Should the line on the ball be legal?

[Sean2]

"Doing it takes time." How much time? And how much time do you consider too much? The way some talk about it being a pace of play issue you would think people are talking a couple of minutes to do this.

I just timed myself and it took 2 to 3 seconds on a putt, 1 to 2 seconds on a tee shot.

[rogolf]

Ok, let's do the math. Use an average of 2 seconds per putt and per tee shot. 36 putts and 18 tee shots, that 54 times at 2 seconds per equals 108 seconds, nearly 2 minutes per round. Every player in your foursome does it, that's 8 minutes per round, since it cannot be done concurrently.

And, it seems you are quicker than most at getting the final alignment. Some players put their ball down thinking they've aligned it correctly, then go behind the ball and realize it's not correct, then remark their ball and make the adjustment (a la Rickie Fowler). That process takes more than 2 seconds, more likely 15-25 seconds.

[CaseyC]

Why can't it be done concurrently? I line up my ball while others are reading their putts. Just leave the marker there, or don't...

[livigolfs]

Tee shots!? Why?

[Newby]

So he knows which way the fairway is

[MadGolfer76]

That is only one side of the coin. If better alignment (both on the green and tee) saves shots, that actually reduces the time of the round. So, the question you should be asking before breaking out the calculator is, "How many shots does this save the player?" If it is saving shots, that should be a reduction in time relative to the investment made.

On another note, having nothing to do with the post I quoted - this is a stupid-a$$ topic.

[Imp]

I learned how to not putt looking down, but at my target, where I want the put to go, or apex of it's break (or for long puts, just a couple feet in front of the ball). Which helps me stay relaxed and just... swing. The only technical thing I care about on a putt is tempo, to get the ball "there" and a line does nothing for that. I can line up putts without it, so ... no need for it.

--kC

 

[farmer]

So, no lines on balls, they will have no logos, only random dots to identify brands. No spot aiming either. What would really speed up play-no practice strokes. Or, practice swings, now that I think about it. Get to your ball, take your address and go. No elaborate pre-shot routine, this would be revolutionary for POP!

[Sean2]

I line it up to where I want to hit the ball, and square myself to the line on the ball.

[Sean2]

That is the short grass, right? I read about it in Golf Digest.

[Newby]

Sounds like you'll make a good golfer

[HackDaddy360]

I don’t personally have a problem with it - then again, I don’t use the alignment line or mark the ball up like that so it doesn’t make a different for my game.

If it helps someone, I say go for it. End of the day you still have to hit the putt properly and read the greens/speed well. If you don’t have those skills, an alignment aid won’t help you.

To me, banning things like this is a slippery slope. You could start saying that center shafts putters are an advantage. Same goes for face balanced, thicker grips, etc. Now, I don’t think any of those things cause an unfair advantage but where do you draw the line (pun intended)?

[sui generis]

Many people want fewer Rules, not more. ?

[sui generis]

[Sean2]

So, you never take any time to line up a putt? You just mark it? And when it is your turn to putt you just replace the ball and putt it? I simply replace it to the line I already determined. If no one is in front of us, our foursome usually plays in 3.5 hours (walking). I suppose I am slowing them down, lol.

[tacklingdummy]

Using the club as an alignment aid to setup to the ball and removing it is against the rules as well as leaving it there throughout the swing. The S7K putter seems like it would fall under alignment aid, but I think it was able to pass because it is moving.

[RP40]

 

https://giphy.com/gifs/eye-roll-bitch-please-Fjr6v88OPk7U4

[bladehunter]

This is me. I’ll use it on straight 3/4 footers I want to bang in. But otherwise I can never get it just right. And it becomes a point of frustration. Which is opposite of what you want in putting.

 

 

[bladehunter]

I’d vote for this.

[rogolf]

Imo, the "line" cannot be banned; players will claim that it is part of their mark used for identification and the Rules promote putting identification marks on the ball.

Further, when suggestions are made to ban things on clubs and balls, the manufacturers of those items have a legitimate part in the proceedings (remember the Ping lawsuit?)

[Sean2]

I wouldn't go that far.

[bladehunter]

Oh yea. It would get voted down. Too much $ involved. But. It could be legislated away by not allowing you to use any alignment aide on club or ball. Exception being if the ball landed with your straight “ identification “ mark happening to point to the line of play. Which might happen twice a year. It wouldn’t pass. But I’d still vote for it.

[Newby]

Given that they've only just legislated on ball markers, I doubt they'll be very interested in legislating on ball lines.

[bigred90gt]

It was also a minority of players who used anchored putters/putting strokes, but they had no problem deeming that illegal.

 

I personally do put a line on the ball, but sometimes when I pull one out of the bag mid round to replace the one I just blasted OB or into the water, I don't mark it. I instead just use the writing on the side of it. Unless you would want to require manufacturers to stop marking their ball, or mark them in a way that none of the text forms a line, then it would be pretty pointless to deem marking a line illegal.

[Mr. Bean]

'It was also a minority of players who used anchored putters/putting strokes, but they had no problem deeming that illegal.'

Are you at all aware why anchoring was ruled to be against the principles of golf and as such against the Rules..?

[bigred90gt]

Oh I’m well aware of the excuse given.

[sui generis]

"It was also a minority of players who used anchored putters/putting strokes, but they had no problem deeming that illegal."

A factor in the RB's action was that little kids and juniors in the Florida golf factories were being taught anchored chipping motions. They caught it before Drive, Chip and Putt embraced the belly chipper.

It's hard to think that the anchor ban was all about some old men on TV.

[Mr. Bean]

Oh, but bigred knows about that excuse, no need to tell him.

[Mr. Bean]

It seems to me that you are on a wrong forum. Here we discuss the Rules, not excuses.

[bladehunter]

nevermind. Thought better of it. Not worth the argument.