Does plumb bobbing putts work?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 21, 2026
Does the plumb bob work with downhill or uphill putts? No, it only works to help you determine subtle breaks in the green that are sideways. It will not help you determine the slope of the putt or the grain, either. Only look for a plumb line if you aren't sure how a putt will break.
Does plumb bob putting work?
The answer is that plumb-bobbing a putt only works if you meet the following conditions: 1) First, the ground you are standing on and the entire surface between you, the ball, and the hole are on exactly the same slope (incline). 2) Second, that you plumb bob correctly.
How does the plumb bob work?
The plumb bob or plumb line employs the law of gravity to establish what is “plumb” (that is, what is exactly vertical, or true). You don't have to be a physics whiz to understand that a string suspended with a weight at the bottom will be both vertical and perpendicular to any level plane through which it passes.
What is the purpose of plumb bob in golf?
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.
How do you use plumb bob to read green?
You may use the plumb bob just as a guide against the horizontal contours of the green. If you kneel and have the putter hanging vertically, you can observe how the contours of the green cross the shaft.
28 related questions foundHow do pros line up putts?
The majority of professional and collegiate golfers use the line on short putts, especially those that are not starting outside the hole. Many of those players don't use the line on putts with large amounts of break or outside 15-20 feet.
Why do PGA players straddle the putting line?
Usually this leeway is used to repair inconsistencies in the green, but for the purposes of 'AimPoint,' the player is encouraged to stand on or straddle the line in order to determine which way the putt will break, in addition to deciphering how severe the slope is.
What can I use instead of a plumb bob?
A chalk box is a handy tool for drawing straight lines onto various surfaces. Also known as "marker line", it is a modern alternative to the plumb bob.
How do I become a better green reader?
- 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.
Can you use your putter to line up your putt?
Gently rest the putter head on the putting green directly behind the golf ball. With a light grip pressure and relaxed body use your right hand (for right hand golfers) to point the Directional Pointer along the intended putting line.
How do you read golf greens for speed and break?
5 Ways to Read The Green For Speed and Break
- Step 1 – Find the straight putt. ...
- Step 2 – Gauge the slope of the green. ...
- Step 3 – View the green from around the hole. ...
- Step 4 – View the green from where you are going to hit the ball. ...
- Step 5 – Visualize the path of the ball.
Why is croquet putting illegal?
1, 2016, anchoring one's putter—that is, in the words of the president of the United States Golf Association, “intentionally securing one end of the club against the body, and creating a point of physical attachment around which the club is swung”—will be banned by the USGA and the R&A.
Why does Dustin Johnson touch his elbow?
By holding his right arm against his body, he's effectively pinning his arm against his body, so it stays tucked close to his torso. That allows the arms to swing the putter more inside on the backswing and start the ball on line as it comes through. “I've been working hard getting more comfortable over it,” DJ said.
Can you legally stand behind the ball to putt?
The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”
Where should my eyes be when putting?
You might have been told that when you putt, your eyes should be over the ball (above, right). But if you set up that way, your perception of the putting line can get distorted. When you lean over a ball and turn your head toward the hole, your eyes trick you into thinking the cup is left of its true position.
Is marking golf ball Illegal?
There are no regulations to limit what or how many markings can be applied to the ball by the player, provided its original markings can be discerned.”
What is AimPoint golf putting?
AimPoint is an express method of reading the break on a putt as you play, using a three-step system designed to help you read every putt accurately and consistently. More than 200 tour pros have used it, and AimPoint users have amassed more than 65 professional wins between them.
Is a heavier putter better for fast greens?
Heavier putters work well on fast greens because you only need a short back stroke to get the ball moving. But the lighter putter also works because it just feels more nimble in your hands like a magic wand.
Who uses AimPoint putting?
Utilized by Adam Scott and Lydia Ko, at one point, Aimpoint was employed by both the top-ranked men's and women's golfers in the world. In addition to Scott and Ko, former World No. 1s Stacey Lewis, Justin Rose, and Dustin Johnson have also used the method.
How do you line up a golf putt?
Once you've chosen your ball position, lining up putts comes down to four key things: reading the green; picking your target; lining up the putter face squarely; and correctly aligning your feet and shoulders. After completing these steps, the only thing left to do is focus on speed and making a smooth putting stroke.