Last week, I tossed a round with a buddy who’s quickly getting obsessed with disc golf. I’m better than him, but he’s a natural-born athlete – it won’t take long for him to surpass me.
Still, during our round, he asked me an interesting question:
“What’s the one thing new disc golfers should focus on that yields the biggest results?”
His was a classic, a-lot-for-a-little inquiry. I get that advice is subjective and that there are far more gifted disc golfers out there to give it, but without missing a beat, here’s what I told him:
“Throw stable putters.”
I want to emphasize all three words ….
- To throw a putter is to put some actual energy behind it – don’t just putt with it.
- When I say stable, I’m referring to a putter that flies straight with some fade.
- This last one’s the easiest: Obviously, putters are the slow, workable stuff.
I get that starting with putters is stock, newbie advice. I’m also no stranger to the trend of throwing beefy putters for all approach and short-range driving duties. However, knowing how to put some oomph behind a stable putter is a skill set that bleeds into other facets of the game.
Thrown hard, stable putters quickly inform you of what you’re doing wrong. Should you throw a hyzer, congrats – your stable putter will hold the line. Thrown flat, it should fly straight and fade a bit at the end of its flight. And thrown on a turnover line, it’ll flatten and coast as you’d hope.
The disc does what you tell it.
If it disobeys, YOU gave it the wrong instructions.
The end result is learning to shot-shape (kind of) like James Conrad. Not exclusively with something slow and stable like his beloved Envy, but with discs of all shapes, sizes and speeds. For perhaps the first time ever, your disc golf bag will start to feel open – no new molds required.
Both forehand and backhand, the value of knowing how to do this is BIG.
For me, it’s still a work in progress.
But it’s a worthwhile pursuit.
Here’s my favorite thing about the max-power (or close to it) throw with a stable putter:
It flies dead-straight.
It places securely in your bag what I believe to be the most awkward shot in disc golf – the straight, 275-foot approach. It’s too long for a standstill or putter, but too short for a full-blown run-up or midrange. To make it happen successfully, you’ll need to split the strategic difference.
Or in other words …
Smash on a stable putter.
While others might attempt to flick-flex a Zone up a tunnel, you’ll have the actual shot the course requires at your disposal. The P2, Aviar, Wizard and Warden are all excellent options for making it happen. And if yours is a hand that prefers the feel of a low-profile throwing putter, the Pure, Stud and Tomb are all capable of getting the job done – they’re wildly underrated, as well.
Bag (duh) a few putting putters.
Get your Pigs, Tactics and Distortions in there, too.
But work a true, stable-flying throwing putter in the bag.
Either now or later, your game will be better for it.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Innova: Where to buy official USDGC gear
- Queue the complaints about Winthrop Gold in three, two, one …
- Disc golf: When asked during play, should you disclose disc details?
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
I just scooped up a DX XD and man, that thing is a laser beam. I also love to throw XT Colts. I recently played a course with some sub 300 ft. Holes so those two got plenty of work off the tee and while it took me a few shots to dial in the power (or lack thereof) eventually these discs were just threading straight lines through the woods. It was beautiful. Throw your putters people!
Oh, the Colt is so money …
Bagged a Star Colt for a good bit – it’s a gravy disc.
Colts one of the first discs I ever picked up and I absolutely love it
What plastic are you working with?
Rainmaker for a low profile putter with a stable finish. Hyzer flips and much more. Hoping they come out with a c-line rainmaker. Like the skygods
Thanks for the intel, James!
Admittedly, I’ve yet to try out the Rainmaker …
Will need to give it a go, eventually.
I would actually like to talk to someone about the Disc Golf. I have questions. I can’t get anyone to actually talk to me.
Sounds good, Terrie!
Feel free to fire away with any questions you might have …
Or, you could send a DM to the Green Splatter Twitter account: https://twitter.com/greensplatter
And lastly, you can use this email, too: [email protected]
Maybe we’ll turn some of your questions into articles 🙂
Happy hucking!
Beat in a over stable putter with a more rubber like plastic and it will become exactly what you want for this type of shot like a Zone, Harp, or a Pig
Now that’s true …
Aaron Gossage is BIG into his baseline Zones for exactly what you’re talking about.
My favorite is the Jokeri. It is just a little bit more stable than say an envy but on that smash is dead straight with more resistance to turn. I have two basic plastics and a premium. The beat in basic I can mash on and it will flip and turn but not burn into the ground, incredible disc.
I bagged a beaded Jokeri for a good bit …
This comment might have me put it back in the bag.
It’s a great disc – awesome forehand-backhand combo.
I’m a fan of the polecat for what a laser it can be. MY background is in ultimate and was wondering what other putters might be even more intuitive for ultimate players?
The Polecat will deliver on that front.
The Glitch provides for more of the same, but with a more “modern” feel.
The Sonic, Birdie and Polecat are other discs you could look into, as well.
Oops! Didn’t mean to all caps “my” there, sounds kinda condescending
No worries, Max!
I like the Colt but for straight to slight fade I’ll go with a VIP Maiden. It’s thin and beaded like the Colt. I grab it before I think to grab a midrange.
Thanks for the tip, Nathan – appreciate it!