Putting in the Wind – Disc Golf

Wind Putting: The Two Words No Disc Golfer Wants to Hear

“Wind putting.”
Did that make you cringe a little? Yeah, me too. I didn’t even bother censoring it. Those two words are practically a curse in disc golf. They are something no player wants to hear uttered as they step onto the course. Unfortunately, for those of us who live in wind-prone places like the Midwest, it’s a challenge we can’t avoid.

Your first instinct might be to grab the heaviest, most overstable putter you own and hurl that brick at the chains. If that’s not you, congratulations, you’re already ahead of the game. There’s definitely a time and a place for fighting the wind, but before you go to war, consider this: sometimes it’s smarter to work with the wind instead of against it.

Putting With the Wind

You might be asking, “How do you even putt with the wind when it’s blowing right in your face?” Good question. What I mean is that you should learn how the wind affects your disc and use that to your advantage.

For example, I know that a strong headwind will lift my putter skyward. So instead of muscling against it, I’ll use a lighter, more understable putter, throw it low and a bit to the right, and let the wind do the rest, carrying it up and to the left toward the chains. This approach usually gives me a better margin for error. A soft, controlled putt that misses is far less likely to fly off into three-putt territory than a hard, overpowered throw that sails past the basket.

Know Your Style, Know the Wind

Before you can really plan for windy conditions, you need to understand your own putting style. Are you a hyzer or anhyzer putter? Do you push or spin putt? Each of these styles interacts with the wind differently.

Then think about your putter’s design, its depth and glide. Deeper, floatier putters tend to exaggerate the effects of the wind. And the more spin you put on the disc, the more glide you’ll get, but also the more stable and predictable your flight becomes in a breeze.

I’m a right-handed spin putter (usually on an anhyzer line), and here’s how I expect the wind to behave:

• Headwind: With a nose-up release, it pushes my putter up and left. With a nose-down release, it drives it straight into the ground.
• Tailwind: Pushes my putter down—usually a bit left on an anhyzer line, or slightly right if I throw hyzer.
• Left-to-right crosswind: Lifts my putter slightly and sends it way right on anhyzer or straight lines, or slams it down if I’m on a hyzer putt.
• Right-to-left crosswind: Drops my putter straight down on an anhyzer, kicks it high from a flat line, or sends it soaring high and left on a hyzer.
• Tornado or whirlwind: Can’t say. I’ve never stuck around to find out. I’m open to recommendations.

Finesse Over Force

Here’s the thing: putting is all about accuracy. The more force you use to fight the wind, the less precise you’ll be. Instead of trying to overpower nature, use finesse. Understand what the wind is doing, predict how it’ll move your disc, and aim accordingly. The wind becomes part of the equation, not an obstacle.

Practice Your Style

Don’t wait until you’re standing in a gusty league round or a breezy tournament to figure out how your putt behaves in the wind. Practice on a windy day instead. Throw from every angle you can and pay attention to how your putter and your style react to the breeze. Mix it up with different molds to see which ones hold steady no matter which way the wind is blowing. And while you’re at it, test out all your putting styles, such as straddle, stagger, turbo, or whatever is in your arsenal. The more you understand how each reacts in the wind, the more confident you’ll be when it really matters.

Final Thoughts

Before you automatically reach for your trusty, overstable “wind fighter,” take a moment to evaluate the situation. There are absolutely times when you’ll want that heavy putter, like in unpredictable gusts or light but shifting breezes, but don’t make it your only move. Learn to let the wind help you find the basket. With a little practice you’ll feel confident in any condition.

Finesse, not force. That’s the secret to surviving (and maybe even enjoying) the dreaded art of wind putting.

Check out the best selection of disc golf putters HERE.

Please follow and like us: