How to Plumb Bob a Putt

Putting is one of the most important aspects of your game.

Plumb bobbing is a term used in golf to describe a method of lining up putts in order to determine which way the putt will break. Putting is one of the most important aspects of your golf game, and one of your best opportunities to lower your score. Learning how to plumb bob a putt will help you read greens more effectively and improve your game.

Things You'll Need

• Putter
• Golf ball

Instructions

1. Walk up behind your ball as it lies on the green. Stay a few feet behind the ball and position the ball between yourself and the hole. There should be an imaginary straight line running from the hole through the golf ball to you.

2. Stand or crouch and hold your putter by the handle between two fingers of your dominant hand. The putter will be hanging straight down.

3. Raise the putter to the imaginary line so that the bottom of the shaft blocks out your view of the ball. You should close one eye so that you are looking with your dominant eye.

4. Look up the shaft of the club while the ball is still blocked, and see what side of the club the hole is on. If the hole is to the left of the shaft, the putt will break left. If it is on the right, it will break right.

Tips & Warnings

• Plumb bobbing works best with short putts.

References

• Golf Putting Genius: Plumb Bobbing for Reading Greens
• Golfers Avenue: Golf Putting Plumb
• Probable Golf Instruction: Golf Putting Tips