Should the line on the ball be legal?

[tacklingdummy]

With all the new changes to the rules in 2019 like caddies not allowed to line up players, it would seem like the line on the ball is an alignment tool as well. Shoes and clothing with alignment aids are not permitted. It would seem like the since the line is static throughout the entire stroke that it would be illegal as well. Should it be legal? I think it would be a highly contested topic like the anchor putter.

 

On another note, Callaway seems to be the only company to make specific alignment lines on the ball. You would think more golf ball companies would be specific alignment lines on their golf balls.

[Dr.Frankenputz]

Would you have to outlaw alignment lines or sight dot on a putter too?

pretty much every ball has writing/script on the side to use as a line.

[Newby]

 

Where does it prohibit marks on shoes or clothing?

I think you will find that most if not all ball manufacturers align their name along the equator of the ball.

[Londoner]

I agree on the logo/model name.

Do balls have equators any more?

[Newby]

Do balls have equators any more?

You tell me

The equator of a rotating spheroid is the parallel at which latitude is defined to be 0°. It is the imaginary line on the spheroid, equidistant from its poles, dividing it into northern and southern hemispheres. In other words, it is the intersection of the spheroid with the plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation and midway between its geographical poles.

[Londoner]

Touche. ?

Let me rephrase.

Do you still line up the "equator" on your proV1 when you drive?

[Sean2]

Balls already have an alignment line on them, of a sort. I use it to line up putts and tee shots.

[Mr. Bean]

'Should it be legal?'

In my experience it is a minority of players who use any kind of line to line up a ball (and I have serious doubts whether there is any actual benefit in doing that) so why should it be forbidden? Besides, as already stated by others, there is always a 'line' on a golf ball to be used if so desired.

[ArtMBgolf]

Golfers would use the name, if a line was outlawed.

 

The main issue with lines are those who take a lot of time to line it up.

[Sean2]

I use the "line" on the ball. It takes no time at all to line a putt, or tee shot up. I don't see how someone could spend a lot of time doing that.

[Mr. Bean]

I have seen it. Too many times.

[Sawgrass]

I could never effectively use a line on the ball and still keep pace. I’ve tried it, and I feel forced to twitch it back and forth. Seems like it almost never stays precisely where I want it.

[rogolf]

As an engineer, I have done the same and cannot ever get it "just right". I replace my ball so that nothing is visible to me at address (and the wording has to be upside down).

[sui generis]

Mine is a line all around the ball. The equatorial line is bogus.The useful one is the prime meridian/anti-meridian blue Sharpie aiming aid. No four putts with this! No wasted motion, set the ball, look it over and step up and decel right on line. Then do it again. LOL

[Vindog]

I don't use a line on the ball for putting, But I don't view it as something that needs legislating. At all.

[jobin]

Often here the local caddies will line up a ball, as she sees fit. Golfer agrees and putts away. Since she has seen this green countless times, and golfer maybe 12 times, she is often correct if he hits it perfectly.

Me? I don't give a damn and tell the caddy 'do nothing'. I inspect the line of putt and 'just do it'.

[flybyublue]

If you can sharpie it on then I think it shoudl fly. These new odyssey putters with the three lines matching the callaway balls are out of control....should be illegal imo. Agree?

[tacklingdummy]

To me, the distinction is that the sight lines on putters would be ok because they are moving and not static. The line on the ball does not move and is used to line up the player and putter until impact.

[tacklingdummy]

Shoes (Rule 4.3) Shoes that assist the player in obtaining a firm stance may be worn. Subject to the conditions of competition, features such as spikes on the sole are permitted, but shoes must not incorporate features:

• designed to assist the player in taking his stance and/or building a stance;

• designed to assist the player with his alignment; or

• that might otherwise assist the player in making a stroke or in his play. 

 

4. Clothing (Rule 4.3) Articles of clothing must not incorporate features:

• designed to assist the player with his alignment; or

• that might otherwise assist the player in making a stroke or in his play.https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/Equipment%20Rules%20Final.pdf

If it is illegal to have shoes/clothing that 1. Assist the player with alignment 2. Assist the player in making a stroke or in his play, then a line on the ball does the exact same thing.

[Newby]

If the line on the ball is 0.5 degrees off a 20' line to the hole, by how much will a true strike miss the hole by? Can a 1.6" line ever be lined up accurately to an object >10' away?

[Sawgrass]

Be careful of 14.2b(1). The caddie can only legally replace the ball if it was the caddie that lifted it.

[Llortamaisey]

Let’s ban the line and make a rule where the logo can’t be straight. Then ban alignments on putters and hybrids/fairways/drivers. Alignment problem solved.

[tacklingdummy]

Same goes for shoe alignments, clothing alignments, alignment stick, or a club. How accurately can you align them toward the target, but those are all illegal alignment aids.

[Newby]

Why worry if they don't really work?

[Fade]

To answer the first question: 2.1 inches off the center of the hole, which is smaller than the radius of the hole.

[Mr. Bean]

Would you care to clarify that club -part, how is a club illegal if there are alignment markings on it? Not to mention the self-standing putter which John Smoltz is using and which USGA has preliminary evaluated as conforming and not against the Rules to be used.

[Mr. Bean]

Good question. I worry the pace of play but in competitions that can be cured by more active timing. On social rounds slow players are slow no matter what and they seem to always find new ways how to be slow.

[Sean2]

That is way out of line.

:-)

[Sean2]

True. I still don't get the "time" issue though. It takes me no time to line the ball up using the line. *scratches head in puzzlement

[Sawgrass]

I really don't get you on this. Not doing it takes no time. Doing it takes time.