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Should You Putt With A Line On Your Ball?

If you've ever wondered whether a line on your golf ball actually helps, a study by Brad Stenner and Jonathan Buckley has some answers. Their research sheds light on whether using a line on your ball really improves putting performance, and the results might just change your approach on the greens.

Study Overview

The researchers recruited 29 skilled amateur golfers, all with handicaps of 12 or lower (average handicap of 7.6). These players each hit 30 putts on a flat green, using their own putters and balls. Half the putts were hit with a ball with a line on it, and the other half with a ball without a line. The distances for these putts varied based on the golfer's skill level, ranging from 5 feet 7 inches up to 8 feet 6 inches.

Key Findings

The standout result? At the longest distance of 8 feet 6 inches, players holed 27% more putts with the line compared to without it (an average of 9.7 putts made with the line versus 7.6 without). For shorter distances — 5 feet 7 inches and 7 feet 6 inches — there was no significant difference between the two methods.

What’s Behind the Improvement?

You might think the alignment mark’s sole purpose is to help you aim better, but the study suggests something deeper is at play. Many participants reported that using the alignment mark helped them concentrate more and stick to a consistent pre-shot routine. This is a crucial insight because, as any golfer knows, confidence and routine can be huge factors in putting well. The line seemed to serve as a mental trigger, helping golfers get into a focused state before striking the ball.

The Study’s Conclusion: a simple change with a big potential impact. Stenner and Buckley concluded that using a line on your ball can indeed be beneficial, especially for longer putts where accuracy tends to drop off.

However, the researchers also pointed out that this isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. More studies are needed to determine if the line on the ball is just as helpful on breaking putts or for golfers with higher handicaps. But based on their findings, the line on the ball offers a straightforward way to gain a potential edge.

My Thoughts

The next time you’re on the practice green, consider experimenting with a line on the ball. It might help you establish a more focused, consistent routine and improve your putting accuracy in those critical scoring zones.

Remember, it’s not about completely changing your game overnight but finding those small, incremental gains that can add up to better scores. Experiment with using a line on your ball, focus on developing your routine, and see if it transforms your putting. Experiment. Measure. Go with what works FOR YOU!

So, should you use a mark on your ball? The evidence suggests it's worth trying.

See you next week!

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