What TPI has found out is that if you are a visual putter, the line can be distracting especially if it doesn't match up exactly as you see it.  However, if you are more of a mechanical putter, the line will help free up your stroke so that it is one less thing to think about when putting. 

According to putting guru DS, there should be no line on the ball because it distracts you from focusing on visualizing the path of the ball into the hole.  He says that when you use a line you worry about whether the line is aimed correctly, instead of focusing on what matters most ---- seeing the line of the putt.

I have been putting ever since using a line over the ProV stamp. It helps me aim better and forget about where to aim for the highest point in the putting curve line. I play to a 1 if that helps. Also play better with a Putter with a sight dot (009). Recently got an IBRM which has a flange line and it helps me to confirm that I'm aiming at the correct line.

Just my $0.02

I find it very helpful, if you can ready the putt properly.  Line or no line if your read is wrong, nothing is going to help!

Matt,

There was a similar post made a couple weeks ago (late June) with multiple replies.  You might want to scroll down and take a look at the post and all the replies.

I definitely find using the putting line or the Titleist script for lining up my putt to be distracting.  I tried to use both the line and text in the past, but found that it just didn't work for me.  I like to read my putt, pick a spot for my line from behind my ball, place my ball so no lines or text are showing, line myself up and pull the trigger.

Barry

I'm stealing this technique from you.

Thanks!

I agree with Myron.  This is exaclty what I do as well.

No, just the opposite.  IMO if my line is on target and my putter is lined-up with that line, it takes a lot of the guess work out of  aiming and let's me just stroke the putt.

The only thing I don't like about the line is removing the marks from my AP2s and wedges... :-)

i personally find it very distracting to put while looking at anything on the ball. i always move it when i mark it to the blank part so i see nothing. it actually clears up what i'm looking at.

I have tried using a line on the ball for putting on and off, and have come to the conclusion that it does more harm than not. I always seem to second guess myself, and often find it difficult to set the ball down perfectly without it rolling ever so slightly on the green, which in turn throws off the whole point of lining it up with a line. 

I think its just a fad.  Is there a pro who's putting stats improved because of the line?  I did give the line a couple weeks try and saw no improvement in my putting.  I'm still better at 10' than 3'.  The line isn't distracting its more a nuisance to me than anything.  I putt by sound, pick a line, hope I get the speed right and then hear that thrilling clunk as the ball hits bottom.

My son draws a big blue line on his Pro V1 and uses it on all but the longest lag putts.  It works for him - he just finished a two-day tourney with 29 putts the first day and 27 the second, including a few putts from the fringe.  He won the tourney with his putting!

I do not use a putting line, not because it is a distraction, but because I have a different routine. I read my line, take my practice swing, then I replace the ball with the Titleist script facing up. I look at the script and putt. It may sound strange, but it works for me.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this question.  The real key is what allows you to make more putts.  If you are a good visualizer, it's a distraction.  If you're not (and that's not a pejorative statement) use the line.  Personally, I visualize well, so I find the line a distraction.  Conversely, a friend with whom I play a lot isn't a good visualizer and he uses the line all the time.  We make about the same number of putts from a given distance, so it's a wash.  We've talked about the why of each of us doing it the way we do it.  He says it takes the guess work out of the line once he gets over the ball.  IOW, by reading the line and matching the speed he intends in his head from a read he gets from behind the ball; he thinks one variable is removed.  On the other hand, I "see" the line in my head from behind the ball; I feel the speed when I'm over the ball and I like the clean look of no lines, logos or distractions when I look down at the ball.  At the end, it's as I said in the first sentence, there's no right or wrong answer to this question and I would suggest going with both on the practice green and figuring out which is more comfortable for you.  Which method allows you make more putts?  Go with the one that does.

It's all about a personal preference on having a line on your golf ball. For me I need to have a line on the ball for putting. I was able to shave 7 stokes off my putting because of the line. The only problem with a line is from all the woods, irons, and wedges making their mark on the line. When I'm playing competitively I will switch to a new ball every 9 holes or until I hit it into the water. Does anyone use a marker other than a sharpie? 

i have used a line for years, and one problem I had was wanting to watch the ball roll to see if the line wobbled. Had to really work to get past that. Also have heard of people who put the line perpendicular to the line so the putter face is parallel to the ball when square. 

if you make it that way 

i just lay my ball down the way it comes out of my hand and it still rolls the same direction i hit 

hope that helps woolf