What is a plumb bob in golf?
A traditional plumb bob, which consists of a weight dangling from a string, uses gravity to establish a ‘plumb’ line (that is, what is exactly vertical, or true). In golf, your putter head acts as the weight, and the shaft as the line to form the plumb bob. Establishing this line should, theoretically, help you detect any slopes on the green.
How do you read a plumb bob?
One of the long-standing methods used by professional and amateur golfers alike to read putts is the plumb bob. By using the shaft of your putter to create a vertical line, it is possible to get a good indication of whether a putt will break to the left or to the right.
How to use Plumb bobbing when putting?
Plumb bobbing when putting works effectively if done correctly, especially on shorter putts. Making sure you line the putter shaft up correctly with the ball and hole; gripping the handle loosely enough; and closing your dominant eye are three key steps to plumb bobbing putts the right way.
Should you ‘plumb-bob’ a putt?
The practice of “plumb-bobbing” a putt's line draws scowls from some golf purists, but the method can be an effective way to determine a putt's break. Just ask Ben Crenshaw. One of the game's greatest putters – and a noted traditionalist himself – Crenshaw is exhibit A in the argument for plumb-bobbing.
How do you read a putt plumb bob?
2:012:54All About Plumb Bobbing Your Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you plumb bob do you know on your putter where it's perfectly vertical. And if you do no wouldMoreSo if you plumb bob do you know on your putter where it's perfectly vertical. And if you do no would you tell me what you're looking at when you get down and try to figure things out.
What does plumb bob mean in golf?
Plumb bobbing is a method used on the putting green to find which way a putt will break. Plumb bobbing is when you squat down behind the ball with your putter handing in front of your eyes, and read the line of the putt based on how your putter hangs.
How do you use a plumb bob?
0:211:26How to Use a Plumb Bob - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe string goes through the center of the plumb bob and Center at the bottom of the poem bob has aMoreThe string goes through the center of the plumb bob and Center at the bottom of the poem bob has a point on it and it. Points you to where the edge of that board should be.
How do you read the greens on a golf course?
10 Rules For Reading GreensFirst sight is best sight. ... Read with your feet, too. ... Speed doesn't always kill. ... Develop an insurance read. ... One read for bent, two for Bermuda. ... Your partner must love the read. ... The best look: behind the hole. ... Be wary of plumb-bobbing.More items...•
How do you read a putt with your fingers?
3:408:40Does AimPoint Work? And How To Read Greens with ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey line it up put their one finger dead center on the cup. And then they add the number of fingersMoreThey line it up put their one finger dead center on the cup. And then they add the number of fingers for the degrees of slope. And that gives them an aiming.
How do you read a putt break?
0:102:32Titleist Tips: A Better Way to Read Your Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf i'm going to play 12 inches of break let's say. And i'm going to prove to you how much breakMoreIf i'm going to play 12 inches of break let's say. And i'm going to prove to you how much break there is with this little device called a perfect putter i'm sure you've seen it.
How do you read a plumb line?
6:097:54Does Plumb Bobbing Work For Putting? How To Plumb Bob Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart the ball on that line. And watch how much the putt breaks back to the right. Gonna make theMoreStart the ball on that line. And watch how much the putt breaks back to the right. Gonna make the same that's huge i would have missed that without plumb bobbing gonna make the same putt.
How do you measure plumb?
Measure the distance from the vertical surface to the top of the string. Measure the distance from the vertical surface to the tip at the bottom of the weight. When the two measurements match, the surface is plumb. If not, adjust the surface until the measurements match.
How do you mark a plumb line?
If wall coverings are to look natural, they must be hung against a plumb line. To make a plumb line, rub a string with colored chalk and tack it to the top of the wall. Then attach a plumb bob (or other small weight) to the loose end. Holding the bob where it falls naturally, pull the cord taut.
How do you read putts with your feet?
0:473:06Titleist Tips: Use Your Feet to Read Putts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem is going to kind of lie to you so you've got to rely on your. Feet. Really easy to feel theMoreSystem is going to kind of lie to you so you've got to rely on your. Feet. Really easy to feel the side tilt. So right here on this putt i feel a little bit more weight on my lead left leg.
How do you tell if a putt is uphill or downhill?
1:254:02The Simplest Way to Read Greens and Control Speed in PuttingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right so if we come to this side of the hole. That side broke right to left obviously this sideMoreAll right so if we come to this side of the hole. That side broke right to left obviously this side is breaking. Left to right so what we're going to do six o'clock is right about here.
What is the best way to read a green?
Read On the Way Up. The first tip to help your green reading abilities is to start reading the green on the way up to the hole. ... Always Start Behind the Putt. ... Use Your Feet. ... Choose a Pace Before Putting. ... Remember Local Rules. ... Learn to Read Grain. ... Stick to a Routine. ... The Plumb Bobbing Debate.More items...
What does plumb bob mean?
In essence, plumb-bobbing can tell you which side of a putt's line is higher. In other words, in which direction the ball will break. It's not necessary to plumb-bob every putt, since the slope on most greens is fairly obvious.
How far should you stand behind a plumb bob putt?
The first step when you prepare to plumb bob your putt is to stand behind your ball by about 10 or 15 feet. You should be standing on a direct line behind the putt so that your body, the ball, and the hole form a straight line.
What is the sweet spot for plumb bob?
The 'sweet spot' for using the plumb bob to direct your putts into the hole is in the range of 10' to 30' or so. With the plumb bob in your arsenal, you can put it to use on putts of this length to gain an advantage over your competition. All of the instruction contained below is based on a right handed golfer.
How to putt a golf ball in front of the green?
Using your thumb and forefinger, hold the putter just below the grip so that it hangs perpendicular to the green surface, in front of your face, with the clubhead just off the ground. The shaft should form a straight line from the ball (bottom) to the hole (top).
What should the bottom of the shaft be covering?
The bottom of the shaft should be covering the ball, while the hole should be covered up toward the top of the shaft. If you can't get the ball and the hole both lined up behind the shaft of the putter, your putt is probably too long for a plumb bob read.
What eye do you use when plumb bobping?
You want to use your dominant eye when you are plumb bobbing, so in this case, you would keep your right eye open when lining up your putts. The process above only takes a few seconds, but it can be a big help when trying to learn how to plumb bob your putts correctly.
When you close one eye, should you notice the hole move to the other side?
If the hole moves to the left of your putter shaft, you will know that the putt should break to the left. If the hole moves right of your putter shaft , the putt should break to the right.
What is plumb bobbing?
Plumb bobbing is a technique some golfers use to line up putts by using a putter as a plumb bob to create a vertical line they can use to compare the slope of the green. Plumb bobbing is a way to get a general feel for the overall movement of the green, not a way to line up putts. Unfortunately, most resources on plumb bobbing demonstrate ...
How far behind the ball should you putt?
For longer putts, you may want to move even farther behind the ball, perhaps as much as 20 feet.
How to hang a putter?
Hold the putter between thumb and forefinger and allow it to hang freely. Point the toe of the putter directly at the hole, away from yourself, to make sure the shaft appears to hang vertically from your perspective.
How do you use the plumb bob method when putting?
To plumb bob a putt, take your putter and hold it in front of your face. Grip the handle lightly with your thumb and index finger to let it hang naturally. Close your dominant eye and align the club shaft so it covers the centre of the ball, but also dissects the hole.
Does plumb bobbing a putt work?
Plumb bobbing when putting works effectively if done correctly, especially on shorter putts. Making sure you line the putter shaft up correctly with the ball and hole; gripping the handle loosely enough; and closing your dominant eye are three key steps to plumb bobbing putts the right way.
Why does a plumb bob work?
A traditional plumb bob, which consists of a weight dangling from a string, uses gravity to establish a ‘plumb’ line (that is, what is exactly vertical, or true). In golf, your putter head acts as the weight, and the shaft as the line to form the plumb bob. Establishing this line should, theoretically, help you detect any slopes on the green.
Why do golfers hold the putter up?
Golfers hold the putter up in the air when using the ‘plumb bob’ method to read greens. By holding the putter in the air, they are trying to create an exact vertical line between the putter handle, shaft, clubhead (using gravity), ball and hole, which can help them determine which way their putt will break.
Final message
Plumb bobbing has been a common green reading method used by golfers for years, but the jury is still out on just how effective this method is.
