How to Read a Plumb Bob

By Bobby Ingram

Anyone who has watched or played golf has seen the plumb bob method of reading a putt. "Plumb bobbing" is when you squat down behind the ball with your putter hanging in front of your eyes, and read the line of the putt based on how your putter hangs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Find a door frame or wall corner which runs perpendicular to the floor.

Step 2

Stand ten to fifteen feet from it and squat down.

Step 3

Hold your putter before you loosely between your thumb and index finger.

Step 4

Slowly rotate the putter until the putter hangs straight down, as judged by lining up perfectly with your reference object.

Step 5

Mark the location of your thumb on your putter.

Step 1

Stand ten to fifteen feet behind the ball and squat like in Section 1.

Step 2

Hold the putter before you like in Section 1, with your thumb positioned where you marked it to ensure your putter is hanging in proper balance.

Step 3

Align the putter so that the bottom of the putter shaft is in line with your ball.

Step 4

Take note of which side of the shaft the hole appears on when the bottom of the shaft is aligned with the ball.

Step 5

Aim your putt to the side of the hole your shaft appeared to be on.

About The Author

Bobby Ingram is a professional writer who majored in journalism at The College of New Jersey. In addition to work with eHow.com and GolfLink.com, Bobby has done PR with Major League Lacrosse's New Jersey Pride organization, where he served as the team's beat reporter.

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