drawing line on ball

[KMeloney]

[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280157074' post='2599651']
[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/TruShot-Golf-Balance-Point-Finder/dp/B000EQGUFE"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/TruShot-Golf-Balance-Point-Finder/dp/B000EQGUFE[/url]

I cannot see the point in lining the ball unless it is balanced. Every top Pro balances the heavy spot and lines it that way.
[/quote]

You can't? They do?!

1. There are SO many variables in putting (grain, moisture, slope, type of grass, etc.) that I can't imagine that an "unbalanced" ball is going to go off-line just because of the lack of balance of the ball.

2. WHICH top pros use this thing? Heck, we've all seen Tiger put a line on his ball by hand (without using any kind of guide). Who uses the mechanism you posted?

[Harry Longshanks]

Also, even assuming the gizmo works in the first place, as soon as the ball is smacked with a club, the weighting ("natural equator") changes. Use the gizmo, hit the ball with a driver and then 7 iron, then use the gizmo again. Is the line in the exact same spot?

[URStillAway]

[quote name='TheShaun' timestamp='1279862574' post='2594057']
anyone got a tip for drawing a straight line on a ball without buying those $10 stencils? or if you suggest the stencil, which one?
[/quote]
Buy the stencil. You should get your money back from your golf buddies by making one putt for a skin someday.

I have allways struggled with alignment and I find drawing the line has helped me a lot. I am sinking more 4-10 footers.

And "trust the line". Numerous times I have lined the ball up using the line and then stood over the putt and thought it must be way off line. No - it was lined correctly lol.

I find that the lines that are allready on most balls are a bit short and it easier to quickly line up the ball with longer lines

[Double Gee]

[quote name='KMeloney' timestamp='1280159322' post='2599715']
[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280157074' post='2599651']
[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/TruShot-Golf-Balance-Point-Finder/dp/B000EQGUFE"]http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B000EQGUFE[/url]

I cannot see the point in lining the ball unless it is balanced. Every top Pro balances the heavy spot and lines it that way.
[/quote]

You can't? They do?!

1. There are SO many variables in putting (grain, moisture, slope, type of grass, etc.) that I can't imagine that an "unbalanced" ball is going to go off-line just because of the lack of balance of the ball.

2. WHICH top pros use this thing? Heck, we've all seen Tiger put a line on his ball by hand (without using any kind of guide). Who uses the mechanism you posted?
[/quote]



I would reckon over 80% of Touring Pros will balance their golf balls. The old way was to use a saturated saline solution whereby the ball will float and then mark the heavy/light side.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypiL9ao90NM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypiL9ao90NM[/url] check Roger Maltby out .. or I guess he is talking crap

In my Physio clinic I treat over 10 Tour Players on the 'lesser' tours here in UK/Europe and all but one balance golf balls.
Does it work?, I think if you have uneven poor Greens, then maybe not - but my Club greens are like a billiard table and I will not play unbalanced golf balls in any comp!!!!

YES IT DOES WORK.

[hayzooos]

I also think it's against the rules to have a line drawn completely around the ball, is it not? I think to play a ball in comp, you're allowed to have a line on it (which I put on there) but I think there is a certain limit to how far around the ball it can go.

[Double Gee]

no. As far as i am aware you can do with it as you wish - under rule 12, you must mark and be able to identify your ball .. draw 3 hoops and an arrow where ever you wish.. no probs

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280175472' post='2600270']my Club greens are like a billiard table and I will not play unbalanced golf balls in any comp!!!!

YES IT DOES WORK.
[/quote]
If you think it works it will work. But just moments ago, I took a few cheap balls (new, out of the sleeve, D2, Noodle, Gamer), created a little dual cone ramp out of two cues, and rolled them on my billiard table. Each ball was rolled multiple times, in three series, each series with the ball lined up on one of three different axes relative to the cheater line. BTW, the table is 3/4" Italian slate, sits on four granite tiles inset into the concrete slab, and was tuned up by one of the better mechanics in the area using a machinist's level within the last year.

Results? I think, like many things in golf, it is strictly in your mind if you feel this makes a difference in a putt. Each ball contacted the first in exactly the same place. Again… if you think it makes a difference, it most likely will. But empirical evidence would suggest otherwise.

[Schex]

This may be a different topic but it seems related-
I had a guy I know and respect tell me that the "hardest" part of a golf ball is always directly under the logo - thus when you tee it up you would be able to read the logo if standing directly behind the ball looking down.
He also said the writing on the side is used to line up putts as it is the balance point.
Now I had never heard any such thing ... but as I said I respect him as a friend and he golfs WAY better than me.
ANYONE heard anything about this??
I love a little line on my ball - then I only think of speed and tend to keep my head down longer

[drewski24]

the orange plastic ring from a Gatorade bottle cap that separates from the cap when you unscrew the lid for the first time.

 

 

 

very cool idea!

[QuickFeet]

2" PVC pipe coupling (slip x slip) works real good, inexpensive as well.

[Phireside]

Was in the US over the weekend and saw an identical one to line em up at Sports Authority for $5. Think it's "made" by tommy armor. It's in the bag now.

[Double Gee]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1280184652' post='2600644']
[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280175472' post='2600270']my Club greens are like a billiard table and I will not play unbalanced golf balls in any comp!!!!

YES IT DOES WORK.
[/quote]
If you think it works it will work. But just moments ago, I took a few cheap balls (new, out of the sleeve, D2, Noodle, Gamer), created a little dual cone ramp out of two cues, and rolled them on my billiard table. Each ball was rolled multiple times, in three series, each series with the ball lined up on one of three different axes relative to the cheater line. BTW, the table is 3/4" Italian slate, sits on four granite tiles inset into the concrete slab, and was tuned up by one of the better mechanics in the area using a machinist's level within the last year.

Results? I think, like many things in golf, it is strictly in your mind if you feel this makes a difference in a putt. Each ball contacted the first in exactly the same place. Again… if you think it makes a difference, it most likely will. But empirical evidence would suggest otherwise.
[/quote]

then you must be right and thousands of Pro Golfers and Golf Equipment designers have got it wrong.
Maybe you can sell the ramp and table top too Acushnet

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280210153' post='2601522']then you must be right and thousands of Pro Golfers and Golf Equipment designers have got it wrong.[/quote]

Common knowledge many pros are superstitious and use products (like necklaces and bracelets) that have no proven value. Just because you play under scratch doesn't mean you are any less of a head case or sucker.

As for equipment designers... well, their goal is to SELL equipment. Are you really naive enough to believe that every product designed and marketed to golfers performs as advertised?

[quote]Maybe you can sell the ramp and table top too Acushnet [/quote]

No need for sarcasm. You made a statement... I had a billiard table handy and was curious. I felt my tests were comprehensive enough to produce valid results; much more so than could be notice on ANY green. But like I said... if it works for you, keep on balancing your balls. You might want to look into that Jack Hamm Zolex driver and a magnetic bracelet so you can start driving those 425 yard par 4's.

(sarcasm returned)

[WilCox]

I used the green stencil for a few years, then stopped this season. I felt like I was becoming way too mechanical concentrating on the stencil line and flange line of my putter. My putting has improved significantly since.

I still use the logo line on the ball to aim initially but that line is a lot less distracting than a sharpie line. I stripped the paint off my putter's flange line for the same reason. It works for me.

[Oldnavycdr]

It has become a mixed bag for me. If I make adjustments over the ball then I surely miss. Where I've found it helpful is that it allows me to see if I'm making a good stroke -- if the line is end over end then it was a good stroke. It sure shows me when I push, cut, or otherwise hose the putt.

[Double Gee]

[quote name='Solutions Etcetera' timestamp='1280237678' post='2601809']
[quote name='Double Gee' timestamp='1280210153' post='2601522']then you must be right and thousands of Pro Golfers and Golf Equipment designers have got it wrong.[/quote]

Common knowledge many pros are superstitious and use products (like necklaces and bracelets) that have no proven value. Just because you play under scratch doesn't mean you are any less of a head case or sucker.

As for equipment designers... well, their goal is to SELL equipment. Are you really naive enough to believe that every product designed and marketed to golfers performs as advertised?

[quote]Maybe you can sell the ramp and table top too Acushnet [/quote]

No need for sarcasm. You made a statement... I had a billiard table handy and was curious. I felt my tests were comprehensive enough to produce valid results; much more so than could be notice on ANY green. But like I said... if it works for you, keep on balancing your balls. You might want to look into that Jack Hamm Zolex driver and a magnetic bracelet so you can start driving those 425 yard par 4's.

(sarcasm returned)
[/quote]

Yes, sarcasm was indeed used and was required.

How you can say you did a 'scientific' study is quite laughable .. in fact, I thought you had been using sarcasm by posting that!

have you heard of Green Bowls or Lawn Bowls ? the game where a ball that is weighted and thus biased to one side is bowled on a perfectly flat rink (a grass table) ... the movement of the ball is amazing over 50 or 60 feet.

Newtons Laws predict many things and the fact a ball rolls off-line if unbalanced is one of them .... or does your Billiard table supercede Newton?

[tmgolf25]

the orange plastic ring from a Gatorade bottle cap that separates from the cap when you unscrew the lid for the first time.

 

 

 

HA! I have a gatorade bottle sitting exactly like that in front of me know, how ironic.

[Gachnar]

I started using the line about 6 months ago and it simplifies things for me. I had tried it a couple times before but always seemed to have trouble lining it up correctly from behind. So I actually adjust the line from over the ball, for some reason I see the line better that way. Then it just helps me square the putter to my intended path and keeps me from trying to steer it with the break, I just have to make the line go end over end and the putt will drop. Well, assuming I can read the green, but reading isn't usually my problem, execution is

[toc]

Good thing this thread is two pages long.

[Schex]

The gatorade neck is too small to hold the ball - it works if you cut one side of it open

[Double Gee]

just spent 20 mins[b] balancing[/b] and marking the balls correctly ... now I KNOW my putts will run true

[Hateto3Putt]

The gatorade neck is too small to hold the ball - it works if you cut one side of it open

 

I disagree. I just tried it on a Bridgestone, although the neck ring looks like it's not centered, when you draw the line with the sharpie, the line appears dead center on the equator of the ball.

 

That's a pretty neat trick!

 

[Harry Longshanks]

The gatorade neck is too small to hold the ball - it works if you cut one side of it open

 

Not the neck itself, just the orange ring. Just pull it off the bottle and throw the bottle away.

 

I disagree. I just tried it on a Bridgestone, although the neck ring looks like it's not centered, when you draw the line with the sharpie, the line appears dead center on the equator of the ball.

 

That's a pretty neat trick!

 

 

Exactly. The ring slides just far enough that one edge is dead center. It doesn't look/feel right at first, but it totally works.

 

Maybe that could be their new slogan:

 

"Gatorade. Hydrating and Aligning Golfers Everywhere."

[WishICouldPlayMoreOften]

Some times I mark, some times I don't. It's basically to make sure I'm rolling consistently and has nothing to do with my putting or aim. I do that separately and really aim for a midpoint or breaking spot with a specific speed more than the hole.

The exact equator of the ball is overemphasized given that no greens are 100% flat and balls have dimples that impact roll too.

[Schex]

I went back and tried again and this was shoved on pretty hard and it is still no where close. I drink a lot of gatorade and even had a different ring from the G bottle - same result - am I doing something wrong[attachment=640015:gator ball.jpg]

[Guest]

Yeah last time I did that it was way too small. Maybe the wrong bottle size.. I conveniently had something in the garage that had the exact size hole for the golf ball to make a perfect line.

[hayzooos]

Probably a different ring from a G bottle. I keep a ring in my bag just in case I "misplace" the line 'em up tool I've had in there for probably a decade or close to. If you get a normal 20oz or 32oz gatorade, that ring should fit great.

[Schex]

I tried both rings - from a 20 oz. regular and a 20 oz. G

Just seems weird that my rings were so small

Regular has little teeth all around and G does not - one side is also a little bigger - but NO WAY!!

[Anakinn]

I tried both rings - from a 20 oz. regular and a 20 oz. G

Just seems weird that my rings were so small

Regular has little teeth all around and G does not - one side is also a little bigger - but NO WAY!!

I have the same issue!