Question:
Can anyone explain to me what the purpose of Plumb Bobbing is? I recall seeing something about this during tournament TV coverage last year but don’t recall exactly what was said. I think they said something about that everyone does it differently and nobody really knows how it benefits aligning a putt. Dennis H.
Hell, I *do it* and can’t explain it! Randy
Response:
I think they said something about that everyone does it differently and nobody really knows how it benefits aligning a putt.
One of the common methods of plumb bobbing is to suspend the club in front of you so that it is hanging vertically. You then align your eye view so that the lower part of the shaft "covers" the ball. _IF_ you are standing exactly on the line extention from the hole through the ball then the position of the hole as it appears with reference to the upper part of the shaft is said to indicate whether the break is to the right or to the left! It is _very_ difficult to have your sighting eye _exactly_ over the extension of the direct line from the hole to the ball, which is what is essential for this to work, and I seriously doubt whether the system has any real merit in practical terms. Any more than the very slightest break (which is what you are trying to detect) is readily apparent from simple _low down_ observation. The above system cannot be relied on to give you this "slight break" information with any degree of accuracy at all! There _is_ some use in looking at a suspended club in front of you though. It does help eliminate deceptive visual efffects around the green which sometimes make the green _appear_ to be sloping in the opposite direction to its actual slope. This is particularly so on greens that are cut into the side of a hill, or are close to water. I _always_ check the verticals with the club at these greens to ensure that I am not being deceived! David
Response:
Edklar writes How? What are the mechanics and what am I looking for?
You hold your putter at arm’s length out in front of you, as lightly as possible near the top of the shaft, with the head pointing away from you (NOT to either side; this would be unbalanced). Due to the force of gravity, the shaft should now hang perpendicular (right angle) to the ground. Close your non-dominant eye and sight down the shaft: | shaft | | | | | | | ("u" = hole) | | ground | | putt breaks left putt breaks right straight in Note that an offset putter will not work as well as a traditional blade, because the weight of the off-center head will pull the shaft slightly to one side. In that case, you can sight once with the head pointing away from you, then again with the head pointing towards you, and "average" the results. — Gregory H. Anderson | "We’re in the land of the blind, Visionary Ophthalmologist | selling working eyeballs, and they Anderson Financial Systems | balk at the choice of color." — Tony
Response:
How? What are the mechanics and what am I looking for?
Response:
Plumb bobbing provides an absolute perpendicular reference for whether a putt will break left or right. Clever architects use optical illusions (usually in the topology surrounding a green) to make it appear that a putt will break one way, when it actually runs the other way; or make it seem like there is more or less break than there actually is. Whether this approach "works" is dependent on the golfer’s ability to judge the break relative to the reference point. But it should prevent aiming on the wrong side of the hole, or playing two feet of break when there is only six inches.
Plumb bobbing is used most effectively to find the break of a putt close to the hole when a player may not know if the putt will break left or right. The putter shaft should be perfectly vertical (due to gravity) and if you look at the cup with the shaft down the middle, it should be easy to tell if the cup is slanted left or right. If the shaft is perpendicular to the cup, then the surface near the cup is flat. I hope that made a bit of sense and was semi-comprehendible. Vineet
Response:
Can anyone explain to me what the purpose of Plumb Bobbing is? I recall seeing something about this during tournament TV coverage last year but don’t recall exactly what was said. I think they said something about that everyone does it differently and nobody really knows how it benefits aligning a putt. Dennis H.
Response:
Can anyone explain to me what the purpose of Plumb Bobbing is? I recall seeing something about this during tournament TV coverage last year but don’t recall exactly what was said. I think they said something about that everyone does it differently and nobody really knows how it benefits aligning a putt.
Plumb bobbing provides an absolute perpendicular reference for whether a putt will break left or right. Clever architects use optical illusions (usually in the topology surrounding a green) to make it appear that a putt will break one way, when it actually runs the other way; or make it seem like there is more or less break than there actually is. Whether this approach "works" is dependent on the golfer’s ability to judge the break relative to the reference point. But it should prevent aiming on the wrong side of the hole, or playing two feet of break when there is only six inches. — Gregory H. Anderson | "We’re in the land of the blind, Visionary Ophthalmologist | selling working eyeballs, and they Anderson Financial Systems | balk at the choice of color." — Tony
Response:
Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game! Thanks Niall
Response:
The idea behind plumb bobbing is to take as much time as possible on the green so as to piss off your playing partners and especially any groups behind you. That way, they’ll all lose their cool and shoot big scores, and you’ll have a better chance to win. This is because some people feel that golf is a sport to be played quickly. These speed freaks don’t know anything about having a good time with friends or enjoying an entire day on the golf course or just standing around for a while in the middle of the fairway staring at nature’s beauty. For best results, do it exactly like you see Jim Furyk do it on TV. Go through your routine once, real slow, then set up to the ball, then back off and go through it again, real slow. Then when you are good and ready, putt. Also, always mark and plumb bob every putt, even if it’s only 6 inches. You wouldn’t want to carelessly miss a short one. If your playing partners start to crowd you on the short putts, back off and wait until they get out of your way. You can try giving them the evil eye, or if that fails, just politely ask "what is your problem, anyway?" This is the best way to play golf there is, doubtless. If everyone plumb bobbed then golf would truly be wonderful and relaxing. It is never good to rush. You may also want to investigate taking many practice swings and then pausing for a minute or so over your ball in order to hit the best shot possible. Take practice swings with at least two different clubs to find the best one. Finally, always find at least two yardage markers close to your ball. Hope this helps. This is the advice we in r.s.g have been giving for years, and it has made this group great. -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game!
Response:
I understand (the phsycology) now! But, if anyone wants to enlighten me further, Feel free! Is it really a myth? Regards Niall – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The idea behind plumb bobbing is to take as much time as possible on the green so as to piss off your playing partners and especially any groups behind you. That way, they’ll all lose their cool and shoot big scores, and you’ll have a better chance to win. This is because some people feel that golf is a sport to be played quickly. These speed freaks don’t know anything about having a good time with friends or enjoying an entire day on the golf course or just standing around for a while in the middle of the fairway staring at nature’s beauty. For best results, do it exactly like you see Jim Furyk do it on TV. Go through your routine once, real slow, then set up to the ball, then back off and go through it again, real slow. Then when you are good and ready, putt. Also, always mark and plumb bob every putt, even if it’s only 6 inches. You wouldn’t want to carelessly miss a short one. If your playing partners start to crowd you on the short putts, back off and wait until they get out of your way. You can try giving them the evil eye, or if that fails, just politely ask "what is your problem, anyway?" This is the best way to play golf there is, doubtless. If everyone plumb bobbed then golf would truly be wonderful and relaxing. It is never good to rush. You may also want to investigate taking many practice swings and then pausing for a minute or so over your ball in order to hit the best shot possible. Take practice swings with at least two different clubs to find the best one. Finally, always find at least two yardage markers close to your ball. Hope this helps. This is the advice we in r.s.g have been giving for years, and it has made this group great. -joseph Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game!
Response:
I understand (the phsycology) now! But, if anyone wants to enlighten me further, Feel free! Is it really a myth?
My own experience has been that it’s a useful way to tell if the shaft on your putter is straight and if gravity is still working correctly, but I haven’t been able to get much more information than that by doing it. — Eliyahu Rooff www.geocities.com/Area51/Underworld/8096/HomePage.htm RSG Rollcall http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/rooffe.htm
Response:
I don’t use it, can’t figure it out. I read somewhere (pelz?) that it’s only useful if you can back away far enough from the hole so that it looks almost like a 4" line, you can use a vertical putter as a plumb line to see if the hole is "level." Supposedly you might be able to pick up a slope using this method that was otherwise not apparent. Maybe. But if it’s obvious there’s a slope, you gain nothing It’s no magic bullet. Now, with regard to the "dominant eye thing," consider lining up putts closing your non-dominant eye when you align. I’m left-eye dominant, and so as I’m standing over the ball I’ll close my right eye until I’m happy with the alignment at my target. I used to pull putts left a lot before I started this. So you might want to try experimenting with "eyes closed" to see what effect it has on your aiming. Mike Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game! Thanks Niall
–
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game!
I’ve played a lot of golf for a lot of years and have never found–or understood, for that matter–it any benefit at all. Bruce RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/newmanb.htm http://go.to/bruce_newman
Response:
I don’t use it, can’t figure it out. I read somewhere (pelz?) that it’s only useful if you can back away far enough from the hole so that it looks almost like a 4" line, you can use a vertical putter as a plumb line to see if the hole is "level."
Just out of interest, a while ago I checked the "verticalness" (against a spirit level) of my Carbite DF putter in two planes. On one plane (toe-heel) the shaft itself was about 6 degrees off vertical, on the other (face-back) about 3 degrees. So even if plumb bobbing had some merit, doing it with my Carbite seems like a waste of time. Cheers Colin Wilson RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm Trentham Golf Club: http://www.trenthamgolf.com
Response:
Hmmm…. To align his putts ( not plumb-bobbing) Mike said he closes his non-dominant eye… etc. etc. etc….Maybe this is why I miss so many putts by a half inch or so. Thanks.. I’ll try it tomorrow. I learn so much on this newsgroup!!! — regards, RichG .
I don’t use it, can’t figure it out. I read somewhere (pelz?) that it’s
snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, with regard to the "dominant eye thing," consider lining up putts closing your non-dominant eye when you align. I’m left-eye dominant, and so as I’m standing over the ball I’ll close my right eye until I’m happy with the alignment at my target. I used to pull putts left a lot before I started this. So you might want to try experimenting with "eyes closed" to see what effect it has on your aiming. Mike Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game! Thanks Niall —
Response:
Just so long as we understand each other: If it doesn’t work, remember that I never said it would. And if it does work, well, I told you so. Mike 
Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmmm…. To align his putts ( not plumb-bobbing) Mike said he closes his non-dominant eye… etc. etc. etc….Maybe this is why I miss so many putts by a half inch or so. Thanks.. I’ll try it tomorrow. I learn so much on this newsgroup!!! — regards, RichG . I don’t use it, can’t figure it out. I read somewhere (pelz?) that it’s snip Now, with regard to the "dominant eye thing," consider lining up putts closing your non-dominant eye when you align. I’m left-eye dominant, and so as I’m standing over the ball I’ll close my right eye until I’m happy with the alignment at my target. I used to pull putts left a lot before I started this. So you might want to try experimenting with "eyes closed" to see what effect it has on your aiming. Mike
Response:
Dave Pelz says it doesn’t work at all unless all the all the factors (putter balance, torso alignment, head alignment, etc.) are aligned just PERFECTLY. It is very hard to do that. He says the system is basically not worth the effort and in fact may give wrong and conflicting information. Campii – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: Wiscnet Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf Just so long as we understand each other: If it doesn’t work, remember that I never said it would. And if it does work, well, I told you so. Mike Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm Hmmm…. To align his putts ( not plumb-bobbing) Mike said he closes his non-dominant eye… etc. etc. etc….Maybe this is why I miss so many putts by a half inch or so. Thanks.. I’ll try it tomorrow. I learn so much on this newsgroup!!! — regards, RichG . I don’t use it, can’t figure it out. I read somewhere (pelz?) that it’s snip Now, with regard to the "dominant eye thing," consider lining up putts closing your non-dominant eye when you align. I’m left-eye dominant, and so as I’m standing over the ball I’ll close my right eye until I’m happy with the alignment at my target. I used to pull putts left a lot before I started this. So you might want to try experimenting with "eyes closed" to see what effect it has on your aiming. Mike
Response:
wrote asking about plumb bobbing: I do’t know Kiall. Wen you hold your putter between your thumb and forefinger, and let it hang, the only thing it ever tells me is where the pull of gravity is. Never figured the other stuff out. "Someone likes every shot" bk
Response:
No player in history was more deliberate on the greens than Jack Nicklaus, and I don’t recall ever seeing him plumb-bob a putt. I plumb-bob everything over about 6 feet. Not sure if my method is textbook, but here’s what I do… I close my non-dominant (right) eye. I stand so my dominant (left) eye is in line with the ball and the hole. I hold the putter grip between my right index finger and thumb (front and back, not side and side) with the putter head pointing toward the hole. I line it up so the edge of the shaft bisects the ball. If the shaft also bisects the hole, I assume it’s a straight putt. If the shaft lines up right of the hole, I aim to the right. If the shaft lines up left of the hole, I aim to the left. The *amount* the shaft is offset from the hole doesn’t really tell you how far to aim one way or the other. Speed dictates that. The ball will always break more as it loses speed. There’s nothing magic about it, and it’s not fool-proof. I do find it helpful sometimes, particularly on greens where the break is very subtle. I’ve plumb-bobbed for years, and I’ve always felt that putting was the strength of my game, so you won’t hear me diss the practice of it. I do, however, encourage you to do your plumb-bobbing while others are putting, as Joseph is quite right in pointing out that it can slow down your pace. However, I would hasten to add that if it helps you make a few putts (or lag ‘em closer), then in the long run, it’s probably saving time. Randy Charter Member, RSG Clique My WEBSITE: www.YouGoGolf.com My RSG Roll Call profile: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/brownr.htm RSG FAQ: http://ttsoft.com/thor/rsggolf.html Voiceovers/Narration/Production Services: www.RandyBrownProductions.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The idea behind plumb bobbing is to take as much time as possible on the green so as to piss off your playing partners and especially any groups behind you. That way, they’ll all lose their cool and shoot big scores, and you’ll have a better chance to win. This is because some people feel that golf is a sport to be played quickly. These speed freaks don’t know anything about having a good time with friends or enjoying an entire day on the golf course or just standing around for a while in the middle of the fairway staring at nature’s beauty. For best results, do it exactly like you see Jim Furyk do it on TV. Go through your routine once, real slow, then set up to the ball, then back off and go through it again, real slow. Then when you are good and ready, putt. Also, always mark and plumb bob every putt, even if it’s only 6 inches. You wouldn’t want to carelessly miss a short one. If your playing partners start to crowd you on the short putts, back off and wait until they get out of your way. You can try giving them the evil eye, or if that fails, just politely ask "what is your problem, anyway?" This is the best way to play golf there is, doubtless. If everyone plumb bobbed then golf would truly be wonderful and relaxing. It is never good to rush. You may also want to investigate taking many practice swings and then pausing for a minute or so over your ball in order to hit the best shot possible. Take practice swings with at least two different clubs to find the best one. Finally, always find at least two yardage markers close to your ball. Hope this helps. This is the advice we in r.s.g have been giving for years, and it has made this group great. -joseph Hi all I’m interested in this practice. I saw it in a book but am confused on a few points. I have the "dominant eye thing off" but am unsure of the following 1. Do you stand facing the hole in your eye line 2. How far do you stand behind the ball 3. Where is the hole when you hang you putter… Actually I could go on but as you can see I need a full explanation. (with lay jargon if possible) Any help much appreciated. My putting kills my game!
Response:
I close my non-dominant (right) eye. I stand so my dominant (left) eye is in line with the ball and the hole. I hold the putter grip between my right index finger and thumb (front and back, not side and side) with the putter head pointing toward the hole. I line it up so the edge of the shaft bisects the ball. If the shaft also bisects the hole, I assume it’s a straight putt. If the shaft lines up right of the hole, I aim to the right. If the shaft lines up left of the hole, I aim to the left.
You see, the problem is, this only tells you whether you are standing directly on the line from the ball to the hole. If you are on that line, no matter what kind of terrain is between the ball and the hole, a line drawn vertically upward from the ball WILL intersect the middle of the hole. The only thing that the putter shaft being on one side of the hole or the other tells you is that you’re on one side of the line to the hole or the other rather than right on top of it. In other words all it tells you is where you are standing. Aside from the fact that even in THEORY plumb-bobbing is USELESS and tells you nothing about anything between the ball and the hole, there is the practical problem that unless you are using a putter where the shaft is attached to the head in a manner that will allow the putter shaft to dangle precisely vertically, the shaft will hang at an angle of several degrees away from the vertical in almost any orientation. Basically you need a center-shafted putter with the shaft entering near the center of gravity, like a Bullseye. Any Anser-like or mallet or blade putter … no workee. So if you use most any putter to plumb-bob a perfectly straight putt, then actually putt on that line, you will MISS! I wonder if people think plumb-bobbing works because gravity "points" toward large masses like hills. Well, it doesn’t. To a precision fully sufficient for any analysis of golf, it points straight down toward the center of the earth, all the time, no matter where you stand, no matter if Mount Everest is just off to your right side. This is because the Earth is 8000 miles in diameter with a core of iron and in relative terms Mount Everest isn’t even a scratch on its surface and the seas aren’t even a good coat of paint. The *amount* the shaft is offset from the hole doesn’t really tell you how far to aim one way or the other. Speed dictates that. The ball will always break more as it loses speed. There’s nothing magic about it, and it’s not fool-proof. I do find it helpful sometimes, particularly on greens where the break is very subtle. I’ve plumb-bobbed for years, and I’ve always felt that putting was the strength of my game, so you won’t hear me diss the practice of it.
If it makes you feel better, fine, but there’s no basis for plumb-bobbing giving you any factual information about the break in a putt. In other words, Jim Furyk’s routine on the green is complete bullshit. It may work for him, but a dowsing stick would have just as much basis in reality as plumb-bobbing. -joseph
Response:
snippie!!!! In other words, Jim Furyk’s routine on the green is complete bullshit. It may work for him, but a dowsing stick would have just as much basis in reality as plumb-bobbing.
I’ll take plumb bobbing over the small furry equines who have to look at the putt from all sides; back, front, side, other side….on a green they have played 1500 times before, and finally…. finally ….finally …FINALLY!!!! hit the damm ball…but they are playng for "something"…like *I* or anyone else am/is supposed to care as it gets dark and maybe we can play 2 more holes in the next hour!!!! Rob
Response:
If it makes you feel better, fine, but there’s no basis for plumb-bobbing giving you any factual information about the break in a putt.
There seem five ways PB might work I can think of: 1) (described by pelz) get low, compare "slit" of hole with true vertical 2) see dominant slope of green surround versus true vertical 3) if you stand rigid and straight, give some indication of slope where you stand (not sure how you compare putter to body, but I read this one somewhere with more details– one can imagine hanging it from your nose and comparing to navel) 4) part of an optical focus routine that helps establish scale or whatever 5) use random procedure to gain confidence in one’s "read" That being said, only 1 has ever seemed useful/easy/likely to me. I think 5 is what most people are doing. Pete Pete
Response:
<snip….a dowsing stick would have just as much basis in reality as plumb-bobbing.
But wouldn’t that count as another club? Then he might be over 14 in the bag. (On the other hand, he might find a heretofore undiscovered water hazard.) — Peter "Play each round as if it was your last." RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/straussp.htm
Response:
I played a round a few weeks ago behind a group that had one guy who plumb bobbed EVERY shot, from tee to green. After 9 holes they were 3 holes behind the group in front of them. On the 10th we passed through them on the tee (decided not to even ask them) and finished 2 holes in front of them after 18. That was one slow round. As far as his success with plumb bobbing; unless he was aiming about 45 degrees into the trees and about 60 mtrs away from the tee then he pretty much failed with if Dean Gough
Response:
I’d never thought of #2 below, but it could make sense if as others have questioned you can actually get your putter to hang plumb. We have some greens where the break is subtly masked by the terrain around the green. That terrain provides an optical illusion which actually makes it appear the ball will break the opposite direction from where it does break. I’m going to have to try this next time out (in April) and see if I can pick up the true break using this. Mike Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If it makes you feel better, fine, but there’s no basis for plumb-bobbing giving you any factual information about the break in a putt. There seem five ways PB might work I can think of: 1) (described by pelz) get low, compare "slit" of hole with true vertical 2) see dominant slope of green surround versus true vertical 3) if you stand rigid and straight, give some indication of slope where you stand (not sure how you compare putter to body, but I read this one somewhere with more details– one can imagine hanging it from your nose and comparing to navel) 4) part of an optical focus routine that helps establish scale or whatever 5) use random procedure to gain confidence in one’s "read" That being said, only 1 has ever seemed useful/easy/likely to me. I think 5 is what most people are doing. Pete Pete
–
Response:
I’d never thought of #2 below, but it could make sense if as others have questioned you can actually get your putter to hang plumb.
I think this just requires calibratiion. Find a vertical surface using a level. Find at what position/angle your putter visually lines up with that (will calibrate out any optical illusions you have as well!). Note that if the putter hangs at an angle, there are still two vantage points from which it is true vertical! Of course it is better if it hangs straight so vamtage points don’t matter…. Pete
Response:
<Snip I wonder if people think plumb-bobbing works because gravity "points" toward large masses like hills. Well, it doesn’t.
Not entirely true. But it doesn’t matter since if the plumb-bob is slightly attracted more towards a large hill, then your ball will also be slightly attracted to that hill. Plumb-bobbing can only tell you in which direction gravity acts and nothing else. It can help for instance if you find it difficult to determine the slope of a green on a hilly course. E.g. if you are used to flat courses, you come to putt on a green which is on a hilly course and doesn’t look like it has any slope, if you plumb-bob, this will tell you where the ball will be attracted to and it is up to you to determine the line of a putt according to this. To a precision fully sufficient for any analysis of golf, it points straight down toward the center of the earth, all the time, no matter where you stand, no matter if Mount Everest is just off to your right side. This is because the Earth is 8000 miles in diameter with a core of iron and in relative terms Mount Everest isn’t even a scratch on its surface and the seas aren’t even a good coat of paint.
But it can be measured that there are fluctuations in gravity in the middle of a deep ocean compared with by the coast. A scientist (can’t quite remember his name) decided to investigate the gravitational effect of mountains and found it to be "reasonably" significant.
Response:
Sure, if you are flying satellites around the Earth, a gravity map of the planet is extremely important. Gravity measuring equipment is sensitive enough (and has been so for years) to detect nearby moving cars, people, etc. Interplanetary probes have been producing gravity maps of planets for many years. Extremely precise measurements of gravity are used to confirm the general theory of relativity. And so on. However, the effects of local variations in gravity on *golf balls* are insignificant. Other factors, like the variations from golf ball to golf ball, cleanliness of the ball, cleanliness and surface of the club used to strike it, the exact lie of the ball, wind and other weather, the arrangement of spike marks, dimples, and even the individual blades of grass between the ball and the hole are much more important than any local variation in gravity. Unless perhaps you’re on a golf course in New Mexico near where some alien antigravity device is being flight tested. -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To a precision fully sufficient for any analysis of golf, it points straight down toward the center of the earth, all the time, no matter where you stand, no matter if Mount Everest is just off to your right side. This is because the Earth is 8000 miles in diameter with a core of iron and in relative terms Mount Everest isn’t even a scratch on its surface and the seas aren’t even a good coat of paint. But it can be measured that there are fluctuations in gravity in the middle of a deep ocean compared with by the coast. A scientist (can’t quite remember his name) decided to investigate the gravitational effect of mountains and found it to be "reasonably" significant.
Response:
Shhhhhhhhh! He isn’t cleared! <snip Unless perhaps you’re on a golf course in New Mexico near where some alien antigravity device is being flight tested.
Peter "Play each round as if it was your last." RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/straussp.htm
Response:
: However, the effects of local variations in gravity on *golf balls* are : insignificant. Other factors, like the variations from golf ball to golf : ball, cleanliness of the ball, cleanliness and surface of the club used : to strike it, the exact lie of the ball, wind and other weather, the : arrangement of spike marks, dimples, and even the individual blades of : grass between the ball and the hole are much more important than any : local variation in gravity. Unless perhaps you’re on a golf course in : New Mexico near where some alien antigravity device is being flight tested. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO FIND THIS GOLF COURSE AND HOW MUCH CB (note to the pathologically serious: the all-caps is part of the joke)
Response:
: However, the effects of local variations in gravity on *golf balls* are : insignificant. Other factors, like the variations from golf ball to golf : ball, cleanliness of the ball, cleanliness and surface of the club used : to strike it, the exact lie of the ball, wind and other weather, the : arrangement of spike marks, dimples, and even the individual blades of : grass between the ball and the hole are much more important than any : local variation in gravity. Unless perhaps you’re on a golf course in : New Mexico near where some alien antigravity device is being flight tested. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO FIND THIS GOLF COURSE AND HOW MUCH
It’s the Roswell Country Club, silly! Mike Mike Dalecki I do not patronize spammers! Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : However, the effects of local variations in gravity on *golf balls* are : insignificant. Other factors, like the variations from golf ball to golf : ball, cleanliness of the ball, cleanliness and surface of the club used : to strike it, the exact lie of the ball, wind and other weather, the : arrangement of spike marks, dimples, and even the individual blades of : grass between the ball and the hole are much more important than any : local variation in gravity. Unless perhaps you’re on a golf course in : New Mexico near where some alien antigravity device is being flight tested. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO FIND THIS GOLF COURSE AND HOW MUCH It’s the Roswell Country Club, silly! Mike
Nope…It’s the Wright-Patterson’s GC. The 18th hangar …. I mean the 18th hole is a real mystery to play. (is this too inside)? "Someone likes every shot" bk
Response:
I have seen alot of guys doing this, Duval, Furyk etc. I would really like to know how to do this. I have had people try to explain it to me but I can’t seem to do it right. I am having some trouble with my line on putts and was hoping this might work. Thanks for any help.
Response:
I have seen alot of guys doing this, Duval, Furyk etc. I would really like to know how to do this. I have had people try to explain it to me but I can’t seem to do it right. I am having some trouble with my line on putts and was hoping this might work. Thanks for any help.
The right way to plumb bob is to not do it. It’s a waste of time and annoys the hell out of some people, especially if you’re slowing up play. To find a better line on putts, first, be realistic. If you aren’t putting on very good greens, you’ll have trouble consistently sinking even dead flat 6 foot putts. Then go practice a lot. Putt from 4 feet, 8 feet, and 20-30 feet. Make sure that your eyes are directly over the ball at setup and that your feet are parallel to the path of your putting stroke. Keep your head still and eyes on the ball or where the ball used to be until the ball is on its way. I don’t think it does the typical player much good to try to develop a mechanically perfect putting stroke. Unless you putt several hours a week, you just need something that you can settle into after a few minutes of practice putting before a round. Just go practice and when you find a groove try to collect a couple of putting swing thoughts from that so that you can find that stroke again on the course. One of the things that works best for me is that I want to feel like I am aiming the back of the hand closest to the hole right at the hole. (Or on the target line if it’s not a straight putt.) I want to feel that hand square to the line of the putt. That gives me confidence that if I can just maintain that feel at impact, the putt will start in the right direction. I developed this particular swing thought on my own, but have since heard a number of instructors talk about what a useful thought it is. I think it works at least in part because the position of the wrist at impact in a full swing is also an important component of aiming feel, so it allows me to transfer some of my full swing skills over to my putting. -joseph
Response:
I have seen alot of guys doing this, Duval, Furyk etc. I would really like to know how to do this. I have had people try to explain it to me but I can’t seem to do it right. I am having some trouble with my line on putts and was hoping this might work. Thanks for any help.
The best advice anyone could give you is not to plumb bob. If you have to plumb bob in order to detect subtle breaks in the green then that assumes that you putting is at the point where your taking the grain of the grass into account and a host of other things that most weekend players (regardless of handicap) rarely consider. You would be much better off trying some more traditional techniques like selecting a line and then finding a point about a foot in front of you that is on that line and shoot for it. Everytime I see some tosser plumb bobbing I get red. Especially since they end up leaving a 10 footers and what-the-hell-was-all-that-plumb-bobbing-for-anyway!!!!!!. — The DeMented Golfer Golf spelled backwards is flog Rick DeMent "Time to pull a quick Hank Snow." RSG roll call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/dementr.htm To reply remove the XX from my E-mail address