Why Two Lines Are Easier to Trust Than One

A lot of golfers mark their ball with a single line to help with alignment, but it still leaves room for doubt. From behind the ball, you can aim that line where you want the putt to start. Once you step in, though, it’s surprisingly hard to tell if the putter face is perfectly square to it. Judging whether two lines are perpendicular isn’t always easy for the eye.

Add a second line that runs parallel to the putter face, and the visual becomes much clearer. The brain is very good at seeing whether two lines are parallel. With a T-pattern on the ball, you can aim the main line at your start line and then simply check that the second line matches your putter face. If the lines are parallel, you know you’re aimed correctly.

That visual match also makes it easier to commit to the line you chose from behind the ball. Once you’re set, seeing the lines match removes the urge to make last-second adjustments. Direction is decided. All that’s left is making a good stroke and hitting the putt with the right speed.

When aim is settled at address, the stroke tends to get simpler. The face returns square more often, start lines improve, and confidence grows. Over time, that clarity leads to one outcome most golfers are looking for: more putts finding the hole.