If there's a way to miss a putt, I've mastered it.
Low. High. To the side.
Also add a few screaming rollaways for good measure.
Was there. Did that.
And I still do, I might add.
Of course, when other factors are factored into the equation, the likelihood of an embarrassing failure only skyrockets: wind, humidity, crappy baskets, etc. One might think that “obstacles” are also worth adding to the list. And yes, sometimes you are right…
But not always.
DGPT: Rebecca Cox
Trees, signs, bushes, pavilions, playground equipment, and even playful USDGC-inspired obstacles: I believe that while they are often placed directly between you and the basket, they can sometimes cause a putt from the edge of the circle to go one or two Circle tricky runs two much easier.
My argument?
Stencils.
Stay with me for a moment…
I come from a long line of talented artists. I regret to announce that I will not be continuing this tradition. Luckily, when I'm trying to piece together a humble pencil drawing that fails my raw, artistic talent, a straightforward, traceable stencil helps fill the gap – there are some nippy ones out there.
Because I keep track of what's in front of me, my brain doesn't have to do much.
- Press the pencil.
- Follow the design.
- Enjoy the end result.
That's it.
I can do that.
You can do that too.
The same goes for a putt framed by trees in disc golf.
Is the line required ideal to successfully transfer the disc from hand to chains?
Probably not.
DGPT: Anthony Barela
But if you think about it, you don't even have to worry about the basket. Instead, your task is to first hit a tiny gap, clear a high hedge, drill a “V” into the trees, etc. And that's about it.
Because once you've done that, your CD is already halfway there. So yes, your 28-foot putt is annoyingly obstructed, but given the initial, closer barrier, it's actually much shorter.
Of course, pace plays a large role in all of this, but there's no need to imagine a line to mark. You simply accept your fate, overcome the obstacle you were given, and hope for the best. And in my experience, you hear metal on the backhand of the bid more often than you think.
The obstacle IS the template.
No thinking.
Just “trace” (or follow) the line.
So the next time a problematic putt leaves you thinking the unlucky guy has bitten your inner thigh, re-line your putt, stick to the line the course dictates, and thank your lucky stars that your precious, pea-sized brain is not there I have no further task. Because if you miss it…
Who cares?
It was a demanding lie.
There is no argument here.
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