How to Plumb Bob a Putt for Better Reading

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Plumb bobbing a putt is a trick to find the lowest point of a slope on the green, showing you exactly how the ball will break.
• It uses a simple weighted string to give you a clear visual of the green’s contours, especially on tricky, subtle breaks.
• Master this, and you’ll start sinking more putts by aiming correctly and adjusting your stroke.

Who This is For

• Golfers of any stripe who are tired of guessing greens and want a reliable method to read them.
• Players who find themselves consistently missing putts to the high side or leaving them short because they misread the break.

What to Check First

• Your Plumb Bob: You need a weight on a string. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Some folks even rig up their putter for this, which is pretty clever [2]. Just make sure it’s something you can hold steady.
• Wind Conditions: This is a big one. If it’s blowing hard, your plumb bob will be all over the place, giving you a bogus reading. Wait for a calmer moment or skip it if it’s too breezy.
• Ball Lie and Surroundings: Take a good look at the turf right around your ball and the line to the hole. Any weird bumps, old ball marks, or imperfections can throw off your read, even with a plumb bob.
• Green Speed: You gotta know how fast the greens are rolling. A super-fast green means even a slight break will have a bigger impact, and you need to factor that into your plumb bob reading.

Step-by-Step Plan: How to Plumb Bob a Putt

1. Get in Position: Stand behind your ball, facing the hole. You want a clear, unobstructed view of the entire putt.

• What to look for: A clean line from your ball to the cup.
• Mistake to avoid: Standing too close or too far back. Too close, and you can’t see the overall slope. Too far, and your reading gets less precise. Find that sweet spot.

2. Hold the String: Hold the end of the plumb bob string loosely between your thumb and forefinger. Let the weight hang directly over your ball.

• What to look for: The string hanging perfectly vertical, with the weight directly above the center of your ball.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping the string too tightly or letting it get tangled. You need a free swing.

3. Find the Low Point: Slowly and deliberately move the plumb bob string directly over your ball, then let it hang freely. Now, with the weight hanging straight down, begin to slowly shift it along the line towards the hole. Watch where the string naturally points to the lowest part of the slope.

• What to look for: The point on the ground where the plumb bob consistently indicates the lowest elevation. This is your natural break point.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing this. You need to be patient and let the weight settle completely before you judge where it’s pointing. Think of it like letting your coffee cool just enough to sip.

4. Visualize the Break Line: Once you’ve identified that lowest point, mentally draw a line from your ball to that spot. This line represents the path your ball will naturally follow as gravity pulls it downhill.

• What to look for: A clear mental picture of the direction and severity of the slope.
• Mistake to avoid: Getting too complicated. The plumb bob shows the natural break. Your putt’s speed will determine how much it actually curves. Don’t overthink it.

5. Aim and Stroke: Now, aim your putt to start on the line you just visualized, heading towards that low point. Your goal is to hit the ball with enough pace so it rolls along that line and eventually curves into the hole.

• What to look for: Your putt starting on your intended line and rolling true towards the cup.
• Mistake to avoid: Aiming directly at the hole. You’re not aiming for the cup itself, but for the spot where the ball needs to start to curve into it. This is where How to Plumb Bob Your Putt can really help visualize.

How to Plumb Bob a Putt: Step-by-Step Refinements

Let’s dive a little deeper into making this technique work for you. It’s not just about the mechanics; it’s about understanding what you’re seeing and how it translates to your stroke.

1. The Initial Setup – Beyond Just Standing: When you’re behind the ball, don’t just plop down anywhere. Try to stand on a part of the green that feels relatively level to you. If you’re standing on a slope yourself, your perception of the green’s slope will be skewed. This is crucial for an accurate reading.

• What to look for: A stable, comfortable stance that feels balanced. Imagine you’re setting up for a chip shot – you want to feel grounded.
• Mistake to avoid: Standing on a downhill lie yourself and thinking the green is breaking one way when it’s actually breaking another. Your own stance matters.

2. The Plumb Bob Hold – Control is Key: Holding the plumb bob string is more than just letting it dangle. You want to hold it so your hand is steady, but not tense. If your hand is shaky, the weight will swing erratically.

• What to look for: A relaxed but firm grip on the string. Your arm should be relatively still.
• Mistake to avoid: A death grip on the string, which causes tremors, or a loose grip where the string slips through your fingers. It’s a delicate balance.

3. The Slow Sweep – Reading the Nuances: As you move the plumb bob from over the ball towards the hole, do it slowly. Pay attention to how the string behaves. Does it swing sharply? Or does it just gently drift? This tells you about the severity of the slope.

• What to look for: The point where the string’s swing is at its absolute lowest. This is the true “low point.” Also, notice the angle of the swing – a steeper angle means a steeper break.
• Mistake to avoid: Moving too fast and only catching a general direction. You might miss a subtle secondary break or a small hump that influences the ball’s path.

4. Interpreting the Data – It’s Not Just a Line: The plumb bob gives you the natural path of the ball. But remember, you’re hitting it with a club. The speed of your putt is critical. A faster putt will fight the break more than a slower one.

• What to look for: How much pace you’ll need to hit the ball to keep it on your intended line for as long as possible before it starts to curve.
• Mistake to avoid: Aiming for the low point with too little speed and watching it die halfway there, or hitting it too hard and blasting past the hole. Your aim point is a starting point, not the finish line.

5. Integrating with Green Reading – The Full Picture: The plumb bob is a powerful tool, but it’s not the only tool. Combine what the plumb bob tells you with your overall read of the green. Look at the grain of the grass, the general slope of the entire green, and any other visual cues.

• What to look for: Confirmation. Does the plumb bob reading align with what you’re seeing with your eyes and feeling with your feet?
• Mistake to avoid: Ignoring your gut feeling or other visual information because the plumb bob told you something different. It’s a data point, not gospel.

Common Mistakes in Plumb Bobbing a Putt

• Wind Interference — Distorts the plumb bob’s reading, leading to an inaccurate low point identification — Wait for calmer conditions or use a heavier plumb bob. Patience is a virtue out on the course.
• Improper Stance — Leaning or standing on an uneven surface yourself skews your perception of the green’s slope — Ensure you have a level stance relative to the slope you’re reading. Your own footing matters.
• Not Letting the Plumb Bob Settle — The weight is still swinging, giving a false low point reading — Be patient and let the weight hang freely until it’s completely still before judging. Think of it like waiting for a pot to boil; rushing just makes it take longer.
• Ignoring Ball Lie — Bumps, pitch marks, or imperfections right around your ball can override the natural slope’s influence — Always check the immediate area for anything unusual that might affect the ball’s roll.
• Over-reliance on the Tool — Thinking the plumb bob is a magic bullet that will make every putt go in — It’s a tool to aid your read, not replace your judgment and feel. It gives you data, you make the shot.
• Moving Too Quickly — Rushing the process of moving the plumb bob from over the ball towards the hole — Take your time to pinpoint the exact lowest point and observe the nuances of the swing.
• Not Considering Putt Speed — Focusing solely on the break line without accounting for how your putt speed will affect the ball’s curve — Understand that a faster putt fights the break more than a slower one.

FAQ

• What exactly is a plumb bob in golf?

It’s a weight attached to a string. In golf, you use it by holding it over your ball and letting the weight hang. As you move it, the string points towards the lowest part of the slope, revealing the true break of your putt. Some golfers even have clever ways of Using a Putter for Plumb Bobbing if they forget their actual plumb bob.

• How do I know if the wind is too strong for plumb bobbing?

If the string is noticeably swaying back and forth by more than a couple of inches, or if you can feel a constant tug on the string, the wind is likely too strong for an accurate reading. On a really windy day, it’s best to rely on your eyes and feel.

• Can I use a plumb bob on any type of putt?

Absolutely. While it’s most beneficial on putts with significant or subtle slopes where visual cues can be deceiving, you can use it on any putt. For a perfectly flat putt, it’s probably overkill, but it won’t hurt.

• Do I need a special plumb bob for golf?

Nope. Any small, dense weight on a string will do the job. Many golfers carry a dedicated one because it’s convenient, but you can improvise with what you have. The key is the weight and the string hanging straight.

• How does this technique help with my putting speed?

By accurately identifying the true break, you can better judge the pace needed to start your putt on the correct line. You’ll know if you need a firmer stroke to push the ball against the break or a softer one to let it roll into the slope. This precision helps avoid leaving putts short or blowing them way past the hole.

• Is this a legal technique in golf?

Yes, 100%. Using a plumb bob to read the green is perfectly legal under the Rules of Golf. It’s considered a method of reading the terrain, much like using your feet to feel the slope. It’s a great way to gain an advantage. You can find more details on Using the Plumb Bob Method in Golf if you want to dive deeper.

• What if I don’t have a plumb bob with me? Can I still read the putt?

Definitely. While a plumb bob is a fantastic tool, your eyes and feet are your primary instruments. Practice looking at the putt from behind the ball, from the side, and from behind the hole. Walk along the line of the putt and feel the slope with your feet. Combine these observations with your knowledge of the green’s general contours. It takes practice, but you can become a great green reader without a plumb bob.

Sources:

• How to Plumb Bob Your Putt
• Using a Putter for Plumb Bobbing
• Using the Plumb Bob Method in Golf