Dial this disc in to drastically lower your disc golf scores (and no, it’s not your putter)

You’ve heard it a thousand times before …

“Drive for show, putt for dough.”

Might we suggest, however, that there’s yet another tidbit to the saying?

That’s right, today, we’re talking upshots. And the disc in question? It’s not your putter – it’s your approach putter. So yeah, maybe a bit deceptive, but the headline still works for this thing.

First, let it be known that you can putt, approach and drive with the same putter mold. The widely accepted belief is that you shouldn’t “throw” the putters you putt with. Additionally, a putter used primarily for approaching duties might be better off in a premium, “gummy” plastic.

Unless you’re a touring professional, odds are that it’ll get well-acquainted with some trees.

DGPT: Chris Dickerson

I’m big on mold-minimization. If my bag doesn’t require a new mold, I don’t add one. The case for approaching with a different putter mold has to do with stability. Putting putters tend to have a more neutral (or straight) flight path. Point. Shoot. Chains. This makes for great putting.

Approaching the basket often requires versatility. A more stable putting putter allows you to throw touch hyzers and anhyzers with confidence. That “confidence” comes from the extra touch of stability. Without it, if your angle of release isn’t perfect, you’re likely to miss your target.

Stability also allows you to approach either forehand or backhand with the same putter. It’s still a putter, so it’ll require more skill than a Felon or Firebird, but the more possible lines, the better.

So, just to recap, a premium, soft plastic is best. It can take a beating during approaches, but its flight will stay consistent. All this, while having a propensity to hit and stick close to the basket

And again, an overstable putter is key – nothing insane, but more than you’d want to putt with.

As far as specific molds are concerned, it really depends on the disc golfer you ask. Opinions are strong about this slot in the bag. The approach putter is a true “workhorse disc.” It sees plenty of action. Best of all, used for relatively short distances, it’s not a disc you’ll lose all that often.

Again, recommendations are many, but here are a few of the more popular molds out there:

  • Option #1 – Prodigy A3
  • Option #2 – Axiom Envy
  • Option #3 – Innova Rhyno
  • Option #4 – Westside Harp
  • Option #5 – Discmania Tactic

All of this sounds good, but how exactly will an approach putter lower your score?

Far too many golfers think that the key to lowering scores is more birdies. They don’t hurt, of course. The more sure-fire way of doing it, though, is to 1) bounce-back from less-than-ideal drives, and 2) eliminate the need to hit putts outside of your comfort zone on a regular basis.

The actual key to lower scores is to eliminate bogeys through more par saves – see above.

Comfort, confidence and consistency with an approach putter is the best way to make it happen.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

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