The Best Way to Read Greens for Golfers! 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

best, most understandable explanation of this technique. Thanks

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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 💪

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!

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.

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!

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).

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 👌😊🍺

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

Big thx, i have been wondering what ppl r doing on the green for like 20 yrs...and just know the answer at end of 2021...

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

Been using this technique almost a year now. Really helped my putting and shaved off a few strokes

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

I used this method won lots money, thank you sir.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 👏 👍 👊

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

I play in VR and I WILL try this TODAY!

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

Wow, 2 years too late but Thank you so much! Explained it magnificently!

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

best tutorial ever!

Old school... It works.👍🏌⛳🇺🇸😀

I'm definitely going to give this a try. My putting woes have been hurting my very good chipping game for a long time..

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

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

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

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

Excellent short concise

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!

I watched about 15 videos on the plumb bob technique and this is the only one that makes sense.

Played today and I was driving straight and far. Getting on green or close in regulation. And again my putter betrayed me! My putting ate ass. 2 and 3 putting and a couple of 3 strokes. Going to try this next outing. Thanks Mr. Short game. I’ll follow up in a couple weeks…..

I use that technique all the time, it's very reliable but I have trouble sometimes.

Great tutorial video - thanks for sharing this amazing technique!

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