Putting Secrets

Like many good DG putters, good is never good enough. If I don't hit the link I'm aiming for at 60 feet, I'm not good -- Oh well, just another lucky missed but sunk putt.

Actually, I don't consider myself a good putter -- except that I do own a fair number of course records which rely upon good putting to accomplish plus I'm very familiar with putting to more challenging DG targets than the average simplistic chain hole (http://www.dolf.com/course/lakestevens/index.htm). By one fellow pro's account, "I used to hate the targets, but I'm now a much better player for learning to play to them..."

However, this isn't about the complexity of putting to directional targets, which is a completely different reality for most DGers.

It's more about a comment I overhead from a fellow DGer about my putting at an event -- "He's like a machine, automatic"...

Anyway, recently, during a practice putting round somewhere on my Home Course, I ran across a simple technique that makes my putting more reliable and thought I'd share it with others. (http://www.dolf.com/stuff/putting.htm)

Basically, when you are setting up for a putt, put your putting hand on your knee and keep your body/head at that repeatable basic height for the entire putting motion.

Feel free to share details and problems of your technique...

i've been told the KEY to being a good putter is having the disc end up in the basket...

[gang4010]

Since you seem to lay claim to multiple course records, perhaps you could share this list? Does it involve more than the course in your backyard, and the Lake Stevens course?

You - as good as Kurt Bayne - that's rich - and oh - Kurt isn't exactly a young pup to your 53 doc.

[chains11864]

f.luke...lol...that was pure wisdom, almost "ZEN"-like perfection.

I will lay money on Craigs' list, over freddies'!!!

Chains

[dannyreeves]

I am a great putter from 50'. terrible from 15'

[rtinsa]

Get a Gateway Wizard.... That will take strokes of your game.. IMO

But that is what Kid Roc putts with......so he has no excuses.

* Since you seem to lay claim to multiple course records, perhaps you could share this list? *

Sort of off topic, but here goes... Every course at Woodland Park -- the Old Course -18, New Course -17, World Course -6 (par 3), Y course -7 (par 4), Lake Stevens White -9, Lake Stevens 150 class white -6. My Home Course -12. Perhaps Top0Scott front nine -1?

While it's not a record, my first ever and only round at Stielacom (back tees) I shot a respectable -7, Lakewood -6.

During the 80s, Lowell Shields and I played head to head several times and usually finished within a stroke of each other. Make your own conclusions.

Sorry if I don't get out much to events and other courses to rub shoulders much. Driving a couple hours to play a round of DG isn't one of my priorities, given that my kid's sports and family stuff take first priority and winning $ at DG events isn't that big a deal to me -- I've got a nice day job. Also, currently I'm somewhat distracted with my home racquetball/sports court... Nice to be indoors, out of the rain at nights...

I do enjoy playing DG with players of all skills (particularly passing on skills to newbies), however I really don't care for events. Too time consuming, too much "noise", ... Perhaps if you had your own full sized Home Course, you'd understand...

* You - as good as Kurt Bayne... *

Kurt's a good player for a kid (he's still in his 40s, I think) When I've played with him, we're been pretty close in skills, which obviously vary from day to day.

Kurt played my Home Course of 4800 ft (18 holes on 5 acres on a ridge with 80 ft elevation drops) in something like a -4, which was about the same as I threw that day. BTW, he won the first Lake Stevens event carrying his "hard cooler disc bag" at minus 7 (two rounds white tees). Which is about my two round average.

Perhaps if the PDGA had a valid handicap system, which included casual rounds like the USGA handicap system, I'd have a handicap rating to pass on. But no, unless one wants to enter in some DG sales event, otherwise known as a PDGA event, you can't get anything like a rating... Which means if I ever do enter a PDGA event, I'll either be a GM Pro sandbagger, or an overrated GM Pro, and/or an unrated GM Pro -- such is the wisdom of the PDGA rating system.

[tdwriter]

Gee, and he's modest, too. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Yes, modest and willing to pass on wisdom to newbies. Pearls before swine, if you ask me.

[morgan]

Fred, I know how you can elevate PDGA events from being just "disc sales" events, and make a lot of money too. You can sponsor a tournament in the name of your dental practice, I bet you will get a lot of patients that way. Call it "The Doctor Fred Open Mouth"

Practice management combined with good disc golf!! And all the bubbas who play will certainly need dental work on their remaining teeth.

Only joking with you dude. Maybe I'll do this and sell glasses and contacts to the people who can't putt, I can give a vision screening to the people who can't see the pins.

You want to know the secret to putting is having a basket and putt for 2 or 3 hours a day... BY the time you putt like that for even a few weeks you'll putt a lot better(DUH!!!!!!)

How's it going Justin???
Is Anthony doing ok???

JVM

* You want to know the secret to putting is having a basket and putt for 2 or 3 hours a day... *

Hours and hours of repetative practice are probably a waste of time.

I've seen way too many DGers who warm up by putting over and over and over from X distance before a round, only to find that they can't putt for a darn from X Y or X - Y distance DURING a round. Or can't putt a darn when they move laterally, or up or down hill a few feet.

Like many, I've occasionally found putting consistancy to be a problem, especially after I take a couple weeks off.

For me, the simple process of putting my hand on me knee to get my body at a repeatable low stance position works to quickly get my putting form back.

Also, I rarely putt over and over from the same spot. After sinking a couple repeat putts in a row to assure myself I've got the motion down, I find that further repetative practice to generally be a large waste of time, if not injurious to one's game.

Putting during a round is all about setting up and making ONE putt at a unique spot. The second putt from the same spot is always easy -- however, it's the first one that counts... That requires a repeatable setup technique for any unique spot, not a repetative machine like motion that only works from 28.5 ft on flat ground.

Of course, this assumes you're not playing at a fun loving Mulligan Event. (http://www.dolf.com/stuff/mulligan_events.htm) In which case, you can tear up a remaining Mulligan ticket and putt again. Depending up on the event rules, if you're out of Mulligan tickets, you may be able to bargain for another mulligan ticket from someone in the group in exchange for a car wash, disc, or whatever tickles their fancy, and putt a third time....

Usually, this gets to be pretty entertaining...

You guys s.uck. Good putting tips and all you can do is blast the guy. Who cares how good or bad he is or claims to be or who's he better than. Solid legitimate tips to improve your game.

[gang4010]

Kind of what I thought Fred, your course records are either on object courses that no longer exist, change from year to year, or never have events (Woodland Park). Or they are in your back yard Lake Stevens, etc. I bet I could have all the course records where I play if I were the only one playing them too!!

Interesting that you should brag about Woodland Park when you were the one responsible for getting DG banned from that park.

I wish I could be as good as you Doc.

Wow...this is my first post...this is actually the first time i've read any of these forums...I'm not sure i'm gonna post again..and for that matter..looking at the above posts...READ these again....

Hey instead of a pissing contest or an argument...why not put something usefull in these posts...Some of us "newbies" read them =]

I think that "doc" has a point with his thoery of repeatable putting postition. After all, why do we throw putt after putt in practice? It's to develope MMR in our fast twitch mustles so we can repeat the same stroke over and over again..

No one knows me since i'm new...so I guess I don't have the pleasure of being bashed on a public forum by my supposed peers...I guess I expected something different..

Well guess what Bildo, you found something different.
This fourm will bash you for your thoughts, grammer, lack of spell cheker, discs used in play, not knowing the RULES, etc...
It's a fun place for the thick skinned to get information. Just put aside all the other stuff going on in this three-ring circus and enjoy a laugh. There is some really good information here if you read between the lines.

[discgolf6481]

Bildo, welcome to the PDGA thread drift posting board.

I assume you were reading this thread for some putting tips?

Your fellow posters have shared their wisdom on directional targets, course records, and some disc golf history. Others have shown their humor, wit, sarcasm, and a little bit of ego.

And you want putting tips? Pretty demanding with your first post!

As far as putting goes, I think it has more to do with the mind than physical skills. Only so many people can throw a disc 450 feet, but anybody can develop a good/confident putting stroke.

I'll agree with Fred on the "repeatable" issue. I think any putt should be able to be duplicated, preferable without thinking about it. That's where I'll differ, and say that practice makes perfect. If you putt 200 putts five times a week for 3 months, you will have the muscle memory. I would try the various putting strokes that you've witnessed, and select the best for you. I prefer a turbo. I always suckked at putting, and practicing hurt my back. A turbo putt is very easy on the body, and with practice, it's just like tossing a ball to your kid. I took my weakest part of my game, and have turned it into my strength. However, I'd probably recommend the other putting styles first.

After you develop a putt, you then need to make it choke proof. It is easy to sink a putt in practice, harder to make a putt with your buddies to win $5, and hardest to make a clutch putt in the last round of a tournament playing in the lead group. The putt doesn't get harder, but the mind starts thinking. Practice developes confidence, and confidence shuts the mind up in key situations.

There are a lot of good players around, I would suggest watching them, and seeing which of there putts and shots can be applicable to your game.

Good luck.

Sink it, don't overthink it...

I'll bang putt for putt with any of you old farts...

[tdwriter]

Bildo, you just have to wade through the BS to get to the good stuff.
I'll agree with Fred on some of his points, which is why I putt in my backyard from a variety of locations, uphill, downhill, long short, around trees, etc. I'll disagree on another point because my backyard putting practice last summer paid off greatly for me.
Don't give up on this place, just take it all with a grain of salt (or a whole shaker at times) and don't take it all too seriously. I don't. RwC

You can have a turn too Russ...
You coming to the Dogwood?

[tdwriter]

I'd love to take shot, BS, but that's a little out of my way. My stomping ground's a little further south and there's plenty in the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee area to keep me busy. Thanks for the invite though. Maybe one day. RwC

[bigchiz]

A music teacher once professed we students should at least pickup and hold our musical instruments everyday. It gets your mind on the toy for a few moments, which really is better than nothing.

A few months ago I applied this knowledge to disc golf. Every morning I throw six putters before leaving the house, even if I'm late. It gets my mind on disc golf early in the day. Putting and confidence have improved as a result.

Using 6 putters, here's a fun routine. (Stance is described from a right hand perspective.)

Beginners should start at about five strides from the basket.

1. regular, straight forward putt
- right foot forward, feet inline with the basket

2. straddle putt
- feet perpendicular to the basket, slightly pointing left, knees bent

3. side arm flick putt
- lean right, right knee bent, left leg straight, body extended to the right

4. face backwards, back hand putt
- similar stance to the flick, but facing the opposite direction and looking over the right shoulder

5. turbo putt (aka spider grip)
- left foot forward, stand upright

6. overhand upside-down putt
- left foot forward, stand upright

[morgan]

"The Doctor Fred Open Wide"

Kind on like the KC Wide Open. I like that one. He he. Get it?

Only joking Fred, not picking on ya.

Although this is the first time I visited this forum it's not the first thread i've read...It just seems when someone posts advice..people make it a personal conviction to downgrade that person...I've got thick skin and i'm used to it..=]

ANYWAYYYYYY....i just played my first tourney of the season got 4th in am1 at Monterey...I missed some easy putts...i'd like to blame it on the wind but i can't...I'm throwing 10 kc pro aviars 174 grams for an hour and a half to two hours a day putting practice...I vary my shots a lot and focus on repetition from 25-40 feet...I use a swing putt and a stradle...I also use and sink a lot of side arm anhyzer tosses when i'm stuck behind an obstical...My mind is my worst enemy in my putting game..Thanks for all the reply's...

Hey are there any other California players on this thing?

Russ...You are welcome to crash at my place anytime you want to come on up for the challenge!
Just let me know ahead of time so I can get my MOJO going...
BS

Have the day off and thought I would jump into the fray. Hopefully one or two of these "tips" will help lower your scores. They helped win the title of 2002 PDGA Amateur World Champion Putter.

1. Everyone has their own style of putting. Compare the styles of Climo, Russell, and Schultz. They are completley different. Your style is the one you are most comfortable with.

2. I believe practice sessions in excess of 30 minutes are counter productive. When the morning coffee is brewing a throw a few sets, after I finish my first cup the session is over.

3.I suggest you have a "trigger" that starts a mental clock in your head. Once the trigger is activated your actions should be the same for every putt. (in terms of timimg and rythum) My trigger is when I put down my mini. (I NEVER mark my disc until it is is time for me to putt) After throwing my upshot or drive and as I walk up to the putting area I access "noncontrolable" factors i.e. distance, wind direction, wind speed etc. This input tells me what I need to do when my trigger starts.

4. You can only control the disc until it leaves your hand, MY target is a window approx.
1 foot by 1 foot and 4 feet from the end of my nose just beyond my out stretched hand and arm. If I hit that target my putt usually has a good chance to go in.

5. Get in your normal putting stance and stand next to the basket, note where the bottom and top of the target line up to specific spots on your body when you are in your stance. This will help you decide where you want to release the disc in relation to your own body.

6. Your motion should be duplicated for every throw and the position of your body should be the same. My follow thru has my finger pointing directly to the link I picked.

7. Muscle memory has a lot to do with success. I practice with 5 discs sometimes. Other times I pracice with only ONE putter, after all you only get one putt in a tourney. I saw Cam Todd practicing with one putter between rounds once.

WOW... have lots more but this is getting long, let me try this.

Practice short putts first 25 feet and in.

When it gets windy, run to the practice green.

Practice with your opposite hand.

Putting is 95% mental.

After trigger is activated you should be able to close your eyes and make the putt.

Relax. Relax. Relax.

Hope this helps someone out there...........ls

[dannyreeves]

I have heard that putting with the opposite hand helps. But I have never understood why. What does it do for you?

[tdwriter]

Great advice, Larry. Some of it I already do, but I'll remember the rest this weekend, as I have a tournament to win. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

And BS, thanks for the offer! But if I took off to the Carolinas, I'd likely have at least a wife and probably a couple of kids (13 and 11) with me. I don't think you'd want that! /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

But who knows, one day I might make it up that way. Good luck in the Dogwood. RwC

[bruce_brakel]

Putting with the opposite hand helps by establishing the putting routine in the opposite hemisphere of the brain.

Normally a right-hand dominant activity is accompanied by left-brain activity. But, physiological research has shown that players with higher percentages of accuracy at repetitive sports tasks (free-throw shooting, for example) demonstrate balanced brain activity. After you have established the routine in the other hemisphere of your brain, your brain will run the routine in both hemispheres when you are putting.

You can also acheive better brain balance if you learn to clear your mind of verbal thoughts before you putt. There are many ways to clear your mind before you putt, although there are fewer ways at sanctioned tournaments and NTs!

Bruce Brakel
2002 B-Pool MDGO Putting Champion

The most important aspect to successful putting is confidence. If you think it will be successful, its a lot more likely that you will succeed. I think that most people consider me to be a good putter but I've dramatically improved my putting over the last 3 weeks. Here's what I did:
1) Switched putter. I went from a Gumputt to one of those Ed Hedrick gumby blow flys (also known as a blunt putt). I find it is almost impossible to grip lock.
2) Imagine myself playing 'catch' with the basket. From years of playing ultimate, I used to be able to hit someone in the chest at 25 yards. Most people can get pretty consistent when playing catch. Why shouldn't putting feel the same way?
3) Slowed down my putts and developed a repeatable routine. I first focus on a single link. Then I 'feel' the weight of the disc in my hand by going through the complete putting motion to the point of release several times. When I get the same 'feel' through 2 consecutive motions, I release on the third.
4) Started thinking positively. I just tell myself it is going in the basket. I stopped thinking things like 'This is a putt I have to make', 'Its worth 30 skins', etc.
I have a straight-line putt. If I'm within 40 feet of the basket on level ground without obstructions, I don't put any elevation on the disc and go straight at the basket without any hyzer. If it's further than that, I have to add a little elevation but still try to throw the disc without hyzer. Of course, if you don't at least get metal with this style, you have to feel comfortable making another 30 foot putt.
Of course, for some strange reason, the blowfly just goes to the basket, even if it gets picked up by the wind, I screw up my release, etc. So that definitely boosted the confidence level. I discovered it by just spending some time practice putting with different putters. It probably wouldn't hurt to keep notes over time so you can see how you felt while playing with a particular disc. And don't be afraid to experiment. Of course, it helps if you experiment while you're not playing for money, points, tacos...
And the only thing I would say to definitely not do is 'sky putt'. The best way I can describe this putt is the disc goes 10 feet off the ground to make a 10 foot putt. I've seen a few freaks that can consistently make putts like this but for most people it results in a lot of missed short putts. A missed putt is a missed putt, even if it always leaves you only 5 feet from the basket. If you're going to want to take strokes off your game by making putts, you're going to have to get comfortable with throwing into the basket, not throwing to make sure you're no more than 5 feet away while hoping it goes in.

* Putting with the opposite hand helps by establishing the putting routine in the opposite hemisphere of the brain. *

Interesting point. I had a stint where I had a pin in my right thumb after some ligament surgery and couldn't throw right handed for a couple months. I had to learn to do everything leftie. When the pin was removed, my hands would fight over which was going to throw or putt a disc. Kind of wierd to look down and see your hands fighting over a disc. Kind of a right left brain thing...

One thing that teaching your left hand to putt (or throw) is that you've got to actually think about what you are telling yourself to do. You'll frequently find out ways to improve your technique when you try to teach your left hand.

Knowing how to putt lefty actually has some occasional value, particularly when you are putting around obstacles (and/or to directional baskets) where right curve/tail off is needed for an optimum chance to hole out.

[pnkgtr]

That's probably why I drive right handed and putt left handed.

Develop a consistant route(stance,grip,posture)and stick with it. At the end of your routine see(or imagine) the line you want the disc to go to the basket on(straight,heiser,loft,etc.) and where you want it to hit the basket. Look at that spot and with even tempo put it in.
FOLLOWING A ROUTINE LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE IT WELL TESTED UNDER PRESSURE IS THE KEY!!!!!!!
FIND SOMETHING AND STICK WITH IT!!!!!!! GUARANTEED IMPROVEMENT!!!!!

And then once you get stuck under a tree and have to switch up your routine the panic starts to set in, heh. Then the wind picks up and you say "should I aim 2 links down or 5 links down ARGGGGGGGGHHHHH, time to count off how far this actually is so I know where to aim"

[quickdisc]

This may sound a bit off ,but here it go's...
"Is there a Disc Golf Putting Video available
That shows various putting styles?" Scott Stokley
Maybe?

Hey does that video show how to put side arm?

[dannyreeves]

There are no putting video out. Scott has his 2nd and 3rd videos coming out sometime, hopefully and that should cover putting and a lot of other aspects of the game.

Ive been playing for about 6-7 months, and I can give/take make most putts less than 20-25 feet. But any farther than that, I end up putting at the sky, putting hyzer, or flicking my wrist too much causing my putter to go either way right, way left, or way short.

Does anybody know what im doing wrong?

[davei]

You're probably not stopping your wrist and thereby changing the the rhythm of your wrist and fingers in an effort to create more power. When your wrist stops, the disc launches. If you change the way your wrist stops or don't stop it, you lose the launch direction/feel. Instead of changing your wrist/finger action on longer putts, put more momentum into the stop of your wrist by moving your arm more quickly into the punch of the wrist. This will create more power without changing the rhythm/nature of your normal putt.

alright, cool. I'll try that out tomorrow. so let me get this straight, I just do the same thing im doing for the shorter putts. But I do it quicker?

[davei]

To be clearer: your wrist motion, rhythm, quickness,stop should all be the same. It may take a little more force to stop your wrist. What you change from very short to very long is the force you put into the wrist stop (which lauches your disc). The more force you put into it, the longer it goes, but it goes the same way. A quicker, firmer arm motion (push, rise, or swing--insert your style) into the wrist stop will give you more distance.

Good tips Dave. I might also add that you get more push off your back leg. You can do this by putting all your weight on your back leg/foot. Accelerate forward and release the disc in the same position your used to. By creating more push on the back leg, you disc should travel further.IMO. Good luck! As always practice is the key.

-m

Am I the only person that "turbo Putts"...(over hand/push). I can hit 85 % from thirty feet and about 95% from 20 feet, inside 20 is pretty much flawless.
Anyone else?

[jzumwalt]

flex/skye, No you are not the only one,we are just a rare breed./msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif I agree with you. I think it is just as accurate a putting style as the traditional backhand. I think more people would use it but it doesn't feel comfortable to them where the traditional style does. On the other hand turbo putting feels more comfortable/smoother to me. I think you should stick with what works even if some people think its weird.

I've been turbo putting for 10 years and on a good day pretty dang accurate. The only problem I have is when it's raining or windy. Lately I have
started to practice back hand to help in these conditions.Started turboing after watching Mr. Greenwell in a tournament. IMO he's the king of turbo

[spartan]

"Remember, the best putting strokes are smooth and rhythmic. They display an absence of tension and an abundance of confidence. That’s because the good putter has freed the mind of mechanics and is relying on a natural, free-flowing stroke."

-<FONT COLOR="ff0000">Tiger Woods</FONT>

[gang4010]

A good way to help with the momentum that Dave D speaks of, and the push that M Watson speaks of - is to think of your torso as the weight/mass which generates the line to the target. Your arm and it's motion are all just an extension of that mass. For longer putts - getting the umph you need to get it to the basket is often just a matter of standing with your feet just a little further apart. This helps to force you into pushing off the back and onto the front foot. If your push is true - then the extension of your arm should be too.

Putting secrets? Ask my 7 y.o. daughter. I just sat and watched her put in 4 outta 7 from 18'-20' in the backyard and one from about 30'.

Of course I reminded the little lefty cheater that she foot faulted.

Dangit. I just realized that in my old age, I'm gonna have to sit around and look at HER trophies, rather than reliving any of my own glory.

Ugh...

[crusher]

Why doe she have to be a cheater if she is left handed?

[rhett]

If 41 is old age, then I've been there, doing that. /msgboard/images/clipart/sad.gif

[jasonc]

This comment coming from THE left handed distance freak. Hope you're enjoying your new home Craig, hopefully you'll get back down to TX for a tournament soon.

People that can throw an Aviar over 400' are also cheaters.

Hi Craig, hope you're enjoying your new digs and all is well with the fam. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

:0 WHAT????? who can throw aviars over 400'?

[jasonc]

Craig Leyva (noputtingsavage) can throw just about any disc 400 . The other freak is Nolan Grider, throws an Aero 500 and can roll it even farther.

both....cheaters....ooppppss, i probably shouldn't be posting on a putting thread!

/msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Just a few thoughts from an advanced beginner who actually loves to practice putting.

I have a Chainstar in my yard, with a solar garden path light on top. I find it useful to practice putting after sunset wearing a headlamp. I practice by first focusing my eyes,and hence the headlamp beam on the link that is my target. I tend to make putts when my beam stays on the target until the disc hits gold. When my head, and therefore my eyes move up and away from my target, the putter goes where my head/eyes ended up. When my eyes go left, so does the putter.The headlamp allows me to track these miniscule head/eye movements that distract my focus on the link I've tried to hit.

I wonder if this is part of the basics of the mysterious hand eye coordination that our biology gifted us with.

In daylight, I can now see that when my concentration falls off and I lose sight of my target, that I consistently miss putts.

Now, to learn how an addled brain like mine can stay focused.

I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who has tried this kind of putting practice, or from anyone who gives the headlamp a few sessions of night putting practice.

Ric, I've always wanted to say this, and say it with sincerity:
"That's so crazy, it just might work."
I just might give that a shot. It seems so fundamentally simple that there has to be something to it. Just keeping the eye on the ball. Hmmmm.

[crusher]

The new digs are cool, and my putting has actually gotten better since the move! I can play with my aviars alot here, most of the courses are kinda short. Lefty's are the only people in thier right mind!!!!

BTW Mark, I here that all your hard work has made some great events. Keep up the good work, sorry that I could not come out and support them.

I will see you at the VPO!!!!!!!!!!!

Focus on the link and the tape on the pole. Say to your self the link in the chain an' Aim for the chain.I personally stradle putt and that works for me within'10-15 feet any longer I throw my wieght from my back foot to my front foot. Focused on the flight line. practice 15-30 minutes prior to playing gets you warm-up and focused. Wallerpines1

[lauranovice]

Mark, when is your seven year old daughter going to come out and play with us? For that matter, when is your wife going to come out and play with us again? I'd love to see Michelle again.

Hopefully soon for both, Laura. The little one says she's ready to start playing and Michelle's even making noise about it too. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

We'll all be able to play as a family here locally very soon. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

[lauranovice]

Great!

Erik,
Let me know if you try tracking "keeping your eye
on the ball". One perhaps too simple perspective is to notice where your beam is pointing when the putter glances off the side chains(or misses them entirely.)

Some might argue that, "of course yours eyes end up watching the putter miss your target." This makes sense, which is where the dark comes into play. Without the beam you lose sight of your disk unless you keep your beam on it. And, maybe that's the microsecond that You take your eyes off the target. And your follow through will go where your disc is going. And perhaps that is depriving your eyes of doing what you had asked them to do--which was to guide your body to guide your disc to the exact place you wanted it to go.

Yeah, whacky--but in the long night winters of Vermont, it's the only way you can fit in your putting practice, and still get in a round during the limited daylight hours.

which putting style is the best for accuracy?

i'm using the straddle putt for short putting and another where i shift my weight forward from back foot to front and flick my wrist towards the basket.

neither is working very consistently i miss alot more than i make

i have found sites where i can watch some of the pros drive and see their different styles -- is there anything like that anywhere for putting?
anyone have links to watching Ken, Juliana, and other top players putt?

[eddie_ogburn]

Order a PDGA Worlds Video... You can see 'em all and help support the PDGA as well.

Does anyone know if the Worlds video was ever distributed. Last time I heard the master was delayed from DiscTV for the third time.

Come on Keith -- you should know this one!

[eddie_ogburn]

I am wondering about this too. I have the '97, '99, 2000 and 2001 Worlds Videos. Does anyone know if they made a '98 or if the 2002 video is out yet? Thx.

Eddie -- I guess that means you recommend the 2001 Worlds video? Is it available on DVD or just VHS?

Line up to basket and go up and down the basket with your disc focusing on that single link and do your practice up and downs toward the basket and keep that line twoards the basket. As you get farther and farther outside the 30 ft. marker start using some anhyser on the put it helps you get it there and with some accuracy. Practice practice and some more practice while you are at it.

[eddie_ogburn]

I personally prefer the 2000 worlds video. I also have some USDGC videos too. They are all good as well. They are all VHS.

After extensive research in the highly scientific HCF Putting Laboratory, I've discovered a long lost ancient Chinese putting secret. I've named it "Crouching Tiger, Round Rock Dragon."

Be afraid....

[disctance00]

call it "putt ching fu"

You putt with a dragon?!?!?

[widiscgolf]

I switch to a "push putt" style. I shift my weight back then forward. The accuracy has increased my 50%. But I do agree that you do need to commit yourself to the putt and follow through, just paint the poll. Putting wasn't my strong point but not I can hit 10 to 15 footers on a consistent basis. My 20 to 35 footers have increased by 30% also. I try to practice 100 putts every other day if I can. Practice, practice, practice is what I have learned to improve my game.

[chris]

I tried that push putt style but my accuracy only increased 46.72% and my 20-35 footers only increased by 22.84%.

Here's some practice drills that come to mind. I might have posted some of this before, sorry:

1. Hard-medium-soft - this is from a ball golf drill. You use a distance that you can make maybe 50% from. Then putt three discs; one as soft as you can throw and still crawl over the nubs, one about medium in your estimation, and then one as hard as you can and still have some chance of sticking. Do it over and over, and it should help you with your touch. Vary distances at your pleasure. Don't be afraid of trying very short putts, they may be the most instructive over time.

2. Path focus/intermediate spot - are you aware of the path of your disc and its angle during the putt? I think most golfers tend to focus on the basket and not look much at the disc during its flight to the basket. Which is probably the correct thing for most people during a round. However, in practice, I think it is a good idea to also be aware of the disc angle and path. When practicing, get an idea/picture of what path your disc is taking to the target and the disc's characteristics (hyzer, mung/angle of attack, launch angle, spin, etc). Execute putts where you focus on the disc as it leaves your hand and watch it all the way to the basket, just as you often see baseball batters watch a pitch leave the pitcher's hand and they watch it all the way into the catcher's mitt. Put all your focus on the disc and path, and as little as possible on the target. Did your putt match what you intended? Find an intermediate spot 1/3 to 2/3 of the way to the basket and hit that spot, like the spot on a bowling lane. Did you hit the spot? Also good for turbos, and I'm guessing other putt styles.

The same concept was also written up by Crazy John Brooks years ago for drives and upshots, and it's also good to think about. On a drive, for example, you visualize a spot maybe 40 yards down the line and you hit that spot with the correct angle and speed. Similar for upshots.

3. 50 in a row. This is another ball golf thing I read. This is where you choose a distance you should make maybe 80-85% of the time in a tournament (say 15 feet for example). Then you groove this putt over and over until you make 50 in a row. When you get close to 50 the pressure goes up and overcoming the pressure and getting all 50 putts deposited gives you a confidence injection. Maybe when you get to 45, take a 1-minute "freeze-the-kicker" wait between putts. I think this would be especially helpful for negative ("I s**k") putters that are missing short putts. It should really help this type of putter in tourney when he knows he just deposited 50 in a row into the bank an hour before the round.

Putting practice season is coming up!!! Can you get yourself psyched up?? Toodles /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Putting is easy! just put the disc into the basket from under 40'. Piece of cake! you just have to have your mental game in order. If you've misssed all your putts from the 25' range and you step up to take another, what's gonna be in your head? "I'm gonna miss this shot just like all the rest". well if you think that, thats whats gonna happen. whenever you step up to take a putt, no matter what distance, think "this one is going in the basket". even say it out loud until you can get it in your head. you will be amazed at the effect.

remember, theres no such thing as a bad round, just a bad mind set.

[james_mccaine]

In putting games, I usually follow your advice and confidently state "this one's going in." (usually I dress this statement to include quite a bit more) However, in my experience, the main effect of this strategy is the hefty dose of ridicule that soon comes my way. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[circle_2]

In 6 1/2 years of playing, I've only had my moments as a putter...even had two rounds worth mentioning...and only one round with no complaints.
But thanks to Gary Duke's comment on another thread re: green-eyed people and depth perception...I have found my own putting secret! And I'm not tellin' what it is! :o:D

howdy another newbie but i feel that i can help with this topic. i am by no way a great putter but i do know what i need to do to fix that.. either in a stradle or regular putting stance what i believe is the key is after release make shure your palm is facing up and your first two fingers are pointing to the basket... when all of that happens for me at the same time i dont miss. i am just trying to make it consistant now. but when its on its on from 10ft to 50ft.....palm up fingers in the basket.....

hope it helps

[Sharky]

Finishing with the thumb up is natural for me too, I can get a smooth flick with plenty of spin but now I am working on the palm down finish. That gives you less spin but enables you to push with the arms and legs and not have your putt depend on that excellent wrist touch, which may desert you when you need it most. This is merely a regurgitation of something that Kurt recently posted, but it's working for me.

I [*****] some days, shine on others.....find a style, and practice, practice, practice....

Sorry Cong, I don't really have anything to add. I just saw your name on the front page under a thread called "putting secrets" and I just had to know what the hell that was all about. :)

humorous thought, yah?

Every dog has his day.....

[tbender]

I've found putting with a Z-Challenger to be detrimental to Mark's game.... :o

:D

i use to putt with reg challenger now its all about the soft one, its soo sweet i just love it.

Here's a question for the "good putters" out there. Is it possible to have bad practice? Sometimes I start practicing and I get into a groove and the confidence goes up and I can tell that it was "good practice". There are times though when the first couple miss and I start making adjustments and start getting frustrated and get the feeling that there is no way this is helping.
Is it better to just put the discs away when it's not working or do you try to work through it and hope that you don't damage your fragile (in my case, very fragile) confidence even further.

i feel the same way about practice. sometimes i have good practices where i feel great, and sometimes it just feels off, and it always carries over into the round im about to play.

hey everyone, my first post...discovered disc golf about 2 months ago and am insanely addicted. bildo, i live in santa barbara. where are you located?

[slowmo_1]

I have a different question unlrelated to practicing....

I put overhand...any advice on which particular putter might be better for that style of putting? I've been through an aviar, aviarX, zMagnent, XPutt'r, and now I'm trying out a rhyno which seems to feel ok. I know this isn't a popular putting style but for you turbo putters out there...any tips?

Slowmo- the aviar-type molds (aviar, magnet, wizard) tend to turn understable when you have to throw a harder/longer turbo. The Rhyno should be decent, but the most successful turbo putters I've seen putt with a Blowfly, Classic Roc, or XD. I think the blowfly is probably the most forgiving turbo putter... even if you hit the outside wall of the basket it could stick in.

Also, blowflys rock for approaches! get one!!!

Hey Guys. This is my first post and I must say there is some excellent advice above.

Here is a bit of my thinking on the subject- I hope it's relevant.

I went from 892 to 982 in less than a year, from intermediate am to open Pro- and Am Nat'l Champ in 1 season. I owe this entirely to good practice and lessons from MN pros especially Tim Gill.

Putting is a meditation. Sounds corny but here's how I see it. The only way to meditate incorrectly (ie make it harder for yourself over time..) is to frustrate. Like anything, you will fail, but the gentler you are with yourself in practice, the easier practice is. So if you miss, and start to get ******, go back to where you will not only make putts but respect them. It just makes it possible to get out of your own way so to speak. As for grip, stance, movement, these too should all be comfortable, more than that- they should make you feel good. Putt for asthetic. There are awesome putters all around me, and I try to emulate them- not during a round of course, but I must admit I studied many hours of slow mo video during practice.

I guess that's the general philosophy. Thanks for the good advice above and please ask questions if anything needs elaboration.

Pete

[slowmo_1]

I've never even heard of a blowfly...who makes them?

[Chris Hysell]

DGA

[discette]

Peter went from Intermediate Am to AM National Champion in one year!!!!!!

Then he turned Pro after Am Nationals went to USDGC then tied for third at VPO.

I think we need more than just Pete's putting advice. I have seen Peter's play improve this last year. Yes, he does have some Big D, but he plays a very intellegent game. He makes very few mistakes, and seems to recover well if he does err. He has mastered a variety of shots.

I guess his putting must be okay, too. But me-thinks he is more of a "Parker" than a "Putter"

Oooh, oooh, ooooh, would that make him Peter Parker. Now he will have a new nickname.....Spiderman!

[seeker]

Ditto, yo!

[seeker]

putting in practice is easy. In tournaments I feel the tension build in my wrist, causing me to lose to people that I normally smoke in practice. Relax, it doesn't count...I try to remember that when they count....

[j_d]

First, you have to be fundamentally sound - seek out the people in your area who putt the best and have them show you their technique. Once the fundamentals are in place, develop a routine and stick to it. Then have your mind choose the disc, stance, and flight and then get it out of the way so your body can do the work - it knows what to do if you'll just let it do it. Easier said than done, I know ..

[morgan]

I disagree, you don't have to be fundamentally sound to putt well. It's possible to be bipolar and putt well, even a certain degree of paranoia and delusions should not affect your ability to tank 'em. Even borderline schizophrenia should not knock you out, but full blown schizo, then I'd have to agree with you.

[scoop]

In dire need of improving my putting game, I devised a putting practice routine that is working out tremendously for me. I posted an article (http://www.urbangrounds.com/DiscGolf/DG_012804.htm) my web site on how I've improved my putting game.

Take it for what it's worth.

looks like i need to do the same thing w/my basket in the back yard.i used to do the same thing you do now but i have gotten out of the habbit of practicing my putts.i used to be a better putter when i did this tech.

[pnkgtr]

Something I've learned recently has helped me a lot. I've stopped concentrating on the target (stopped aiming). Instead I concentrate on form and a smooth release. I realized that the reason I miss any putt is not because of poor aim but because of bad form and release. My aim is always perfect it's my form and release that varies.

[Blarg]

Rich Koski:
Very interesting approach! It reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a pro (ball) golfer. He said the difference between a pro and an amature is that the pros develop their own 'perfect swing,' and merely put the ball in the way of it and the amatures swing at the ball.
/msgboard/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

[bambam]

This is only partially tongue-in-cheek...

I have noticed over my past couple of years of play that my putting has been getting better. I only recently (3 months ago) acquired a basket, so it's not my endless hours of practice that have helped.

The only conclusion I can draw with any confidence is this; as my drives and approaches have gotten longer and more accurate, my putting has also improved. Must be because the average length of my putts in a given round has been getting shorter and shorter. :cool:

Moral - if you want to get better at putting, leave yourself shorter putts. :D

Well, as for putting advice, I'd like to say...ugh...argh. hey...get...your...hands...off...me...aaaaaaaaaaaa ahhhhhhh...

put it in the basket the first time,it will lower your score :D

[quickdisc]

put it in the basket the first time,it will lower your score :D


Check this out. Played last night and missed a few putts from 10-15 feet. Canned three towards the end of the round and was called a " SandBagger" for hitting two trick putts. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I can't win for hacking I guess. :)
These were Am guys too !!!! Sorry I'm Injured !!!! :D

[quickdisc]

put it in the basket the first time,it will lower your score :D


Check this out. Played last night and missed a few putts from 10-15 feet. Canned three towards the end of the round and was called a " SandBagger" for hitting two trick putts. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I can't win for hacking I guess. :)
These were Am guys too !!!! Sorry I'm Injured !!!! :D


Oh , putting with Aviar X - 175grams. 4 time.

[vwkeepontruckin]

Take the chain assembly off you basket and practice always hitting the pole. Your putts will drop when the chains are in the way. Weird idea, but its pretty fun, and does get some results. Try it!!

[quickdisc]

Take the chain assembly off you basket and practice always hitting the pole. Your putts will drop when the chains are in the way. Weird idea, but its pretty fun, and does get some results. Try it!!


Just don't putt real hard !! /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

That's good stuff Rooster, I'm gonna give your routine a try...heck, given my current results I'll try anything to improve my putting.

[vwkeepontruckin]

Take the chain assembly off you basket and practice always hitting the pole. Your putts will drop when the chains are in the way. Weird idea, but its pretty fun, and does get some results. Try it!!


Just don't putt real hard !! /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif



It doesn't matter if they happen to drop in the basket durring practice! As long as you can paint the pole, they WILL drop when the chains are there. So worry more about technique and form rather than makes/misses.

I am trying to improve my putting and noticed that I tend to release fairly low. Considering that a higher release point yields a larger margin for error since it entails shooting from above the basket instead of even with it, I am wondering what others have to say about how high they release from? I ordered the 2003 USDGC DVD and will be able to watch some good putters in action soon, but has anyone else changed from a lower to higher release point with positive results?

[discgolfreview]

i have done both high release and low release and a lot of it is style-dependent or disc-dependent.

there's basically 3 ways to power a putt (not including weight shift), a hinge of the elbow, wrist snap, or finger spring. although some styles use a mix of them, one usually dominates. i would say that putts that use the elbow and wrist are more conducive to a higher release point than finger spring putts. as for what works best for you in terms of release height, i would say it really shouldn't affect things too badly, especially if you make sure that as you increase the release height, you also increase the height of your starting point by the same amount.

as for what i was saying about disc dependence, a few examples... i consider big bead aviars, wizards, and challengers to be very similar discs, but i think the aviar has the most lift of those. therefore, although i can putt equally well with them, the wizard and challenger need to be released higher on putts outside of 20'. similarly, the shape of the top of a magnet slopes a bit and is easy to get too nose down (especially into headwinds) and when i putt with those, i have to release them quite a bit higher to keep them from getting knocked down by the wind.

as for increasing margin for error on higher putts depends a lot on how aggressively you run your putts. when i'm running a 70'er, i tend to want to get the disc on its way down as it passes the basket, but this often requires a loft ~3-6' higher than the basket. however, since the disc is on its way down, on a miss (even one chain high) i am rarely more than 15' away. one could argue that this is more accurate in the long-run because if i run a flat line drive at the basket, i'm looking at more like a 30+ comebacker.

to answer the overall question, yes, i have had success with increasing the release height with specific styles/discs :)

Thanks for responding Blake. I putt with JK Aviar-x's. Also, I started playing disc golf in 2002 after playing many years of Ultimate. I think my general tendency is to use wrist snap although changing to more elbow seems to make putts more automatic. It is too late to figure out whether my elbow, wrist, or finger spring dominates since my wife is asleep and the DisCatcher Sport is in the basement below her. Also, I am talking more for putts that I want to regularly make -- say from 30 feet. When I am at 50 feet out and more, I tend to throw with a touch of air bounce at the basket with fairly decent success , though I want to learn to step through putt and -- maybe -- jump putt too.

Strangely, all that Ultimate seems to come in handy when I am forced to take an anhyzer stance for a putt because I often can putts from that stance (left foot behind the marker, right foot stretched out laterally from the mark and RHBH anhyzer air bouncing the disc with my shoulders parallel to the line to the basket). Though this often works it seems fairly obvious that a more traditional putting form (with the shoulders perpendicular to the line to the target) takes away a lot of variables that can go wrong, and I need to get my muscles to where they have memorized this new approach to throwing to my target(s).

Right now I release my Aviar-x waist high and if I miss I am never far from the basket. The problem is I tend to use a flat trajectory and do not want to go past the basket too far so I often hit low. I am experimenting with releasing heart high so that the trajectory is still a fairly flat line but angled more downward. Is getting the disc a foot or two above the basket halfway to the target the more orthodox approach to putting from even as close as 25 to 35 feet out?

Maybe practicing in my low ceiling basement isn't such a good idea? :confused: :D

any further tips and feedback will be welcomed

[discgolfreview]

as for the downward trajectory, you will struggle with this into headwinds...

i putt with a pitch putt and a slight up and down arc. at 35' the disc peaks about 1-2' above the basket, but at 25', it's more like 6" max above. with these, i find releasing higher when i want a higher apex is much easier than trying to throw it more upwards, as then the disc does not get enough of a forward vector to carry the distance while still getting the height it needs. the thing to look at mainly imo, is the difference in height from start point to finish. you can maintain the same flight path/arc shape by shifting both the start and release points higher, whereas increasing the distance difference between the two will elongate the arc.