Putting with Mid Range instead of Putter?

[stpitner]

Ok, so maybe this is a question that is only being asked because I haven't played that long.  However, my question is: do any of you putt with a mid-range disc instead of a putter?  The reason I ask is because lately I've only been touching my putter discs on less than 15' shots (unless I need my Rhyno to prevent massive rolling after a miss on a downhill shot), and I've been opting to go for my straight mid-range disc (Z-Hawk and Champ-Coyote) instead.  I see to have more success on the longer putts that way (although I don't necessarily always get the disc in the basket on those longer putts).  I've been playing since September of 2005 now, so for me to hit a long putt is quite exciting.  I hit a putt from about 50' with my Z-Hawk that I don't think I've ever thrown a disc so beautifully before.  I've also hit from 40' once or twice with the Hawk.  The Coyote I haven't been using until lately, but this week I almost hit one from 75-85' at least.  It wound up going about 10' long, but it curved in a manner that would have gone right in if didn't put as much arm on it.

Are your arms too big for the mid-ranges to be effective on a putt?  What makes you pick up an Aviar or Wizard or XD or Rattler or whatever it is you throw instead of using your Roc or Hawk or Buzzz or Coyote or similar?  All 4 of those mid-ranges are pretty straight discs, which I know can be important when trying to sink your putt.

Thanks for your input,
Scott

[Jon Brakel]

When it is really windy I'll putt with a mid range or even a driver sometimes. When I'm going for a long putt and don't want to risk over shooting the basket, I'll throw a stall with the nose up. For the most part you don't want to throw a mid-range/driver like that because they don't fly straight very well at low speeds. By keeping the speed low and throwing with the front edge up you can help to eliminate blowing by the basket too far on long putts.

[Bruce Brakel]

I think the preference for a putter mold over a mid-range mold for putting is not in the stability, since putters have different stability like other discs, but in the glide.  A long putt that hits nothing but air might not glide as far past if it is a putter mold rather than a mid-range.  The other reason why most players throw a putter mold is because most players throw a putter mold.  This is one of those self-reinforcing things, like why everybody goes to Bowling Green in the springtime.

[stpitner]

All of your comments make sense, especially with the naming convention.  "It's a putter, so that's when I must use it!"  I've been going back and forth between Hawk and Banger-GT for putts lately.  The hawk I use for 50-100 foot shots, and Banger-GT for 30 and under.  The in between range I use whatever I feel like I've been throwing better for the day.  Seems to work for me lately, although I've been picking up some more power in my throws lately, and I've been overshooting the basket by 20'.  Not good.  I'll have to just keep on working on that and figure out how much arm to put in some throws and just how much is too much arm.  Still have a long way to go in the learning process

[Cambodia]

A good way to look at putting is not by what kind of putter you use (unless it is super windy).... for me I feel that I should be able to make any putt 25ft or less with any kind of putter(not saying that i do make every putt within that distance).  Its  such a close distance that theres no reason for the disc not to go in the basket. Its all about release point. If you release it right the disc is going to go in.  I use an Aviar because thats what kind of putter I have.  If i were playing a round and lost my Aviar, lets say my friend gave me an Aero or a rhyno to use for the rest of the round i feel that my percentage of putts going in should still be the same as my Aviar. Dont even look at your putter as a disc.  Just put it in the Basket.

[Dan Michler]

i would listen to Cam, cuz he made a couple nce ones in leagues today! 

[Cambodia]

Thanks Dan.. but none like that 50ft+ jump putt you had on 5

[Cannon Boy]

I have never really been a good putter.  You just need to take that element of the game away

[amdiscgolfer]

I had been using a G5i Demon for anything outside of 35 feet - it is fairly beat in but worked great for what I needed.

then I decided to practice I took 10 putters all the same weights and would start at 5 feet, not move until I made all 10 putts, then go to 10 ft, 15ft, 20ft, 25ft - lets just put it this way - I very seldom get to the 20 or 25 ft range!!