Should You Use a Line on Your Golf Ball When Putting? The Truth Revealed

The debate over whether to use a line on your golf ball when putting has intensified recently, with conflicting advice flooding social media and golf forums. While some point to Scottie Scheffler's success without a line, the overwhelming majority of tour professionals continue using this simple but powerful tool. Here's the truth about putting lines and why you should probably be using one.

The Real Purpose of a Putting Line (It's Not What You Think)

Most golfers misunderstand why putting lines work. The line isn't there to help you make more putts from 8 feet - it's there to revolutionize your approach to putting fundamentals.

What the Line Doesn't Do:

• Make more short putts - Tour players only make 50% from 8 feet regardless
• Guarantee perfect aim - Reading greens still requires skill
• Replace practice - Technique development remains essential
• Work for every golfer - Individual differences matter

What the Line Actually Does:

• Ensures proper alignment so you can focus on speed
• Provides immediate feedback on stroke quality
• Eliminates three-putts through better distance control
• Simplifies on-course decision making

Why Tour Players Overwhelmingly Use Lines

The statistics speak for themselves:

Professional Usage:

• Nearly all PGA Tour players use alignment lines
• Virtually all LPGA Tour players employ this technique
• Rare exceptions like Scottie Scheffler prove the rule
• Decades of adoption across professional golf

The Professional Advantage:

Tour players use lines because they understand the real benefit: when you know your ball is aimed correctly, you can dedicate 100% of your mental energy to the most important aspect of putting - distance control.

The Three-Putt Prevention System

For amateur golfers, the line's greatest value lies in preventing disasters, not creating miracles:

Amateur vs. Professional Putting:

Amateur Golfers:

• Three-putt frequently from long distances
• Inconsistent speed control causes most problems
• Aim uncertainty creates additional mental pressure
• Multiple variables compete for attention during stroke

Tour Professionals:

• Rarely three-putt from any distance
• Exceptional speed control from years of practice
• Confident alignment allows focus on execution
• Simplified mental approach under pressure

How Lines Prevent Three-Putts:

1. Confident alignment eliminates aim doubts
2. Mental energy redirected to speed control
3. Better distance judgment from focused practice
4. Reduced anxiety over putt direction

The End-Over-End Feedback System

One of the line's most valuable features is immediate stroke feedback:

Visual Confirmation:

Perfect Roll:

• Line rotates smoothly end-over-end
• Confirms square clubface at impact
• Validates stroke mechanics
• Builds confidence in technique

Poor Strike Indicators:

• Wobbling line reveals off-center contact
• Erratic rotation shows clubface issues
• Immediate feedback for correction
• Practice efficiency improvement

Diagnostic Benefits:

When a lined putt misses, you can identify the cause:

• Smooth roll, wrong direction = misread or misalignment
• Smooth roll, wrong speed = distance control issue
• Wobbly roll = stroke mechanics problem
• Multiple factors easily isolated

When Lines Don't Work: The Perfectionist Trap

The only golfers who shouldn't use lines are those who become too perfect-seeking:

Warning Signs:

• Obsessing over perfect alignment for every putt
• Guiding the stroke to keep line straight
• Paralysis by analysis during setup
• Increased tension rather than relaxation

The Solution:

If you find yourself overthinking the line, remember its purpose:

• Aim and forget - trust your alignment
• Focus on speed once the line is set
• Natural stroke rather than guided motion
• Distance control priority over direction perfection

Practical Implementation Strategy

Getting Started with Lines:

Equipment:

• Permanent marker for drawing lines
• Line drawing tool for consistency (optional)
• Quality ball that holds lines well
• Practice green access for testing

Basic Technique:

1. Read the putt and determine intended line
2. Draw line pointing toward target
3. Align line with intended direction
4. Focus entirely on speed during stroke
5. Observe roll for feedback

Advanced Applications:

Long Putts (20+ feet):

• Most critical application for three-putt prevention
• Speed control becomes paramount
• Aim confidence allows aggressive speed
• Lag putting improvement

Short Putts (3-8 feet):

• Less critical but still beneficial
• Confidence builder for pressure situations
• Stroke validation through clean roll
• Routine establishment

Distance Control: The Real Secret to Great Putting

Understanding why lines work leads to putting's ultimate truth: speed control matters more than anything else.

Why Speed Trumps Line:

• Proper speed gives putts chance to fall in
• Too slow prevents balls from reaching hole
• Too fast reduces effective hole size
• Consistent speed creates predictable results

The Line's Role in Speed Development:

Mental Clarity:

• Aim certainty eliminates directional worry
• Full attention on distance judgment
• Practice efficiency through focused repetition
• Pressure reduction during important putts

Technical Benefits:

• Consistent setup through routine
• Stroke confidence from alignment trust
• Immediate feedback on execution quality
• Progressive improvement tracking

Debunking Common Myths

Myth 1: "Lines Make You Make More Putts"

Reality: Lines don't increase make percentage from short range, but they prevent disasters from long range.

Myth 2: "Studies Show No Statistical Advantage"

Reality: Studies focus on make percentage, not three-putt prevention where lines excel.

Myth 3: "Lines Create Dependency"

Reality: Lines create consistency and confidence, positive dependencies for performance.

Myth 4: "Scottie Scheffler Doesn't Use One"

Reality: One exceptional player's preference doesn't negate benefits for 99% of golfers.

Course Management with Putting Lines

Strategic Benefits:

Aggressive Lag Putting:

• Confident aim allows focus on getting ball close
• Reduced fear of three-putts from long distance
• Better two-putt percentages overall
• Lower scores through fewer big numbers

Pressure Situations:

• Routine consistency under stress
• Mental clarity when stakes are high
• Confidence boost from preparation
• Execution focus rather than outcome worry

Practice Recommendations

Daily Routine Integration:

Range Practice:

• Mark all practice balls for consistency
• Focus on speed rather than makes/misses
• Track three-putt frequency improvement
• Build confidence through repetition

Course Application:

• Use on every putt during casual rounds
• Mark ball consistently in competitive play
• Trust the system rather than second-guessing
• Monitor results over multiple rounds

Progressive Development:

Week 1-2: Focus on consistent line drawing and alignment Week 3-4: Emphasize speed control with aligned putts Month 2: Track three-putt frequency reduction Month 3+: Automatic implementation and refinement

Equipment Considerations

Ball Selection:

• Quality balls hold lines better
• Consistent brands for familiarity
• Personal preference in feel and performance
• Multiple balls marked for practice

Line Drawing Tools:

• Sharpie markers for permanent lines
• Ball alignment tools for consistency
• Template guides for perfect placement
• Personal preference in line thickness

Mental Game Enhancement

Confidence Building:

Preparation Benefits:

• Thorough routine builds trust
• Visual confirmation of proper aim
• Reduced variables during execution
• Consistent approach regardless of pressure

Performance Under Pressure:

• Simplified decision making when nervous
• Familiar routine provides comfort
• Focus clarity on controllable factors
• Reduced anxiety from preparation confidence

Long-Term Development

Skill Progression:

Beginner Benefits:

• Immediate improvement in three-putt avoidance
• Faster learning curve through clear feedback
• Confidence development from early success
• Foundation building for advanced skills

Advanced Applications:

• Precision aiming for subtle breaks
• Speed optimization through focused practice
• Pressure performance through routine mastery
• Teaching tool for helping others

Conclusion: The Line Decision Made Simple

The evidence is overwhelming: you should use a line on your golf ball when putting. Not because it will turn you into a putting machine from short range, but because it will eliminate the three-putts that destroy rounds and allow you to focus on distance control - putting's most important skill.

Key Takeaways:

• Lines prevent three-putts more than they create makes
• Distance control becomes primary focus with confident aim
• Tour players use lines because they work
• Immediate feedback improves practice efficiency
• Mental clarity reduces pressure and anxiety

Your Action Plan:

1. Start using lines on all practice putts
2. Focus on speed control rather than make percentage
3. Track three-putt frequency over several rounds
4. Trust the system and avoid perfectionist tendencies
5. Make it routine for consistent application

Remember: The goal isn't to make every putt - it's to never three-putt and give yourself the best chance at two-putts from long range. A simple line on your ball is one of the easiest improvements you can make to your putting game.

Stop overthinking it. Draw the line, trust your aim, and focus on speed. Your scorecard will thank you.