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By Johnny Sias, Disc Golf Hall of Fame Member, as printed in Disc Golf World Magazine.
I Don't mean to sound cocky, but I don't miss very many putts from 20 feet or closer. You might think I am full of it or full of myself, but i feel like I am going to make every putt. Why? I have been doing this for over 25 years and have putted over 1,000,000 putts. The year I won the worlds, I was putting over 300 a day. If you can get in 100 a day,
you will be a lot more consistent. I try to get in 160 a day or two sets, at least five days a week if work permits. This kind of practice does two things for sure: It will make you more confident and more consistent from shorter distances. Confidence is a big factor in making putts-if you don't think you can make it, there's a good chance you won't!
for me. Try to aim directly at the pole and just a little above center. I feel you have a better chance of catching some chains if you aim at the center. I think that it is very important to have the disc flat when it reaches the chains. This will eliminate the chance of rolling (if you miss the target completely), and it will eliminate the chance of pass-throughs.
PUTTING
Comfort Is Crucial
You need to be comfortable and relaxed to be a good putter. So, the first thing you need to do is to choose a putter that really feels comfortable in your hand. There are many putters out there these days. The Aviar might be the most popular. Some people might like a flatter disc like the XD, or some prefer a deeper model like the Birdie. I am a little different than most; I use a Roc. I just really like the way it feels in my hand. Once you find a disc that is comfortable to you, then you need to buy at least 10 for practice. They all need to be the same weight or as close as possible. The disc you use needs to feel
front of you. (If you are right handed, then your right foot will be in front of you.) My preference is the straddle putt. When I first started playing, I couldn't putt very far, and I found with the straddle, I could reach back farther. Over time, I just got used to it. Also, by being squared up to the basket, if I miss, 90% of the time, it will be either high or low rather than right of left. Most of the time I'll miss high, because a low putt does not have a chance of going in.
comfortable in your hand, and the putting style you choose must feel comfortable to you. The most popular putting style is with your lead foot out in
Eliminate the Roll Away
How many times has your 30-, 40-, 50-, or 60- foot putt or upshot hit within 10 feet of the basket and rolled 30 or 40 feet down the hill? The Lucky 8 Disc Golf Course utilizes all sorts of elevation, so I've had a lot of practice at perfecting solid landings on hills and slopes. Here are some things that work
If you are putting on a slope, then you should try to keep the angle of the disc as close to the angle of the slope as you possibly can. For example, if the hill
slopes to the left, then putt with hyzer. If the hill slopes to the right, then you should putt with anhyzer. When you are facing an uphill shot, if you're not careful you could be in the same spot or farther back on your next shot. You can use your own judgment as to whether you think you can make the putt on that first shot. If there is ANY doubt in your mind, take the disc, turn it over, and give it a little flick up-side down, sliding it up to the basket. Make your easy putt and go to the next tee. Ninety-five percent of the time, it won't roll because the way the disc is curved, it cannot turn up and roll. I actually use the upside-down flick about 90% of the time going down hill, sliding it to the basket.
MY PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY
II never practice outside 45 feet. If you just practice from 30 feet and closer, you will get more consistent from shorter distances, and you will start making a lot more from 40 and 50 feet. You can go for more from longer distances because you won't worry about making them coming back if you miss.
Two In A Row Or You Don't Go
II have gone through a bunch of different routines through the years. The one that I feel has helped me the most I call "Two in a row or you don't go". I start at 12 feet and work my way back to 40 feet, two feet at a time. I have to make two from the same distance, or I don't move back. If you go up and back without missing any, it will take you 60 putts, and that is four from every distance.
