Can you detect something you don't know is there more often than would be expected by chance, under conditions where all possible clues have been rigorously excluded?
Until you have conducted a test that fits this description and can compare your success rate to chance you do not know whether or not dowsing works,
I have not been dowsing long enough to have built a detailed record, but I know that can find things where possible clues are excluded.
Example... I was at the home of some people who live just a few miles from the acreage I have recently bought, They asked me if I had a well, I told them I did. They told me that they were not happy with their piped water supply as it came from a river, and whenever it rained all the pesticides etc ended up in their water.
I asked them if they had considered having a survey done to see if they could drill a well on their property. They said that it would probably cost a lot and would not know how to go about it. I told them it would cost nothing and that I could do it straight away ! I got my rods from the truck.
I walked into their yard with them at my side. I stopped and asked out loud if there was water there, the rods indicated a very positive yes. I said out loud. Ok then show us where it is, the rods swung to my left and pointed the way, We walked about 50 yards and the rods indicated water.
I could see they were both skeptical, so I asked the man if he would like to try for himself, and he did but without any result. I then asked the woman, she walked towards the source I had just found and the rods crossed in her hands, I then told her to walk forward and they opened up. She had the biggest smile imaginable

. I then told her to ask the rods ton show her a yes, and they moved together albeit slightly. I then said ask it to show you a no, they moved apart.
I was over the moon, I had just found someone who could dowse that lived just down the road, not only that but someone who could communicate with what ever it is !
The man asked if I could find anything else other than water. I told him I could find anything. I could see he was still was doubt full. He asked if I could find his gas line I said lets see, and walked towards his house. ( where I knew I would find the gas line

). I found it, and showed him where it ran along the side of his drive. I asked if he knew where the water line was and he told me it ran parallel to the gas line about two feet further away. I checked with the rods and was surprised when I got no water indication. I told him there is no water line here and he still claimed that there was.
I asked the rods out loud to show me the water line and they pointed in the opposite direction to what he had indicated. I found the water line. It then occurred to me that I was being tested, and asked him if that was the case. He begrudgingly admitted it was.
I have since tried to speak with both of them but they do not want anything more to do with me. I think the woman is fine, but her husband is scared.
It's a bit awkward for my wife as the woman works at the same hospital as her.