Putting regressing. What the hell?

[luckless_pedestrian]

Playing almost a year, the putter I've used most is a soft proton Anode. I'm a push putter and have a practice basket that I use quite a bit. I feel like my putting is getting worse lately, I've gotten a Magnet, which isn't bad, a Hydra (horrible), a Crossfire (hard, my first putter, still not so bad), champ Rhyno (too hard for a putting putter).

I just got a cool-looking tie-dye Ion from the DD store in KC, which I thought was going to be my answer. But so far it isn't. For some reason I can't get enough spin on it. Yesterday, I'd miss a put I should make and then in frustration putt from the same spot with my Vector or something and almost always the second throw felt much better than the Ion.

I think that it's the rim depth that is messing me up Also at the DD store I picked up a classic Judge for my brother and I'm thinking I should have kept that one and given him the Ion.

Anyone else been through this?

 

[bradharris]

Anyone else been through this?

Yup. Like anything else in sports, you can go through slumps. Especially given that you're still relatively new to the game.

The best thing you can do is choose a putter you like and stick with it through thick and thin.

 

[luckless_pedestrian]

The best thing you can do is choose a putter you like and stick with it through thick and thin.

Yeah, still looking... :\

 

[markmcc]

I found that constantly switching putters in the hope of finding "just the right one" just leads to confusion. I doubt if finding the elusive "correct putter" is the answer.

Pick one that you like best, get several more of them, and practice like you mean it. I got 6 DX Aviars and practiced 30 - 60 minutes a day for a couple of months. Made a huge difference. I don't practice as much now but the rhythm and muscle memory that I built up still works well for me.

On the other hand I have a buddy who changes his putter, putting style, routine, etc. every time he practices and he is constantly frustrated.

 

[Script]

^Agree

Stick to one putter. Who cares what it is, they will all find the basket inside 30' with good form. Slumps happen. Find your routine, stick to it, build off of it.

 

[ru4por]

Start taking that Magnet to bed with you. Talk to it, praise it, tell it how great it is. Take it out to nice places, don't forget to say your sorry when you have to. She will treat you right, it just takes a lot of work.

 

[Grungedude42]

It's a confidence issue. Keep your chin up, practice in front of a beautiful woman. You'll not miss as often. Maybe buy a new car.

 

[jmackie]

For me it's not the disk it's the form breaking down. When I'm practice putting I can rattle the chains with almost any disc but when I go on the course I can't find the basket unless I'm standing over it :doh:

 

[Mabuku1]

Pickup some regular aviars. Or something with that pointier shape. It helped my game out immensely. I throw soft warlocks, which are just a stiffer aviar. Maybe you just need to have a stiffer putter to get your grip consistent. Try it out.

 

[jmackie]

PS

I do like my Voodoo stupid super soft putter but being 170 class it requires some speed. I just ordered a 160 class soft Magnet :clap:

"Maybe you just need to have a stiffer putter" There's a Johnny Carson joke in that one

 

[pmorgan1214]

I just went out the other day and did a 4 step break down on my putting. starting hitting putts from 50 feet away 50% of the time.
step 1- line your body up to the basket
step 2- take aim at one point on the basket/ also not wind and height will change aim
step 3- pull disc towards knee in a dropping motion
step 4- release disc chest high and outward motion./ do not bring the arm up/ arm up means i miss high.

my putting improved that night better than it ever has.

 

[fritothedog]

Lat 64 Pure all the way. Easily my favorite putter. I have a rhyno that I use sometimes but for everyday putting the Pure is my go to.

I have had several. The Aviar was my first true putter (Old crappy Wal-Mart set doesn't count, though it is better than new crappy Wal-Mart set...). I used a Putt'r (lid) for a time and grew to like it. After awhile it got replaced with the aforementioned Champ Rhyno. I also have a super stoopid soft Voodoo now. I think it flies basically the same as the Pure for putting. I haven't tried it driving yet. It is also my first soft putter. I think I like hard putters but that could just be what I am used to.

TL;DR - Get a Pure and never look back.

 

[mreynolds24]

The only thing the putter has to do with it should be confidence. That comes from seeing it hit the chains over and over for you. I have a collection of 15 or 16 putters. A majority of them are Ion's, but I have aviars, wizards, voodoos, a rhyno, magnet, 86 softie, all in different plastics and feels. I use all of them when I putt because it's all about the repetition of your putting stroke. When you get the feel of a confident stroke down, you can putt with anything. I typically only putt with ions on the course because that's what I'm used to feeling and am most comfortable with. When I step up to the putt I want to focus on a chain link and have nothing else to distract me (i.e.: feel of a new putter, unsure of how it will hold up in wind, etc.).

 

[bobmcnelly]

Just like most people are saying.... Get 5 or more of the same putter. Same weight and plastic feel too. And just put in the time with your basket.

 

[drblam]

I went through the same thing. Realize, though, that your putting may not be getting worse, your expectations may be getting higher because your game is getting better. You have made a few at 30 feet so it feels like you should make em all.

Also, many people have said it and I'm going to repeat it. Pick one you like, even if it is just for now, get a few, and practice the **** out of them.

I would get a wizard, judge, or aviar

 

[Stardoggy]

If you like Ions, try out some Wizards of varying stiffness. Not only great putters (GREAT putters), but excellent driving putters, as well.

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

You're thinking too much, stop thinking and just throw it in the basket, like the matrix putting only works if you clear your mind.

Pick a putter, any putter - many go for the pretty ones (they work fine, and often when it comes to the down and dirty they perform quite well, but they're often high maintenance and expensive and can feel a bit stiff and bony in the hand) many go the more plain jane approach (a soft body wizard with less flashy color, a lot of people seem to like the black ones for putting, personally I go pink). Choose that putter and really get to know that putter, caress it, fondle it, cuddle with it in front of a movie, take it on long road trips while holding it in your hand the entire way to the course, take it out for dinner once in a while. Treat your putter well, and it will respond positively to your attention.

Then, get serious when it comes to throwing it at the basket, wear that practice basket out, the chain links should be wearing thin from all the use. I started with rapid fire muscle memory building for about 30,000 putts. Now I place each putter on the ground, mark each one with a mini, take a step back and do all my thinking before I approach the mini, step up and fire it into the chains.

 

[namar]

I am a big sucker for new/different putters, but I ultimately returned to my trusty aviars. Had a warlock for a while and loved it but it disappeared. tried some shallow stuff like xd and ringer but had no consistency. Used the ion/anode combo for a while and did pretty well, but every time I grab my beat to sh*t 10 year old aviar my smile widens and the confidence returns. I still bag the ion as my driving putter, but my 3/10 aviar and a newer star aviar are my mainstays and I've never putted better.

It may be a slump, or it may be the wrong equipment. Aviars just feel right in my hand, in a way that no other putters can match. That "right" feeling inspires confidence and putters only do what you tell them to, so if it doesn't feel right it won't fly right. If the anode feels right to you, try one in regular proton or neutron plastic. If not, may your continued search be successful.

 

[Stardoggy]

You're thinking too much, stop thinking and just throw it in the basket, like the matrix putting only works if you clear your mind.

Pick a putter, any putter - many go for the pretty ones (they work fine, and often when it comes to the down and dirty they perform quite well, but they're often high maintenance and expensive and can feel a bit stiff and bony in the hand) many go the more plain jane approach (a soft body wizard with less flashy color, a lot of people seem to like the black ones for putting, personally I go pink). Choose that putter and really get to know that putter, caress it, fondle it, cuddle with it in front of a movie, take it on long road trips while holding it in your hand the entire way to the course, take it out for dinner once in a while. Treat your putter well, and it will respond positively to your attention.

Then, get serious when it comes to throwing it at the basket, wear that practice basket out, the chain links should be wearing thin from all the use. I started with rapid fire muscle memory building for about 30,000 putts. Now I place each putter on the ground, mark each one with a mini, take a step back and do all my thinking before I approach the mini, step up and fire it into the chains.

I have a stack of Wizards in a basket next to my TV chair and most of the time you'll see me with one in my hand. It's a sickness.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

You're thinking too much, stop thinking and just throw it in the basket, like the matrix putting only works if you clear your mind.

This is absolutely accurate in my experience. After finding this site and reading up on push putting, I decided it was superior to the spin putting I've always done. I tried to force the style on myself - I gave it a good try - and was never, ever comfortable with it. I finally decided that since I had been a decent spin putter that I was going back to that. Of course, after practicing the push putt for so long, my spin putt was awful and I was pretty discouraged. Finally, I decided to just pick up my putters without thinking and toss them at the basket. Over and over. Basically, I just cleared all thoughts from my head and let my body tell me what was comfortable for just tossing the disc. I then built my spin putting form from that basic understanding of how my body wanted to do it. I've been putting really well ever since. Most importantly, I believe I can make every putt and misses don't discourage me. Every miss brings a sharper focus to the next putt and reminds me that I can't relax on any putt.

I like certain putters better than others, but honestly, I could putt with anything that fits in my hand. Pick the one that feels best in your hand and commit.