Miles Bennett
Plumb bobbing is a technique used in golf to determine the break of a putt. It involves squatting or kneeling behind the ball with a putter hanging vertically in front of the eyes, allowing the golfer to read the line of the putt based on how the putter hangs. While plumb bobbing has been around for a long time and is favoured by some golfers, it has recently lost some popularity due to the emergence of advanced heat map green reading books and systems like AimPoint. Nonetheless, it is a useful skill to master, as it can help golfers improve their green reading abilities and make more birdies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A plumb bob is a method used on the putting green to find which way a putt will break. |
| How to use | Squat or kneel down behind the ball with your putter hanging vertically in front of your eyes. |
| Stand about 10 feet behind the ball (further for longer putts) and look directly through the ball to the hole in a straight line. | |
| Hold the putter lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip. | |
| Close one eye and use your dominant eye. | |
| Twist the putter between your thumb and forefinger until the shaft and chosen vertical are level. | |
| If the shaft covers the hole, the putt will be straight. | |
| If the shaft appears to the right/left of the cup, the slope will take the ball from right to left/left to right. | |
| Use | Plumb bobbing is useful for shorter putts with subtle breaks that are sideways. It does not help determine the slope of the putt or the grain. |
| Pros | It can help golfers improve their green reading skills and make more birdies. |
| Cons | Plumb bobbing has lost some popularity due to advanced heat map green reading books and other systems like AimPoint. |
| It is not suitable for long putts, especially those with multiple breaks. |
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What You'll Learn
How to plumb bob
Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to determine which way a putt will break. It can be used to improve your green-reading skills and make more birdies. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to plumb bob:
Step 1: Check the shaft of your putter
Before attempting the plumb bob technique, ensure that the shaft of your putter hangs vertically when held lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip. As the shaft typically doesn't go into the exact centre of the head, there will likely be some tilting.
Step 2: Find a known vertical
Find a vertical reference point, such as the edge of a building, and hold your putter up to compare the shaft lean with this vertical line.
Step 3: Twist the putter
Rotate the putter between your thumb and forefinger until the shaft and the chosen vertical line are level. Remember the position of the putter head, as this is how you should hold your putter each time to ensure a true vertical line when plumb bobbing.
Step 4: Analyse the contours of the green
Kneel or squat down behind the ball with your putter hanging vertically in front of your eyes. Observe how the contours of the green cross the shaft. If they intersect at right angles, the green is flat. Any slopes from left to right or vice versa will be easier to identify.
Step 5: Determine the break
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 direction of the break on the green.
It's important to note that plumb bobbing may not be suitable for every putt, especially those with multiple breaks. Additionally, while it can provide insights into subtle slopes, it won't help determine if the putt is uphill or downhill.
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History of the plumb bob
The plumb bob is an ancient tool, dating back nearly 4,000 years to when the Egyptians built the pyramids. It was used to determine accurate vertical points and was made from a rock or heavy object installed inside a frame that allowed it to turn horizontally and vertically. The weight was later replaced by lead, and then steel and brass. The word "plumb" is derived from the Latin "plumbum", meaning "lead".
The plumb bob was used for architecture, sailing, and surveying the skies, and played a major role in constructing the pyramids. It was also used to survey buildings such as cathedrals and churches, and for celestial navigation. The plumb bob is still used today in historical buildings where modern tools would be disruptive, although surveyors are increasingly turning to high-tech lasers.
The plumb bob is a simple, affordable tool that can be used for DIY projects such as hanging picture frames, installing a stud, or hanging a door. It works by securing a string with a weight at the end to the uppermost point of a wall, door, or surface, and allowing the weight to swing freely.
The plumb bob method in golf is a technique used by golfers to determine which way putts will break on the greens. It involves squatting down and holding the putter in front of the eyes, with the idea that the way the putter appears to hang according to the dominant eye is the way the putt will break. It is a controversial method, with some golfers swearing by it, while others believe it is a gimmick. It is also known as the plumb bob putting technique.
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Pros and cons of the plumb bob
Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to determine the break of a putt. It involves squatting or kneeling behind the ball with a putter hanging vertically in front of the eyes, and then reading the line of the putt based on how the putter hangs.
Pros of the Plumb Bob
Plumb bobbing can help golfers improve their green-reading skills and make more birdies. It is a useful technique for determining subtle breaks in the green that are sideways, and can be used for all kinds of putts—short, long, right to left, or left to right. It can be particularly helpful for those who struggle to bend over, as it does not require the same level of physical flexibility as other methods.
Cons of the Plumb Bob
The plumb bob technique may be difficult to master, and it may not be effective for everyone. It is also not suitable for putts with multiple breaks or for determining the slope or grain of the green. Some golfers may find that their eyes struggle to interpret the small end-to-end delta when using the plumb bob method. Additionally, it is an old-school technique that has lost some popularity in recent years, with professional golfers opting for more modern methods like green reading books, AimPoint, and other systems.
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Alternatives to the plumb bob
The plumb bob is a method used on the putting green to find which way a putt will break. It involves squatting or kneeling behind the ball with your putter hanging vertically in front of your eyes, and reading the line of the putt based on how your putter hangs.
AimPoint
The AimPoint green-reading process is the primary alternative to plumb bobbing and has been growing in popularity. It involves holding up fingers while reading putts to help determine the line of the putt. However, it is important to be careful not to take too long and avoid stepping on your opponent's line.
Using Your Feet
Some golfers suggest that using your feet to estimate the slope of the green is a good alternative to the plumb bob. This method relies on feeling the slope with your feet and does not require any additional tools or equipment.
Finding a Known Vertical
Before using the plumb bob technique, it is important to first calibrate your putter to vertical. This can be done by finding a known vertical, such as the edge of a building, and holding your putter up to compare the shaft lean. By twisting the putter between your thumb and forefinger, you can find the point where the shaft and the vertical line are level. This can help you understand the contours of the green and make more informed putts.
Understanding Your Dominant Eye
Knowing your dominant eye is crucial for improving your putting accuracy. Stand about 10 feet behind the ball and close one eye, using your dominant eye to align the shaft of the putter with the ball. If the shaft covers the hole, the putt should be straight. If it appears to the right or left of the hole, the slope will take the ball in that direction.
While the plumb bob is a popular technique for reading greens, there are several alternative methods that golfers can use to improve their putting skills and make more birdies.
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Using the plumb bob to read greens
Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to determine which way a putt will break. It is a technique that can help golfers improve their green-reading skills and make more birdies.
To use the plumb bob technique, you must first check that your putter hangs vertically when holding it lightly between your thumb and forefinger on the grip. As the shaft will generally not go into the very centre of the head, you must find a known vertical, like the edge of a building, and hold the putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean. Twist the putter around to find the point where the shaft and the chosen vertical are level.
When reading the greens, stand about 10 feet behind the ball (further back for longer putts) so that you are looking directly through the ball to the hole in a straight line. Close one eye and use your dominant eye. Hold the putter towards the end of the grip, covering the ball with the shaft. If the shaft also covers the hole, the putt will be straight, and the ground will be level. If the shaft appears to the right or left of the cup, this indicates the direction of the slope.
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. This method will not help you determine if the putt is uphill or downhill, and it is not useful for putts with multiple breaks.
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Frequently asked questions
Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to determine which way a putt will break. It involves squatting down behind the ball with your putter hanging in front of your eyes and reading the line of the putt based on how your putter hangs.
To plumb bob, you must first find a known vertical, like the edge of a building, and hold your putter up to compare the vertical with the shaft lean. Twist the putter around between your thumb and forefinger to find the point where the shaft and the chosen vertical are level. This is how you must hold your putter each time to have a true vertical line when plumb bobbing.
The plumb bob technique has been used since ancient Egypt to ensure constructions are vertical. It is also used in surveying to establish the nadir with respect to gravity of a point in space. While it is unclear who brought the plumb bob to golf, it has been used to help golfers read greens and learn how a putt will break.
The plumb bob technique is most effective for shorter putts with subtle breaks in the green that are sideways. It will not help determine the slope of the putt or the grain. It is also important to note that plumb bobbing may slow down the pace of play and is not as effective for long putts or putts with multiple breaks.
