Putting Challenge

[deucemeister]

Some good stuff on the video; many of the concepts were taken from golf instruction. Confidence and Visualization are key elements.  There are a couple of things I would like to add..  Different instruction works differently for different players;  I come from a competitive golf background, dating back to the mid 1960's as a junior player, and lessons can screw people up as much as help them.  Instruction does not work the same for everyone, so the idea presented that it worked for me so it will sure work for you, is a bit optimistic.
    Some of the things I picked up from PGA tour players also applies to disc golf;  Warm up by playing catch or throwing meduium length throws before starting putting practice.   Warm muscles work together better than cold ones, and balance and coordination are key.  Another item of discussion;  Tom Kite once watched me putting with 3 balls and came over and advised me to use only one ball during practice, and to make sure to put it in the hole no matter how far away.   THis method duplicates tournament play condition, so you concentrate on that one putt alone; not just going through motions with different putters.  Using multiple balls or discs, you tend to learn from the first shot, and make correction on the next,  thereby not focusing as much on the first, which is the only one that counts in real play.  Anybody can make a mulligan, since it does not count and there is no pressure.   Also, wIth disc golf, unless you are using brand new identical putters, they will not fly exactly the same, so use one putter, and not a stack of them.   Also, making one putt after another from the same spot may help with some, but maybe not with others.  If you make the putt,  I immediately move to another spot and shoot.  You have already made it from that spot, so why practice it more; you'll tend to focus less on the following ones, and  increase the chance of missing.
   Play putting games against others; this makes practice more fun and puts you into more of a pressure situation.  Many don't have the time or patience (too boring) to go out  just to throw putts for 30 minutes several times a week.  One game we play is PFQ; putt for quarters.   Flip to see who goes first, put your quarter in a disc on the ground and throw from that spot.. like H-O-R-S-E.   IF missed, the next player puts his quarter in, and so on, until someone makes the putt and cashes in.   Wniner chooses next spot.  You'll focus more when there's a disc full of change staring at you. 
   Another game is 21;  3 points for a make, and 1 poinbt for closaest to the hole if niobody makes it.  WInner of point chooses next spot, and this way you putt once from a diferent spot everytime (simulating real play)  First one to 21 wins.
   

[Jon Brakel]

Doug, you make some good points. I think putting games are great but not a replacement for practice. In the exercise that Mark Ellis is talking about it doesn't make too much difference if you use one putter or multiple putters as long as they are all the same. The reason is you are practicing a distance from where you make ALL of your putts so there is no need to make a correction after the first putt. Also he does advocate (and I do also) using EXACTLY the same putters. If you don't have 2 or 3 of exactly the same putters and don't want to buy 2 or 3 of the exact same putter, then by all means feel free to do this exercise with only one disc.

Many people like to do more complicated putting practice from lots of different spots. I posted this mostly for people that don't have a putting practice routine or their putting practice isn't working. I would encourage people that try this to play around with additional practice tools like playing horse or whatever.

I would never suggest that one way to practice is the ONLY way. For the purposes of this challenge, it is just the ONLY way to qualify to compete in the Putting Challenge Contest in October. 

[4u2nv]

I did my putting today. Lawrence Leonardi #36370

did my putting yesterday and this morning.

[4u2nv]

15 minutes of bad putting again. #30166     

If you're following system that Mark Ellis talks about in the video then you can't have a "bad" practice. If you can only make 5 footers consistently, then practice from there. If you can make 10 footers, then practice from there. The point is to practice from where you can make ALL of your putts. This way you are practicing MAKING putts rather than practice missing putts.

I don't know Jon, Mark considers it good to hit solid chain dead center and get kicked out, but when it happens multiple times it does tend to get fustrating.  Not saying that that is wwhat was happening but I know I have had strings of runs that I nail the chain it hits the pole and gets spit out.

[Fox Metro Discer]

I don't know Jon, Mark considers it good to hit solid chain dead center and get kicked out, but when it happens multiple times it does tend to get fustrating.  Not saying that that is wwhat was happening but I know I have had strings of runs that I nail the chain it hits the pole and gets spit out.

I believe that Jon is talking about the practice aspect only. Spit-outs happen to everyone from time to time. This practice is meant to help with your confidence when you step up to your lie so that you feel that you can hit that putt with no thoughts of anything else every time. This is why you are supposed to practice from a distance that you can make the putt every time.

If you are having that problem of spitting out often, maybe put a little less spin on the disc when you putt or practice on something other than a M-14 basket. My M-14 spits out more discs than a Krispy Kreme does donuts every day. However, I know that most baskets have 2 sets of chains and that 99% of those spit outs will stick in any other type of basket. So I am satisfied that I am hitting my line and continue doing the same thing.

[pickax]

Or you could not putt as hard...

[Jon Brakel]

Or you could not putt as hard...

Mark Ellis has blow thru issues with his putting which is why he advocates for trying to hit the center pole. I learned to putt on the first DGA basket that had one set of chains. I learned to putt by aiming at the inner right side of the chains but not the pole. Since basket designs have changed I have modified my putting so that I'm aiming for a spot about 4 inches to the right of the center of the pole.

Putting too hard is the number two reason for hitting the pole and bouncing out. I think the number one reason is because of a faulty basket. Too low of a basket, rusty chains, chains that are missing, etc.

[Chainmeister]

I don't know Jon, Mark considers it good to hit solid chain dead center and get kicked out, but when it happens multiple times it does tend to get fustrating.  Not saying that that is wwhat was happening but I know I have had strings of runs that I nail the chain it hits the pole and gets spit out.

I believe that Jon is talking about the practice aspect only. Spit-outs happen to everyone from time to time. This practice is meant to help with your confidence when you step up to your lie so that you feel that you can hit that putt with no thoughts of anything else every time. This is why you are supposed to practice from a distance that you can make the putt every time.

If you are having that problem of spitting out often, maybe put a little less spin on the disc when you putt or practice on something other than a M-14 basket. My M-14 spits out more discs than a Krispy Kreme does donuts every day. However, I know that most baskets have 2 sets of chains and that 99% of those spit outs will stick in any other type of basket. So I am satisfied that I am hitting my line and continue doing the same thing.

Minor thread drift- the keyring type circles that connect the chains on my Skillshot tend to get bent and need to be replaced pretty often.  I keep a half dozen on hand.  I am thinking of getting a cheaper metal basket one of these days and was wondering what was best.  From some brief research it seems that a Discatcher Sport with a second set of chains works pretty well and also on a bang for the buck basis.

back on topic- I like the Mark Ellis video and have been keeping with his notion of working on confidence and making putts that you know you can make.  However, I can't drink anybody's kool-aid lock stock and barrel. I try to put 4 days +/wk for at least 15 minutes.  I use five discs so I don't have to pick too many up. Of course with the Mark Ellis system I make most of the putts.  I used to  have  more discs in the practice basket but have cut back.  I do reset mentally after each shot so I do not puttt out of a speed routine. I give each putt the same set up. However, I think its important to work on shots that are not so-called money putts.  There is a distance, for me its over 30-35 ft, where the shot has to change in order to generate enough power to make a good shot.  If I don't work on that range, I will be confused on the course.  If I liveed and breathed Mark Ellis I would put from 5-25 feet all day.  I feel that generally keeping his notions has made me a much better putter from that distance.  However, its still important to work on a variety of shots.  I will work four sets of 5 discs in the Ellis range and then do one set from a distance that makes me change my shot.  I will then go back to the "money" distance.

[Jon Brakel]

I don't know Jon, Mark considers it good to hit solid chain dead center and get kicked out, but when it happens multiple times it does tend to get fustrating.  Not saying that that is wwhat was happening but I know I have had strings of runs that I nail the chain it hits the pole and gets spit out.

I believe that Jon is talking about the practice aspect only. Spit-outs happen to everyone from time to time. This practice is meant to help with your confidence when you step up to your lie so that you feel that you can hit that putt with no thoughts of anything else every time. This is why you are supposed to practice from a distance that you can make the putt every time.

If you are having that problem of spitting out often, maybe put a little less spin on the disc when you putt or practice on something other than a M-14 basket. My M-14 spits out more discs than a Krispy Kreme does donuts every day. However, I know that most baskets have 2 sets of chains and that 99% of those spit outs will stick in any other type of basket. So I am satisfied that I am hitting my line and continue doing the same thing.

Minor thread drift- the keyring type circles that connect the chains on my Skillshot tend to get bent and need to be replaced pretty often.  I keep a half dozen on hand.  I am thinking of getting a cheaper metal basket one of these days and was wondering what was best.  From some brief research it seems that a Discatcher Sport with a second set of chains works pretty well and also on a bang for the buck basis.

back on topic- I like the Mark Ellis video and have been keeping with his notion of working on confidence and making putts that you know you can make.  However, I can't drink anybody's kool-aid lock stock and barrel. I try to put 4 days +/wk for at least 15 minutes.  I use five discs so I don't have to pick too many up. Of course with the Mark Ellis system I make most of the putts.  I used to  have  more discs in the practice basket but have cut back.  I do reset mentally after each shot so I do not puttt out of a speed routine. I give each putt the same set up. However, I think its important to work on shots that are not so-called money putts.  There is a distance, for me its over 30-35 ft, where the shot has to change in order to generate enough power to make a good shot.  If I don't work on that range, I will be confused on the course.  If I liveed and breathed Mark Ellis I would put from 5-25 feet all day.  I feel that generally keeping his notions has made me a much better putter from that distance.  However, its still important to work on a variety of shots.  I will work four sets of 5 discs in the Ellis range and then do one set from a distance that makes me change my shot.  I will then go back to the "money" distance.

I think that's a valid practice routine and can co-exist with the Mark Ellis putting practice. I think you are advocating practicing a different shot than what Mark is calling putting practice. Mark's system takes your putting game and brings it to the level where you can make all of your putts that you should make. Through more practice that distance should increase. At that 30-35 foot range you are starting to change into more of an upshot with a chance kind of distance--not truly an upshot but not truly a putt anymore. My putting style doesn't change much until I get over 50 feet. I think if you continue to do some of the Mark Ellis practicing, you'll find that your range that you putt naturally will increase.

[deucemeister]

  5-25 feet in disc putting is essential; particularly when the wind comes up, you will need to know it is going in, so I am sure all that practice will help many out there. With the one disc practice and putting games, I am referring more to the advanced / pro players who have some sort of consistent shotmaking ability already and want to take it to the next level.  For better players, a 20- 25 foot disc putt is almost automatic; we play our putt games to around 75 feet ( using a true putting stroke and without any jumping or leaning past the marker after release.).   

[duain]

i did my putts today 31297

[Fox Metro Discer]

Aaron S did his putting today!

[pickax]

I did my putting today. What a beautiful afternoon.

[Sr.]

Missed more than my share, again.     #30166

[stpitner]

lol you're right - now that's funny.  It's a blueprint on how not to publish an article in a magazine! *sigh*.

I never did get issue #2...

[4u2nv]

I don't know Jon, Mark considers it good to hit solid chain dead center and get kicked out, but when it happens multiple times it does tend to get fustrating.  Not saying that that is wwhat was happening but I know I have had strings of runs that I nail the chain it hits the pole and gets spit out.

I believe that Jon is talking about the practice aspect only. Spit-outs happen to everyone from time to time. This practice is meant to help with your confidence when you step up to your lie so that you feel that you can hit that putt with no thoughts of anything else every time. This is why you are supposed to practice from a distance that you can make the putt every time.

If you are having that problem of spitting out often, maybe put a little less spin on the disc when you putt or practice on something other than a M-14 basket. My M-14 spits out more discs than a Krispy Kreme does donuts every day. However, I know that most baskets have 2 sets of chains and that 99% of those spit outs will stick in any other type of basket. So I am satisfied that I am hitting my line and continue doing the same thing.

Aaron I understand what he is saying and the Mark Ellis thing, I have been doing it for awhile now.  I am just saying that some people might consider it to be a bad practice day when there basket is spitting everything out despite hitting solid chains.  Ellis says you have done your job if you hit solid chain.  However it is still fustrating to "due your job" and still get kicked out.  I got a DB-5, much like your M-14 the chains are not very forgiving.  I now take kickouts with a grain of salt, but I am sure others don't always look at it that way.  So depending on your point of view even with doing it marks way you can still have "a bad putting day". I have yet to have a bad putting day since starting the routine.

P.S.  I did my putting today Lawrence Leonardi i#36370

[duain]

i did my putting today #31297

[Stretch]

Did my putting on Sunday and Today.

Bryan Beyersdorf
Tag#127

[Fox Metro Discer]

Aaron did his putting today

[OvEr HaNd AsSaSiN]

Aaron did his putting today

he needs it