Disc golf: Stable throwing putters deserve more attention

Last week, I tossed a round with a buddy who’s quickly getting obsessed with disc golf. I’m better than him, but he’s a natural-born athlete – it won’t take long for him to surpass me.

Still, during our round, he asked me an interesting question:

“What’s the one thing new disc golfers should focus on that yields the biggest results?”

His was a classic, a-lot-for-a-little inquiry. I get that advice is subjective and that there are far more gifted disc golfers out there to give it, but without missing a beat, here’s what I told him:

“Throw stable putters.”

I want to emphasize all three words ….

• To throw a putter is to put some actual energy behind it – don’t just putt with it.
• When I say stable, I’m referring to a putter that flies straight with some fade.
• This last one’s the easiest: Obviously, putters are the slow, workable stuff.

I get that starting with putters is stock, newbie advice. I’m also no stranger to the trend of throwing beefy putters for all approach and short-range driving duties. However, knowing how to put some oomph behind a stable putter is a skill set that bleeds into other facets of the game.

Thrown hard, stable putters quickly inform you of what you’re doing wrong. Should you throw a hyzer, congrats – your stable putter will hold the line. Thrown flat, it should fly straight and fade a bit at the end of its flight. And thrown on a turnover line, it’ll flatten and coast as you’d hope.

The disc does what you tell it.

If it disobeys, YOU gave it the wrong instructions.

The end result is learning to shot-shape (kind of) like James Conrad. Not exclusively with something slow and stable like his beloved Envy, but with discs of all shapes, sizes and speeds. For perhaps the first time ever, your disc golf bag will start to feel open – no new molds required.

Both forehand and backhand, the value of knowing how to do this is BIG.

For me, it’s still a work in progress.

But it’s a worthwhile pursuit.

Here’s my favorite thing about the max-power (or close to it) throw with a stable putter:

It flies dead-straight.

It places securely in your bag what I believe to be the most awkward shot in disc golf – the straight, 275-foot approach. It’s too long for a standstill or putter, but too short for a full-blown run-up or midrange. To make it happen successfully, you’ll need to split the strategic difference.

Or in other words …

Smash on a stable putter.

While others might attempt to flick-flex a Zone up a tunnel, you’ll have the actual shot the course requires at your disposal. The P2, Aviar, Wizard and Warden are all excellent options for making it happen. And if yours is a hand that prefers the feel of a low-profile throwing putter, the Pure, Stud and Tomb are all capable of getting the job done – they’re wildly underrated, as well.

Bag (duh) a few putting putters.

Get your Pigs, Tactics and Distortions in there, too.

But work a true, stable-flying throwing putter in the bag.

Either now or later, your game will be better for it.

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