Putting with a premium-plastic putter is the ultimate sign of “newbiness” in disc golf.
When you see some guy bust out a Champion Aviar at your local course, it screams, “My wife just bought me an Innova Champion Starter Set for Christmas.” This isn’t a bad thing, obviously. New players are what keep the sport growing, thriving and expanding – the more, the merrier.
And if you are the guy bagging a Big-Z Zone, Lucid Judge or Diamond Wizard for anything other than upshot or driving purposes and need some convincing, rifle through the bags of the more experienced members of your local club: You’ll quickly find my take to be 100% true.
Heck, watch any pro’s “In the Bag” viddy on YouTube – I haven’t got the time, energy or interest to get through all of ‘em. But even without seeing them, I’m certain you’ll find the following:
For putting duties, EVERY SINGLE ONE of them goes with baseline plastic …
* Note: In this post, the term “baseline” refers to all softer, more affordable plastic types.
If your mind’s blown, here’s why that’s the case:
Baseline-plastic putters grab the chains
The whole point of circle-one putting is to put the disc in the basket.
You’ve seen some nasty spit-outs on the Pro Tour, I’m sure. And if you haven’t, seriously think about nabbing a Disc Golf Network (DGN) subscription to see ‘em – some of them are insane. But while the pain of it all might be moderately entertaining to you and me back at home …
Remember: Disc golf is these guys’ livelihood.
They need a putter that’ll drop straight into a basket at the mere sight of chains – none of this Mickey-Mouse action you see in moments of bad luck during “NoMez” segments. Durability’s great and all, but smooth, rock-hard plastic is prone to getting slippery when it shouldn’t …
That won’t cut it.
Baseline-plastic putters provide better grip
This is the “Mack Daddy” of all reasons in this article, as far as I’m concerned …
Putting’s weird, in that – unlike with a forehand or backhand – there’s really no right or wrong way to do it. The desired result is so obvious, that – if you’re consistently making putts – you’d be an idiot to change anything, regardless of what some “expert” might say about your form …
There is one thing ALL professional putters need, though …
Confidence.
The easiest way to inject it into your putting game is grip – that’s where baseline plastic comes into play. As a baseline-plastic putter seasons, the rim becomes beautifully beat: Small dents, scrapes and scratches make for a putter that might not look pretty, but it’s easier to hold onto.
Combine that with the general malleability that accompanies most baseline plastics, and you’ve got a winning combination. As an amateur, I suck at putting. What I’m great at, though, is giving excuses for bad putting – a strong, trustworthy grip immediately eliminates one of ‘em …
That’s bad for me, but good for the pros – they know what they’re doing.
Baseline-plastic putters allow for point-and-shoot putting
Some guys hyzer-putt. Others put some anny on that stank. It doesn’t really matter, though: Within 10 meters, you’re gonna need some point-A-to-point-B action on that putter of yours. There’s just not enough airspace in a circle-one look for the putter to do much else, really …
Yeah, depending upon the mold you bag, there’s some variance in stability, but a beat putter is a putter that flies straight. Sorry, but your VIP Harp’s gonna fight you on that flight path …
Save yourself the headache: Go with baseline plastic.
Oh, and one more thing – this is for you …
Plain and simple, baseline putters are cheap.
This isn’t as big of a deal for Pro Tour peeps, as they’re sponsored – they get a stack of 10 to 15 putters at the start of the year. For the likes of you and me, however, it IS a big deal: There’s not a manufacturer on earth dumb enough to entrust us with making their inventory look good …
If we’re gonna change that, we need to practice putting – and a lot. And if we’re gonna do that, we’ll need a bunch of practice putters to make it happen. The baseline stuff’s cheap. It’s easy to build up the arsenal of putters you need to get to work – that’s reason enough to get onboard.
Most convincing of all, though?
Literally EVERY pro disc golfer on the planet can’t be wrong about this …
Make the change, if you haven’t already.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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Putt with what you enjoy using. Not everyone is out there trying to be s pro
Even better …
If that thing’s going in, DON’T CHANGE A THING.
Screw conventional wisdom: Putting the disc in the basket is what matters.
Thanks for reading, ChargeFox!
Agreed. And counter to opinion of the author of the blog, not every pro uses base plastic putters. Yes, the pros may not use premium plastic for their putters but many use some form of blend to get the feel preferred. Newbs, base plastic putters are hard and sometimes you will get a huge roll away if you clank the basket. I also have experienced more problems with the basket not catching base plastic compared to blends. Just my 2 cents. Keep chuckin’.
Thanks for chiming in, Tim!
We always love to hear from our readers, regardless of their “take,” you know?
That’s what makes all of this fun 🙂
Can we ask what plastic or “blend” you use for your putting duties, usually?
Just curious …
Again, thanks for reading, man!
I use a pure in zero soft. It feels amazing and being super soft it grabs the chains and I don’t have an issue with many roll aways. But I notice not many pros use soft blends at all.
That’s true, but “not soft” doesn’t equate “premium,” either …
For example, a KC Pro Aviar is a rock-hard putter, but it’s far from a premium plastic – it beats in nicely.
BTW, nice find with the Zero Soft Pure – great putting putter!
I agree with charge fox. You come across as slightly condescending in your article. Ridiculing new players or anyone for that matter is invokes amateur writing skills.
Thanks for reading Tom!
My man, if you came here for good writing, you’re probably not gonna get it …
Admittedly, we have no earthly idea what we’re doing 😉
Still, appreciate the comment – thanks!
New putters in development. Game changers. Ready to change the way to putt. More success, more control and accuracy.
Steve, interesting …
Can I ask what you’re referring to, exactly?
Curious – thanks!
More DX Aviars have been thrown into baskets than any disc ever. There’s almost no chance that will ever change.
You might be right about that …
Really, just baseline-ish Aviars, in general: DX, KC, JK, Yeti, etc.
I’ve had a total two pro Rhyno’s and two DX Birdies in my bag for the last twenty years. I wore the bead off the first Rhyno and my kids lost my first Birdie for me. Old putters are the best putters.
Chuck, dude …
When you start talking about the Rhyno, regardless of plastic, you’ll 100% have my ear – SUCH a good disc.
(you’re right about all of this, BTW)
To me it depends. I play a lot at night and need see through discs like champion plastics. Or ethos in thought space athletics. To be able to see the light through the discs.
Makes finding them so much easier.
We put reflector tape on the baskets and hang lights. Its also cooler out at night in the summer.
Nikko, I 100% agree with you on this, brotha …
If you’re playing a “glow round,” oftentimes, the high-end, super-durable stuff is all you can get …
Nothing wrong with that, at all.
I have a Champion Color Glow Aviar Driver – I putt with that when I play in the dead of night, too.
I don’t love it, but hey – it gets the job done …
And I don’t lose the disc. Haha.
How common is it to putt with Zones and Harps (premium or baseline)? I frequently use both with upshots but they feel pretty sketchy to putt with.
On another note, does a KC Pro Aviar count as premium plastic in your perspective? Cost-wise they’re a little more than DX, but reaction wise they feel very similar. I’m just a sucker for their texture for grip purposes.
Great questions, Drew!
The first one: You’re right – next to NOBODY putts with a Zone or Harp …
And if you know of somebody who does, they’re either 1) new to the sport, or 2) not very good.
They’re for driving and approaching – don’t putt with ’em.
And for your next question, for the purposes of this article, yes …
KC Pro plastic would TECHNICALLY count as “baseline” plastic.
But you’re right – it’s a bit more expensive.
Whether or not it’s a TRUE “baseline” plastic?
Eh, not sure …
But yeah, in this article, we treated it as such.
BTW, I putt with KC Pro Aviars, too – such a good putter 🙂
Was putting with a Nerve Muse. Did well. Recently finally got a Z Zone and started using it for everything 100ft in. The natural fade just makes this thing go in for me.
I’d try another plastic but why? No grip issues no bounce outs.
Also recently got a glow envy from my dfx sub. Nearly as good as my zone.
Never thought I’d use non base putters but here I am doing better than ever. Recently adopting a straddle style seems to have improved my C1 putting as well!
Man, if it’s working for you, DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING …
Who cares what some dumb blog post says, right?
Heck, if you’re throwing a shoe in the basket with any kind of accuracy, stick with it 🙂
Congrats!
Would love to actually see some data on the chain grabbing thing. Everything is just feelings from what I’ve seen.
Yeah, that could very well be the case …
Does a Champion Aviar REALLY bounce out of a basket more than a KC Pro Aviar?
They’re both certainly “firm,” you know?
Fair point.
I didn’t know putters really came in many other plastics. There are once they get to approch territory. Other plastics for putter molds, I mean.
You better believe it, Marsh!
And you’re right: You see more of ’em in approach / driving discs …
It’s awesome if you can putt and approach and drive with the same mold – different plastic types for each of ’em.
Obviously, that’s not a hard-and-fast rule or anything …
But hey, if you can make it happen and it works for your game, even better 🙂
Thanks for reading, Marsh!
My older G* rhyno is the most “point-and-shoot” tossing putter in my collection. Said collection includes sanny aviary, multiple xds, etc.
I’m going to be “that guy” and say older disc craft glow is the best baseline putter material.
Thanks, B!
Never messed around with Discraft’s baseline glow stuff …
Appreciate the recommendation 🙂
Interesting. I was just at my local shop yesterday and saw a couple of Champion Aviars, did not know they existed in such plastic. The terrain I play around is very rocky, I like the durability of the Champion plastic. But, when is my putter ever going to be impacting objects as hard as a driver or fairway disc? I almost purchased as my current dx aviar is getting beat up a little, but I have noticed it staying in the basket more and not blowing through the chains like it would sometimes when new. Of course, technique may have something to do with it as I’m 3 months into this sport and learning everyday. Thanks for the info!
No problem, Jarrod – happy to have you along for the ride!
BTW, that “grip” that comes from a beat DX Aviar is what you’re looking for …
Whether mental or factual, they seem to “grab” the chains better, you know?
BTW, if you like the Aviar mold, the Champion Aviar would be GREAT for off-the-tee duties …
As you might’ve realized by this point, driving and approaching with a putter is part of the game.
In this situation, Champion plastic would prove helpful 🙂
Again, thanks for reading – talk soon!
Seasoning is good , eventually even an old putter sadly will be Done. 🙂
It’s true …
All good things must come to an end, unfortunately.
Putting putters are no different.
What about all the pros that is some sort of Pro Plastic? It’s firm, less grippy, and more expensive.
Innova tends to charge more for “firm” Pro plastic, because they don’t do many runs of it …
But it’s still TECHNICALLY a more baseline polymer, as well.
And, yes …
It’s incredibly annoying.
love avairs putters dx dp my best putting , been playing sinse 1990 , used all kinds of putters , avairs ny favorite .
Buddy, I’m a KC Pro Aviar man, myself …
Doesn’t get much better than that!
Unfortunately, after much struggle on the putting green, I found myself with a premium price, baseline plastic putter. Rainmakers are doing it for me, but obtaining a stack of them is not the same as a stack of classic blend Judges.
Oh, gosh …
Second mortgage, maybe?
(jokes)
Haha maybe so… Definitely not against continuing my search for alternatives after these are rendered useless.
Give it a whirl!