I am a newbie and have now learned to locate the spine. Is the soft part of the rod also the belly of the spine. Do I locate the guides on top of the curve or the belly, (below the curve)
Thanks in advance.

Forgot to mention this is a fly rod

The FAQs on this page answer this question thoroughly. In short, it's up to you depending on how you want the blank to perform. I prefer to put guides opposite the spine, or on the soft side, for a fly rod. Welcome to a great hobby - have fun.

Dan, I might another aproach to the spine world. First, spine each section of the rod, using the edge of a table or better a piece of PVC pipe (the PVC pipe is softer and is less likely to damanage the blank). As you bend each section of the blank roll it to see if there is an axis where the rod will not move without a great deal of pressure. If you can't turn it very much I call that "locked in". Wrap a piece of masking tape around the butt end of each section of the rod. With the rod flexed and the "lock in" axis located, make a mark on the piece of masking tape on top of the blank, 0 degree axis. You can start at the butt or tip but assumeing that are starting at the tip, spine the tip section and mark it then do the same thing to the second section from the tip. Connect the two sections with the marks aligned on the 0 degree axis. Now spine the two sections as if they were one section and see if you still have the same "lock in" axis. If they are not as strong as the parts are seprate, turn the second section over 180 degrees and check again. Align the two sections on the axis where the rod "locks in" the tightest and mark them as one section. Complete this process until all sections are connected and the rod is "locked in". With the rod spined or "locked in", flex the rod and place your guides on the outside of the curve.

Placing the guides on the outside of the curve will have the strongest spine holding your guides in line with your rod when you are casting and the guides which will be located on the bottom of your rod on the retrieve and will provide stability in that position. Check your rod by taping the guides on and attaching the reel in the position you plan to place it when the rod is complete. Run a line through the guides and flex the rod to a normal fish fighting bend and see if the line is following the curve of the rod. There should not be much of an angle as the line pulls against the guide. Next, place the rod in a casting position and have someone hold the line or tie it to an object about as high as the rod will be when flexed to a full loaded position. Observe the line, is it located on the top of the rod or does it come in contact with the rod or even pass the rod. Does the rod twist and the guides turn to one side or the other. For the rod to perform at it's max the line should hug the rod on top and the guides should remain at the 0 degree axis. Line that is in contact with the rod or twisted to the side will add a great deal of wind resistance and the torqueing of the rod will rob some of the energy needed for the cast. Try these tests to see if the rod is set-up for maximum performance.