Jackson Reid
Putting is an essential skill to master in disc golf, as it is required on almost every hole. While there are many different putting styles, the most common and natural style is to throw the putter with spin, which helps to stabilise the putter and shape your putting line. Other styles include the loft putt, anhyzer spin putt, hyzer spin putt, straddle, and the step putt, which is used to generate extra power. When choosing a putting style, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each and select a putter that fits your style. Once you have chosen a style, the key to becoming a great putter is to practice. This includes practicing different styles, as you may need to use a different style depending on the situation you encounter on the course.
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What You'll Learn
Choose a putting style
Choosing a putting style is an important step in mastering disc golf. While there are several styles to choose from, it is essential to find one that suits your game and practice it enough to be effective. Here are some popular putting styles:
Spin Putt: This style involves creating a lot of spin on the disc by bringing it near your body and snapping it toward the basket. The spin helps to stabilize the putter and shape your putting line, allowing you to achieve longer distances and a higher success rate in windy conditions. However, introducing additional movement also requires consistent execution to avoid reducing your chances of a successful putt.
Push Putt: While similar to the spin putt, the push putt emphasizes a pushing motion rather than spinning. This style may be advantageous in certain situations, such as putting with water behind the basket.
Step Putt: This style is used to gain more distance or power from a putt. It involves stepping toward the basket and releasing the disc before your foot hits the ground. Timing is crucial to maximize power and avoid a foot fault.
Jump Putt: Similar to a jump shot in basketball, this style allows players to extend the distance of their putt by jumping toward the basket. This style can be powerful but may be considered controversial, and players must maintain a minimum distance of 10 meters from the basket when using it.
Turbo Putt: This style resembles a traditional baseball throw, with the disc balanced on the thumb and released with a spin using the other four fingers. The turbo putt is useful for throwing over obstacles like bushes, but it is more complex and challenging to master.
It is worth noting that you should not limit yourself to only one style. Most disc golfers have a primary style but also use backup styles for different situations. Practicing various techniques will help you become a well-rounded player and enable you to adapt to diverse course conditions.
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Practice all styles
While it's good to have a favourite style, it's important to practice all styles of putting for different situations that can arise on the course. In high winds or with a low ceiling, you will need to know how to spin putt. Landing in a bush or behind a tree might require a straddle stance, and if there is water behind the basket, you will want to know how to push putt.
The spin putt involves bringing the disc near your body and snapping it toward the basket to create a lot of spin. This is useful for many different disc golf scenarios. The push putt is the opposite of the spin putt, with the emphasis on pushing the disc rather than spinning it. The step putt is a common variation of the push putt, where you step toward the basket and release the disc before your foot hits the ground. The jump putt is similar but involves jumping toward the basket with both feet and releasing the disc as you leave the ground.
Other styles include the spush putt (a combination of spin and push), the turbo putt, the scoober, and the kneeling putt. The spush putt can be further divided into the s-class, which emphasises spin, and the p-class, which emphasises the push. The scoober is used to toss the disc lightly over a high bush and land it in the basket.
When practising, it's important to focus on the basics such as stance, form, follow-through, grip, and release. Accuracy and consistency are key, and even mastering the basic forms can significantly improve your game. It's also beneficial to have a simple and easily repeatable putting routine to minimise mistakes.
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Understand putting mechanics
Putting in disc golf is a challenging aspect of the game to perfect. It requires a great deal of mental focus and the right mechanics.
Firstly, it is important to choose a putting style that suits you. The push-putt, for example, involves keeping your spring but changing the throwing motion. The spin putt and the scoober putt are also options. Each style has its own pros and cons, and it is worth trying out a few to see what works for you.
Secondly, you need to select the right putter for your style. This will depend on factors such as the course layout and your personal preference.
Once you have chosen a style and putter, you need to practice. Planning is important, even when you are on the course. Observe the environment and identify any obstacles in your putting path, such as trees or bushes. Consider the wind direction and whether you would prefer to putt with or against it.
Before putting, it is important to have a pre-putting routine to help with mental focus and consistency. Pick out a single link on the basket and make that your entire focus. Focus on the positive and believe that you can make the putt. Use your legs, as they are responsible for a large portion of your power, accuracy, and follow-through.
Finally, when it comes to the mechanics of the putt, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The rear leg forms a brace and provides stability, while shifting your weight forward and allowing the front leg to leverage the ground will add power to your putt. It is important to move back onto your front heel and then plant your toes going forward, keeping your body centred on your rear foot. Side bend your front shoulder so that it hangs lower than your rear shoulder. Push off your rear foot slowly and smoothly, rather than trying to push too fast or hard.
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Pick a specific chain link
Picking a specific chain link to focus on is a mental trick that can help improve your putting accuracy. The idea is to pick one link on the basket and make it your entire focus. This helps you avoid the common mistake of worrying about where the disc will end up, which can be detrimental to your performance.
By narrowing your focus to a single link, you train your mind to be fully present and committed to the putt. It helps you block out any distractions and self-doubt, allowing you to execute your technique with confidence and precision.
This mental aspect of putting is often overlooked, but it's just as important as the physical mechanics of the putt. Even with perfect form and style, a lack of mental focus can lead to disastrous results.
Some disc golfers argue that the number of chains on the basket can impact the difficulty of putting. For example, some believe that older-style baskets with dense outer chains tend to deflect high putts, making it harder to sink them. On the other hand, some players prefer single-chain baskets as they present a higher challenge.
Ultimately, the number of chains on a basket may vary, but the strategy of focusing on a specific chain link remains the same. This mental trick is a powerful tool that can help you improve your putting accuracy and take your disc golf game to the next level.
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Use your lower body
Using your lower body is key to successful putting. This may sound counterintuitive, as it is easy to assume that putting power comes from arm movement. However, using your legs helps you achieve consistency and accuracy. The less arm movement you have, the simpler it is to hit your intended release point.
To putt a disc, you need to generate power, and a lot of this power comes from your lower body. Load up on your back leg and then transfer your weight forward as you swing your arm. For longer putts, you can load up on your back leg more. This allows you to keep the arm motion the same from varying distances, making for a more consistent putt.
The spin putt is a great example of how to use your lower body. To perform this putt, you need to be squared up with the basket, with your feet shoulder-length apart, and your strong leg forward of your weak leg. You want to keep your disc flat, and most of the power will come from your lower body and the spring in your legs.
The push-putt is similar to the spin putt, but you don't bring the disc into your waist. Instead, you keep the spring in your knees, which is where all of your power lies.
It is also important to focus on your follow-through. The follow-through is the most important part of the putt, as it enables the spin on the disc. Without the spin, the disc will be affected by aerodynamics.
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Frequently asked questions
The goal of putting is to get the disc in the basket, usually from within 30 feet.
Choose a putting style that works for you and practice it. You should also be aware of your surroundings and plan your putts accordingly. Additionally, focus on a small target, like a specific chain link, and follow through with your hand after releasing the disc.
There is no one "right" way to putt, so choose a style that feels comfortable and natural for you. Some common styles include spin putts, push putts, and straddle putts. Consider the pros and cons of each style and select one that fits your strengths and preferences.
Spin putts typically go further and are better for long-range, while push putts are more accurate but have a limited range. Spin putts involve more hinges and a wider range of movement, resulting in more power and spin. Push putts have fewer hinges and a smaller range of motion, leading to a more consistent putt.
Find a comfortable putting distance where you make more putts than you miss, and practice until you consistently make putts at that distance. Then, gradually increase the distance and keep practicing to expand your comfort zone. Focus on your technique and don't underestimate the importance of practice, even for short putts.
