Time To Work on My Putting

[bryan]

This afternoon, conditions at Crockett were great, and I shot what was a pretty good round for me -- even par 54. I was playing alone, but didn't take practice strokes (other than two from the truck to get started).

My round:
333 333 324 233 343 333

But here's the thing: with no wind today, I had putts, probably all 18-30', at holes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, and 18. I made zero. (The two birdies I had were both within 6' of the basket.) If I make *half* of those I'll card a respectable 49; a good player would make even more than that. (How many, I wonder?)

So, I want to look at buying a basket and doing the practice time it will take to improve. I'm putting in some extra hours over the next couple of weeks Tutoring for ACT, and will have some spending money that I won't feel bad using for that purpose.

So, recommendations? Let me say also I'm not enamored of the fold-up ones like the Innova Traveller or the Skill Shot. I believe that for me, to get the most benefit, I'm going to want to be practicing on something that looks more like a regular basket, so I'm practicing just like I'll play.

Any ideas about what to shop for or where to shop? Obviously, used would be cheaper (and therefore better) than new. I'm not much of a tool guy, so a DIY solution probably isn't great.

Thanks for any insight you have.

[Ron Pittman]

Here is the info that I sent to the Funds manager at 2nd Harvest. She was wanting to get one for her dad in GA. How cool is that?

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Here is a couple of links for targets.
www.discgolfassoc.com/equipment/baskets/index.html
The M-14 is all metal. The Mach-lite is full size and portable.

www.everythingdiscgolf.com/Chain-Master-Portable-Basket-p-15973.html
This is the only other decent full -size metal one on the market. But, easily worth the extra cost over the M-14. (I would rather have the Mach-lite than the M-14).


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Some of the guys have the M-14. I am not much impressed. I like the full size portable Mach-Lite instead. The Lightning DB-5 is a possible choice for a metal one. Not sure if anyone local has tried it.

Here is the link for a great putting clinic

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtO3pwFesZ0
Ron

[keith]

What do you think about the DIScatcher Sport?

Keith

[slowroll]

I've owned a discatcher sport for almost 3 years. They hold up well and are really solid. They come apart in the middle with one screw, so even transporting it in the Mustang is doable. I sometimes wish it had an inner set of chains. But because it doesn't, it's actually harder to make putts practicing at the house(cut-throughs) than while out on the course. For the $170 or so, it's really good value and I'm just now starting to see a lil rust on it. Good luck Bryan.

[RD]

Bryan, I love my m-14, $120 bucks at discgolfcenter.com, free shipping.
Its all metal, very portable, and catches pretty well, like Slowroll, I'd like to add a set of chains to minimize the cut-throughs, but all-in-all its a great target for the money.

The point of home practice, IMO, is to have something to toss at, it doesnt have to be perfect.....

On the homemade note, I made some simple targets out of PVC pipes, small chain, an old disc, and some 90degree shelf brackets, picture a "windchime" hanging from the side of a tree, they work great, i'll try to post a pic later.

happy shopping

[slowroll]

<-- Now imagines RD as some sort of discgolf McGuyver making baskets out of toothpicks and dental floss.

[ratskrad]

I love my mach-lite - much prefer its double chains to the metal ones with single chains.

I'm certainly no expert putter still, but feel I am greatly improve over a couple of years ago. I looked at a lot of the putting clinic videos and the one that helped me the most was the one that said:

you should NOT be missing putts during practice. If you are, move in closer. Find a distance where you won't miss. Practice 30 mins a day in two 15-min sessions. Hit every putt. Do it a couple of thousand times before moving back a foot or two, then repeat. This way when you're playing an actual round and are faced with a certain distance you won't be subconsciously thinking that you miss it half the time in practice.

[RD]

I started a thread on DGCR with a few pics of these McGuyver targets I was refering to.

www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?p=739813#post739813

[bartbird]

What putter are you using? I am 100% behind getting your own basket to help improve your short game, but maybe it's the disc? I switched to an Aviar after I realized almost every top pro throws one ( Top Pro Disc Selections ) and it really helped my % on putts over 15 feet.