This is the single-scariest putt in all of disc golf

For someone like myself with no disc golf ability, every putt is capable of striking fear into the heart. Nobody is as good at turning a 12-foot tap-in into a knee-knocker. If there are mistakes to be made, I’ve both been there and done that – and for good measure, will continue to do so.

And yet, there’s one putt that not only has me losing sleep at night, but has the exact same effect on somebody as gifted from short range as Ricky Wysocki, Isaac Robinson or Ohn Scoggins

Headwind + Elevated Basket = Nightmare

Obviously, there are additional factors that could make this putt that much more offensive. For example, perching the stilted pin on the edge of a cliff would get the job done. I can’t think of a course designer or tournament director who’s sadistic enough to make that a reality, though.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand …

Headwinds. Elevated baskets.

The madness of this putt comes from the fact that what leads to a successful smash of the chains defies all logic. On a normal basket, when putting into a headwind, decades of conventional wisdom tells you to aim lower, as discs rise when doing battle with the blustery stuff.

The problem with applying this strategy on an elevated basket is that you have no choice but to aim higher, as – on paper, at least – that’s what’s required by the position of the target.

The result?

Well, it’s often something ugly …

Look away if you’re a BigJerm fan:

And that’s from about five feet – and the guy’s tall. Seriously, imagine your half-pint self attempting to splash from 22-ish feet in the same conditions – it ain’t happening, folks.

Crash and burn.

Converting this wind-slapped putt is a matter of aiming low, relative to the height of the elevated basket. And giving your putter some serious pace, as well – therein lies the tricky part. Your brain tells you to lob-bid it, so as to prevent a nasty comebacker with an ungodly tailwind.

In reality, though, into a headwind, cotton-candying the disc at the basket like it’s a Kleenex will have it shoved right back in your face. So instead of that spooky comebacker with a tailwind you’ve been dreading all round, congratulations: You’ve now got the same putt …

Only longer.

My advice?

I don’t care what your scorecard says, toss it under the basket.

Then, tap it in.

And not even that’s a guarantee – see above.

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