[Bulls9999]

I like an alignment line (mine is a thick line about 1-in on either side of the ball label (ProV1). The alignment line helps me keep the putter square to the intended putting line which may not be directed at the hole, but at the intended line which will then break to the hole. IMO, without the alignment line, you are looking at the hole, then you're looking at your intended putting line, and when you finally pull the trigger, you hope you are square to the putting line.

If people miss by 2 foot off on a 30-foot putt, then they've missed something and I don't think it can be blamed on an alignment line on the ball....perhaps they chose the wrong line, perhaps they didn't read the break properly, perhaps they didn't hit the ball correctly with sufficient force or too much force (perhaps as we had last week, they didn't take the effect of 30 mph winds into consideration).

Originally Posted by mr3856a

How can it not take one element out of the equation? I bet it you asked people to line up a 30-foot putt just outside one edge or the other, I'd bet you $14 that 9 out of 10 times, they'd be lined up wrong.

Line up the line, problem solved.