You don’t see this all the time, but keep your eyes peeled …
There are a few Pro Tour peeps who occasionally putt with an upside-down putter. Elaine King was one of the first to adopt the strategy. In more modern times, Joel Freeman’s built a reputation as a guy who opts for the method frequently – like, every round. Believe it or not, the dude putts exclusively with an upside-down Nexus Xero within 15 feet of the pin to prevent spit-outs.
There are a pair of rock-solid reasons for doing this …
The first is more to approach than putt.
When a basket is positioned precariously on a steep incline, and you’re looking down at it, within 35 to 55 feet of the target, consider using an upside-down putter to get close. This works on short, manicured grass, but when dealing with hardpan, it should 100% be your go-to option.
With an upside-down putter, the idea is to slide the disc under the basket on its backside. Attempt to do the same thing normally, and it’s not uncommon for the rim of the putter to catch on a root or rock. From there, it pops and rolls – and rolls some more. Click here to see what I mean.
It might feel (and look) weird, but it’s the safer play.
Give it a go.
The second reason to go with an upside-down putter is wind – a strong headwind, to be exact. Putting into a headwind, have you noticed a tendency for your putter to suddenly rise, soar and sail past the basket? This is caused by excess air (wind) getting under the flight plate …
It lifts the disc.
An upside-down putter helps eliminate the problem. Simply put, there’s nowhere for the air to be trapped beneath the disc. As a result, when facing a gale-force headwind, within 15 or 20 feet of the basket, aim higher than normal on the pin with the putter you’ve just flipped over …
It’ll fall out of the sky.
RHBH spin putt wants to hit the center or right of center because it'll kick it left, as you know.
— Jerry (@Jaydubya1234) March 25, 2023
When an upside down disc hits it goes straight down so the left side is now good for a RH putter.
It's minimum 50% bigger.
Also, the chain smack sound is sweeter.
Worst-case scenario, you’re close enough for a tap-in.
* Note: This putting technique also works with an overstable midrange or fairway driver.
With all of this in mind, however, when battling headwinds, you do have to weigh the improved flight of an upside-down putter against the cost of the funky, in-hand feel it produces.
If you’re not used to it, it’s uncomfortable.
Don’t let this consume the bulk of your hours with a practice basket. But during casual rounds, make a conscious effort to putt everything from up-close with an upside-down putter. It’s a simple skill to acquire. Better yet, it’s one that’ll save you some BIG strokes in the wind.
Add it to your bag.
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Brody’s Scoober has a predictable drop and sit flight, but the upside-down putt has been around since Wham-O days.
“Baskets”.
Haha …
Totally spaced on the scoober being an “upside-down” toss.
You’re right!
I discovered this by accident before playing a round with a coworker at a course in Iowa. The course had bricks sunk in the ground at 20ft 45ft and 60ft. I was putting like crap so I was experaminting and on a whim I turned my putter upside down and kinda with a sidearm grip I shot it at the basket from about 25 ft and dropped it in. I went on to drop 2 more from there so I went back to the next brick and did the same. Long story short I started knocking down 60fts like they where nothing. My coworker was so impressed he had me show him what I was doing and he began doing it. Needless to say we both shot the rounds of are life. If I missed it fell down beside the basket like a rock. I haven’t been able to catch the same magic as I did that day since but I still think its the only way to putt a disc
Curt, you had me until “sidearm grip.”
You mean to tell me you were flicking putts with the disc upside-down?!
So, do you putt with a Tilt or a Mutant 🥵
I usually putt with a Classic Soft Warden, and I like how soft it is for a variety for a variety of reasons. First it feels good in the hand. Second it sticks in the in the chains better and rarely comes back out. Third it will absorb shock when thrown on an upshot and will stick. But there are problems with it. First they are kind of soft for driving. Second they wobble on long putts and headwinds. Is that enough reason to switch my putting putter to a harder plastic? Like DX or KC Pro? Also, I obviously didn’t miss the artical on upside down putter. My warped putter line Zone works awesome for that. Feels better too.
Oh, nice!
Benji, what plastic is your “warped Zone” in, by chance?
Jawbreaker?
You know I’m a fan of that stuff … haha.
I honestly do not know what is the actual name of the plastic, but I got it at Nats Outdoors and the tag said putter line. Like a touch stiffer r pro. Doesn’t take beatings though. I got an elite z zone for overstable, and putter line for lasers. I can’t say I could blame the plastic because I sure do give my woods discs a whale of a beating🤣🤣🤣
Been there, done that …
I torture discs in my spare time.
(and never intentionally – that’s the sad part)
It’s Putter Line. Kinda like a mix tween pro and r pro. Nice and laser. I can’t throw any other putter besides a pig forehand without a little wobble and it works awesome for finesse forehands. Perfect shot shaper!!
Nice!
Oh ya and while I’m here, I just saw your artical on flattening a warped disc. You said that it works best on premium plastic? What would it do to my Zone?
Oh, no doubt …
As the Zone is intended to be a flat disc, it’d REALL work.
Give it a try!