Learning how to properly plumb bob a putt in golf is one of the best things a golfer can do.
It’s a neat trick that has been passed down over the ages as golfers learn how to predict when and how the golf ball is going to break on the green.
Without this information, a golfer wouldn’t know which direction to putt the golf ball and it would always miss the hole. This is why plumb bobbing for golf is a must and it’s a method you are going to want to learn over time.
What is plumb bobbing in golf?
Plumb bobbing refers to a method used to predict which direction the golf ball will break when putting. This method involves being 8-10 feet away from the hole, holding a putter up with the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand, lining it up with the hole, and then seeing which side the hole is on. The ball will break to the opposite side.
This means if the golf hole is to the right of the golf shaft when you hold it up, this means the golf ball is going to go from right to left.
This guide will look at how to read a putt, what is the plumb bob method in golf, the advantages of plumb bobbing a putt, and how to improve green reading as a golfer.
What Is Plumb Bobbing In Golf?
Plumb bobbing is a common method used by golfers to read a green before putting. The method involves being 8-10 feet away from the hole, holding the putter by the shaft with your dominant hand’s thumb and forefinger while facing the hole. If the hole is to the right of the shaft when looking at the hole, this means the golf ball will break from right to left.
Learning how to plumb bob in golf is one of the best things a golfer can do.
Golf putting plumb bobbing is one method that works. Plumb line putting as a golfer is going to help you improve reading greens in golf.
This is going to make it a lot easier to start putting the right way.
Just having a costly golf putter is not enough.
Benefits Of Plumb Bobbing For Putting
1. Ideal For Reading The Green
One of the pros of plumb bobbing for putting in golf is being able to read the green.
Learning how to read the green as a golfer takes skill. However, you can simplify the approach with the plumb bob method as a golfer.
When you learn how to plumb bob in golf, you will begin to appreciate how effective it is as a solution.
You will need only a few seconds to get a read on which direction the golf ball is going to break and you won’t have to get an illegal golf putter to improve your game.
2. Increased Accuracy
In the end, plumb bobbing in golf is all about being accurate.
You want to get closer to the hole and improve your golf score as time goes on. This is only going to happen when you are using an accurate solution to figure out which way a golf ball is going to break as you hit toward the hole.
Using the plumb bob trick as a golfer is one of the best ways to be in control of your putting.
3. Faster Results
When learning how to plumb bob when you putt, it’s important to get things moving as briskly as possible.
You don’t want to wait around.
Golfers want to get focused on playing the shot with the best golf putter and that is only going to happen when you know which way the golf ball is going to break on the green.
This is why the plumb bob method golfers use is ideal. It is quick and easy.
Other methods are not going to hold up as well and will frustrate you. This is why plumb bobbing before putting is the way to go.
4. Consistent
Let’s assume you are taking out a plumbers neck putter and want to get things right immediately.
In a situation such as this, you want the strategy to be consistent.
You should know which way a golf ball is going to break right away. Any other method is just not going to cut it as you won’t feel certain about the direction a golf ball is going to break.
The plumb bob method golf players use works because it’s straight to the point and consistent.
This alone makes it beneficial for those who want to do things the right way.
Steps For Plumb Bobbing In Golf
1. Check The Putter’s Alignment First
When learning how to plumb bob golf players need to focus on the purpose of this method.
The goal is to figure out the alignment of your shot. This is going to include how the green is set up as it is not going to be flat between the golf ball and the hole.
As a result, you want to make sure the golf putter is ready for the plumb bob method.
To do this, line up the putter by holding it up with something that’s 100% straight (i.e. a building’s edge).
If you are satisfied, it’s time to get started.
2. Stand 8-10 Feet Behind The Golf Ball
You are now going to begin working on plumb bobbing as a golfer.
To plumb bob before a putt, you want to stand in the right spot.
What is the right spot?
You will want to walk in a straight line away from the golf hole and golf ball. This means walking at least 8-10 feet away from the hole. This is ample distance to figure out which way the golf green breaks.
From this spot, you are now going to look straight at the hole with a shoulder’s width stance.
3. Hold The Putter Between The Thumb And Forefinger Of The Dominant Hand
When you are standing 8-10 feet away from the golf hole, it’s time to take out your golf putter and hold it up.
You will want to hold it with one hand (your dominant hand).
How are you going to hold the golf club when plumb bobbing?
You are going to hold the golf club with your dominant hand’s thumb and forefinger. It is going to be held near the top of the grip.
You want the top of the golf putter to be in line with your eyes. You want it to be set up in a way where you can see the golf hole in front of you.
4. Assess Where The Shaft Is In Relation To The Cup
The last step is to assess what the shaft of the golf putter is telling you.
This is where the plumb bobbing method is going to kick into action.
The premise is to see which side the golf hole is compared to the shaft of the putter. Is the golf hole to the right of the shaft when you look at it? Is it to the left?
The golf ball is going to break in the opposite direction.
For example, let’s assume you hold the golf putter up and see the golf hole is to the left of the shaft as you look forward. This means the golf ball is going to break from left to right once you hit it.
How To Read Greens With Your Feet
It is not always necessary to use the plumb bob method for putting. You can also read the green in golf with your feet.
How do you do this?
The steps include:
- Stand 2-3 Feet From The Hole
- Have One Foot On Either Side Of The Hole
- Check Which Foot Has More Weight On It
- The Ball Will Break Towards That Foot
This method is not always as accurate as the plumb bobbing method in golf but it will work too.
What Is The Best Way To Plumb Bob?
The best way to plumb bob is to use the shaft of the golf putter. This means holding the golf putter with your dominant hand’s thumb and forefinger, keeping it level with your eyes, and then looking at the golf hole with the putter in front of you.
This is the best way as it helps figure out how the golf ball is going to break and which direction you should hit the golf ball.
Is The Left Eye Dominant In Plumb Bob Putting?
Yes, the left eye can be dominant in plumb bob putting. However, this is not always the case. For the most part, the average golfer is going to be right-eye dominant when plumb bob putting as it’s about your dominant hand. A right-hand dominant is going to be a right-eye dominant.
Whether you are plumb bobbing right eye dominant or plumb bobbing left eye dominant, it’s often going to come down to your dominant hand.
Final Thoughts
This information is important while learning about plumb bobbing in golf.
To plumb bob in golf, start by walking 8-10 feet away from the golf hole in line with the golf ball. Next, hold the golf putter with your dominant hand’s thumb and forefinger in front of your face while looking at the hole. Check which side of the shaft the golf hole is. If it’s to the left of the shaft, the golf ball is going to break from left to right when it is hit.
Just like it’s important to figure out how to release a golf club when hitting a golf ball, you also need to know how to read the green with plumb bobbing.
