The feel of the record in your hand
The first and most important consideration when choosing your go-to putter is how the disc feels in your hand. It should feel like it's part of you, almost like an extension of your arm and fingers.
Simply grab the disc and move it around in your hand. How does it feel? Does it make you feel ready to take on the world, or is there something bothering you? Is it too shallow, too deep, too slippery, or too stiff? With hundreds, if not thousands, of putters available, if this particular one doesn't do it for you, try the next one. Trust me, you'll eventually find a putter that feels comfortable in any position in your hand.
Try different types of plastic
If you thought there were a lot of putters available, wait until you hear about the variety of plastics they come in. Some plastics are good, some not so good for putting. But some are just downright awful: too slippery, too soft, or too stiff.
In my opinion, the grip of the disc's plastic is one of the most important factors when choosing your go-to putter. The cool thing is that you can change your putters depending on the situation, for example, opting for a stiffer plastic when it's hot and a softer one for colder conditions. But in general, some people like stiff putters, while others prefer softer plastics. If the plastic is too sticky or not grippy enough, has some weird dents or imperfections, or just doesn't feel right, you might want to consider getting the same putter but in a different plastic.
With or without border?
Some people like beaded putters, and some people prefer rimless. This is a matter of personal preference. I have tried both beaded and rimless putters, and I am currently using the Latitude 64 Macana, which is a beaded putter. But as I mentioned, I have tried rimless putters before, and so far they just don't suit me.
Do I need a different putter for long distance putts?
Short answer: No, you do not need a different putter for long distance putts.
Long Answer: If you're consistently missing short putts from outside circle one, why not try something new to capitalize on some of those long-distance putts? Remember, I'm talking about putting, not pitching.
Back to the topic. A few hits from outside circle one can make the difference between a great round or even a win and a loss. That's why many players prefer to use a different, more gliding putter for those long putts from circle two (10-20 meters) or even from outside circle two. I know some players even prefer to use midrange discs for distances beyond 21 meters.
The key here is to have a putter or disc with a high glide rating. Any disc that has a glide of 5 or higher and is relatively neutral or even unstable in flight will be suitable. For example, the MVP Glitch, Innova Aero, and Latitude 64 Keystone come to mind.
What about a putter that helps you correct your mistakes?
Understanding where you tend to miss the most can greatly improve your putting game. Let's be honest, we all deal with some inconsistency on the green, whether it's missing low, high, left or right. Identifying these tendencies is key to improving. While you might consider getting more overstable putters if you consistently miss right or unstable ones if you miss short, in the long run I'd be more concerned with correcting your posture and putting technique and practicing rather than looking for a disc that will correct those errors.
3 Simple Tips to Improve Your Disc Golf Putting:
- Practice putting. One of the easiest ways to improve is to practice. When was the last time you practiced putting? Trust me, even an hour a week will pay off.
- Practice outdoors and in real-life situations. Practicing indoors is fun, but what happens if you need to layer up or the wind picks up? The best way to handle these situations is to have previously practiced in those conditions. So put on your regular disc golf clothes and practice outdoors.
- Practice from different distances and stances. You never know when you'll need to turbo-putt or throw from one knee. Practicing in different scenarios will definitely improve your putting game in the long run.
Avoid these discs as your trusted putters
If possible, I would recommend avoiding overstable putting and approach discs as your primary putters. Discs like the Discraft Zone, Dynamic Discs Slammer, Prodigy A2, Innova Pig, Westside Discs Harp, and others like them. Despite their name "putting and approach discs," these discs were primarily designed for approach shots and not putting. They have less glide, are designed to fade hard at the end of the flight, and are less forgiving. While these discs are great for approach shots, they are not ideal as go-to putters.
Overstable putting and approach discs.
These can certainly be helpful in some situations, such as putting into a headwind or when you need the disc to fade hard. However, in general, relying on these overstable discs for putting can result in more strokes, which is counterproductive to improving your game.