Drawing Lines on Golf Balls: "Effective vs Consumptive"

Proponents: "Short putting provides psychological stability, enabling confident strokes" vs Opponents: "Rather a hindrance, reduces distance control in long putting"

Using the line of the ball when putting remains a subject of debate.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Effective vs Exhaustive."

It is an unexpected debate about 'drawing lines' on golf balls. Opinions clash between those who believe that drawing lines on the ball helps putting and those who find it rather inconvenient. Golf balls usually have one alignment line engraved for putting. Callaway Golf's 'Chrome Soft Triple Track,' on the other hand, features three lines. This line was created in collaboration with veteran Phil Mickelson (USA). It enhances human arrangement vision to assist target aiming and alignment during the putting process.

It is explained that "it provides psychological stability, enabling confident strokes." Golf balls with lines are suitable for golfers suffering from 'putting yips.' Due to severe pressure, they often make ridiculous mistakes even at very short distances. Breathing becomes rapid, and hands tremble. They shrink when standing on the green. After drawing lines on the golf ball, they trust these lines and stroke. It can be a moment to overcome fear.

However, many golfers do not pay attention to the lines. Representative examples include world No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA), No. 2 Jon Rahm (Spain), and five-time PGA Tour winner Mark Leishman (Australia). They claim, "I had difficulty controlling power whenever I was conscious of the line," and "I forget the distance to the target." Kevin Weeks, one of the world's top 100 instructors, quantified the effectiveness of golf ball line alignment through 20 years of putting research.

He pointed out that "there are many distractions, such as the position of objects changing depending on the observer's viewpoint." The American golf site 'MyGolfSpy' announced, "Experimental results showed that balls without lines went in slightly more." Even if lines are drawn on the ball, it is difficult to align them perfectly straight with the ball's rolling line. Above all, during long putting, distance sense decreases, which can be 'poisonous.' Leishman said, "There are no lines on the ball or putter," and "It is better to draw a virtual line in your mind."