Disc golf: 6 tips for not mindlessly missing 10-foot putts

I don’t care how good you are at disc golf …

THIS kind of thing happens to everybody:

For something so simple, you’d think there’d be a one-size-fits-all solution for disc golfers. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Barring an actual hurricane, you should hit 100% of your 10-foot putts. If you’re (regularly) failing to do so, try out a few of the below methods …

See what sticks.

1. Turn off your brain

I know, I know …

This is easier said than done.

Fortunately, not long ago, Green Splatter had a full-blown, card-carrying sports psychologist pen a piece on how to overcome the yips on the putting green – click here to check it out. If you’re as much of a fan of short-form posts as I am, however, here’s the skinny of what was written:

• Don’t aim.
• Don’t think.

Just putt.

If your brain believes 10-footers are a non-issue, they will be.

It’s a mindset.

2. Practice 10-foot putts

Revelatory, right?

Even the most disciplined of disc golfers spend the bulk of their practice-putting hours firing off bids between 20 and 25 feet. I don’t care home mind-numbingly short a 10-footer feels …

If you’re routinely missing from that range, focus heavily on it when the putts don’t matter. Even better, it doesn’t take long to get a crap-ton of reps in from 10 feet. As long as it’s uninterrupted, you should have zero issue dominating 100 putts from 10 feet in around 30 minutes of work. 

Done two or three times a week, it’s a recipe for getting comfy with the short stuff …

And fast.

* Note: Make sure you’ve got at least five of the same putter for this kind of exercise.

3. Treat them like 22-foot putts

The 22-foot putt makes (or breaks) most tournaments.

Some golfers make them; some golfers miss them.

There’s your scoring separation.

It’s not a long putt, but it’s not a short putt, either. And because of it, whenever there’s a 22-footer on the table, disc golfers usually give it their best effort. The focus is there. The routine is there, too. And time is given to the putt (Nikko Locastro) to ensure it’s got the best possible chance of finding the bottom of the basket. Do THAT, but on those pesky 10-footers, as well.

Never take a putt for granted.

4. Stick with the arm and wrist

Please don’t misunderstand this …

I am NOT suggesting you spin-putt from 10 feet.

True to form, when a spin-putter is on, he’s on. And when he’s off, no matter the distance, it’s an ugly sight to behold. Instead, what I am suggesting is that you putt 10-footers the same way you putt five-foot tap-ins – the form, I mean. But with a bit more power behind ‘em, of course.

Seriously, visualize in your mind what your body does to convert the aforementioned five-foot tap-in. If you’re like most disc golfers, it’s heavy on the arm and wrist, as it’s close – there’s not lots of work to be done. Five feet isn’t much. Five more feet isn’t much, either. So change little.

No biggie.

Easy as pie.

5. Get aggressive with the basket

You’re not John Rocker.

Don’t start putting like him, por favor.

Be deliberate with your pace, though. And without sacrificing control. From 10 feet, FAR too many disc golfers make an effort to gently rest the disc in the basket, as opposed to getting it there with confidence. So yes, be aggressive with your putt, but more importantly …

Be intentional.

6. Switch to something unorthodox

If all else fails, get weird.

This isn’t as crazy as you’d think …

Jennifer Allen got tired of missing from stoopid-simple range, so she switched to turbo putts inside 15 feet. And while he’s not as devout with the method, Kevin Jones frequently does the same thing. You’ll sometimes see golfers do the end-over-end, barrel roll-type putt, too. This way, there’s less left-to-right movement to worry about, so the chance of a shank is smaller.

Whatever works.

The biggest takeaway?

Respect every putt.

This includes 10-footers.

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