Disc golf: 4 factors to consider when choosing a putting putter

The biggest thing?

Putting putters are all about feel – that’s pretty much it.

In fact, three of the four items discussed in this post are driven by feel. So, if your reading comprehension is lacking or you prefer to skim articles, the key takeaway is obvious:

Feel is everything.

If it’s details you’re after, though, keep reading …

1. Stability matters

You haven’t somehow forgotten about feel, right?

Incredibly, this ISN’T part of that.

From short range, the stability of your putting putter doesn’t matter much. Within 33-ish feet of the basket, as long as you’d practiced with it enough, you could throw your shoe at the chains and find consistency of flight. Close to the pin, the disc’s not got much time to fly …

But from distance?

Stability matters – and big time.

Whether it’s a 35-foot step putt, 45-foot jump putt or a 105-foot throw-in, different golfers prefer different levels of stability. As for myself, I enjoy the subtle beef of a Luna from way downtown. That way, I can attack the basket on a hyzer line – or go at it with a mini-flex. Others, however, opt for more understable putters for ease of use, as well as a more glide-heavy flight path …

The choice is yours.

2. Bead or no bead?

“To bead or not to bead? That is the question …”

The quote’s from a romcom, if I’m not mistaken …

Regardless, the presence of a bead has the potential to make (or break) your relationship with a putting putter. The bead is a small, circular ridge that runs along the underside of some rims. You’ll sometimes see ‘em on drivers, but putters and midranges are where they live most.

The purpose of the bead is to help a disc hold its stability for a longer period of time. And while consistency of flight is never a bad thing, when it comes to putting, many guys can’t stand the feel of ‘em – they get in the way. And because of it, it’s harder to produce a clean release.

I’m NOT one of the aforementioned “guys.”

When I putt, I extend my index finger along the outside of the disc – this helps with control. I’ve found that the bead acts as a shelf of sorts, off of which I’m able to generate more spin.

Still, different strokes for different folks.

3. The give of the disc

I’m talking about plastic …

About the flexibility of it all, really.

This is important on multiple levels:

• Level No. 1 – Again, feel is king – focus on that above all else.
• Level No. 2 – Softer discs tend to stick better when they hit chains.
• Level No. 3 – Likewise, they’re known for fewer rollaways after misses.

In spite of the superior in-hand feel, KC Pro plastic is infamous for this – it’s known for spit-outs and interminable rolls. So if you opt for a firm putting putter, the confidence the feel of it generates needs to far outweigh the inevitable downsides, because they absolutely exist.

Then again, you might be a complete weirdo …

One of those “super-stupid-silly-soft” putter people.

* Note: For what it’s worth, more malleable polymers perform better in the wet and cold.

4. Think about your thumb

When you putt, you push more with your thumb than you’d think …

Interestingly, that’s why Jay Reading insists on a puddle-topped Yeti Pro Aviar.

Forever and for always, you can’t forget about feel – even when it’s only your thumb that’s taken into consideration. Some putters are a bit on the domey side, while others are board-flat. And in addition to puddle-topped putters, grooves and thumbtracks are two other options on the table.

Everybody overlooks this – don’t follow suit.

Normally, I’d tell you to try out a million putters – I could use the affiliate commissions. But with putting putters, the sooner you can lock things down, the better off your game will be …

Get it right the first time.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Review: The Innova KC Pro Aviar
• Disc golf: Why many pros putt with two (or three) putters
• Gripe No. 18: Guys messing with the basket after making a putt

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