Stay Sharp at Home: Boost Your Disc Golf Game with Intentional Putting Practice

As disc golfers, we're no strangers to the ups and downs of life. But the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us a curveball, forcing us to stay home and put our games on hold. While it's not ideal, there are ways to stay sharp and come back stronger when the time is right.

We recently spoke with top professional players, disc golf fitness experts, and PDGA staff members about strategies for keeping your game sharp while stuck at home. One area that stood out was putting – a crucial aspect of disc golf that's often overlooked but can make all the difference in competition.

To start, let's talk about progressive putting. This approach involves building from simple to complex exercises using various tools and resources. Here's how:

First, revisit your trusty practice basket and hit some putts from different distances. But don't just stop at regular practice – try tracking your progress with the UDisc app or Perfect Putt 360 Challenge. These apps allow you to log your scores, analyze your game, and even compete against others.

Once you've mastered those distances, move on to more challenging tasks like the Global Pandemic Putting Challenge Facebook page. This social media platform requires you to go live from your phone, putting from 20 feet until you miss – all while being watched by thousands of people!

But what if you don't have a basket or access to open space? No problem! We talked to PDGA Tour Manager Andrew Sweeton about creative ways to practice putting indoors:

Hang a towel in a doorway and use it as a makeshift target. Use duct tape to mark the zones, and place a laundry basket below to catch your putters.

You can also substitute posts, pillows, or even trees for a basket. Just aim and have fun!

Now, let's talk about quality over quantity putting – a concept championed by touring pro A.J. Risley. This involves focusing on individual putts, taking deep breaths, and engaging specific body parts to improve your technique.

Risley emphasizes the importance of establishing a routine, just like he does with his two-putter system. By taking it one putt at a time and syncing his breathing with different body parts, he's able to reset, focus, and mimic pressure-packed tournament settings.

This approach not only improves putting but also carries over into other aspects of the game – and even everyday life. As Risley notes, "What that whole practice and that process did for me is it really made me focus on my putting routine... which I think is what holds a lot of people back."

In these uncertain times, structure and routine can be a comforting constant. By incorporating intentional putting practices into your daily schedule, you'll not only improve your disc golf skills but also find some sense of normalcy.

Stay tuned for the rest of our Stay Sharp At Home series, featuring more expert tips and creative challenges to help you stay on top of your game – even from home!

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/stay-sharp-home-putting