Golf Ball Roll

[Txxxxxxx]

So today at the Players I noticed a few different things. I noticed a lot of putts were rolling cross-axis of the equator. Sergio in particular sunk a few where the ball was not rolling along the equator of the ball. I noticed early in the round, Mickelson was rolling his the same way, then for the final 8 holes or so he'd sink them with the equator rolling normally.

I was just wondering if you think players are lining their putts up with the equator parallel to their putters instead of perpendicular, or do you think the ball somehow rotated off axis during their putts? Coming off-axis doesn't seem very likely to me...

[Golfer_Gofer]

i noticed a few putts on sunday would bounce from time to time, that may have been what was getting them off axis (just a theory, i have no proof to back this up) and my guess for the bouncing is all the pitch marks that must be on the greens by the time sunday rolls around. i did notice that though.

[Txxxxxxx]

All kinds of views, but only one reply...Thanks Gofer for your input.

[Kilroy]

It's also possible that the only line up some of their puts on the line. Perhaps just longer putts or ones that need more careful planning.

[Txxxxxxx]

It's also possible that the only line up some of their puts on the line. Perhaps just longer putts or ones that need more careful planning.

I was thinking the same thing...I mean the ball is round, but there's been so much emphasis on lining the ball up along the equator as of late, I figured these guys would be doing it all the time. I wonder if it even makes a difference...lining it up or not I mean...

[Kilroy]

I do it because once it's lined up on my intended putting line I can devote the rest of my attention to speed.

[Txxxxxxx]

I do it because once it's lined up on my intended putting line I can devote the rest of my attention to speed.

I do it too. I wonder though if it's just an alignment aide, or if the ball rolls better or more true I should say if you line it up on the equator.

[Golfer_Gofer]

I dont use the equator line, mainly because i dont have the tools nor the patience to make said line. intead i'll line up my putts with a logo and then i can just focus on speed.
i bet though on short putts the equator wont make enough difference to pull the ball of line. good point dan

[jvincent]

I tried the line thing once and it messed me up completely.

I know place my ball so that I can only see dimples. No logos, or lines showing.

[Hacker]

Maybe the balls that noticed were "Spun" and marked so that the ball was realigned with the heaviest spots of the ball along the equator........

[Txxxxxxx]

Maybe the balls that noticed were "Spun" and marked so that the ball was realigned with the heaviest spots of the ball along the equator........

No idea.....I just noticed a lot of them, the new Titleist offerings, not using the alignment aide they print on the ball. I was under the impression that that line was actually the equator in Titleist's eyes.

I just don't know if it's a physics thing, or if it's just a tool to help you line up putts.

[Kilroy]

It's both.

[Hacker]

Dan - you "spin" your balls don't you? How close is what you find as the true equator to what the companies mark? Do you find that more expensive balls are closer to true than cheaper balls or is it pretty random?

[Kilroy]

I have only spun Stratas and Pinnacle Exceptions. Neither manufacturer marks the equator.

I want a line anyway, so it can't hurt.

[Txxxxxxx]

Dan - you "spin" your balls don't you? How close is what you find as the true equator to what the companies mark? Do you find that more expensive balls are closer to true than cheaper balls or is it pretty random?

Good question. I was wondering the same.

[Kilroy]

If someone wants to toss me some balls to spin I'll post the results.

[ironmaster15213]

Is it just me or does anybody else have a hard time lineing up the line on the ball to the hole on putts further than about 4 feet. I swear even if I take my time to eyeball the line on the ball to the hole or aim spot, when I get behind the ball and double check, it's never even close to aiming towards the hole. I wind up having to cut across the line on the ball one way or the other to go the direction that I want . I feel stupid realigning the ball again and it hurts my knee to keep getting up and down to adjust anyway. Most the time now I don't bother using the line and just trust my eyes over the ball.

[Kilroy]

Is it just me or does anybody else have a hard time lineing up the line on the ball to the hole on putts further than about 4 feet.

Thanks for that. I never thought about it before, but now it's sure to haunt me for weeks to come!

[ironmaster15213]

Now you have 21 things to think about while trying to make that 2 foot putt, I guess I shouldn't add " alright now just get it close" to the list

[Txxxxxxx]

Is it just me or does anybody else have a hard time lineing up the line on the ball to the hole on putts further than about 4 feet. I swear even if I take my time to eyeball the line on the ball to the hole or aim spot, when I get behind the ball and double check, it's never even close to aiming towards the hole. I wind up having to cut across the line on the ball one way or the other to go the direction that I want . I feel stupid realigning the ball again and it hurts my knee to keep getting up and down to adjust anyway. Most the time now I don't bother using the line and just trust my eyes over the ball.

Sometimes I have a hard time. It looks good when I'm squatting down behind the ball, then I stand over it, and it looks like it's not on the right line.

I guess that's why Villegas gets right down behind it.

[Kilroy]

It looks good when I'm squatting down behind the ball, then I stand over it, and it looks like it's not on the right line

That's exactly why you do it. At that point you need to forget about the line and focus on distance.

[Wknd_Warrior]

I sometimes use a spot on the green as a sanity check.