Putters

Putters are discs that are designed specifically for putting and short approach shots.  Virtually all putters have a blunt, rounded edge and a higher profile than a typical driver.  This enables this disc to fly at a slower speed and stall by the basket.  This helps to keep the disc close enough to make the next putt.

How Many Putters Do You Need?

• Newbies - You need at least 1 putter.  It will give you a lot more control on the short shots.
• Recreational Players - You gotta have at least 2-5 putters unless you`d rather spend more time chasing after your putts than practicing them.
  
• Die Hard Disc Warriors - 10 or more putters required to avoid backaches from bending over to pick up your putters during putting practice.
  
• Pros and any Serious Players - A minimum of 15 putters.  If your going to spend the proper amount of time practicing, you don`t want to be spending most of it chasing and gathering up putters.

Selection Tips -

Experiment with some different types of putters until you find what you are most comfortable with.  Putting is all about comfort and confidence.  Once you`ve found your favorite get a stack of them to practice with.  You will need back-ups and you`ll want to be practicing with all similar putters.  Plastics and molds change over time so if you find something you love grab a pile because those same exact ones will be hard to find next time.

There are 2 things to give consideration to when choosing a putter.  The profile of the disc and the feel of the plastic.  If you are most comfortable with the deep rim grip of a Frisbee-like catch disc you may like a deep-rimmed putter like the Birdie or the Rattler.  More traditional disc golf putters have a lower profile and are preferred by players who are more comfortable with a thinner, low-profile grip.  The feel of the plastic can range from ultra-floppy to as hard as a brick and everything in between and everyone likes something different.  This is also a personal preference that you will develop over time so experiment around to see what works best for you.

Putting -

The most essential part of the game of Disc Golf!  This point cannot be overemphasized.  After all, if you can`t get the disc in the basket, you`ll never finish the hole.  All the distance you can muster and even great amounts of accuracy will be thrown out the window if you can`t putt.

Most putters can easily be used for shorter upshots.  Most players should have no problem throwing them 150` or maybe even 200`.  Beyond that they must be thrown high and very hard.  Probably not ideal for the average player for shots over 200`.  Of course "The Swedes", as players from Sweden are known on tour, regularly "crush our Aviars over 400`, no problem, ya!"

Disc Golf Trivia - Did you know that putters were the first discs designed specifically for the purpose of playing disc golf?  Up until the early 80`s everyone used Frisbee catch discs to play disc golf.  In fact,  putters were initially thought of as the new "distance" drivers.  And still to this day, one of those original putters is the current number 1 best-selling disc in the world.