Roc for putting

[blang]

I have used a Lightning Upshot 167 grams for a while now but as my distance has improved It feels a little too floppy and feels as if it will not be good for putts over 25 feet. I have been using a Roc for mid range and approach and have found that I have similar success with the Upshot and the Roc under 20 feet but feel more comfortable with the Roc between 15 to 25 feet. I also have had similar results as the Roc with a 170 gram shark and a 180 gram shark. I have tried 146 and 149 gram shark but both seem to be effected by the wind too much for my liking. I also tried a Birdie. It was straight but seems to float in the air too much.

It seems that I need a straight, wind resistant putter that will grab the chains and not go far if I miss the basket. I also know that the Roc is not used by anyone I have ever seen as a putter so I am looking for suggestions. I have also noticed the Roc has more turn than the Upshot over 25 feet. I know the common answer would be to "use what feels best" but I have not tried every disk to know what should be on my short list to actually try. I want the straightness of the upshot but the feel of the rock. I would also like the other advantages that come with a typical putter.


Should I,

1) use the Roc. (it is not typical but could be a good putter)
2) Use one of your heavy sharks. (They are close to a Roc but will act more like what you want.)
2) use the Upshot. (it will grab the chains and provide the typical advantages of a putter.)
3) Use "fill in the blank" (it will prove the best of all worlds)

I have looked into the Classic Roc, variations of the Challenger, Magnet, Putt'r, and Aviar online but have no way to know what would be best for me.

[WillA]

I always say use what works. I use an Aviar for loft and pitch putts. For putts between 15 and 25 feet I use an Optimizer. And for longer putts I use either a Roc or an Aurora.

[DirtyMittenDG]

Ive always used aviars as putters and i've heard from most people thats their putter of choice also. As far as the plastic goes I guess its just your opinion but I use a 150 Star Avair as my putter and as my mid-range disc. I like the 150 weight over a heavy putter too because I have pretty good stability on my throws to begin with, but also because I can use it as mid range becasue its so light, sometimes I even use it off of the drive if I need a nice straight safty shot.

[Three Putt]

The reason I don't use a mid-range like a Roc or Shark to putt is the "Blow By" factor. Midranges have more glide (just a function of a farther flying disc) so if you get one up chain-high and miss, it is going to sail on by and leave you a loooonnnnggggg comeback. An overstable putter like a big bead Aviar, a Wizard or a Challenger will allow you to take a shot at the putt, but if you miss they will stall and fade out, leaving you a closer comeback putt. I'd recommend picking up one of those three putters.

[Russell Gore]

Blang wrote:It seems that I need a straight, wind resistant putter that will grab the chains and not go far if I miss the basket. I also know that the Roc is not used by anyone I have ever seen as a putter so I am looking for suggestions. I have also noticed the Roc has more turn than the Upshot over 25 feet. I know the common answer would be to "use what feels best" but I have not tried every disk to know what should be on my short list to actually try. I want the straightness of the upshot but the feel of the rock. I would also like the other advantages that come with a typical putter.


First of all, ask any Pro and I'm pretty sure you are going to hear that you should be using a PUTTER. Second I don't personally know of any putters that are wind resistant. They just don't make them. To be wind resistant you must learn the wind, and the only way to learn the wind is too play in it, frequently. I make it a point to play in the wind as much as possible. When I putt in the wind I make as low a profile stance as I can without hurting myself. I also take a great deal off my throw, meaning I barely even toss it. Let the wind work it out!
Now as far as finding something similar to the Roc. I think you are asking the wrong question. The question should be what is good to putt with. Get the Roc out of your head. It isn't a putter and it doesn't act like a putter, so nothing is going to fly like a Roc.. So your back at square one. You must learn a putter of some sorts, regardless. Trust me this is the only route to take, no drivers, no midranges, putters only! Remember putters are putters and they fly completely different than any other disc out there. So if you are having problems with them you probably aren't throwing them right. So how do you throw them right? This depends on your putting style. Do you putt in the traditional way of straight forward with your lead leg in front and your follow though leg in the back(Like the PDGA logo) or do you putt sideways like you would use for a drive or upshot? If you putt straight forward than you need a putter that is a little faster than something you would use for a sideways putt. For sideways putting you need something much slower. That is because you are using "touch". It is a very controlled shot that does not require much.
So what putters are good? That is going to boil down to what works with your stance. The only way to know is too try. Buy as many different putters as you can and try them all, repeatedly. Putting doesn't just happen in five minutes. I have been playing for 15 years and putting is still my demon. You can never learn or putt too much. I putt about 200 putts every 2 days and have been for close to 2 years. I still am not as good as I would like to be.

So what are some good putters?
Innova: XD
Aviar
Birdie
DIscraft: Soft challenger
Challenger
Gateway: Wizard
Quest AT: Magic

Try them all!!!!! Also remember that most putters are a little overstable. That means that you need to throw them with a fudge of anhyzer to make them come back to the left, and hit right side of chains.
The only disc you should be careful with is the XD. It is very low profiled and flys a lot faster than most. IT WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH THE CHAINS, OR BOUNCE OFF IF NOT DEAD CENTER. The XD is a more advanced disc. I throw them but I didn't until recently. I waited a long time to learn that one!
Hope this helps you some!!!!!!!!
Just get rid of the ROC and the idea of how it throws! It will only make you better. And remember practice makes perfect, or it is supposed to!:D

Also "use what feels best" is not the common answer!!!!!:D Use what works best is!!!!

[Amorybulldog]

I make most of my putts with a Classic Roc, it is not a "putter" but it has been for me for years. I have two pro friends who swear by them as well. I personally carry one in DX(left to right longer putts to get around trees or whatever), Pro(straight hard putts), and Champion for when the wind is up or the pro is flying right for whatever reason. I also like the Sonic for a left to right putter because even if I don't get the angle right if I put enough on it it won't fade and take me out of my comfort range. I have used a wizard/challenger/aviar as well. My first disc ever was a dx aviar and it is very similiar to the classic roc. When I practice I still mix the old aviar in with the rocs and really can't tell the difference in the two for my style. I have also found that when I get in a funk putting with a driver can help get me straight just as driving with a mid range can settle me down with driving as well.

[Three Putt]

I try to avoid anny putting for the same reason I don't use a mid...the glide. If you anny putt and miss, you blow-by and the disc flattens out and glides for a mile. I hyzer putt with an overstable putter. It is easier to adjust to windy conditions and it cuts down on the blow-by distance.

I try to avoid understable putters for the same reason. They will glide farther. That was the tricky part of the XD to me...controlling to glide. The Classic Roc is actually a better putter because it is essentially an XD with a big bead. To me it is easier to use an overstable putter and adjust how hard you toss it for long distance putts than it is to use a less stable putter for long putts and try to control that glide.

If there is a windy putter, it is the Rhyno. It has essentially no glide and is as resistant to wind as anything I've tried. That being said, I would not recommend changing putters in windy conditions. You are better off picking a putter and learning how to throw it in all weather conditions.

[Midnightbiker]

Don't forget the Omega SS and the Magnet. Also two good putters to try. Also, go to the local course, or get a practice basket, and practice putting over and over. Don't practice during play.

[ZMan44]

If you want something to hold a line, grab chains, and not blow past the basket, I suggest a Wizard in either Soft or Supersoft at about 174g-175g. I used a Star Aviar for the past 2 years. I recently broke down and bought a Wizard and a Warlock (bought the Warlock just for kicks). The switch has shaved about 2-3 strokes off per round for me. I am much more accurate from 20-40 feet with the Wizard. People say they are the same but i'm not sure I believe them. But, like others have said, the only way to find out what is best for "you" is to try out a variety of putters.

[mmmatt]

I'll second (or is it third?) the Wizard suggestion. I recently switched from a champion Aero to a Soft Wizard and it helped immensely and shaved a least 4 strokes off. I recently picked up a Supersoft Wizard. Man! I love that disc! Much more grippy so it doesn't slip out of my hand and I can just set it on a line that it will hold for a while. Now I've started using the Soft one as a longer distance putter so as not to mess up the Supersoft and it's been working great.

[Russell Gore]

I've heard of a lot of people using the Wizards lately. Must really be a good disc. I have never used one. Im happy with my XD, and yes it was quite challenging to learn the Anhyzer route. As someone stated you do have a tendency to blow-by and glide out. It took a lot of practice but I rarely do that now a days. It is defiantly a high difficulty disc.

[ERicJ]

How does a soft Wizard compare to an Omega SS (http://www.golfdisc.com/omega.shtml)?

[Three Putt]

How does a soft Wizard compare to an Omega SS (http://www.golfdisc.com/omega.shtml)?For putting...pretty similar. The Wizard is more overstable, but where it really shines is on the tee. The Wizard is hands-down the longest driving putter on the market for guys with good arm speed. So since it putts just as well as anything and bombs off the tee, a lot of people carry it.

I have terrible arm speed, and I get better D from an Omega. I can put some hyzer on an Omega, and it will flatten out and glide a long way. If I put hyzer on a Wizard, it starts left and stays left and it will fade out short of where I'll put an Omega.

Once you get inside the 10 M circle, there is not a lot of difference between an Aviar, an Omega, a Challenger, a Magnet, a Wizard or a Warlock. The big bead Aviar, the Challenger and the Wizard have a bead and will be a little bit more LSS when putting. The main difference is how they throw for distance.

[blang]

Thanks for all the advice. FYI I do have an Innova sport basket to to practice putts and I get in about 100 putts a day when I am not on a course. That is how i found out that the Upshot was not helping me over 15 feet. At the time it was the only putter I had and I was using the Roc for mid range and approach because I read it held the ground better than any other disk in its class. I tried an Aviar yesterday and felt it was much better than the Upshot and stayed put better than the Roc. It felt fine in my hand. After reading the advice in the thread and the reviews on Discgolfreview.com I decided I was going to get a Wizard. This is how I came to my conclusion. I throw straight at 25 foot but throw a slight hyzer over 25. (might change with a wizard). I do not want the glide so I got the weight in the 174-175 range. I talked to Chris at marshallstreetdiscgolf.com and he told me I would do well with a Soft instead of a super soft, or SSS. If I like the Wizard I am going to buy 4 more for practice, if I do not like it I think I will try the also highly recommended classic Roc next. Feel free to comment if you think I am going in the right or wrong direction. I hesitated to post this follow up because I did not want to discourage anyone form letting me know what they thought. If you have anything to add please let me know. I will post my results when my Wizard arrives.

[garublador]

If you have anything to add please let me know. I will post my results when my Wizard arrives.I'd recommend learning to putt with a stable putter (Wizard, Aviar, Magnet, Challenger, Banger, Warlock). If you want to move to something else after you've learned with one of those then it's up to you, but learning with one of those discs will benefit you the most. As a bouns, they also tend to make the best approach discs, too.

[Texconsinite]

I might be the only one, but I putt with an Aerobie Arrow. I was terrible at putting when I started, and would often have my Aviar PnA blow-by the basket. I would get the right height, but always too little or too much fade, or just too much power and a clink off the chains. I was struggling to fine tune how much hyzer to account for in where i aimed.

Anyways, the Arrow goes straight, and drops the moment it hits anything, so even if you miss, it will not go far. Now that I have gotten better and more confident in my putting, i am starting to look at other putters, like the omega supersoft, for putting around obstacles. However, I think the Aerobie arrow is a great beginning putter and approach disc, if you want something that will fly STRAIGHT but not zip way past the basket.

This thing is so accurate that if I undershoot a putt, 90% of the time it hits the basket lip or pole dead on and bounces off, parking right there for a gimme.

Its a stiffer material than most putters, but its weird shape allows it to park.

[blang]

I have been throwing the Wizard for 2 weeks and I am very pleased I have 6 from the same run and rotate them every round so they all will break in evenly. I practice form 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet with 50 putts form each location and I am seeing noticeable improvement. It is showing during rounds as well. The wizard has a couple of nice characteristics.
1. even if I miss, I am always within 10 feet for the easy second shot.
2. It is a very straight and great for approach and short hole drives.

Thanks for the advice. I have already converted an Aviar putter to the Wiz and he is just as pleased.

[Midnightbiker]

I have actually started using a Star Coyote as my Putter. It has the same HSS and LSS as the XD but is one number higher on the glide scale. I like my putters to have a hair more glide. I have learned to control my Coyote to minimize blow by and gliding past the basket. I would not recommend it for everyone, but it works great for me. I just never found a putter I liked. Since switching, I have take 5 strokes off my game.

[Donovan]

Do you know why changing putters when playing ball golf can sometimes improve your putting for a short while? It is the same reason for us in the disc golf world when trying a new putter.

It is because when you change putters, you are focusing and paying closer attention than you have been with your old one. It's because it feels a little different and you naturally try real hard to pay attention so you can figure out how to make it work. If you take that same intensity with your regular putter, never take it for granted that you know everything there is to putting with your old putter, AND continue trying to figure it out, will make you putt better. Doing this should make you putt better and make your old putter feel new again. This should get you back to focusing on making good putts.

[ryandr]

Donovan's advice is very sound and would be worth trying.

If you still find you would like a change or further options, I have been using a 168g Innova Gator. I like the feel of the disc and it doesn't have a lot of glide. There is hardly any turn and little fade. It has been a pretty solid performer for both putting and approach shots.

Another disc I have liked for put & approach is a heavy (180g) Innova Shark. If your throw is off very much, the glide becomes a factor and, like several others have stated, may leave you far from the hole.
Hope this info is of some use.

[Donovan]

I gotta share this little tid bit too. Since we can get our favorite feeling putter in many colors. Try doing that. Get 5 different colors of your favorite putter and that way when you go play it will look a little different each round. Just keep swaping colors and you are more likely to treat it as a new putter again and again. :cool:

[edge3281]

I am pretty new to disc golf and have struggled with putting. I don't ever hear anyone mention this disc and never see anyone play with it but the Innova Polecat really helped my putting. It has a feel more like a traditional frisbee and I threw those for years so I am more comfortable with it for now. It does what I tell it to and really seems to grab the chains well.

[Doktor John]

For longer or windy putts I've been using the Innova Spider 175 grams...works well

I have tried the Arrow...I've not been able to get the feel for it :(

[Godard]

I like the Rhyno for longer putts, especially in windy conditions. My aviar and sonic tend to turn anhyzer at longer distances, which is only amplified by the wind.

I see nothing wrong with using different putters in different situations near the basket. Use every advantage you can, including the fact that there's no limit to the amount of discs you can carry.

[veek]

I just got a free Glow Roc with a membership, its my first time throwing a Roc. Went to the first basket and started putting with it, hit 9 out of 10, then from the same distance with my putters only hit 5 of 10. I'm about to bench my putters in favor of the Roc. Is this a fluke or do some people use Rocs as putters ? Putting is the best part of my game, and this is really freaking me out. I'm soooo confussed !!!

[donnyv]

I like to use a buzzz on my putts. This is probably because I'm putting from 50' out most the time because I sux at this game.

[Technohic]

Some people use a Classic Roc, which is a bit different than a regular Roc. That said, though; if something happens to my putters for some reason in a round, I would reach for my Roc to fill in if I had to.

[kinger]

I tend to use my Roc for the longer puts around 20' - 25' and out.

[atl scott]

It's okay to putt with whatever you like. You will likely have more cut-throughs and roll-aways, but if you're making more putts stick with it for a while.

[smarkquart]

Mid-ranges have better glide and thus slower drop rates than putters. What is happening is that players who have little confidence with their putters are not able to find the sweet spot where it will have the proper glide with the proper power needed. You are scared of over-powering the putter because with any disc, the more power you apply, the less accurate you become. By using a mid, you can dial back on the power and thus have greater control.

The problem with putting with a mid is that since they have better glide; if you miss you are more likely going to miss further away than if you were to miss with a putter. Because putters have faster drop rates than mids, they will stall closer to the basket. This is crucial if you are making a long distance putt you do not anticipate making and thus want to at least land close for an easier second putt.

Putting with a putter is not a rule. You can putt with anything you like. However, some tournaments require that you declare before the round what disc is going to be your putter. I believe this is an older rule that has been removed, but I have heard of some more competitive leagues and tournaments that still require this.

If you feel more comfortable putting with a mid, go for it. Like I said earlier, it has a slower drop rate which means that it glides perfectly with the power you feel comfortable giving it. When I get in a putting funk, I have no qualms switching to my Star San Marino Rocs or my Star Ontario Rocs. In the past I have also used my FLX Drone and Z Buzzz. Heavy TeeBirds work well and I have a friend who almost exclusively uses his FLX Avenger SS for putting.

[veek]

Wow, some good info here, thanks people. I've got a lot to think about now before picking a putt disc.

[chiroflyer]

I use a Cro a lot for putting.
Kinda weird, but if I have a really good shot that gets close with a disc other than a putter, I have to use that disc to hole out. It (the disc) 'earned' it with such a good flight, haha.(

[sgamerp]

I mean if i made 9 out of 10 putts with a nuke I would use a nuke to putt. But I know a lot of people will buy a mid before a putter and putt with the mid. So if it works go with it!

[Brall]

i need to start using my z buzzz for really long putts.

i keep forcing myself to use my aviar, even when the putt is so long that i have to throw backhanded instead of using a putting stance.

i has no skillz

[CatFish]

i used a KC Pro Roc for putting until if discovered the wonder that was the FLX Challenger.

[Three Putt]

Mid-ranges have better glide and thus slower drop rates than putters. What is happening is that players who have little confidence with their putters are not able to find the sweet spot where it will have the proper glide with the proper power needed. You are scared of over-powering the putter because with any disc, the more power you apply, the less accurate you become. By using a mid, you can dial back on the power and thus have greater control.

The problem with putting with a mid is that since they have better glide; if you miss you are more likely going to miss further away than if you were to miss with a putter. Because putters have faster drop rates than mids, they will stall closer to the basket. This is crucial if you are making a long distance putt you do not anticipate making and thus want to at least land close for an easier second putt.Saves me from needed to type it.

[garublador]

Mid-ranges have better glide and thus slower drop rates than putters. What is happening is that players who have little confidence with their putters are not able to find the sweet spot where it will have the proper glide with the proper power needed. You are scared of over-powering the putter because with any disc, the more power you apply, the less accurate you become. By using a mid, you can dial back on the power and thus have greater control.

The problem with putting with a mid is that since they have better glide; if you miss you are more likely going to miss further away than if you were to miss with a putter. Because putters have faster drop rates than mids, they will stall closer to the basket. This is crucial if you are making a long distance putt you do not anticipate making and thus want to at least land close for an easier second putt.

Putting with a putter is not a rule. You can putt with anything you like. However, some tournaments require that you declare before the round what disc is going to be your putter. I believe this is an older rule that has been removed, but I have heard of some more competitive leagues and tournaments that still require this.

If you feel more comfortable putting with a mid, go for it. Like I said earlier, it has a slower drop rate which means that it glides perfectly with the power you feel comfortable giving it. When I get in a putting funk, I have no qualms switching to my Star San Marino Rocs or my Star Ontario Rocs. In the past I have also used my FLX Drone and Z Buzzz. Heavy TeeBirds work well and I have a friend who almost exclusively uses his FLX Avenger SS for putting.I agree with this assessment of putting with putters vs. mids. One thing I will say is that if the difference is as drastic as the OP says then he may be using mids to cover up a fairly large flaw depending on the distance. IMO, you'd be way better off just fixing the flaw and then getting all of the benefits of using a putter than just covering it up with a mid.

Now if you hit more 40' putts with a mid and can make the longer comeback putts easily then choosing to use a mid is probably a good idea. The key is choosing to use a mid to putt even better rather than needing to use a mid to putt well.

[sidewinding]

My wife and I followed a final round lead card of open Women in a Tourney and were very suprised to see that Des Reading putted with a Shark. I don't know if that's what she always putts with on every hole or if it was because it was a little windy that day. The difference was, Des was usually putting on her second shot from where her initial drive landed and the other women were usually putting on their third shot from where their approach landed so the putts she was sinking were from much further away than what I am use to seeing.

[jasonc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH-RlFIJOKg

I love this putting video from Innova. If there is a flaw in your putting motion as garublador mentioned, this may help.

[veek]

I've been playing weekly for little over a year now, throwing a Aviar. Got a Sonic about two weeks ago and been using that most of the time. Now I guess my Glow Roc will be splitting the putting duties with those two. I whould like to throw only one putter, but I cant deside which, maybe i'll just make room for all three beings putting is my strong point.

[drickanderson]

I putted with my Buzzzes until I got my Zone. That has changed everything ..

[leftyone]

My brother used to putt with his roc, I gave him my magnet to try out cause he didn't have a putter and I haven't gotten that magnet back since.

[veek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH-RlFIJOKg

I love this putting video from Innova. If there is a flaw in your putting motion as garublador mentioned, this may help.

WOW !!! Thats how I've been putting since I started. I try to teach my buddys but they just dont get it. lol

[jasonc]

I've been playing weekly for little over a year now, throwing a Aviar. Got a Sonic about two weeks ago and been using that most of the time. Now I guess my Glow Roc will be splitting the putting duties with those two. I whould like to throw only one putter, but I cant deside which, maybe i'll just make room for all three beings putting is my strong point.

You should always use whatever works best for you at any given time whether it is for your putters, drivers or mids. I usually keep at least 2 back up putters in the car because I do not like to carry more than 14 total in the bag for any round.

Some people I know like to carry 25-30 discs for a 9 hole course. It's just not for me.

[veek]

I carry 10 now, may go up to 12 after the ACE RACE.

[veek]

I have two of almost every disc I throw for pratice, but only take one of each to the course.

[cali]

I play with a guy regularly who uses a Classic Roc for short putts and a DX Roc from 30 feet and out.

He is pretty deadly with it but when he misses he has 30+ foot comeback putts every time. No guts no glory I guess.

[Frank Delicious]

If you are using something besides a putter for putting you are doing something wrong.

[sloppydisc]

That's the FrankD we all know and love.

Does that mean when I use my putter for drives I am doing something wrong. Outside of my obvious bad form and technique?

[great white buffalo]

My putter is a wizard, but I am more comfortable with a 150 classic roc than anything else I have ever owned. My putter from outside of 50' is a 165 proline spider. Shoot with whatever works, you are not out there to make other ppl happy.

[cali]

If you are using something besides a putter for putting you are doing something wrong.

I couldn't agree with that more. My take on it is if you are using something besides a putter for any shot inside of 90 feet, unless you are going over, under or around something, you are doing something wrong.

But that's just me.

[DeadEye]

I went from my Buzzz, to a Aviar P&A, to a R-Pro Aviar, and back to the buzz. Mostly because my drives get my close enough for me to be confident with my buzz, but not so much with my putter.

[Frank Delicious]

The above post is hilarious coming from a guy with the handle "deadeye".

That's the FrankD we all know and love.

Does that mean when I use my putter for drives I am doing something wrong. Outside of my obvious bad form and technique?

Do you think it means that?

[deBebbler]

That's the FrankD we all know and love.

Does that mean when I use my putter for drives I am doing something wrong. Outside of my obvious bad form and technique?

Of course it does. Don't bother Mr. Delicious with your foolish questions.

[Mike C]

I always thought putters had better glide than mids.

[Frank Delicious]

They do but mids have more speed and take more spin/power to putt which is why they go farther by when they miss.

[Mike C]

That's exactly what I had observed. I remember using a Buzz to putt before I figured out how to use a putter...missing wasn't fun.

[tmahan]

, the more power you apply, the less accurate you become. .

While I agree with this statement in general, I don't believe it applies to putting. I've played with some excellent line drive putters that use considerble zip and are deadly accurate. It's not my style but it can be effective. It certainly increases your chance of blowbys but maybe that's why these guys are so good at it, they're not concerned about keeping it close, they're all about hitting metal.

[discddwn]

I use a Cro a lot for putting.
Kinda weird, but if I have a really good shot that gets close with a disc other than a putter, I have to use that disc to hole out. It (the disc) 'earned' it with such a good flight, haha.(

I got a buddy that only uses the cro for putting. He uses it for upshots as well. To me it kinda feels like one of the newer low profile putters (zone).

[fractalzoom]

I went through a period where I putted with my roc. It took a ton of wobble out of my putts... for some reason, I could never get a thick putter to come out clean. I putt with an XD - which also has a pretty slim profile, but since then, I've noticed that I get a clean release with an Aviar or an Ion.

I still use my roc for jump putting.

[johnnyfoodstamp]

I love a roc for my longer putts. But than again I normally use a magnet max weight putter... I will roc putt a lot in the wind too.

[Feli]

...The problem with putting with a mid is that since they have better glide; if you miss you are more likely going to miss further away than if you were to miss with a putter. Because putters have faster drop rates than mids, they will stall closer to the basket. ...B to the -ingo.

I use Pig sometimes when it's windy or would be very dangerous to miss the put long (ie downhill behind the basket or island putts) and I need something that'll drop like a rock, but I use aviar for most putts. I will usually just use my mid (from my approach shot) to save time when I'm within 15ft and I can make the putt with pretty much whatever.

[sirflicksalot]

the classic roc is a putter

[agent_peebody]

i've seen a lot of pros putting with champion sharks

[Feli]

i've seen a lot of pros putting with champion sharksThat's pretty crazy IMO. Were they actually using it for putts only or was it their approach disc they were dropping the mini and re-using for the gimme putt?

I just don't like how much rigidity and little grip on the chains champ plastic has. DX or Star Shark is usually my approach disc of choice, so I pick up and putt with the same disc to save time if it's a putt <15ft or so. Champ putter (any mold) seems crazy, tho.

[agent_peebody]

i had a champ shark that was stupidly gummy, i putted with it for a whole round once (after my normal putter, pro rhyno) and did pretty good with it.

[Feli]

i had a champ shark that was stupidly gummy, i putted with it for a whole round once (after my normal putter, pro rhyno) and did pretty good with it.I would have to really rough up the edges of a champ disc if I were forced to putt with one. I think the friction on the chains with a fairly beat up disc is a big plus when putting... and champ discs seldom get to that point.

[agent_peebody]

meh. i putted with a gummy champion rhyno for 6 years. same putter the whole time. it got worn in nicely :cool:

[Frank Delicious]

# of pros I've seen putt with a non-putter: 0

[agent_peebody]

# of stats currently in frank's signature: 0, still

[Mike C]

# of pros I've seen putt with a non-putter: 0

Even in the wind? :eek:

[Frank Delicious]

I can truthfully say I've never seen a pro putt with something that wasn't a putter in the wind in a round that mattered.

[Mike C]

I figured. I don't know why, but out of all the things I see people do on a course, watching people who normally putt with a putter resort to a mid when the wind is moving makes me shake my head.

[smarkquart]

I don't switch because of the wind, I only switch because I suck and I want to blame it on the putter and not me.

As for the wind, that is why I carry three different putters and my Drone. I use to put with my Drone last year with decent results. It is a nice security blanket.

[dobbins66]

I know one Pro who used a Roc to putt with for a long time, And was pretty darn good at it - Johnny Sias ('86 World Champ). He uses an Aviar most of the time now but was deadly with a Roc for a long time. Based on what he accomplished i thinks Rocs should work just fine!

http://myplace.frontier.com/~vzephghu/id9.html

http://myplace.frontier.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://mysite.verizon.net/vzephghu/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/newpictures26.jpg&target=tlx_new&title=This%20is%20displayed%20in%20the%20Disc%20Go lf%20Hall%20of%20Fame

[Mike C]

Anything can be used to putt with, and a good putter can make any disc in his bag work for a putt. The point is using the best disc for any given shot, and I would argue putters > mids for strictly putting duties. I've sunk 40' putts with a Predator but you'll never see me doing that in a real game.

[Three Putt]

My wife and I followed a final round lead card of open Women in a Tourney and were very suprised to see that Des Reading putted with a Shark. I don't know if that's what she always putts with on every hole or if it was because it was a little windy that day. The difference was, Des was usually putting on her second shot from where her initial drive landed and the other women were usually putting on their third shot from where their approach landed so the putts she was sinking were from much further away than what I am use to seeing.Her profile says Champion Shark - 200 ft stand-still to the basket, wind disc; Pro KC Aviar - Touch Approaches/Putts.

[tallpaul]

A buddy of mine, who won the Wisconsin state Master's title one year; putts with classic rocs.

[Greevus]

Nothing wrong with using a mid as a putter. But a putter has much better properties for not flying by the basket and dropping straight down for pin placement. I used a Shark and Roc for about a year before I settled on the Rhyno. I shaved a bunch of strokes by learning the Rhyno instead.

[craftsman]

Rocs for putting? Pssh, everyone knows bosses are way more dependable for that;)

[smarkquart]

Rocs for putting? Pssh, everyone knows bosses are way more dependable for that;)

Bosses are for touch putts, XCalibers for power, and Katanas for downhill loft putts. TeeBirds are great for those gimmes you have just parked after you drove with a Wizard.

[bbails]

Forgot my Rhynos today and putted decently with my Rocs. Float a bit, but the chains seems to like them. Why do people not putt with them?

[The dude on the bike]

People do, they are great in the wind. The thing a putter needs to do is not fade so a roc is quite suitable and I am awesome for using two words with ui in a row.

[mashnut]

One of the biggest problems with using a mid to putt with is that you run the risk of blowing much further past the basket when you miss.

[j-bolt]

I play a lot of one disc speed rounds with a roc, and it serves the purpose of putting well. It is also a superb driver.

[kinger]

I did earlier this week and it worked out fairly well.
Generally use my roc for the longer puts anyway since I have better success with it over my Aviar.

[Terry C]

I putt with a buzzz in strong winds. Never tried it with the roc.

[toothyfish]

Forgot my Rhynos today and putted decently with my Rocs. Float a bit, but the chains seems to like them. Why do people not putt with them?

I do. After I miss with my Voodoo, I pick the Roc I just threw and putt it into the chains every time.

[Triflusal]

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21968&highlight=roc

I knew I'd seen this before

[Triflusal]

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257&highlight=roc

this one is way older, and a little different, but whatever

[medicinalfunk]

I putt with a buzzz in strong winds.

:thmbup:

[RoundWounds]

I tried putting with a classic Roc but I've come to the conclusion that I hate really hard putters.

[djjeremiahj]

(Raises Hand Proudly)
I put with my roc.
it's a lighter 169 DX (and i have a 174 Champ i use for general use), but i do...
when i switched from aviars to rocs, my putting % increased massively...

i prefer the extra glide and carry. I also like the feel of putting with drivers rather than putters.
re: Too much carry when i miss the basket....
I throw with Finesse more than power, with my method/style i never overrun the basket by more than 10 feet. <- Thats on the longest runs of 30' or so.
* I'd assume that the lighter weight gives me a longer finesse shot and as such, it doesnt carry beyond the target. Works great for me!

i carry a Rhyno also, but it's more of an approach disc, or specialist putter than an all purpose putter.

[Giv'r]

As others have mentioned, I will putt sometimes with a Roc only if it's windy.

[Three Putt]

When it's windy I turn my Wizard upside-down and putt like that. Much more effective than blowing by with a mid.

[Triflusal]

I made a super thread, wooo

[tmahan]

Try this some time if you're 30'-50' from the pin and there's a tree dead in your line, release a Roc at about a 160 degree vertical angle (midway between / and | ), aim just to the right of the tree (as close as you can w/o hitting it) at a height where it can drop into the basket. They go in a surprising amount of the time, and are great when there's just not enough room to work a regular hyzer.

[Mike C]

Or you could just bust out a yoga stance and have a clear shot at the basket.

[himynameismatt]

There's a reason no top pro's or even top ams put with a midrange...If you want something good in the wind with a bead like a Roc get a Wizard.

[btucker11]

Kinda weird, but if I have a really good shot that gets close with a disc other than a putter, I have to use that disc to hole out. It (the disc) 'earned' it with such a good flight, haha.(

My friend is the same way...he has said this many a times and even when he misses with a putter he'll put it away for a few holes and bring put another disc that has earned a place on the course. lol he puts them in time-out

[BarkBuster]

I did a search, and I'm bringing this one back from the dead! ha

So after playing a decent round yesterday and ending at +4 due to my putts I was driving home and actually thought about what I had changed in my putting to go from shooting around +1(2) per round to an average of +4(up to 6) a round in the last year. My driving has actually improved in the last year but my putts were where I was getting into trouble. I know those two strokes seems paltry, but I play on the same course at least 150+ times a year, so to actually run my average up that much is pretty noticeable to me. I was feeling slightly defeated.

As I sat on my couch watching the replay of Arsenal vs Orient I had an epiphany. I have been taking other peoples advise too much on my putting/disc choice. When I first started playing I bought an XD as my only putter. I used that consistently for the first 6 months and then I started to throw my Roc on occasion just so I didn't have to grab my putter and I started to notice that I was making more putts. At that point I started using the Roc as my putter and I shaved a few strokes off of every round I played.

/Cut to when I started reading up on DG on the webzz/

I kept hearing how you cant putt with a midrange and how thats something that only no0bs do, so I dropped my Roc and started trying different putters. Over the next few months I bought an aviar, polecat, DART, jk aviar, classic roc, magnet, ryhno and I also threw my friends putters sometimes to try them out. I settled on the DART, I really liked the way it flew because it kept really straight and had some good glide. And so I have putt with the DART for the last year and slowly noticed my scores creeping back up. It never really hit me until last night that I have been playing so much worse than I was a year ago. Then I realized the only thing that changed in my game.... I quit putting with my San Marino Roc! After this revelation I grabbed my basket and ran to the back yard (I get excited). As soon as I gripped it to take a putt everything made sense to me. My grip felt perfect, I suddenly wasn't thinking about my grip at all, it was effortless. So I lined up and started shooting.. About 70 putts later I was smiling like a child. I had made at least 75-80% of my putts from 10-35' (which is good for me lately.. ha) and all of the shots I missed, I missed low. I couldn't believe it, all this time I had been searching for a disc that felt this comfortable in my hand and flew with just the right amount of fade for me to hit the chains consistently.

So here I am, putting with a midrange.

[DiscJunkie]

Putting is all about confidence and comfort (not "noticing" the feel of the putter)
If it works for you, then do it!!

[sloppydisc]

Use what works best for you, but be aware that some mids and drivers will tend to bounce out more when you don't make that perfect putt. I used to putt with a Cro, and that worked pretty well since it has a fairly blunt nose. I've got a buddy that putts with an Orc, and he is a pretty solid putter. But he does get some really strange kick-outs once in a while.

[jmhoekst]

Sounds good, BarkBuster. Where I'm from (Southern MN), there's never any talk about mids being a poor choice for putting. That's probably because the top pro in my area uses Rocs for putters. His rating is 992 and he's most well-known for his superb putting.

If it feels good and gives you confidence to use a mid, that's all that matters. Putting is about comfort, confidence and consistency. The choice of disc is minimal.

[Wheelz]

I love the Lat. 64 putters, I really like the little "grip pad" they give you on the top of the disc.

[Midnightbiker]

What I have found that is not so much the putter as it is you. Practice makes perfect. If you like a faster putter, that feels like a midrange, you might want to check out the Innova XD.

[lokirising]

I putted with a DX Shark for the longest time.

[BarkBuster]

What I have found that is not so much the putter as it is you. Practice makes perfect. If you like a faster putter, that feels like a midrange, you might want to check out the Innova XD.

My first putter. :) I was using it over the weekend actually. I actually started driving with the XD a little bit, I love that little disc. hah.. good suggestion though because I do really like that disc! :clap:

[jtbingster]

I did a search, and I'm bringing this one back from the dead! ha

So after playing a decent round yesterday and ending at +4 due to my putts I was driving home and actually thought about what I had changed in my putting to go from shooting around +1(2) per round to an average of +4(up to 6) a round in the last year. My driving has actually improved in the last year but my putts were where I was getting into trouble. I know those two strokes seems paltry, but I play on the same course at least 150+ times a year, so to actually run my average up that much is pretty noticeable to me. I was feeling slightly defeated.

As I sat on my couch watching the replay of Arsenal vs Orient I had an epiphany. I have been taking other peoples advise too much on my putting/disc choice. When I first started playing I bought an XD as my only putter. I used that consistently for the first 6 months and then I started to throw my Roc on occasion just so I didn't have to grab my putter and I started to notice that I was making more putts. At that point I started using the Roc as my putter and I shaved a few strokes off of every round I played.

/Cut to when I started reading up on DG on the webzz/

I kept hearing how you cant putt with a midrange and how thats something that only no0bs do, so I dropped my Roc and started trying different putters. Over the next few months I bought an aviar, polecat, DART, jk aviar, classic roc, magnet, ryhno and I also threw my friends putters sometimes to try them out. I settled on the DART, I really liked the way it flew because it kept really straight and had some good glide. And so I have putt with the DART for the last year and slowly noticed my scores creeping back up. It never really hit me until last night that I have been playing so much worse than I was a year ago. Then I realized the only thing that changed in my game.... I quit putting with my San Marino Roc! After this revelation I grabbed my basket and ran to the back yard (I get excited). As soon as I gripped it to take a putt everything made sense to me. My grip felt perfect, I suddenly wasn't thinking about my grip at all, it was effortless. So I lined up and started shooting.. About 70 putts later I was smiling like a child. I had made at least 75-80% of my putts from 10-35' (which is good for me lately.. ha) and all of the shots I missed, I missed low. I couldn't believe it, all this time I had been searching for a disc that felt this comfortable in my hand and flew with just the right amount of fade for me to hit the chains consistently.

So here I am, putting with a midrange.

I don't see a Wizard in the list of putters... so that's probably your problem!
;)

[koogs]

I would be very comfortable not carrying a putter at all. I use a Roc and a Stratus for long putts anyway, with great success.

[smarkquart]

When I hear that people are more comfortable putting with mids than putters, it gives me the impression that you are not comfortable with the drop rate of putters. For the same power, mids have better glide than putters. To get putters to have the same glide then you need to introduce more power, and the adding of more power only adds more body motion which in turn leads to more things that possibly can go wrong.

Four years ago my frustration putter was a Z Buzzz. Two years ago it was a FLX Drone. Last year it was a Star Ontario Roc. This year it is my Cryztal Buzzz.

Couple of suggestions:

1) Putt with a mid and do not care what others think. I use this philosophy with longer putts. I can keep relatively the same power and stroke but I use a Buzzz.

2) Wipe clean the stamp/ graphic off from the mid so no one knows that it is a mid. Putt with that and just act natural like you are putting with a putter. Honestly, most people do not care that you putt with a mid unless you make a deal about putting with a mid. This is kind of like a don't-ask-don't-tell policy.

3) Find a putter with less of a drop rate. This is one that I struggle with. I am either constantly missing to the right or hitting the cage. This is a viable option to consider because while putting with a mid seems more accurate for me, their glide (and thus less of a drop rate) can easily put me just as far away on the opposite side of the basket. I wish I could recommend a putter here because I have tried almost all of them at some point, but there are too many variables like: how much power are you comfortable with?, putt flat or with a hyzer?, what type of grip are you comfortable with?.

4) Go with a mixture of putters, concentrate on confidence in your self, and do not be locked in into making a single putter do everything. This is more of the archer-not-the-arrow approach. For example, have a main putter for standard situations, use a more overstable putter like a Zone or Pig for windy conditions, and use a mid for longer putts. You are introducing the possibility of second guessing a putter decision but at the same time you remove all the decisions about adjustments to your putting style to compensate for distances, wind, and obstacles. Some putters just cannot handle distances or headwinds or drop and or fade too quickly once they run out of power.