a stencle?

Thanx, CG

I have a stencil but you could probably just put a little bit of tape on the edges of the line you want and fill it in with a sharpie.

Its a device called Line-m-up. Its basically a stencil that snaps on your ball and then you draw the line. Its like $5 at Wal-mart. I personally think its great. Really helps me with my putting.Well worth the $5.

with the ball on a hard surface, like a table top, Lightly put your index finger on the top of the ball and with the middle finger start spinning the ball. with the other hand hold the sharpie directly in the middle of the ball and steady. This should give you a straight line. I know you said without spending any $$.

Spend the 5 bucks and get the "Line em up" at Walmart. It comes with a sharpie marker. It works and is definitely worth the 5 bucks.

I just noticed you live in Philly, where abouts? I'm in the northeast. If you really want to save the money, you can come and borrow mine.

OK, I am anti line drawing. I just don't get it. I know, if the line is at the apex of the ball, and lined up in the direction you hit, or want to hit, it you will see if you are putting straight.

Here is the problem for me. When setting the ball on the ground, can you really tell that the line is at the true apex of the ball, that it is not off center, even just a skosh? Also, after perfectly placing the ball, and you get over the putt, what if you decide to putt an additional 1/2 inch left or right of the original line? Now the line will be "off center" unless you re-aim the ball with the line on it.

I tried this once on the putting green and found myself being more psyched out by the line, than actually determining the correct speed and direction by feel.

Just my .02.

The line is to help you with short straight putts like a 6 footer as opposed to a 25 footer. I know some of you are going to come back about a 6 footer not being a short putt. This is true, but compared to a 25 footer, it is.

If your standing over the ball and you decide to choose a path 1/2" or so different, then you made an error in green reading. What I do is set the ball for the line I have chosen by reading the green. Then step back about 5 feet to make sure it is indeed where I want it to go. Then I get over the ball and all I have to do is make a smooth stroke, sending the ball on its way, down that line I feel is right. I know in the past I did not care much about aiming stuff, I would just give a half look at the slope and then putt. I also averaged about 34-36 putts around. This year after reading the pelz putting bible I care about putting, pace off distances and actually try to read the green. I am averaging like 1.74 per GIR and 1.5 per GIR. Last 2 times out has been 26 and 28 putts. The line on the ball helps and so does caring about your putting.

I definitely read putts etc. Admittedly, I don't feel like I am a good green reader, but I still try to figure out the break, and the correct line. For some reason, once I see the break, or make a read, from standing behind the ball, I feel like I can see the more subtle breaks by standing over my ball. I say this is mostly for putts < or = to 15 feet.

Yea I see what you are saying there. I know alot of times when I stand over the ball and square up to it, I think dang that looks way off. Seriously sometimes I think I will miss by 5 or so feet above the hole. But I go ahead and trust my line and alot of times it either goes in or comes within a foot above or below for the easy tap in 2. Everyone has a differnet style, and I have found something that is working for me, so hopefully it will last a lifetime. I know if I would of putted like this in HS I would of been able to go to a big time school for golf instead of wvu tech.

Like a lot of things, having a line on the ball makes sense, or it doesn't. Kind of like plumb-bobbing. No, I am not starting a plumb-bobbing discussion, just using it as an example.

I could understand advanced physics quicker than the plumb-bob.

The good thing about the line on the ball is the fact that you can aim
the ball on the line you pick and the toally forget about direction..
The only thing you have to think about is the speed. Even most pro's
who don't have a line on the ball will generally line up the label with the line
of the putt it's just one less thing to have to think about

Appears to me that most manufacturers already have some from of line in place already that one can use to line up a putt that way..Either in the name, the brand, or the logo, take a look, try it..it works.. and works really well on the short ones...

Agreed. I mark all of my balls with mine.