Disc golf: The weirdest way to practice putting without too much pace

Goldilocks.

Remember the story?

• “This porridge is too hot.”
• “This porridge is too cold.”
• “This porridge is just right.”

That should ring a few bells.

Goldilocks runs through the same routine with the size of chairs and the firmness of mattresses, while rummaging through a bear family’s home. Similarly, as a disc golfer, there are aspects of your putt that require fine-tuning. Or in other words, finding what feels, you know …

“Just right.”

Pace is a BIG one of ‘em.

I’ve harped on it before, and I’ll do it again …

I crave this soapbox.

Especially at the Pro Tour level, it’s wild disc golfers complain about a basket’s ability to catch putts, while insisting on rocketing putters at the chains as if Nolan Ryan himself was armed with a Classic-Blend Warden. Baskets are three-dimensional targets. To ignore putting pace is to fail to account for this indisputable fact. But enough with the problem – let’s focus on a solution.

I don’t recommend permanently altering your backyard practice basket or anything extreme. But if spit-outs are enough of an occurrence that you’re leaving large clumps of hair on your pillow each morning, try removing the chains from it altogether – at least for a putting session or two.

And yes …

I’m serious.

This is the best way to learn to “paint the pole” with your putter.

Obviously, accuracy improves.

However, the hidden beauty of this method is that, in order to actually make a putt, pace must be accounted for – there’s no getting around it. Too soft, and you’ll hit the front of the cage. Too hard, and it’ll bounce off the center pole, assuming you’re accurate enough to even hit it.

Remember: Goldilocks.

“Just right.”

And before you start whining, yes …

This is totally doable.

And fun, might I add:

If a single Festivus pole can “catch” your putts, a net of chains most certainly will, as well. Less A-to-B and more up-and-down with your putter’s flight trajectory – you’ll get the hang of it.

This also makes for a great parlor trick at putting leagues.

The weather’s getting colder …

Practice it. Perfect it.

Flaunt it.

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