Gripe No. 49: 30-foot putts in disc golf

By: Lucas Miller

I hate 30-foot putts.

Fifteen-footers are a cake-walk. Twenty-five-footers demand practice, but getting comfy with them is merely a matter of repetition. Thirty-five-footers allow for a step or jump, but they’re as close of a circle-two bid as you can draw. And from 45 feet, not a soul is betting on you …

Any make is gravy.

No pressure.

But the 30-footer?

It’s awkward; it’s uncomfortable.

DGPT: The 2023 Flying Disc Open

It’s a putt that can’t decide if it’s short or long. Because of the “tweener” distance, assuming you prefer to putt from a staggered stance, things can quickly become frustrating. It’s not a tap-in, so power is needed. But with the reachback colliding with your crotch or stomach regions, rarely does the uptick in power come without a butchering of your tried-and-true putting routine.

The straddle putt (gross) might also be of service.

Regardless, I’m NOT good at improvising on the putting green.

Perhaps worst of all, however, is the feeling that you should drain 30-footers at a high clip. Inside the circle, the expectation is that you’re halfway home – now for the easy part.

Lies.

Whether from the tee or an approach, the goal is to get inside the circle for a birdie or par attempt. Obviously, a park-job is better, but this’ll do – it’ll leave UDisc pleased, at least.

That is until you airmail 30-footer after 30-footer, and your circle-one putting percentage plummets. Your on-screen ego isn’t the only thing taking a nosedive, either. Miss enough 30-footers, and those 22-footers that make (or break) tournaments start to look WAY longer.

DGPT: Matthew Orum

See what I mean?

Dominos.

Thirty of ‘em, to be exact.

Making matters suck all the more, I swear my drives are circle’s edge-seeking missiles. And not the good kind – the one’s just outside of 32.8 feet from the pin, allowing me to “cheat” a bit.

The solution is obvious …

More time with the practice basket.

In the interim, however, complaining is cathartic.

Thanks for listening.

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Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

12 thoughts on “Gripe No. 49: 30-foot putts in disc golf”

  1. had some issues with this today at a local, semi-pro, course (Tyger River in SC). ended at 3 over. not that bad, historically, but those awkward distance putts… 🤦🏼‍♂️

    Reply

    • I’m a WAY bigger fan of the 35-footer …

      And yes, I’m the guy who starts jumping the INSTANT he’s outside of 33 feet.

      I apologize for nothing.

      Reply

    • I completely agree with this article. Which is EXACTLY why I practice 30 footers the most. My logic is that if I can be proficient at 30 ft , anything closer should be money.

      Also, I heard and felt the disgust of the (gross) after “straddle putt.” It’s the most appropriate adjective.

      Reply

      • Yes, but in defense of the straddle putt, you DO want to practice it …

        At least a bit.

        Especially if you frequent wooded courses.

        (sad, but true)

        Reply

  2. Stick with your practice routine from wherever your putting from. Commitment and consistency will bear the fruits of your labor. Don’t get frustrated, it takes a lot of time and effort to develop your routine. Over time your confidence will build as you continue to practice while adhering to your routine. Patience is key, it takes time to hone the mental fortitude required to quickly regroup or keep calm when on a roll. Know, commit, practice, Enjoy the journey!

    Reply

  3. I use a weight that I clamp on to my disc when I am practice putting ( I also use it as a guide to “put it in the basket”). I do my normal routine than remove the weight and pop it into the basket. I found that Ive strengthened my form to where my 10-15′ firm putts have plenty of power to reach from 25-30′, thus making my stroke very similar inside the circle. I am no pro, nor my cohort throwers but our putting as a whole has improved greatly over this past season. Long of the short…I dont mind 30 footers anymore and I look forward to comebackers….,.Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

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