Disc golf: Why many pros putt with two (or three) putters

When I first started following the professional game, this confused me …

During a tournament, so many pros prepare for a putt with multiple putters on ‘em – but why? You hardly need to be Stephen Hawking with a digitized PDGA rulebook to know you get one go at it. Bad putts abound, but there are ZERO do-overs or mulligans during sanctioned play.

Then, one day, during a tournament of my own, I asked a guy about it – he did the same thing. You know the routine: Putt with one putter, but pivot it against the one (or two) in the off-hand.

I then learned from him what I now know to be true for myself …

His words mimicked those of Karch Kiraly:

“Practice like it’s competition and compete like it’s another day on the practice court.”

Kiraly is a volleyball guy, so you’ll have to switch out “court” for “course,” but you get the idea. And it makes sense – the benefits of having competition closely resemble practice are obvious:

• Perk No. 1 – You’ll feel less stress.
• Perk No. 2 – You’ll be more comfortable.
• Perk No. 3 – You’ll take control of situations.

Think about it …

In the backyard, working with a fat stack of P2s, Lunas, Aviars or Daggers, you’re getting in reps like a madman. Yeah, you might have a few stacked on a nearby lawn chair (or this thing), but there are multiple in your off-hand to maximize your time. And when you’re not demolishing your practice basket, during a throwaway round, you’re probably putting twice anyway …

If you’re not, Simon Lizotte has a message for you:

“Twice or it’s luck.”

THAT is why the two-or three-putter approach is popular with professionals …

They practice a lot.

Either way, it’s no biggie. Based on what the aforementioned cardmate shared with me, I’ve been a two-putter guy for years. At this point, anything else feels weird – I’m a creature of habit.

I have no actual evidence to support the theory, but I’d venture to say a slight majority of the Pro Tour addresses their putts with multiple putters in-hand. If that’s not you, though, breathe easy …

Paul McBeth doesn’t do it – he’s good company.

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Editor’s Suggestions:

• Disc golf: How to better putt uphill (and downhill, too)
• Paul McBeth and Jack Nicklaus: Similar, six-time champions
• Gripe No. 18: Guys messing with the basket after making a putt

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