Nina Caldwell
Plumb bob is an ancient technique that has been used by golfers to read the greens and improve their putting skills. It is a simple method that involves holding the putter up to find a vertical or 'plumb' line, which helps determine the break of the green and whether the slope is towards the left or right. While some golfers swear by this technique, others do not believe in it, and it has recently lost some popularity due to modern advancements like heat map green reading. Nonetheless, it is a useful skill to have in your arsenal, as it can help build confidence and improve your performance on the golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To help golfers read greens and identify subtle breaks on the green |
| History | One of the oldest tools, dating back to ancient Egypt |
| Use case | Short putts |
| How to use | Hold the putter up to find a known vertical, twist the putter between the thumb and forefinger to find where the shaft and the vertical are level, and remember that position |
| What to look for | If the hole is covered by the shaft, the putt will be straight; left or right of the shaft indicates the break on the green |
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What You'll Learn
Check the shaft of your putter hangs vertically
To check if the shaft of your putter hangs vertically, first, hold the putter lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip. It is important to note that the shaft will generally not go into the very centre of the head, so there will be some tilting. Next, find a known vertical, such as the edge of a building, and hold the putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean. Twist the putter around between your thumb and forefinger until the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. Remember this position, as it is how you must hold your putter each time to have a true vertical line when plumb bobbing.
The plumb bob method will not work if the putter shaft is not straight, so it is important to take the time to learn how the putter hangs. Once you have found the plumb position, mark or remember it, as this is the position you will always use to check the breaks on the green.
You can also use the plumb bob as an indicator of the horizontal contours of the green. Kneel on the ground and let the putter hang vertically, allowing you to analyse how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If they cross at right angles, the green is flat, with any slopes from left to right or vice versa being easier to make out.
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Find a known vertical to compare with the shaft lean
When using the plumb bob technique, the first thing you must do is check that the shaft of your putter hangs vertically. To do this, hold the putter lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip and let it hang freely.
The shaft will likely tilt because it generally does not go into the very centre of the head. To correct this, you must find a known vertical to compare with the shaft lean. This could be the edge of a building, for example. Hold the putter up and twist it around until the shaft and the chosen vertical are level.
Remember where the putter head is positioned as this is how you must hold your putter each time to have a true vertical line when plumb bobbing. This is a very important step, as it is how you will establish a vertical or 'plumb' line.
The plumb bob technique is a visual green-reading technique used to determine the slope of a green by using the putter shaft as a vertical reference. By lining up the shaft between the ball and the hole, golfers can detect the tilt of the green based on which side the hole appears to "lean".
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Twist the putter to find the point where the shaft and vertical are level
To master the plumb bob putting technique, you must first ensure that the shaft of your putter hangs vertically. Hold the putter lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip and find a known vertical, such as the edge of a building, to compare with the shaft lean.
Now, twist the putter between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. This step is crucial and requires careful manipulation of the putter to achieve a true vertical alignment. The goal is to identify where the head of your putter is positioned when it is perfectly level with the chosen vertical reference point.
It is important to remember this position because it is how you should hold your putter each time to ensure a true vertical line when plumb bobbing. This technique allows you to establish a vertical reference and determine the slope of the green, helping you to make more accurate putts.
The plumb bob method is a traditional technique that has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, where they used a weight at the end of a string to establish a vertical line. Golfers have adapted this method by using the putter head to create the same vertical effect, helping them visualise the slope of the green and make more confident putting decisions.
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Use the plumb bob to indicate the horizontal contours of the green
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading technique used in golf to assess the slope of the green. By aligning a putter or another object with the ball and hole, golfers can determine how the green might influence the putt's direction. It is important to note that plumb bobbing only works when all variables—meaning you, the golf ball, and the hole—are on the same slope.
To use the plumb bob to indicate the horizontal contours of the green, you must first find a known vertical, like the edge of a building, and hold the putter up so you can compare the vertical with the shaft lean. Then, twist the putter around between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. This alignment is crucial for the plumb bob technique to work effectively.
Once you have found the plumb bob position, kneel on the ground and have the putter hanging vertically. This will allow you to analyse how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If they do so at right angles, the green should be flat, with any slopes from left to right or vice versa being easier to make out. If the hole is also covered by the shaft, the putt will be straight. Left or right of the shaft will indicate the break on the green.
It is important to remember that plumb bobbing requires consistent practice to refine accuracy and effectiveness on the green. Start by practising on a putting green with a break you know to help you determine whether you are plumb bobbing correctly.
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Use the plumb bob to identify subtle breaks on the green
Plumb bobbing is a green-reading technique used in golf to assess the slope of the green. By aligning a putter or another object with the ball and hole, golfers can determine how the green might influence the putt's direction. It is a technique that has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, where it was used to ensure the walls of buildings were constructed correctly.
Plumb bobbing can be used to identify subtle breaks on the green, but only if done correctly. Before trying the plumb bob putting technique, you must check that the shaft of your putter hangs vertically. Hold it lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip and compare it to a known vertical, such as the edge of a building. Twist the putter around until the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. Remember this position, as this is how you must hold your putter each time to have 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. Kneel on the ground and have the putter hanging vertically. This will allow you to analyse how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If they cross at right angles, the green is flat. If the shaft appears to the right of the cup, the slope will take the ball from right to left, and vice versa.
It is important to note that plumb bobbing may not always be the best technique. It is most effective for shorter putts with a single break and will not help determine if the putt is uphill or downhill. It is also important to practice the plumb bob technique before taking it out on the course. Consistent practice will help you refine your accuracy and effectiveness on the green.
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Frequently asked questions
The plumb bob method is a technique used to read the greens and determine the break of the green, i.e., whether it slopes to the left or right. It involves using a plumb bob, a tool with a pointed weight attached to a string, or in this case, a putter, to establish a vertical or 'plumb' line.
First, check the shaft of your putter to ensure it hangs vertically. Find a known vertical, like a building edge, and hold the putter up to compare and find the plumb position. Remember this position as you will need to hold the putter the same way each time. Then, kneel and let the putter hang vertically to analyse how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If the hole is covered by the shaft, the putt will be straight.
The plumb bob method is best used for shorter putts as it only helps to determine subtle, sideways breaks in the green. It will not help with the slope of the putt or the grain.
