Michael Johansen.
Have you seen this guy putt?
Though undeniably on the back-half of his career, he’s annoyingly good.
He knows it. He shows it.
And not just with an impressive C1X putting percentage on UDisc. At this point, I’ve admired Johansen’s game for years. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s widely known for the following:
- He can’t throw all that far.
- He fan-grips (literally) everything.
- He rocks a legit skullet with great poise.
- He shreds wooded courses with no sidearm.
- He popularized the Banger-GT, Comet and Scorch.
And incredibly …
The unique way he subtly rubs everyone’s faces in his world-class putting ability.
For his cardmates, as if having your groin proverbially kicked hole after hole from circle one wasn’t enough, Johansen is BIG on looking down to pick up his mini before his putter even comes into contact with the chains – spit-outs be d*mned. To quote The Lonely Island:
“Cool guys don’t look at explosions.”
If you know it’s going in, seeing isn’t believing.
Experience is knowledge.
He has lots of it.
Though I’d encourage you to watch the entire thing because 1) M.J. is a great putter, and 2) there are multiple examples of this in the compilation, I’ve time-stamped the below video clip to give you a clear-cut illustration of what I’m on about – this is straight-up “baller-status” stuff:
When I noticed this, it drove me crazy. Even five, six or seven years ago, it wasn’t hard to pick up on. Similar to the commentator in the above example, any time Mike was on camera, disc golf media couldn’t help but ride his jock about how much the guy liked to flaunt his putting prowess.
Years later, though now more of a fixture on the Masters circuit in North Carolina, I can’t help but be impressed. I know first-hand how hard putting is. Furthermore, I’ve come to grips with the sad fact I’ll never be worthy of even spit-shining the ugliest of Johansen’s Ringer-GTs.
The best my short game can do is feign confidence from 22 feet, while deep inside, my mind begs my body to do all within its pathetic power to not produce a 15-foot comebacker.
If this is you, the struggle is real – but take great comfort in the fact you’re not alone. But if this is NOT you, deeply consider incorporating some balding-man swag into your mid-putt routine.
Take your eyes off the prize.
It’s going in anyway.
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I see that move as beautifully cocky because it works even if you miss. It’s like you knew you shanked it right away and was picking up your mini to go tap in.
Miss or make…. You look like you know exactly what your disc is gonna do.
How the heck did I not think of this?!?!
Man, this is good …
You’re 110% spot-on. Haha.
I know this is a deepfake. But this is the move.
https://youtube.com/shorts/WaunYhiL44Y?si=7kAks2W6GTbw_gtt
Bahahaha …
I’ve seen this before.
Obviously fake, but M.J. is responsible for the WAY more tame version of this.
And like 10X a round.
This is a classic.
Nice find, brotha!
MJ plays crazy fast…and is the quintessential N.C. woods golfer.
I had the opportunity to let him(and his dog) play through my group once. Soft spoken…a smile…a head nod…and a 14 under(I checked UDisc later).
Holy crap …
Was he just playing by himself?
Thanks for the story – awesome!
Yeah, he was playing by himself. I have a buddy that sees him a lot…I think he mostly practices by himself, and still plays the big courses(Nevin, Hornets Nest) in 2-2 1/2 hours.
That’s awesome.
I wonder if he has another job or if disc golf is his full-time gig …
Man, that’d be great.