Jackson Reid
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used in golf to help players identify subtle breaks on the green and improve their putting game. It involves using a plumb bob, a heavy weight attached to a string, or in this case, a putter, to find a true vertical line. By standing in a straight line with the golf ball and the hole, and holding the putter out so that the shaft is straight and the edge of the shaft bisects the ball, players can determine the direction of the break on the green. This technique requires practice and is best learned on a practice green before being used on the golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is plumb bobbing? | A green-reading method used by amateurs and professionals in golf. |
| When to use it | Only when all variables (you, the golf ball, and the hole) are on the same slope. |
| How to use it | Stand about three paces behind the golf ball, with no lean in your legs, hips, or shoulders. With only your dominant eye open, hold the putter out in front of you so the edge of the shaft bisects the ball. |
| How to find the plumb position | Find a known vertical, like a door jamb, and hold the putter up so you can compare the vertical with the shaft lean. Twist the putter until the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. |
| How to read the putt | If the hole is on the right side of the shaft, the putt breaks to the right, and vice versa. If the hole is not on either side, you likely have a straight putt. |
| Other tips | Plumb bobbing won't improve your stroke, stance, distance control, or alignment. It also won't work on a putt with multiple breaks. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by amateurs and professionals
- It works best when you, the golf ball, and the hole are on the same slope
- Find a known vertical, like a building edge, and hold the putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean
- Twist the putter between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft and vertical are level
- Plumb bobbing won't improve your stroke, stance, distance control, alignment, or other aspects of your putting game
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by amateurs and professionals
To perform plumb bobbing, the golfer first needs to find a known vertical reference point, such as the edge of a building or a door jamb. The putter is then held up with the shaft hanging vertically and twisted until it is level with the chosen vertical line. This process helps identify the plumb position, which is the point where the putter shaft is perfectly vertical and gravity is acting straight down. By marking or remembering this plumb position, golfers can use it as a reference to check the breaks on the green.
When plumb bobbing on the course, the golfer should stand about three paces or ten feet behind the golf ball, ensuring that they, the ball, and the hole are in a perfectly straight line. The golfer then holds the putter out in front of them with only their dominant eye open, so the shaft bisects the ball. By observing the position of the hole relative to the shaft, the golfer can determine the direction of the break. If the hole is to the right of the shaft, the putt will break to the right, and vice versa. If the hole is covered by the shaft, it indicates a straight putt.
Plumb bobbing can be a useful tool for golfers who struggle with reading greens. However, it is important to note that it only works when all variables (the golfer, the ball, and the hole) are on the same slope. It is also not effective for putts with multiple breaks, as it will only show the direction of the break closest to the hole. Additionally, plumb bobbing requires practice and should be perfected on a practice green before using it on the course.
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It works best when you, the golf ball, and the hole are on the same slope
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used in golf to help identify subtle breaks on the green and improve your putting game. It is important to note that plumb bobbing only works when all variables—you, the golf ball, and the hole—are on the same slope.
To start plumb bobbing, stand about three paces or 10 feet behind your golf ball, ensuring that you, the ball, and the hole are in a perfectly straight line. Make sure your body is aligned with the ball and the flag, with no lean in your legs, hips, or shoulders. Keep your non-dominant eye closed and hold the putter out in front of you with your dominant hand so that the edge of the shaft bisects the ball.
The key to plumb bobbing is finding the perfect plumb hanging point. The putter should hang vertically, and you should twist it between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft is level with a known vertical, such as the edge of a building or a door jamb. This is the plumb position, and it is important to remember this as it is how you must hold your putter each time to ensure a true vertical line when plumb bobbing.
Once you have found the plumb position, you can use the plumb bob to read the contours of the green. If the hole is covered by the shaft, the putt will be straight. If the hole is to the left or right of the shaft, it indicates the break on the green, with the putt breaking in the direction of the hole relative to the shaft.
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Find a known vertical, like a building edge, and hold the putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by both amateur and professional golfers. It is important to note that plumb bobbing only works when all variables—meaning the golfer, the golf ball, and the hole—are on the same slope.
To plumb bob, stand about three paces behind your golf ball, ensuring that you, your ball, and the hole are in a perfectly straight line, with no lean in your legs, hips, or shoulders. With only your dominant eye open, hold the putter out in front of you so that the edge of the shaft bisects the ball.
To find a known vertical, like a building edge, and hold the putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean, follow these steps:
First, find a vertical edge, such as the edge of a building, and stand with your body in a straight line facing the edge. Then, hold the putter shaft directly in front of you, keeping your arms straight and the putter at a comfortable height. Ensure that the putter head is hanging straight down and is not tilted or angled.
Next, twist the putter slowly between your thumb and forefinger until the shaft is perfectly vertical and parallel to the building edge. At this point, the putter head should also be vertical and hanging straight down.
Now, compare the position of the putter head to the vertical edge. If the putter head is to the left or right of the vertical line, you can adjust your stance or grip until the putter head is directly on the vertical line.
This technique is crucial in plumb bobbing as it helps you establish a true vertical line. Once you have found this vertical line, you can use it as a reference for your putter alignment each time you plumb bob. Remembering this position and replicating it consistently will improve your accuracy and success in plumb bobbing.
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Twist the putter between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft and vertical are level
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by both amateurs and professionals in golf. It is important to note that plumb bobbing only works when all variables—you, the golf ball, and the hole—are on the same slope. If you have a putt that breaks severely to the right and downhill, this method won't be of much help.
To plumb bob, stand about three paces behind your golf ball, ensuring that you, your ball, and the hole are in a perfectly straight line, and that you have no lean in your legs, hips, or shoulders. With only your dominant eye open, hold the putter out in front of you so that the edge of the shaft bisects the ball.
To find the point where the shaft and vertical are level, twist the putter between your thumb and forefinger. This is a crucial step in plumb bobbing, as it ensures that you are holding the putter correctly to achieve a true vertical line.
When you twist the putter, you are looking for the point at which the shaft and the chosen vertical line are level. This step helps you identify the shaft lean. Once you have found this point, remember the position of the putter head. This is critical because you must hold your putter at this exact angle each time you plumb bob.
Plumb bobbing can help you improve your green-reading skills and make more birdies. It can be used as an indicator of the horizontal contours of the green. By kneeling on the ground and allowing the putter to hang vertically, you can analyse how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If the contours cross the shaft at right angles, the green is flat. However, slopes from left to right or vice versa will be easier to identify.
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Plumb bobbing won't improve your stroke, stance, distance control, alignment, or other aspects of your putting game
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by both amateur and professional golfers. It involves standing 8-10 feet away from the hole and holding the putter in front of the eyes, with only the dominant eye open, to determine the direction of the break in the green.
However, plumb bobbing won't improve your stroke, stance, distance control, alignment, or any other aspect of your putting game. Plumb bobbing is simply a tool to help you read the green and determine the direction of the break. It is most effective when used on greens with a single break and when all variables (you, the ball, and the hole) are on the same slope.
While plumb bobbing can be a helpful tool for some golfers, it is not a cure-all for putting struggles. It is important to practice and master the skill of reading greens, which will ultimately improve your game and lower your scores.
Additionally, plumb bobbing takes time and practice to perfect. It is recommended to experiment with this technique on a practice green rather than on the golf course. Golfers should also be aware of common mistakes when using plumb bobbing, such as not closing the non-dominant eye, rushing through the process, or using it on putts with multiple breaks.
In conclusion, plumb bobbing is a useful technique for some golfers to read greens and determine the direction of the break. However, it is just one tool in the golfer's arsenal and will not automatically improve all aspects of the putting game.
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Frequently asked questions
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading method used by amateurs and professionals in golf. It involves finding a known vertical, like the edge of a building, and holding the putter up so you can compare the vertical with the shaft lean.
To plumb bob, stand about three paces behind your golf ball, ensuring you, your ball, and the hole are in a perfectly straight line. With only your dominant eye open, hold the putter out in front of you so the edge of the shaft bisects the ball.
Plumb bobbing can help you read greens with more accuracy. It can also be used as an indicator of the horizontal contours of the green.
