How to ‘flip’ putt (and why you’d want to)

Full disclosure, I have no idea what this putting style is called. I’ve scoured the interwebs: Reddit, YouTube, Disc Golf Course Review, etc. I’m sure I’m missing the “official” name, which’ll murder this post’s searchability with Google. If you know what it is, do me a solid by dropping it in the comments section below, and I’ll make the necessary adjustments on my end.

Thanks in advance.

Until then, “flip” putt it is.

As is the case with a traditional putt, instead of the disc spinning through the air, the flip putt opts for an end-over-end flight path. Travis Pastrana-style, think multiple backflips with your putter.

To execute this putt, first focus on grip.

It’s weird.

Using your regular putting putter, place the fingernails of your thumb and pinky fingers against the inside rim. Then, fan the middle-three fingers along the outside edge of the rim. If that explanation makes zero sense, check out the below image – it’ll quickly clarify things:

Next, for the putt itself, bring the disc somewhere near the side of your head. To propel your putter forward, push it – literally. Hinging at the wrist, your middle-three fingers snap forward. The forearm is involved, too. It hinges at the elbow, moving forward simultaneously with the wrist. The movement is somewhat (not exactly) similar to shooting a free throw in hoops.

Here’s what this looks like in real life:

Now that’s fine and all …

But WHY would you want to do this?

There are a few reasons, but not many …

And none of ‘em are all that strong.

First, tap-ins …

Kind of.

I’m not talking literal tap-ins – like, the stuff six inches from the pin. Think more along the lines of 10- to 12-ish feet away. If you’ve got issues with the yips, the flip putt might prove helpful.

The main reason for that being, of course, that it goes dead-straight. It’s nearly impossible to miss right or left. Guaranteed to fly true, all you need to worry about is nailing the height.

Speaking of tap-ins, if the pace of your normal putt has you experiencing far too many spit-outs, the flip putt will prove a stress-saver. First, it’s incapable of flying out of your hand at lightspeed. Also, the disc’s velocity is mega-dulled by the fact that the entire face of the disc hits the chains.

It hits. It drops.

Done.

Other random reasons for any regular use of the flip putt include habit, superstition or going out of your way to be weird on the course. You know, like those guys who swear by the Polecat.

As for me, I probably flip putt once or twice a round. It’s something I learned way back when, and I thought it was cool, so I go to it more than I probably should. That said, this is rarely a strategic play for me. Usually, I’m simply half-arseing a mind-numbing tap-in, so I go for it.

It’s still fun to know about, though.

Implement as needed.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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