Why do golfers put a line on their ball?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 14, 2026
Having extra lines will help you see the roll of the ball easier and identify if you're pulling or pushing it with your putter. This might be too much for some players but it's a good way to improve your putting on the practice green too. Sharpie is included with this alignment tool but never hurts to have extra.
Does Tiger Woods use a line on his ball?
There are legends on either side of the aisle that swear by it. Tiger Woods, for instance, is a line-user. Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, among others, are not. Cam Smith, who won the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions by shooting a million under par, does use a line on his golf ball.
Should I draw a line on my golf ball?
Basically, using the line, especially from distances of 10 feet or more, likely does little more than annoy your playing partners. Our test revealed that marking the golf ball with a line (as 70% of our test participants reported doing) provides no statistical advantage whatsoever over putting with an unmarked ball.
Where do you draw the line on a golf ball?
Draw a line along the equator — the thicker the better. On the greens, point the line on the ball down the line to your target, then square your putter to it. Bam! Perfect aim.
What do pro golfers use to mark their ball?
Nine times out of 10, golfers use coins to mark their ball but many people use proper ball markers and some people use tees in order to mark their ball. Most players would put the marker behind the ball before they pick it up. The majority of players do not put the marker to the side or in front of the ball.
44 related questions foundDo pros line up putts?
The majority of professional and collegiate golfers use the line on short putts, especially those that are not starting outside the hole. Many of those players don't use the line on putts with large amounts of break or outside 15-20 feet.
Are lines on golf balls legal?
From Rule 10-2b (2): “The player or caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show the line of play.” When a player sets down an object — like a line on a ball — to show the line of play, that, in effect, violates Rule 10-2b, or at the very least the spirit of Rule 10-2b.
Should your eyes be over the ball when putting?
When you turn your head to look at the hole, it will appear left of its actual position, which can result in a pull for right-handed players. Instead, you should keep your eyes over a spot just inside the ball, a few inches toward your feet.
What does Tiger Woods use as a ball marker?
Some golfers will even mark their balls with a ring or a line to help them line up their ball or assist with their aim. Many professional golfers even have a favorite marker. Tiger Woods notoriously uses a Milwaukee Inkzall marker.
What if my golf ball hits another?
No Penalty to Any Player
Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play: If the player's ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes).
What do golfers have in their back pocket?
The yardage book are ubiquitous on the PGA Tour. Players and caddies carry them in their pockets and consult them before each shot. They show yardages to various targets on each hole, different points of elevation, and a close-up of the green that shows detailed contours and yardages.
What ball does Bryson DeChambeau?
Bryson DeChambeau is set to use a new prototype Bridgestone golf ball for The Match against Brooks Koepka today at The Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.
Does Sergio Garcia putt with his eyes closed?
Sergio Garcia has used a technique of putting with his eyes closed during his career. He discusses the method and why it's worked for him in the past.
Where do you look when you putt?
SPOT THE SPOT. If you stare at the ball too long at address, it's easy to get brain-locked and hit a bad putt. To avoid this, I don't even look at the ball. Try looking at a spot just in front of the ball on your target line and rolling the ball over that spot.
How many dimples are on a golf ball?
Most golf balls have between 300 and 500 dimples, which have an average depth of about 0.010 inch. The lift and drag forces on a golf ball are very sensitive to dimple depth: a depth change of 0.001 inch can produce a radical change to the ball's trajectory and the overall distance it can fly.
Should you look at the hole when putting?
On breaking putts, don't look at the hole. Look at the point where the putt will break off.
Should you leave the pin in when putting?
Dave Pelz, a physics graduate long regarded as a putting guru for professional and amateur players, recommended keeping the pin in the hole all the time, based on a loss of energy when the ball hits it.
Do pro golfers putt with a different ball?
Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.
Who putts with eyes closed?
Sergio Garcia provided one of the most bizarre revelations of the season when he admitted he putted with his eyes closed during his 2017 Masters victory.
Is Bryson DeChambeau's driver the same length as his irons?
That's right. DeChambeau plays all of his irons -- all of which have unique names -- with the same 37.5-inch shaft and has been doing it since 2011, when he made the switch -- from 3-iron to 60-degree wedge -- with coach Mike Schy.
What ball does Dustin Johnson use?
Dustin Johnson uses TaylorMade's TP5x golf ball.
Do PGA players talk to each other?
Most players have a bit of a chat with their playing partners during a round. If they are buddies, they may talk a lot, it just depends on the pairings.
Why do golfers put their glove in their back pocket?
The simple answer is: because it's convenient. Your back pocket is the perfect place to store your golf glove while you make your putt, and it's also the easiest place to grab it from again – rather than rummaging around in your bag, or trying to pull it out of your front pocket.