Inevitable putter quest inevitable? Call me a n00b

[Broken Shoulder]

@Mike C I recognize that my original post is not the conventional wisdom at this moment, by any means, but I am glad that it sparked some discussion in this thread. One thing that came to my mind in response to your suggestion that 99% of good players putt with one disc; these players also recognize the importance of putting, but they have also achieved a level of mastery that is not easily attainable. Consider that the good players have shorter putts to deal with (due to their driving prowess) and thus more room for error with respect to judging the wind/making needed adjustments. The average player on the other hand asks more out of their putters than, say, a professional. Therefore, it stands to reason that they would need more putters. Maybe I am over-analyzing, but I was attempting to encourage discussion as well as challenge the conventional wisdom that, I believe, exists among most disc golfers that "the one" putter is the way to go, when in fact it may not be...

You could also make the argument that having a unique disc for every shot as a beginner would then stunt your growth and increase your learning time. The ability to shape different shots and lines with the same disc is a valuable skill, and it's more difficult to learn that if you have the crutch of a specific disc for every scenario. Again, it all depends on your approach to shot making and bag building.

 

[Kodachrome]

if we are just talking about putting then yeah, 1-2 putters. a mildly OS putter for normal duty and good enough to stand up to the wind. an US putter for anny and long putts.

i like to putt low lines so as i get farther away i use my broken in wizard that just goes straight. since i'm changing my bag now i'm using a summit and get arguably better results from farther away since i don't need to loft the disc as much.

i really don't feel you need more than 2.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

You could also make the argument that having a unique disc for every shot as a beginner would then stunt your growth and increase your learning time. The ability to shape different shots and lines with the same disc is a valuable skill, and it's more difficult to learn that if you have the crutch of a specific disc for every scenario. Again, it all depends on your approach to shot making and bag building.

Yes, I acknowledge this fact as well. I have a really great putter in my bag that I need to learn to shape lines with, the Summit. A lot of my friends reach for their understable putter when they need to sink a putt. I, however, have been a little intimidated by trying to learn how to shape lines with it, though I know that this putter is very good, especially for beginners.

 

[Kodachrome]

Yes, I acknowledge this fact as well. I have a really great putter in my bag that I need to learn to shape lines with, the Summit. A lot of my friends reach for their understable putter when they need to sink a putt. I, however, have been a little intimidated by trying to learn how to shape lines with it, though I know that this putter is very good, especially for beginners.

summit is a wonderful little putter. i used it when i was first starting out and it certainly is versatile at short range.

i prefer to putt with slightly OS putters though, which is why my main putter is now a ridge, formerly wizard. i'd rather not have to worry about changing my form too much or putters when the wind kicks up.

your theory certainly has merit; it's just the whole old "shots vs slots" debate. i think multiple putters are more applicable for driving than putting, personally.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

summit is a wonderful little putter. i used it when i was first starting out and it certainly is versatile at short range.

i prefer to putt with slightly OS putters though, which is why my main putter is now a ridge, formerly wizard. i'd rather not have to worry about changing my form too much or putters when the wind kicks up.

your theory certainly has merit; it's just the whole old "shots vs slots" debate. i think multiple putters are more applicable for driving than putting, personally.

Yes, I think I have found somewhat of a middle-ground with this thread. I am going to emphasize line-shaping with my Summit, as well as keep my other putters in the bag for "utility" putts -- more or less pre-determined putts which I am already proficient at with my other putters.

 

[KniceZ]

I carry two putters - one for putting and one for up shots from inside about 75 ft. Anything longer and I power down my mids since I don't like the feel of my putters with anything other than my putting grip.

If you're using putters as drivers and mids I agree that you will need more than one or two to cover the variety of lines you'll need.

Btw just noticed that you been playing -0.2 years. You're getting a head start with posting before you've ever played.

 

[lowracks]

As far as putting (inside 50ish ft) is concerned I don't really see much difference between the way the disc flies, but more how the disc feels. I could very easily be handed a different putter 10 minutes before the round starts and shoot the same as if I had used my normal putter. The only exception for me is walk putting - which I typically do 40' and out. For putters that have more overstability I will generally flex my walk putt, while putters that are straigher/understable will generally be hyzered.

Change up as much as you like until you find one that feels good. Sometimes the putter that you've bagged for 3+ years just doesn't feel right anymore, so you get a different mold, and boom you start nailing putts again.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that putting has very little to do with the disc, and everything to do with confidence. Confidence is gained with consistency, and consistency is gained with practice. When you are no longer scared or focused on what happens when you miss a putt, you're only thinking of how to sink it.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

As far as putting (inside 50ish ft) is concerned I don't really see much difference between the way the disc flies, but more how the disc feels. I could very easily be handed a different putter 10 minutes before the round starts and shoot the same as if I had used my normal putter. The only exception for me is walk putting - which I typically do 40' and out. For putters that have more overstability I will generally flex my walk putt, while putters that are straigher/understable will generally be hyzered.

Change up as much as you like until you find one that feels good. Sometimes the putter that you've bagged for 3+ years just doesn't feel right anymore, so you get a different mold, and boom you start nailing putts again.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that putting has very little to do with the disc, and everything to do with confidence. Confidence is gained with consistency, and consistency is gained with practice. When you are no longer scared or focused on what happens when you miss a putt, you're only thinking of how to sink it.

I appreciate the support from a fellow Vibramomaniac. Your post gives me more confidence to trust that what I was doing was right for me. It takes a long time to learn a disc intimately (all conditions), but if I have more than one disc that I am comfortable with than that makes the wait easier. (Personally, I don't share the view of some of the other posters in this thread that it's a crutch to have more than one putter. Because, if it's in the chains, it's in the chains. Crutch or not, it's there.)

 

[Mike C]

@Mike C I recognize that my original post is not the conventional wisdom at this moment, by any means, but I am glad that it sparked some discussion in this thread. One thing that came to my mind in response to your suggestion that 99% of good players putt with one disc; these players also recognize the importance of putting, but they have also achieved a level of mastery that is not easily attainable. Consider that the good players have shorter putts to deal with (due to their driving prowess) and thus more room for error with respect to judging the wind/making needed adjustments. The average player on the other hand asks more out of their putters than, say, a professional. Therefore, it stands to reason that they would need more putters. Maybe I am over-analyzing, but I was attempting to encourage discussion as well as challenge the conventional wisdom that, I believe, exists among most disc golfers that "the one" putter is the way to go, when in fact it may not be...

Actually I think it's the opposite.

Most "pro" level players I've seen are quite comfortable putting from 50'. Most will putt from much further than that. In good conditions, like flat ground with little wind or trees to consider, I will jump putt up to 90-100'.

Most average players I see are not comfortable putting at the basket from outside 40', and will switch to some sort of approach shot at this range.

 

[AndyJB]

This is an interesting topic.

For putters, 99% of my shot come from one mold: Big Bead Aviars. But I have many variants thereof. I generally use a KC Pro or a DX Big Bead Aviar for putting, but I have a JK Aviar for approaches and tricky putts. I've even used the Star Aviar Driver at times. Really the only big bead I don't use is a Yeti. of course, fresh, they all fly the same. But I have enough variants in enough stages of wear that I can cover every shot.

Some times, like for big tournaments, I might bag as many as five big bead Aviars. So in a way, I get what you're saying, but in a way I don't. The problem (if you can call it that!) is I don't think you'd ever be able to beat in, say, a VP enough to cover all those shots...Vibram is just too dang durable!

Of course, I bag the new Axiom Envy as well, but that's ONLY for driving.

 

[Mabuku1]

I always saw it as the pros ask more of their putters because they attempt from twice as far. Newbies use a midrange until they are in the circle close enough to sink a putt.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

I always saw it as the pros ask more of their putters because they attempt from twice as far. Newbies use a midrange until they are in the circle close enough to sink a putt.

I think that's part of the group-think that goes on in disc golf. Well, the pros do this... that's the best way for me. Clearly it's not.

I feel comfortable with 50' into a headwind with a VP. If it's a tailwind, then I use a Summit, which is understable. But inside the circle, I use a Sole.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

Another thing I realized is that I'm probably surveying the 1% about what's best for the 99% when the 1% now only knew what the old 1% told them when the new 1% was the old 99%.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

Another thing I realized... as new discs come out, the rules of the game are going to change.

I play Vibrams, but I love watching Mike C. test out the new MVP/Axiom discs, because he puts out the best content around, as far as I'm concerned.

Also, I appreciate MVP/Axiom for what they do for disc golf (creating good stuff that adds to the game), but I still play Vibram, because that's my favorite company.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

It's a great thread! Thanks for all your responses! I read through every post, and I am happy that we could agree to disagree and share our thoughts and opinions without becoming disagreeable.

I am going to miss posting in the Newbie forum, because I had an overwhelmingly wonderful experience having discussions with many of you in a non-threatening and welcoming manner. Disc on!

 

[wolfmandragon]

I think it was my thread that got this started. After playing with several putters, I have narrowed my bag to 2, Envy and Pure. Envy For every thing except high wind spin putts and downhill shots.
I play in east tn, a missed push putt from well inside the circle has caused my Envy to roll about 60 yards...no exaggeration at all. We even have a cave near one basket, not somewhere you want to be.
If it was not for the extreme roll out on the Envy, I would not even bag the Pure. I just switched from a Crunch Box to a Nut Sac to force myself to play with less discs to learn how to shape the shots better.
Of course, more than once I have accidentally grabbed my Alias, putted with it and never knew it until I picked it out of the basket.

 

[TrustYourRubber]

I think it was my thread that got this started. After playing with several putters, I have narrowed my bag to 2, Envy and Pure. Envy For every thing except high wind spin putts and downhill shots.
I play in east tn, a missed push putt from well inside the circle has caused my Envy to roll about 60 yards...no exaggeration at all. We even have a cave near one basket, not somewhere you want to be.
If it was not for the extreme roll out on the Envy, I would not even bag the Pure. I just switched from a Crunch Box to a Nut Sac to force myself to play with less discs to learn how to shape the shots better.
Of course, more than once I have accidentally grabbed my Alias, putted with it and never knew it until I picked it out of the basket.

Yes, it was your thread!

 

[TrustYourRubber]

I think it was my thread that got this started. After playing with several putters, I have narrowed my bag to 2, Envy and Pure. Envy For every thing except high wind spin putts and downhill shots.
I play in east tn, a missed push putt from well inside the circle has caused my Envy to roll about 60 yards...no exaggeration at all. We even have a cave near one basket, not somewhere you want to be.
If it was not for the extreme roll out on the Envy, I would not even bag the Pure. I just switched from a Crunch Box to a Nut Sac to force myself to play with less discs to learn how to shape the shots better.
Of course, more than once I have accidentally grabbed my Alias, putted with it and never knew it until I picked it out of the basket.

I'd encourage you to read the entire thread! One person suggested using only a Roc as your putter. :doh:

 

[steinkecm]

I play with a guy who straddle putts with rocs. He's actually one of the better putters I play with. It drives me nuts because it's not conventional, but it works.

If we're looking at the "top pros" for advice on this, we get a number of answers.

Steve Brinster carries 3-4 putter molds for a number of different putts and shots.

McBeast carries 3 (McPro, Nova, P2).

Shusterick carries 2-3.

Philo carries 1 (from what I can remember).

Avery Jenkins carries 1.

Avery and Philo both (generally) have bags that are built on cycling (rocs, destroyers, teebirds.)

McBeast does similar things, but has seemed to move toward carrying the best disc for the shot this year (adding a lot of niche discs to his bag).

Either way, and all of that aside, there are positives and negatives to carrying multiple putters or just carrying one type.

If you're into cycling (and you start out with something like a KC Pro Aviar that is over-stable to begin with) you can cycle your putters to cover all sorts of putter shots. Shusterick did this when he was with Innova.

If you're not -- or you prefer fresh plastic, you can take the route of McBeth and have a putting putter, an overstable driving and approach putter and a stable to understable driving and approach putter.

I think it's really personal preference, but it hinges upon what your putting putter is. If you putt with an understable putter, you HAVE to carry something stable and then also something over-stable for the other duties. If you putt with an over-stable putter, you can beat it up to get it to do all of the other things.

What you need to carry to complement your putting putter ultimately hinges upon what that putter is.

Your putting putter should be chosen by what makes you feel the most confident. Take that and run with it and fill in the rest later.

 

[wolfmandragon]

I added a medium Vibram VP to my putter collection today. I like it on hill sides as it sits if a putt is missed.