The Best Way to Read Greens for Golfers!

[@JimHaysTechGeek]

I tried this on the course today for the first time. The first time I tried it, I made a 20+ ft putt. My playing partner was shocked. I made 3 more putts of over 15 ft during the round. Count me as a believer...... Thanks for the video. (Disclaimer- I watched about 4 others share the same technique as well before trying it and every one came down to these same steps.) Try it. It helped me.

[@cdango33]

Nice job on the video. First things first. First you need to make sure when you hold the club the shaft is "plumb". One way to do that is to hold your putter next to a doorway and then turn the putter until the shaft is straight up-and-down inline with the edge of the doorway. Then remember that putter head position and make sure it's in that position when you do the plumb bob technique on the green.

[@mrbill2600]

Thank you, Dan

[@makarthur4618]

great tip

[@iowabowtech1]

Key point.

[@safensecure67]

100%

[@dtee06]

Replies are correct , you must plumb your putter. Once you plumb the putter put a mark on the grip or shaft facing you showing the true plumb .

[@jemmemccann2952]

I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been golfing over half my life, and have seen countless golfers do this, and had absolutely no idea how it worked.

[@aram9955]

You and I both brother

[@oliverknaus4630]

best, most understandable explanation of this technique. Thanks

[@colinfletcher7520]

I have played golf for 24 years I’m 30 now. I recently decided to relearn all my fundamental and psychological aspects of golf. And I have been using a lot of your tips and drills. This video in general helped me hit about 5-6 putts around. Thank you

[@christianemden7637]

Thank you for providing the nice visual, I finally understood what to look for when plumb reading.

[@leapman3000]

Explained way better than the 10 guys I have asked in the last 20 years. Thanks!

[@malachi2371]

I don’t golf often, so I still still loving this video… It resets me from time to time on how to use the plumbob method. It’s just missing the part of where you have to calibrate your putter to hang straight.

[@PathanPhoto]

I have been using 'plumb bob' technique for years but it never seemed to helped my putting. Thanks to this video I have found out that I was using the wrong technique - I was holding the putter with my right hand and using my right (dominant eye) as well as covering the middle of the ball rather than the outside half as in the video. Since watching this video and making the changes, I can't believe how much better I have putted. Thank you MrShortGame.

[@jimk528]

It works! I'm a horrible green reader and putting was/is my biggest weakness in golf. Now I'm burning edges and making putts that never even had a chance in the past..Thanks!

[@onita316]

No one could ever explain to me how to do this, but your video explained it perfectly. Been using this for 3 weeks now and never putted better. Thank you so much.

[@martymoose35]

The clearest and most concise explanation of the plumb bob, I was trying to explain it to my kids, and I am just going to have my littles watch this video.

[@FrankD-i2y]

Thank you Matt. I never knew about the dominant eye and the opposite hand as requirements to properly plumb bob. Wow. After watching this video I have been correctly plumb bobbing and it has made a world of difference for me. My last 3 outings have resulted in sub-30 putts per round (which is really good for me). My "normal" putts per round over the past 10 years (I track a bunch of stats every round) averages around 32 putts. So when I can putt only 25-29 putts per round, that leads to lower scores. Thank you for clearly demonstrating how to properly perform this technique!

[@Deftonesx84]

It definitely works!! I started using this method a few years ago. My putting got even better tho when I started lining up the ball markers to my aim point also. 3 putts are a rarity these days

[@SunsTo7]

How do I determine the break amount once I have determined the break direction ,is it an estimate ?

[@brieharris9779]

It helps to check rotatorty position of your putter by aligning it to a true vertical like the edge of a building . Some putters are hugely off if held with the face at 90° to line.

[@wademarchand4441]

Never really understood the “plumb bob” method seen it used but you explain it perfectly. Can’t wait to try it!

[@werquantum]

Those guys don’t look too excited about being witnesses. Great vid.

[@ashesforsunshine]

😂😂

[@TheNYgolfer]

@@sophialee3587 I'm slow. Can you explain that joke please.

[@wjh546157]

Mr Short Game - it's important to calibrate your putter shaft when you use this technique against a 90 deg. vertical straight line - to know/check where it hangs absolutely straight down. I have a Odyssey No.7 putter with a flow neck and there is only one position the shaft actually hangs 90 degs straight down (due to the toe hang of the putter head).

[@TheR3D32]

I know I'm a little late on this, but I've used the plumb even if there is a hump in the way. I read it to the top of the hump, then read from the hump to the hole at my target line. It gives a pretty rough idea of how much it'll break or straighten out 💪

[@emorymorris2122]

U explained that very well. I've always wondered how that worked. Def going to give that a run. Thank you

[@jimwhite6829]

Awesome. A friend tried to teach me but it wasn’t as detailed as this...easy to understand...thankyou

[@scottzimmerman5182]

The plumb-bob technique will show you the line a good bit of the time. on greens that stimp 9/10, all the uphill putts are pretty accurate with a plumb read. The downhill putts, you get a line, but you need to practice to know what speed (distance) to hit the putt ON that line. And on greens with more slope or speed, you need to add break or subtract speed to account for the slope and speed. A good rule of thumb for putts that are on the upper half circle (say, 9:00 to 3:00) if you are standing directly below the hole on the straight putt line) is to go 1 1/2 of the break you plumb-bob, and then hit that line half way to the hole. That putt will typically die somewhere within a couple of feet of the hole-- and if you hit the line and speed it should have a chance to go in. I call it a safety putt, because on greens with a lot of speed or slope, you can pick the 1.5 line and hit it half way and know you should have a tap in left. That is a comfort from 20 or 30 feet. If you get really, really fast speed or slope, then you need to pick a spot, say 2 or 3 paces above the hole and putt to that location. The same reading techniques work, just at this imaginary hole that might be 5 or 6 feet directly above the hole. The idea is that you putt to the imaginary hole... the ball dies at that position, but the speed and slope (gravity) carry the ball the additional x feet down the slope to the real hole. The plumb works well -- but I might die speed putt and you might putt 2 feet past the hole. So your distance/speed/aim point on the line you read wont be the same as mine. Once you find yours, though, its gold.

[@frankcanzanella6753]

I was using the plumb technique this past fall. But I didn’t know how to read it. I would hold my putter over my ball expecting to line up the putter shaft with the ball and hole. But as you indicated frequently the hole will be to the right of the shaft or to the left of the shaft. I didn’t know to hold the putter with my left hand and to close my left eye. Now I know. Thanks

[@fontking1a]

I've been using this technique for almost 60 years. It works...but....you have to have a putter that hands vertical. Some putters, due to face balancing or other configurations don't hang straight down. Sometimes you have to turn the putter until you can find a place where the shaft DOES hang straight down. The other thing you might consider is to add a little more break. Keep track of how many breaking putts you hit that come up short and low. That's because gravity takes effect the second the ball leaves the face of the putter so you have to add a little more break to compensate for that. I think the best way is to assume you're going to finish short and low always and simply try not to do that. Add speed or add break and always use the high side of the cup as your center of the hole. You'll be right on the money more times than not.

[@justjames1111]

How would this work with say a 4' breaking putt?

[@tomasranta6154]

fontking1a I have the same problem. I’m extremely left eye dominant, so much so that I don’t even need to close the right eye to see the line. Like you , I have a hard time getting the shaft in a vertical position. An alignment stick is perfect but is it legal? I love my putter but I would love it more if it hung straight down. I’ve played golf as long as you but I’m thinking of trying to read greens with my eyes . I have no idea how you do it.

[@Redskies453]

@@justjames1111 you have to choose between inside right, right edge or give the hole away. The basic principle holds, probably need more break than you are feeling. Your short ones should not be dropping in the low side of the cup, if they are then yeah move one position higher than you think. If you are aiming outside the hole you gotta feel the pace and give it time to come back to 10 or 11 o'clock on the hole. It's not uncommon to be forced to go a cup outside on a four footer if you've been set a bastard pin, these ones are all pace and feel.

[@JaredvanHeerden]

@@tomasranta6154 Have you considered hanging your putter the other way round? Grip down? Works for me and I grip just below/above the putter head on the shaft ;)

[@JaredvanHeerden]

Have you considered hanging your putter the other way round? Grip down? Works for me and I grip just below/above the putter head on the shaft ;)

[@johntatum8088]

I always use the plumb bob to get a general idea of how much the putt will break. When I get over the ball, I try to trust the plumb bob on most putts that have less than 4 inches of break. On putts that break more than 4 inches, I try to find the apex of where it will start to curve back to the hole. I always have a forward press to hood the putter head a bit, because this up swing helps the ball get rolling smoother and quicker.

[@jonathanspigler3929]

That hole looks like it was cut with a spork. Great video, can't wait to try this this upcoming season.

[@SoldierPrince]

Solid clarity on a method many have seen and most probably never understood, thx. Well done.

[@honiedew]

Ok I just tried this on a mid length putt in which I was unsure if there was even a break - using this method allowed me to read a right to left break - and it worked!! Had ignored for years (over a decade) the plumb bobbing method due to lack of detailed instruction/methodology. Thank you!

[@robertpfohler363]

I’ve been using this method for years, you don’t see many people using it anymore but I think it’s a great way to read greens. Another great video!

[@philwood4121]

Just tried this method today for 9 holes. I was surprised how well it worked on greens with slight slopes. I read all the putts correctly and even found a dead straight putt. Which showed the inside edge on ball and outside of the cup on both sides. As others mention you have to ensure your putter hangs at 90 degrees when held up. I did this by holding up the putter and turning it till the shaft lined up with a door frame. I then marked the shaft with a marker. So I picked it up in the correct position when needed. Great video and looking forward to using it in the future!

[@robertwilks9659]

The shaft of your putter is tapered. That means, whenever one edge of the shaft appears to hang plumb, the diametrically opposite edge will not (and cannot!). If you want the opposite edge of you putter shaft to appear to hang plumb, you'll have to rotate it 180° about the axis of its shaft.

[@emikrellik37]

Started a note book for all my shot game techniques by watching your videos! Thank you for helping get my short game a little better each hole I play!

[@billm1826]

Excellent breakdown on the plumb Bob putting technique! Can’t wait to try it out! Thank you!

[@chrishayes9327]

I love this method, but as quite a few people have pointed out the putter MUST hag vertically, which means spending a little time 'calibrating the putter..... I use a door frame (as a few others) this works very well, it is the most important aspect of this method.

[@kingcole3830]

I watched a couple videos before this about plum bobbing. And I like @MrShortGame explanation. Was more clear about what to do. Huge Thanks for this video 👌😊🍺

[@guyonabuffalo2391]

Did this today. One of my best putting days ever. Out of 18 holes only three putt once. Most were in or very close. Thank you!

[@TheWildwoodPicker]

Thank for this crash course on the Plumb Method. I've been using this and I'm amazed at how good I'm putting now. Now if I can get my speed down pat on slower greens that will be awesome.

[@duaneevans3795]

Been golfing for 36 years and always wondered about this "plumb bob" thing. Nobody I play with could ever give me a clue. I always thought they were just messing with me and that they didn't really know how it worked either. So, the last time I played, I wasn't playing so well so I decided to experiment with it. I did just what this video suggests and played the amount of break that my putter shaft saw. I had two birdies on the back and shot a 40 after having shot 46 on the front. I can't wait to go back out and "plumb bob" some more!

[@robertmclean6927]

I'm getting older and not reading greens well at all so turn to You Tube. This is the 1st video I've watched and will put it to the test later today. I did read some of the comments before placing mine and note that first I must get the putter shaft plumb.

[@adolfozayas3359]

Never really understood how to do this method. Thanks for this video.

[@MrShortGame]

Thanks good luck with it.

[@BrendanWheatley1971]

Ditto. I've tried it but hadn't seen the idea of using the opposite hand to your dominant eye, and hadn't thought of cutting the ball in half. Thanks MrSG

[@Revellien]

I have tried all these different methods and find this one works for me 1. Draw a circumference line on the ball. 2. Find the balance point on your putter and put a piece of tape on to mark it. 3. Find your dominant eye. 4. Find the vertical line position / plumb line of your putter in your hand - see Mr 1 putt 5. Aim the line on the ball directly at the hole as if it is a straight line put. 6. Hold putter in same hand as eye dominance - I’m right eye dom so hold in my right hand. 7. Take 3-4 paces back and line up right foot (and therefore right eye) with line on ball 8. Hold put out so that balance point hits the line on the ball with right eye only open 9. The hole will now appear on one side of the putter shaft or another if there is a slope. This may sound long winded but takes no time at all. It’s another thing entirely aiming correctly once you have identified the slope!!!!

[@Handletaken4]

Dude. I’m quitting my job today and moving to FL to join the tour. Greatest tip ever.

[@drdarren666]

Ive tried everything and this will be tomorrow’s practice. Thanks

[@terrybiddle2969]

Excellent short concise

[@injuredtabletennisplayer1474]

I’ve been doing this incorrectly for years. 1st vid I’ve seen for this. Thanks for taking the time.

[@jonathanbarrow1281]

Thanks my friend. I've been playing golf 6 months I'm currently 22 handicap, I can get to the greens in reg but my putting is terrible going from a birdie putt to a double bogey due to bad reads. I'm going to try this thank you

[@anthonymckenzie7951]

This is tremendous! I never understood how that method worked until viewing your video. Thank you very much for the easy to understand explanation.

[@fingerputting4353]

This is really good information. I have been doing the plumb bob wrong all my life. Thanks!

[@chrisjuhl801]

Enjoyed the video and it is a good description of the technique. However there's one major flaw. Most putters don't create a true plumb line. Some of the comments below due mention it because the COG of the head is not in line with the shaft.

[@atb2003]

I use this method so much that it is part of my setup, but I use it most when there are mounds, hills or such when you know which way the ball breaks or falls: line the flag, ball, and putter shaft with both eyes open. Now for a hill dropping right to left, once you line up flag, putter shaft and ball, close your right eye, then bring the shaft back to the ball - you will be left with where the high point where the ball will break to go into the hole. Obviously if the hill is left to right, line up flag, putter shaft, and ball with both eyes open, close your left eye and move the shaft back to the ball, you will be left with the break or high point where the ball will fall into the hole; good luck.

[@1Bugsyboy]

What if you don't know the break before hand. WHich eye do you close? Thanks

[@utubeziggy]

Be sure to spin the putter while it hangs between forefinger and thumb to find spot where the shaft is truly vertical. I use a sharpie to mark that spot on my grip. If not then the shaft won’t hang true

[@TisGolf]

Explained in the best way i have seen yet, just been onto my garden putting green and this is fantastic thank you!!!!!

[@lwood5375]

Wow I always wondered what golfers were doing, thank you!

[@scatterbrain9490]

Thanks for the visual though the camera, that was what I was looking for

[@wilhelmschimko9]

this is the GREATEST tip video I have ever seen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Greg-zu4jh]

This might be the best Plumb Bob video that I've seen. Looking forward to putting greens being open so that I can try it out.

[@LMFNinja]

Excellent video. Thank You for teaching me the plumb bob technique. Always wanted to learn it. Cheers.

[@punisher6]

I subscribed just now. I need this and truly hope i can incorporate this technique to help improve my reads. I finally have a trusty stroke and i am tired of misreading greens. Thanks

[@ericbloodaxe8226]

been using this method years , like you say flat greens ,WORKS thank you

[@nerd9992]

wonderful lesson. wish to learn more about green reading. thanks.

[@bogart7349]

It is just now that I fully understand this technique...very easy to understand...

[@peterstaines9047]

This definitely works. Trick I have found to get it near perfect is to also pace out the distance to the hole and understand how hard to hit the putt. I have 6-7 different putting distances I have taped to my putter shaft numbered 1-6 in terms of pace so i have now got both variables in putting covered, aim and speed. When you get this down pat, you will find that you will get to a point where you won't need the line on the ball...I tend to look for a spot on the surface where I want the ball to roll over in order to give it a great chance of going in.

[@Austin-mo1vy]

Can you explain how you paced out these distances? Do you measure the speed based on how much you pull back the putter or just your own scale of power, thanks.

[@randywolf4731]

I have used this method for over 40 years, it was taught to me by an old pro at the time and he said it would simplify my ability to read greens. It's simple and reliable and I know it works!!!

[@SunsTo7]

How do I determine the break distance once I have determined that it breaks (scale) ?

[@JonOroMusic]

Tried this today, really helped knock off some strokes. Thanks!

[@KeithGadget]

Thanks. I’ve seen people doing this on the green, but I didn’t know how to do it or how it worked.

[@perkyb1213]

Being a carpenter, this method is in my wheelhouse for sure. It works.

[@LoozaPalace]

such a good explanation. im taking this to the course today. earned a follow.

[@kristinw.6648]

Great tutorial video - thanks for sharing this amazing technique!

[@Collado757]

Just used this technique today. Let me say "THANK YOU!" I had a real bad problem reading greens. This just excelled my putting even more! THANKS AGAIN!

[@paulpierce3182]

I've used this method for yrs....really works well for me

[@katealhassan5009]

Fantastic. Can't wait to try it at the greens

[@kpcasey]

Question, at 2:39 you have a graphic with a red circle and arrow saying "this is where you start the putt", but you put the tee 1 foot out. That isn't really clear to me.

[@TheLindosguy]

I have to give you a shout out! Your videos are awesome! Both entertaining and most importantly, very informative! Thanks for the great effort you put into them!

[@SouthSideChgo]

Fantastic video. Helped me finally read a green! Thank you sir.

[@gregoryjames7976]

Thanks Matt. Now I get it. Excellent explanation. I also like to “feel “ the green by walking the line. And always get to the low side and find the fall line.

[@OCPGolf]

Thank you for the information and sharing what you know

[@joebaker3987]

Dude come on. I take your advice and first putt (10ft).. drained! Not only did this help my accuracy, but most importantly confidence. Kudos!

[@LoyCasemGolf]

tried this and it works for me. made a lot of 2 putts being my 2nd putt are gimmes. Thanks MSG

[@stephenwright8476]

Id love to see you do a video on the Aim point technique. i’ll give this a try when i’m on the practice green on the weekend. Let me know about aim point and thanks for the video

[@BrianRPost]

Plumbing has helped me read greens for several years. It works well. Having some insight into how much break to play gave me a better chance to get closer to the hole. Great video, Matt!

[@ongta1265]

OMG, I've seen golfer plumb bob and I had no idea how they did. Buddy, thank you so much for a detailed video, very interesting. Many time I had putts that breaks and could not be able to read, Instead of a one foot tap in could end up 2+ feet knee knocker. 👏 👍 👊

[@chrislewis4347]

Great stuff I always wondered what they were looking at can’t wait to try it out on Sunday

[@briansturtz7497]

Worked like a charm first time trying it on the course. Great explanation

[@sleekmr2]

This is my first time seeing this. Gonna try it out. thanks

[@PeleHPrada]

The dominant eye thing is a game changer. Someone taught me that for pool (billiards) because I had technique but would just be aiming off. Eureka! I thought what if this is why I can’t putt! Indeed, it was! Your the first I see to START with this to help to putt. Your technique could be perfect but if you're aligning yourself incorrectly your doomed!

[@AW-xv7dq]

This absolutely works but here's an addition that is imperative... BEFORE you do this you must in your living room or garage figure out which way your toe points in when you have your putter. Pick a door way as an example then step back that 10 feet away and line it up.... and make sure to rotate your putter head until you have your shaft and 90 degrees and flush with the doorway. Note if the toe is pointed to 10 or 8 for example.... then when you're on the green you must remember this.

[@justjames1111]

Really good explanation and execution. Considering this technique has been around for so long I'm amazed I've never heard of it. One often sees tour players 'plumbing' their putts but nobody has explained this. The only other thing is to allow for parallax error and you should really improve your putting and see your scores drop.

[@Cahill1981]

have to admit i holed or was closer more often using this method, so simple ty

[@TeamProsperity]

That’s awesome. You putted right toward the T and it broke. I was using the plumb technique but according to what ur doing, I was way out in left field 🤣🤣🤣 So I can’t wait to try it. Hold on, gotta watch this again

[@Boovda]

I know this video is old, but I just had to comment following my recent rounds of golf. For years I've been a decent striker of the ball but an awful putter, meaning my handicap has never really moved from around 18. I've worked hard on my putting stroke and not really seen an improvement on the course... It was only recently when a friend of mine read a line for me that I realised I couldn't read greens for sh*t, and that this was the root cause of my awful putt game. He gave me the read, I nailed the 12 footer. Looking for a solution, I looked up a few techniques on YT (aimpoint express, fall line measurement etc.) but found whilst they could help with reading a green, they were too time consuming and my mates were getting p*ssed off with me. Then I found this. Quick, simple, and most importantly, accurate. I've never putted so well. Went out for 18 yesterday and came back with 42 points, and not a single blob. I've never not had a blob in 18. Ever. This has changed my game for good and I am so grateful to you for sharing and dispelling the mystery. Thank you. Single digits here I come!

[@ayakoganei7946]

That's amazing. A newbie here but im def trying this

[@Boovda]

@@ayakoganei7946 please do, you'll advance much quicker than I ever did. Putting is where scores are made or broken. Good luck!

[@Boovda]

@@ayakoganei7946 also worth mentioning an added tip that Matt didn't include - you need to find where both sides of your shaft hang plumb, as a shaft is not a perfect cylinder so the sides are not parallel. Stand next to a doorway or go outside and stand near a building, then using the technique look down the left side of the shaft against the chosen vertical surface. You'll likely notice the putter isn't perfectly down the vertical line. Simply rotate your putter until it hangs vertical and then make a mental note of where the putter head is pointing. Then do the same with the right side. They won't be too far away from each other, for me the right side is with the putter pointing west (full 90° left if North was straight ahead) whereas the left side plumb is putter pointing north west (45° left). I simply rotate in my fingers depending on which side I'm looking at. Hope I've explained that well enough 👍

[@hasansarwar1966]

Great instruction! Will try on my next round. Thanks a lot!

[@randyboyd3839]

Always wondered how this technique worked, can’t wait to try this Thanks Wild Guy !!

[@tiagocosta45]

Maybe it shoud be used only on some kind of greens, but I'm using this technic on every shot, from tee to hole and, believe me, its helping me hugely (if I do the swing correctly). Many, many thanks for this video!

[@kvishal001]

Depends on whether you are standing on a sloping green. Doesn't really show you the break. Though it would help you to see on one side of the green and judge the green a bit better.

[@paulholland6299]

First you have to find the putters straight edge by lining up the putter with say a door frame and then twist the putter shaft until it is straight with the door frame then mark it with a sharpie pen so now you have the putters true straight line and it works

[@finleyransone4854]

When alining the flag, ball and plumbed putter do you do this with BOTH eyes open and then close the non dominant eye to determine where the aiming point is?

[@phale925]

Thanks for posting this info. I've seen people do it but never knew how to do it.

[@DrKango]

Thanks, It was the best tip I got for reading green that other wise looks straight.

[@SunsTo7]

Thanks MSG this is a sneaky good tech.dead on.😵

[@jeffvaillancourt9668]

Finally a video that simplifies it for me. Now a new subscriber just based on this video.

[@detsd59]

Thank you so much for making this video. You are the first one I have ever seen who has really explained and shown visually how to plumb bob. Can't wait to get out and try it.