The Routine
Should you have one? YES!
Should it be short? Probably
The bouncing of a tennis ball three times before the serve, the sign of the cross plus tapping home plate followed by two swings of the baseball bat, and the swaying back and forth of the disc golfer before his putt are examples of the little rituals that athletes perform before their launch upon the target. What’s the purpose? Well, the consensus is that their little routines help to focus the mind and recall the “muscle memory.”
In every sport where there is a pause before the action the athlete will perform some small ritual. It seems these acts are almost second nature, and every coach I have heard recommends them. Also, coaches insist that the ritual always be the same.
What does the ritual need to look like? It can and probably should vary. However, often the pre-shot routine mimics the shot to follow, which in our case is the putt.
“Proponents of the push putt claim it is more accurate inside the circle as it reduces the “moving parts” of a throw.”
Some disc golfers have longer rituals than others, but professional disc golfer, Dave Feldberg, recommends keeping it short (see “Disc Golf Putting Clinic by Dave Feldberg 2011″ attached below.) Keeping it short helps avoid the danger of over-thinking it and “letting the brain get in the way,” says Feldberg.
Mark Ellis (pro disc golfer) adds that with the ritual you can add a little affirmation. This could be something like, “I’m going to make this putt,” Ellis suggests. The idea Ellis presents here is that “you can’t have two things in your head at the same time.” For instance, “I’m going to blow this putt,” versus “I’m going to sink this plastic saucer into the chains.”
Both ideas can not occupy your brain’s gray matter at the same time. Furthermore, Ellis suggests that the shot be visualized in the mind’s eye before the putt is thrown. (Discraft Disc Golf Clinic: Putting Confidence Program, see below).
The Grip
Is there a right way to grip the disc for putting? Sort of, and it depends
The main way that people grip a disc fall into either two categories: “fan” or “power grip.” However, the exact finger position varies from player to player for each, but most especially with the fan grip.
The fan grip by far is the favored grip for putting among the pros. Most of the pros suggest placing the pointer finger under the rim to the first digit (like Feldberg and Jenkins). However, Paul McBeth places the pointer finger along the rim. (Spin TV Tips: Putt Like a World Champion with Paul McBeth) Advocates of the fan grip say that it provides for more control of the disc. Those players that toss with the “push putt” style use some form of the fan grip. Spin putters may also use the fan grip.
“In every sport where there is a pause before the action the athlete will perform some small ritual.”
Eric McCabe is one of the few professional disc golfers who uses a “power grip’ on his putts. In fact, McCabe uses the “power grip” on all his throws. McCabe is a “spin putter” which is likely the reason that he uses this grip, as it produces a lot of spin. An argument could be made that having only one grip simplifies the game. (McCabe Minute Disc Golf Tips: The Putt).
The Stance
Is my putting stance important? YES!
Is there a right way to do it? Pretty much.
Disc golfers stand in relation to the basket in two ways: either parallel to the line between the lie and the basket or perpendicular. Most professionals favor the parallel stance. However, even those that favor the parallel stance will employ the perpendicular stance (known widely as the “straddle putt”) when an obstacle or the slope of the land may dictate its use.
All the pros are in agreement that developing balance is key to a good stance.
Where to Aim
Is there a certain portion of the basket I should be aiming at?
Uhh…whatever works for you.
Of all the components to putting, “what to aim at” seems to have the largest diversity of opinion.
Eric McCabe says to pick a link in a chain to the right of the pole 5 links up from the rim of the basket. Cameron Todd says “no” to the “pick a link” notion and says to aim “dead center pole.” (Disc Golf Putt Clinic with Cameron Todd and Dave Feldberg) Dave Feldberg suggests aiming slightly left of the pole for those who are right-eye dominant (which is most of us).
“Almost all the professional disc golfers will end their putts with their throwing hand stretched out toward the basket and their back leg raised off the ground.”
My friend, Dan Norman, advanced play disc golfer and contributing author to this website, says he aims at the whole area between the top ring and the rim of the basket. Dan states that “aiming at one small link in a chain or the center of the pole makes him too nervous.” Avery Jenkins seems to take the “whatever works for you approach” stating “you can either focus on one chain link or the whole basket.” (Discmania Deep in the Game: Ep 1- Putting, see below)
The Toss
Is there a right way to hold my throwing arm? Yes, but the style varies.
Is the release important? Yes, but the style varies.
The general consensus among the pros is that there are two main putting styles: The “push putt” (also called “pitch putt”) and the “spin putt.” Actual execution of these styles vary from player to player, though. I know that there is also the turbo and flutter putt, but I have not seen any pros advocate either of those styles (if you do it and it works for you than more power to you.)
The push putt, as the name suggests, is a throwing style that pushes the disc through the air with little to no spin. Proponents of this style claim it is more accurate inside the circle (the 10-meter radius around the basket) as it reduces the “moving parts” of a throw. Also, if the putt is missed, the second putt should be closer to the basket than may result from a missed spin putt.
The spin putt, explains Jussi Maresmaa (founder of Discmania), is able to get more distance and handles the wind better than a push putt. The spin putt requires more wrist and arm motion than a push putt. (Discmania Deep in the Game: Ep 1- Putting, see below)
The Follow Through
Is follow through important? Most say Yes.
Almost all the professional disc golfers will end their putts with their throwing hand stretched out toward the basket and their back leg raised off the ground. Look up Eric McCabe’s logo for a visual. You may have heard putting sayings like “shake hands with the basket” or “reach for the chains.” These sayings advocate a follow through with the hand stretched forward toward the basket.
Dave Dunipace (founder of Innova), contrary to what I have seen the pros do, says that there is “no need to have an arm motion going out like you are trying to reach the disc into the basket. In fact that is probably counter-productive…”
“When it comes to aiming, Avery Jenkins seems to take the ‘whatever works for you approach’ stating ‘you can either focus on one chain link or the whole basket.’”
Furthermore, Dave says “nothing more than a short quick wrist action is needed to putt 50 feet, no jumping, lunging, or even follow-through is required.” (Dave’s Tips: Putting-Wrist Action). However, watching Dave’s video it is my opinion that he has a bit of a follow-through, even though it may be abbreviated.
