Putting sucks, doesn’t it?
Well, let me back up a bit …
It’s amazing if you’re able to hit C1X putts with any kind of consistency. However, if you’re like most disc golfers, by far, putting is the ULTIMATE exercise in frustration on a disc golf course.
Yeah, it might feel good to huck a drive to absolute perfection. But if you shank the birdie look, you might as well have flung a turd off the tee – as far as your score is concerned, at least.
If you’re new to disc golf, this kind of pain is all too familiar …
Putting is hard.
And to get good at it requires a mammoth amount of work. Luckily, there are a few proven steps for making it happen. Since most D.G. peeps have obligations outside of disc golf, reaching the point of consistent chain-smashing can sometimes take years – it’s the harsh reality of putting.
One key step is finding the right disc. Literally, there are HUNDREDS of options for you to choose from. As such, most golfers cycle through all sorts of putters in search of the best one:
- Question No. 1 – Should you go with firm or soft plastic?
- Question No. 2 – Should you go with a beaded or beadless rim?
- Question No. 3 – Should you go with a straight or overstable flight?
THESE are the kinds of inquiries that annoy newbie disc golfers to no end …
Can’t seem to find the right P&A for your game?
Gnaw on the following pair of helpful tidbits:
Tip #1: Test out putters that are complete opposites of each other. Flirting with putters from both ends of the spectrum in every way, you’ll start to narrow down what works best for you. Again, flight is but one aspect of the putting dilemma: Feel, shape and plastic all play a role, as well.
Tip #2: Focus less on how a putter flies and more on its in-hand aura. When it comes to putting, the way a disc feels when you grip it and release it is ultimately what makes it “bag-worthy.” Screw flight numbers – it’s a putter. Instead, pay attention to how it sits in your palm.
Don’t take this process lightly …
Finding the right putter is BIG for consistency.
After some healthy experimentation, you should have a good sense of what works for you. Don’t overthink this – it’s hardly cancer research. Test out some putters. Find one that works. Then, bag that sucker. This part of the process should now be permanently in your rearview mirror.
However …
If you STILL find you’re switching putters like a madman, I’ve got bad news:
It’s not the putter – you’re the problem.
Of course, there’s no harm in re-evaluating your circle-one putter every now and again. But if you’re on your fifth mold in as many months, you’re likely missing the archer for the arrow. There’s no need for another putter. Work with what you’ve got. Focus on your form.
Here’s how to make it happen:
Method #1: Carve out time to focus purely on putting. It helps to have your own practice basket. If you don’t have one, though, your local course might. Whatever the case, find a basket – you can make it happen. Then, bring a fat stack of putters along for the ride and start firing away.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, etc.
Don’t worry so much about WHAT you’re doing – just do more of it.
Method #2: Watch instructional videos on Youtube.
There are LOADS of ‘em …
Here’s one I’ve found particularly helpful:
It’s not hard to find video content like this – you just have to look for it.
Method #3: Play practice rounds. And when you do, put yourself in challenging situations.
If you go out on your own, don’t keep score, but try and intentionally land drives and upshots in areas that’ll require difficult putts. This will allow you to work on putting within the flow of a round. It’ll also help you play more deliberately on your own – less “poke-and-pray” golf.
Controlled Drives + Consistent Putts = Quality Rounds
And if you’ve convinced a buddy to tag along, put a buck or two down on a challenging hole. Make the sodas you’ll buy on the ride home the loser’s responsibility. Something fun. Something light-hearted. Anything to inject some competitive pressure into an otherwise meaningless round.
In life, as opposed to blaming outside forces or circumstances, problem-solving is a matter of looking inwards. I’m not trying to get all “Yoda” on you, but in disc golf, it’s the same thing.
Become a master of your putt …
NOT of knowing every manufacturer’s version of the Innova Aviar.
And who knows?
Maybe you’ll actually enjoy putting one day.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc golf: Why you should ‘take your medicine’
- Why Paul McBeth seems like a lucky disc golfer
- Where disc golf culture can do better to grow the sport
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
