I can't putt like I practice?!?

[stealyourface327]

I spend at least 20 minutes almost every day outside practicing my putting. I don't have my own pin (yet) but I have a board with a 1 foot square taped off for now. When I practice I start at 10 feet, and hit almost every putt. After about 30 putts I move back to 15 feet, and so on and so on. I am usually automatic from within 25 when i practice like this, and can easily sink 60 percent at least from the 30-45 foot range.

Everything changes when I hit the course. The first thing I do before almost every round is go to a basket and try to putt for at least 20 minutes within my "makeable" range to build confidence. I am usually less successful than at home, often putting low, or hitting the top of the basket. And once the round starts it only gets worse.

What I'm getting at is, why doesn't my hard work off the course carry over? I follow the same ritual for every putt, even during practice. It is getting so frustrating now it almost keeps me from the course some days.

[SomeChump]

Not to state the obvious, but it is time to buy a basket. If you're spending as much time as you say practicing your putting, it is $180 well spent for one of these:

http://www.discgolfcenter.com/main_displayProduct.php?p=179

Or you can drive to the course and practice there.

Throwing at a board at home is clearly not working for you.

[tamahawk]

Per Dave Feldberg (Fundamentals DVD)

When you practice at home, practice by putting yourself in a 'real life' situation. Rather than stand there and throw putts repeadedly from one location, give yourself an on-the-course scenario, follow your pre-shot routine, and make the putt.

I thought this was good advice. Throw a disc down as if it were your drive, or upshot. Get in the mind set that this is your birdie putt. Mark the disc, do what you would normally do on the course, and step up, make the putt. I have similar results as you mentioned, making more putts at home than on the course, but this practice concept has been helpful to me.

[TalbotTrojan]

It has got to be a mental thing and I think tamahawk has some good stuff to say.

I like to hear the chains when I putt and that builds confidence, hitting wood makes me think of my disc hitting a tree.

Just a few bits of food for thought.

[sumner420]

I have been practicing putting at a course near my house, I try to change the basket each time, different greens, trees, unstable rocks, lighting, etc. just to get many different looks, I find my putting gets worse the more I think about it, so think about that- or try not to.:)
But, I do feel you. I putt so bad in games but when I am just Moving and Shooting Im a stone killer.
hi-ho.
Just my two cents...

[billnchristy]

You need a confidence stick!!

It sounds dumb as hell but I always have a stick stuck in the ground when I practice to mark distance. I started shoving one in the ground at the course tonight and damn if I didn't hit almost every putt.

I know it is all mental but hell, it worked.

Find your confidence stick.

[Ryan P.]

when you are practicing at home, stop throwing the same shot back to back. you are never ever going to throw the same exact putt consecutively on the course. just vary the distance on every putt.

[innova]

give yourself an on-the-course scenario, follow your pre-shot routine, and make the putt.

that is the key, imho.

Some of us come with a stick. We are presticked. No need to shove something in the ground because that is just kinda how we roll.... I agree about confidence.

If you cannot picture yourself doing it... you will not. Positive visualization is what
the new age folks call it. Regardless of what you call it, get it. Confidence rocs.
See yourself doing it and it will be.

There is no try.

[Chef Joe]

I'm picturing you tossing putters at a fence in a back yard. I think if you had somewhere that was more like a game type situations would be better. You know, different angles, distances, elevations and such. And Talbot is right, the sound of the chains is just nice.

[billnchristy]

Pick up an in-step off ebay for $99 shipped.

Add the extra chain for $20.

Kick butt.

[scarpfish]

Per Dave Feldberg (Fundamentals DVD)

When you practice at home, practice by putting yourself in a 'real life' situation. Rather than stand there and throw putts repeadedly from one location, give yourself an on-the-course scenario, follow your pre-shot routine, and make the putt.

when you are practicing at home, stop throwing the same shot back to back. you are never ever going to throw the same exact putt consecutively on the course. just vary the distance on every putt.

Something I will often do at the course is find two or three baskets that are reasonably close to one another where I can do approach shots in between them and then use 3-4 putters and fire away from 100'-200'. I then putt from wherever they land. This way, I get different distances and different directions, and am giving myself some semblance of a situation that I may face in an actual round, as opposed to doing rapid fire repetitive putts. I think part of being a good putter is to not make your job any harder than it has to be by making an accurate approach in the first place to set it up.

[Keokuk Discer]

Not to state the obvious, but it is time to buy a basket. If you're spending as much time as you say practicing your putting, it is $180 well spent for one of these:

http://www.discgolfcenter.com/main_displayProduct.php?p=179

Or you can drive to the course and practice there.

Throwing at a board at home is clearly not working for you.

I have one of these baskets (http://www.discgolfcenter.com/main_displayProduct.php?p=181) and it works for me plus it's a little cheaper.

I seem to have the opposite thing happen to me. My putts are getting better at the course. I think it's because I don't think of the distance as much there, since it isn't marked out, and I have the confidence from putting at a real basket at home. It's my at home practice that is getting worse. I'm getting too bored with the rote routine so I have started to incorporate different "games" into my putting practice. Perfect putt has helped, but it gets old fast.

[Midnightbiker]

Just get a Magnet, and all these problems should go away.:cool:

[Midnightbiker]

Ok, now that my bad joke is a out of the way, I have noticed that somethings don't translate from the field to the course. On the course, you are more under the gun than just relaxing in your backyard. Its all in your head. But, I will say that hitting a real basket is different than hitting a piece of wood. I got my InStep Basket from Ebay for $60, so you don't have to spend a ton to get a nice basket.

Also, try going to the course on day, and don't practice you putting, just play the round and see what happens. It can't hurt.

I know for a fact that its in your head, because I played in a tournament a while back at a course that I usually shoot really well on, and my putting , that is normally good on that course, was in the toilet because I was nervous. You have to learn to relax when you putt, and block everything in your mind. Also take you time. I see too many guys walk up to their disc, and just throw. They take no time to line up the shot. Good luck, and give that a try.

[stealyourface327]

Thanks for all of the help. I will definitely be investing in a basket once the holiday weekend is over. And I think much of my problem lies in the repetition of how i practice. By the tenth or so same put from the same place I don't even think much about it and can hit my target fine.

I'm heading to the course later tonight to try some of these tips. Unfortunately I live at the jersey shore, and the holiday traffic will easily turn that 20 minute ride into 40.

Also, I practice with a few different types of putters. Rhynos, Aviars, XDs, and Omegas... But lately on the course I use my Rhynos within 30 and XDs anywhere 150 and in. Im guessing I should ditch anything but my go-to discs???

[Midnightbiker]

Thanks for all of the help. I will definitely be investing in a basket once the holiday weekend is over. And I think much of my problem lies in the repetition of how i practice. By the tenth or so same put from the same place I don't even think much about it and can hit my target fine.

I'm heading to the course later tonight to try some of these tips. Unfortunately I live at the jersey shore, and the holiday traffic will easily turn that 20 minute ride into 40.

Also, I practice with a few different types of putters. Rhynos, Aviars, XDs, and Omegas... But lately on the course I use my Rhynos within 30 and XDs anywhere 150 and in. Im guessing I should ditch anything but my go-to discs???
Get a Pro D Magent!

[Donovan]

You should really try some of the putting games. Perfect Putt 360 or Pozzy's Putting Game. If you are not measuring your progress, or forcing some pressure putts during your practice, all you are working on is muscle memory. You need to add some mental "HAVE TO MAKE THIS ONE" challenges. That way the pressure will become more familiar and you will then find yourself gaining the right kind of confidence to go with it when it comes game time.

That's my 2 centennials! ;)

[Keokuk Discer]

Also, I practice with a few different types of putters. Rhynos, Aviars, XDs, and Omegas... But lately on the course I use my Rhynos within 30 and XDs anywhere 150 and in. Im guessing I should ditch anything but my go-to discs???

You should only practice with the discs you will be using at the course. Find the one that you're the most confident with and buy several for practice. I have about 8 wizards that I use for practice and I then put 2 in my bag when I go to the course. My putting is getting better and better because of it.

[Midnightbiker]

You should only practice with the discs you will be using at the course. Find the one that you're the most confident with and buy several for practice. I have about 8 wizards that I use for practice and I then put 2 in my bag when I go to the course. My putting is getting better and better because of it.

I agree. I have 12 Magnets and they are the only ones I use to practice putting. I have 25 putters total.

[mashnut]

I agree. I have 12 Magnets and they are the only ones I use to practice putting. I have 25 putters total.

I might have to try stocking up on just one type of putter for practice. I hadn't ever really thought about the importance of developing consistency with just one mold, but now that you guys talk about it, it seems like a good plan.

[zbyrd]

I wish I had the funds to use just one putter for practice. I may just try to pick up beat ones on the cheap.

[milow369]

I throw 7 aviar PnA's when I practice putting. I start 7 paces out, spread them in an arc a couple of feet apart. If I make 5 I allow myself to go to 8 paces, 9 paces, 10 paces and so on. I usually get to the 11-12 range before I reach my allotted practice time. If I don't make any, I drop back a pace.

It's really helped my putting. I started saying "backyard putt" this morning as I walked up to my mini. Got my line and fired to the chains - all muscle memory. No butterflies, no over-thinking it, it's all about the backyard putt. Stand up and fire and move on to the next hole.

[trifocal]

My putting practive is at the tail end of my pre-round warm up. I throw from my bag to a tree about 80-100' with my 6 putters ( 3 molds- Millinium, Aviar and Magnet ) and a pair of Rocs. ( Rancho & San Marino) I do that back and forth 4-6 times varying the distance and changing the angle relative to the wind. Then I get out the 4-5 drivers and throw out to about 250' trying to get the overstable and understable drivers to land in the same 30' circle. Down and back, then the same deal out to about 280 couple times and then full power throws maxing out 330'

At the practice basket I start about 15' and circle around a few steps after every putt. Then I back out to 18-20 feet and 6 more. Back in to 15 and so forth getting a couple dozen putts from both distances. I get a pretty good read on all the current wind angles this way. I don't practice putts over 25-30', it seems most of my real life putts are in the closer distance range and evrything over that range tends to be obstructed in some way by a tree or branch and those throws tend to be improvised on the spot. The whole routine takes about 35-40 minutes and I'm ready to play.

[`cjc]

This helped out my putting program more than anything else I tried, :

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=66139

[trifocal]

This helped out my putting program more than anything else I tried, :

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=66139

informative, yet concise.

[stealyourface327]

Ok. I'm going to try the games Donovan suggested tommorow. And I think, based on everyones advice I will pick up one magnet and one wizard to try out. I have mostly only ever thrown innova discs because my head shop carries only them. I am going to order at least 10 putters of whatever I find works best, along with a discatcher sport this week. Is there a better basket in the same price range (200)?

[Dthunderchicken]

One thing I've found helpful is to break my rhythm between putts. Just like on a real course you don't throw putt after putt. When I practice I'll throw a putt and turn around or do something to take my eyes off the target. My wife is an artist and one thing I've learned from her is that things don't always look the same (or right) even from the same perspective. You have to break and establish your perspective to really appreciate a piece of art. That is very valuable in other situations. When I design a project (Don't read too much into this. I design conduit/tubing routes and equipment mountings.) I look at it, put the design down and look at it again. I'm usually surprised what I didn't see the last time I looked at it. Even though it's my design, taking my time and reestablishing my perspective has saved my from making many STUPID errors. It's the same with throwing a disc. (And a lot of other things too.) If I throw a good shot (and no one's behind me) I'll often look the other way and then start the shot over again. (Yeah I throw a lot of doubles) And what do you know! I'll see a different (sometimes better, more often sometimes not) way to gain my objective. Gunning several putts in a row feels good, and is fun, and impressive but I don't think it really makes you a better golfer. Breaking and reestablishing your perspective is more beneficial.

Just my thoughts. I've been drinking today so take them with a grain of salt.

P.S. Austin Nichole's American Honey is killer.

[klay]

Add the extra chain for $20.

So do you just buy extra chains from the hardware store or is there an official set of extra chains for this thing that you can buy somewhere?

[iBVH]

Muscle memory. Muscle memory. Go to a course. Set up putts u dont feel that you can make. Lay up. Get comfort with not making it. Figure the wrong way to do it. Pars are better then bogeys. Get pefection on layups, then your short putts well be a breeze. Just an opinion! I tried 2 15 min putt sessions a day(with a stick and a rake) for bout a month and it played with my mind. You know if your making or missing that putt, run or lay.Muscle memory. Watch the best golfer you know putt, bet its the same looking everytime regardless of distance its a putt. Once you firgure your stroke do it all the time. Same motion, do it without a disc. I am no pro but this is what im trying. Also get a m3 basket, you deserve it.LOL

[Donovan]

Ok. I'm going to try the games Donovan suggested tommorow. And I think, based on everyones advice I will pick up one magnet and one wizard to try out. I have mostly only ever thrown innova discs because my head shop carries only them. I am going to order at least 10 putters of whatever I find works best, along with a discatcher sport this week. Is there a better basket in the same price range (200)?

I like only having one set of chains on my Sport. It makes it just a little tougher to keep the putts in when you miss more to the outside edges. SO it really makes you focus on being dead center. In the long run, I think that is an advantage.

[Midnightbiker]

So do you just buy extra chains from the hardware store or is there an official set of extra chains for this thing that you can buy somewhere?

The hardware store sells all kinds of chains and I just bought the chains that closely matched what I have on the basket. Also, if you measure for the lengths that you need, Lowe's (where I got my chains) will usually cut it to length for you.

[solomon.trenton]

The hardware store sells all kinds of chains and I just bought the chains that closely matched what I have on the basket. Also, if you measure for the lengths that you need, Lowe's (where I got my chains) will usually cut it to length for you.

or if you want to buy a roll it is much cheaper. of course you will need your own bolt cutters

[CaptainAnhyzer]

I like to hear the chains when I putt and that builds confidence, hitting wood makes me think of my disc hitting a tree.

Just what i was thinking. Even though my practice basket has plastic chains it's a visual AND audio thing for me...... choosing a single link is tough to do when you're looking at a board. And the board/tree relationship would have me pinballing shots til i went home and burned that board!

.........and DEFINTELY stick with the same mold with practice and real rounds !

[fretgod321]

tamahawk speaks truth

[Eagle]

20 minutes of practice before a round is better than nothing, a lot of players won't even put in that much time. If you really want to see your putting improve on the course, practice at least an hour a day, six days a week.

It might take you 3-4 months of this, or even 6 months of this before you start seeing improvement on the course. You have to practice until you get a "feel" for putting your disc into the basket from 35 feet or closer. Developing the confidence & the "feel" to hit your putts with consistancy, takes practice, practice, patience and more practice.

[trifocal]

20 minutes of practice before a round is better than nothing, a lot of players won't even put in that much time. If you really want to see your putting improve on the course, practice at least an hour a day, six days a week.

It might take you 3-4 months of this, or even 6 months of this before you start seeing improvement on the course. You have to practice until you get a "feel" for putting your disc into the basket from 35 feet or closer. Developing the confidence & the "feel" to hit your putts with consistancy, takes practice, practice, patience and more practice.

Gee, Eagle...6 months is lot of time to put into practice:) Can't I be Barry Schultz in the next 5 minutes? I mean isn't there a short cut disc or trick that makes me the best in the world without having to ....practice long and hard?

[Eagle]

Barry, Kenny, Nate, etc. all have "special" discs that elevate their play above the rest of us. Casual players don't have access to those discs, we just have to practice, hehehe.

[trifocal]

Barry, Kenny, Nate, etc. all have "special" discs that elevate their play above the rest of us. Casual players don't have access to those discs, we just have to practice, hehehe.



Wow!....dang it. Seems like I all I to have to do is practice a little and learn and study and practice a little more and then practice a little more and then find the "Magic Disc" and then ...I'll be the The Best in The World. ;) Seems easy enough.