Gripe No. 34: Putts that skip off the top of disc golf baskets

I’m not big on video games.

But I know enough to be somewhat familiar with Mario Kart.

It’s been years, and I’m complete and total trash, but on rare occasions, I recall motoring over a well-placed “boost pad” when I needed one most during a race. Basically, if this is news to you, should you drive over one, your cart (and character) are given an immediate boost of speed.

Sound familiar?

For a putter, the top of the basket is disc golf’s version of the same thing.

When it comes to missing putts, I’m a master.

There’s no miss with which I’m not painfully familiar: am-side chain-outs, pro-side chain-outs, “chastity belt” hits, front-cage clanks, spit-outs, cut-throughs and air-mail deliveries are all common occurrences. Incredibly, even the bottom-half of the pole (somehow) sees action.

But the one that makes my blood boil like none other?

The top-of-the-basket skip.

Behold:

• Without any kind of issue, the putt leaves the hand.
• The underside of the disc jet-packs off the top of the basket.
• For your troubles, you’re left with a comebacker – and zero confidence.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Yes, rollaways are the worst …

But this isn’t far behind.

The salt-in-the-wound aspect of a top-skip putt is that the commitment is CLEARLY there. Most of the time, if you smack the front of the cage, it’s because you’re putting with a diaper on …

You’re spooked.

The same can be said for many other common misses.

But THIS mistake?

Your pace is good. The left-to-right alignment is spot-on. There’s not too much angle on the disc, either. Tragically, it’s the height that’s just barely off. And because of it, you pay the price.

Calm those knocking knees …

You’ve got a comebacker to cash.

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