At some point, every disc golfer wants to throw putters for distance.
And if one claims they never have, they’re lying.
The ability to bomb a putter off the tee is disc golf’s most enviable parlor trick. People notice the dude who reaches for a Pure, while the rest of the card opts for a midrange or fairway driver.
And if said dude somehow manages to hit the same distance with his three-speed, heads will turn and a compliment or two will undoubtedly come his way. The best part of all, though?
Instant respect.
James Conrad’s built a brand off launching putters into orbit. Simon Lizotte has a YouTube following that drools on their collective keyboards every time he reaches for his Glitch. And while not quite as commercial, others have reputations for their competence with slow stuff: Kevin Jones, Drew Gibson, Chris Dickerson and Nikko Locastro all come to mind.
Putter showmanship isn’t nearly as widespread on the FPO side, but Paige Shue won a World Championship throwing nothing but Judges. And Paige Pierce is good with her Fierce, too.
Don’t let that fool you, though …
Many pros avoid putters.
Paul Ulibarri rarely throws ‘em. While he’ll occasionally give his beaten DX AviarX3 some attention on a turnover line, Calvin Heimburg isn’t big on them, either. And again, outside of short approaches and actual putting, throwing putters isn’t as common in the FPO division.
Starting out, newbies are told to throw slower, more neutral-flying frisbees …
This is good advice.
They’re easier to control. The stable nature of putters is great for identifying flaws in form, too. As a user’s body mechanics instruct putters to fly, they tend to follow suit. Also, putters are master teachers of disc golf’s hardest, most sought-after skill set: throwing straight.
But your talent will improve – and quickly.
Your game will grow.
And as it does, you’ll develop your own style. If that includes throwing putters like a madman, great. But if it doesn’t, that’s fine, too. Putters take more effort to throw farther. Why not simply power-down on a midrange? Excluding the Zone, most putters aren’t as resistant to off-axis torque on forehand lines – it sucks. Also, they’re often tall, awkward and bulky-feeling …
Looking at you, Señor Polecat.
I’m a Rhyno guy.
I don’t go crazy with it or anything, but admittedly, I do throw it. In fact, apart from the pair of KC Pro Aviars I’ll forever swear by, it’s easily the third-most used disc in my bag. At the same time, however, I know a TON of guys who rarely go slow. And wouldn’t you know it, a good chunk of ‘em can whoop my butt up and down just about any course in the country.
Find your flavor.
Then, own it.
There are multiple ways to skin this cat …
And a putter’s not always as sharp as you think.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Gripe No. 26: Demanding ‘no spoilers’ on disc golf social
- Disc golf: Why you should consider a three-finger power grip
- Disc golf: What causes putter flutter? (and why it’s not a big deal)
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.
Doesn’t Calvin swear by his Rhyno? He definitely doesn’t throw it for distance but it gets a tonne of work. I may be wrong but I think he is bagging a clear plastic one this year. Promise I am not being a pedant!
No worries!
And Nik, you’re spot-on …
Vinny throws a Rhyno all over the place.
The way Calvin uses a Rhyno, however, is WAY different from the way Conrad would use an Envy, though, you know?
It’s largely an approach disc for him …
Makes sense.
On that we can agree Lucas. JC definitely enjoys bombing his Envy. Hole 16 at MCO being a great recent example.
Absolute lunacy …
Dude just does things differently.
You made some pretty baseless claims. And since disc golf is a sport it can be backed by science and not personal feel and opinions. Everyone knows that the sharper the edge of the disc the more susceptible it is to wind and getting pushed around.
Blunt edge stable putters can be thrown straighter with less fade than any other type of disc. But I guess 2 decades of doing something wrong can make you an expert in why doing it right is wrong.
Bob, I think you have that wind argument backwards …
Double-check and get back to me.
700 rated take. There are lots of reasons why pros don’t throw putters off the tee (unless you consider the Zone and Zone-clones to be a putter, in which case the pros throw putters off the tee PROLIFICALLY), but none of them are reasons why AMs shouldn’t throw putters off the tee. If you have a disc and a shot that works, there is no reason why you shouldn’t use it. While the goal for many AMs might be to mirror the play of 1000-rated players, the majority of AMs will never escape 900 ratings, and should focus on what works for them. SplatTake.
You knew how to speak to us, Mr. Westbrook.
Anything with a #ThunderUp theme to it is going to resonate …
Also, great point – no argument here!
Yeah, it was a good article. I think that putters should be left to approaches and putts. If you want more control off tee just get a Star Roc3, Star Mako3, or possibly an ESP Buzzz. Trying to throw speed one pie plates and coffee filters is absolutely stupid as hum. You are right about it taking way more muscle to throw the same distance🥱
Does it work for some guys?
Of course.
Let’s not kid ourselves: James Conrad doesn’t need advice from Green Splatter.
But the feeling of inferiority some feel for not reaching for a putter all the time is dumb …
Not necessary.
Did someone say Mako3? I’m guilty of wanting (and trying) to crush em with the putter off the tee occasionally. My saving grace is that I most often go by myself so others don’t have to see my putter turn into a trash-roller.
Bahahaha …
Therein lies one of the BIGGEST benefits of solo rounds.
(been there + doing that)
My mention of the Mako3 was because I’m always bagging that and 9 times it off 10 that’s the better decision.
Great disc!
I love this blog lol. Some dude out-drove him with a putter and took it personal
A constant supply of hot takes no one asked for, and dying atop the hills of the most subjective of topics in the sport.
An egdy 10/10 for you my dude, always good for a laugh 🤙
Thanks for reading, Mr. Melch 🙂
Assuming this article was written by AI, Paul Ulibarri wouldn’t reach for an aviar being Team Captain on the MPO side of Discraft, but assuming so it feels like an undercut to the already opinion/hot take dominated websites with articles like this one if they’re just being generated and on top of that half-assed looked through. Correct me if wrong, however.
Don’t think you read that sentence correctly, Small Jerm …
If you keep reading it, you’ll see that it’s in reference to Calvin Heimburg – NOT Paul Ulibarri.
A member of Team Innova, yes, Calvin Heimburg would reach for a DX AviarX3 …
And wouldn’t you know it, he DOES from time to time 🙂
Does that help?
Thanks!
Also, hate to break it to you, brotha …
But no robots are involved in the creation of any Green Splatter content.
I like to think there are enough misspelled words on this site to prove that to be the case.
Thanks for reading!
I think that one of the reasons that James Conrad throws so many putters is because with the backhand only game, he almost has to have a good under stable putter game going on. Putters hold the anny better than any other disc.
No lies detected, Benji!