Should You Use a Line on Your Golf Ball for Putting? Here’s What You Need to Know

Using a line on your golf ball for putting has sparked much debate among golfers and instructors. With top players like Scottie Scheffler opting not to use a line, some golfers are rethinking whether this technique benefits their game. Here’s a breakdown of why most professional golfers—and you—might still benefit from using a line, and how it can improve your putting game.

The Purpose of Using a Line on Your Ball

Many golfers assume the line on the ball is simply for making their stroke go straight, but its true purpose is aim and alignment. By correctly aligning the ball, you can stop worrying about direction and focus on the most critical part of putting: distance control. When you’re confident your ball is aimed correctly, it frees you to concentrate on the feel and speed of your stroke, reducing distractions and boosting consistency.

Why Most Pros Use a Line

While some golfers might question the need for a line due to recent trends, the reality is that most professionals on both the PGA and LPGA Tours still use a line. They understand that once they trust their alignment, they can focus solely on hitting the putt with the correct speed. The line’s primary benefit isn’t in boosting putt accuracy; instead, it helps avoid three-putts—a common challenge for recreational golfers.

Pro Tip: Rolling the ball end-over-end with a visible line can give immediate feedback on your stroke quality. If the line rolls smoothly, you know your clubface is square. If not, it signals an off-center strike, prompting you to adjust your stroke.

When Not to Use a Line

While the line can help most golfers, it might not be ideal for everyone. If you find yourself obsessing over perfection and trying to guide your putts too precisely, using a line might hinder rather than help your stroke. In these cases, focusing on feel and natural alignment may be more effective.

The Real Benefit: Reducing Three-Putts

Using a line may not make you sink more putts immediately, but it can significantly reduce three-putts. Recreational golfers often struggle with distance control and alignment, leading to frequent three-putts. Tour players, by contrast, rarely three-putt, thanks largely to their ability to focus on speed after aligning their putts with a line. For recreational golfers, minimizing three-putts is one of the easiest ways to lower scores.

Debunking the Myth: Does a Line Improve Putting Stats?

Contrary to popular belief, using a line won’t necessarily make you more likely to make every putt. Statistically, even pros make only about 50% of putts from 8 feet, regardless of whether they use a line. Studies comparing lined and unlined putts often show minimal differences. However, using a line can help build confidence by providing feedback on stroke quality, leading to better distance control and fewer three-putts over time.

How to Use the Line for Better Putting

1. Align Carefully: Line up your ball carefully to ensure your aim is correct.
2. Focus on Speed: Once your ball is aligned, shift your focus entirely to controlling distance.
3. Practice Rolling End-Over-End: Seeing the line roll smoothly can confirm a square clubface and help you adjust if needed.

Key Takeaways

• Using a line aids in alignment, helping you focus on speed and distance control.
• Most pros use a line to avoid three-putts, not necessarily to make more putts.
• Fewer three-putts can significantly improve recreational golfers' scores.

Using a line on your ball for putting won’t magically increase your putting percentage but can improve your distance control and reduce three-putts. Try incorporating this simple technique and watch your putting game improve.