Mastering Putting: Pro Guide & Putting Tips

Much like traditional golf, disc golf putting is the final throw or throws a player performs as they complete the hole. However, instead of putting into a hole in the ground, disc golfers are throwing their disc into a metal basket with chains. For most players, the area they find themselves putting is within 30 feet of the basket. Skilled players will pull out their putter discs anywhere from 70 feet and in. But, as you’ll find out there’s a lot more to putting in disc golf. In this blog, we’ll dive into all things putting including the various kinds of putting methods, effective putting practice, and common putting issues and tips to fix them.

Why is Putting so Important in Disc Golf?

After getting yourself close to the basket, the last thing you want to do is blow your birdie or par save with a poor putt. Like it or not, putting can determine how your round goes and your skill as a player. Even the best disc golfer in the world will not win tournaments if they can’t putt effectively. And since putting usually accounts for 30-50% of your throws, it makes sense to learn to putt effectively yourself!

Main Putting Styles

Once you are near the basket, it’s time to attempt your putt. There are several options to choose from.

Spin Putt

Most amateur disc golfers use the spin putt because it’s versatile and easy to learn. It is executed by facing the basket, holding the disc just lower than chest height, curling the wrist slightly, and spinning it straight at the chains. This type of putt typically has a good amount of speed to it and travels in a straight line both vertically and horizontally. This putting method is very straight forward and they’re beneficial when it’s windy or you have a longer putt. The downside to spin putts is that if you miss, they typically fly pretty far past the basket, leaving you a fairly long comeback. The most common miss on a spin putt is to the left or right.

Push Putt

A more advanced putting style is the push putt – a style not uncommon among professional players. Similar in motion to throwing horseshoes, the arm swings in a pendulum motion, pushing the disc forward (instead of using the wrist to spin it forward). A push putt tends to have a lot more movement in its flight path. Because of how it’s thrown, it travels in much more of an arc than a spin putt does. This leaves it in the air longer, so the aerodynamics of the disc often take over and cause it to fade at the end of its flight instead of finishing straight. A push putt is less predictable when playing in the wind, but doesn’t go very far from the basket if you miss. There isn’t a predominant miss with a push putt.

Hybrid Putt / Spush Putt

A hybrid putt mixes the best of the push and spin putt while limiting the drawbacks of both. By push putting with a bit of spin, you can putt with a lower trajectory and keep your disc under any wind while reducing how far you go past the basket on a miss. If you look closely, most professional disc golfers have spin and push putting elements in their strokes.