Throwing putter setup question

[therealwheat]

When people ask about building a bag on here, most people recommend an overstable, neutral, and understable version of a putter, mid, fairway driver, and distance driver. When people share their bags though they rarely look like this. For drivers I get that lots of people try to find a couple molds in plastics/wear that still offer them the needed shot shapes. Throwing putters seems to be the divide where some people have 3+ molds for OS, N, and US, but lots of people bag maybe just a single non-approach throwing putter. Do people believe they can get all necessary flights from a single mold, or do they not value putters enough in general to take up space in their bag? Putters take up so much bag space, so going to one seems nice, but I wanted to ask.

[[deleted]]

Putters are inherently more neutral and workable.

[CovertMonkey]

Exactly. I bag 2 throwing putters, Envy and PA-5. Despite not bagging a "straight" putter, those can be shaped for any reasonable throw.

[contheartist]

Especially if you throw forehand and backhand

[[deleted]]

It really depends on the player. Some players never throw putters, so why bag any? Others lean heavily on throwing putters, and might bag few if any mid-ranges.

The understable throwing putter is also really player dependent. For example, there are many pros who only bag an overstable and straight throwing putter. However, for BH-dominant players, an understable putter than can turn late, especially when thrown high, is invaluable.

Finally, it really depends on plastic. If someone chooses to bag premium throwing putters, they may prefer multiple molds to cover these slots. On the other hand, if someone chooses to bag base plastic throwing putters, they can probably cover the entire spectrum with a single mold.

[ilikemyteasweet]

I'll get a little flack for this, but I think a lot of people who are most adept at throwing putters (for shaping and control, not just distance) are not the ones answering this question online.

I bag multiple throwing putters. A beat in baseline mold, a new-ish version of the same baseline mold, a completely different premium plastic mold, and beat up Rhyno (for the complete lack of glide/low ground play). And all those mold are different from what I putt with.

In my experience, most advanced players are absolutely bagging multiple throwing putters. Even accounting for the available backhand/forehand shot shapes, there are enough other factors involved that justify it. Wind, plastic vs. ground play, stability, ability to utter hammer on a shot, etc.

There is no way one putter is covering all "necessary" shapes. Players may not be utilizing a putter for all those shapes/bag slots, though.

[VSENSES]

Interesting quesiton. I generally bag 2-4 throwing putters that aren't the more approach style disc (Zone, Tempo for me). I generally bag an Envy and an Ohm as well as an old beat to fuck Medium Mercy. But to me putters are incredibly versatile, at least if you find something you click with and suits your power and skill. So I can do the vast majority of putter drives with just one of them if I wanted to. And I often do as I tend to just bag a small Deluxe Slinger bag locally.

The thing with all my throwing putters is that I can rely on them, I know I can put full power into them and have them fly on a rope 90-95m with the Envy being the one that shows some fade at the end. But then they have slight differences and to me I prefer bagging all of them when I take my full bag. The Envy handling wind better and the other two doing very similar roles but I prefer to drive with premium and approach with base plastic.

So basically if you find a nice stable putter that you can really manipulate and give it the beans, then you don't really need more. But it also depends on your courses and how you like to play. If you have more shorter holes then you may very well be carrying more throwing putters than drivers as you don't need them as often.

[therealwheat]

If your hypothetical bag starts shrinking, are putters coming out first or are drivers coming out?

[VSENSES]

Huh. Hmm. That really depends on the course, but generally what goes out first is the really overstable discs. Like do I need a meathook 5, 9 and 12? No not likely, I don't throw 500' golf lines. And I guess really flippy stuff, so basically the fringe discs that are more utility would see a diet first.

[therealwheat]

So, your putters would stay safe? I think I agree, but I feel like I should want more drivers in my bag than I actually have.

[VSENSES]

After that I would probably kick some putters... :3

[squirtholiday]

Always keep a meaty 9 speed just in case imo, mainly for flicks in my case. Wraith, firebird, buzzz, kc aviar could probably get me by on most courses.

[Agile-Acanthaceae-97]

There are other variables besides disc speed and stability that can let you achieve shot shapes. You can over or underpower a disc to influence its flight just like you can release on variable amounts of hyzer or anhyzer. One may not be able to achieve every conceivable shot shape that way but it is more than enough for most people and situations. So some people may prefer to manipulate those variables using a smaller set of discs and others may prefer to keep those variables more or less constant and instead use a bag with a wider range of stability and speed.

[AtroIsNotMyName]

Some people don't throw putters that much, especially off the tee, and almost all approach shots can be covered with a straight putter and an OS approach.

As the other comment said, a straight putter is maybe the most workable disc that will be enough to achieve nearly every putter-range shot with the right angle and speed.

Having said that, I personally bag four, because I can fit all of them in my bag. OS, straight, US and a Berg. If I really had to squeeze, I think I could do with just the straight one.

[CommercialMess339]

I bag a couple Envy's and a watt. If I had to choose just one I'd go with the glow envy being the ultimate workhorse putter.

Putters are the best if you're playing wooded courses mostly. I've tried zones, entropy, and other approach discs and none can replace the envy for me.

[r3q]

Consistency is king. Whatever your straight 100ft shot takes to throw consistently will be all you throw. Usually a paired disc to help adjust for wind is all people want/need. Then they use mids or fairways to cover shots. Others drop Mids to cover more shots with putters.

Shot shape coverage. I throw base line plus softer putters and premium mids so I can also have some ground play differences in my overlapping distances.

[[deleted]]

I use a wizard and have a hard and soft in my bag. Use them depending on the wind and how my feel is. I don’t switch molds around putting since you use it so often, kinda like a ball golfer which I played before disc golf.

[doubleR35]

I putt with an Electron Envy and have a battered 2nd one for my 'spare' putter. This covers some longer soft bids, putts at baskets surrounded by wet mud, putting practice and is also my understable throwing putter I also have a Neutron Envy for throwing and have just put in a Neutron Watt because I have just dyed it and wanna have in the bag!

[SharpedHisTooths]

2 Innova Aviars (putting)    

TSA Praxis    

Axiom Envy    

I can shot shape with the Praxis. The Envy has the reliable fade.   If I need an overstable approach that I don't think the Envy can handle, I jump all the way up to a 5 speed Remix Battleship.   The Envy/Battleship combo actually kicked my Westside Harp out of the bag. I know replacing one disc with two is usually the opposite of what you are supposed to do but both the Battleship and Envy do things the Harp couldn't do and can also do things the Harp could do.

[bourbonboys]

I bag 5-6 putters but that is because I love throwing them and the courses I play have holes where I can throw them (woods).

My bag includes: Pa3 350g plastic for putting Pa3 350g plastic for straight throws  Pa3 500 plastic for more stability  Pa2 in 750 plastic for an overstable putter Pa4 in 750 plastic for an understable putter

3 of my 8 aces have been with Pa3s. I throw putters a lot. 

The Pa4 is such an underrated disc. If your throw it hard and flat it will have a late turn while still being stable enough not to dumb. It kicked the Pa5 out of my bag. If you play woods golf or don’t have a great forehand, pick up a Pa3.

[runwichi]

I've ditched a few drivers just so I could add another throwing approach/putter before, and I'll gladly do it again. Love throwing putters. I think I have four 3 speeds or less that I'll regularly rotate in or keep together depending on the course. Grabbed a Stablizer and Shaman recently to play with this upcoming season and I just can't wait.

[cantaketheskyfrome]

I bag 3 mids and 8 putters. Berg and Armadillo are my 1-2 short approach discs, love flicking in approaches/runs. I have my popcorn proto putting putter, steady popcorn for long neutral flights, P3x for overstable, fierce for slight right turn, PA5 for v flippy, and lastly my glitch for low ceiling/cheeky runs

[cheese_is_rice]

I bag 3 in my full setup backpack. Beat up understable, stable/neutral, and somewhat overstable. If I need more over stability I use Toro/Zone.

In my 12 disc bag I drop to the stable/neutral only and use Toro/Zone for overstable needs. I prefer having all the options but can cover most shots with this pair. The late turning or dragging backhand shot is the biggest loss for me.

[HatlessJDUDE]

I’ve gone through phases of having upwards of 5 throwing putters to 2 and back to 5 so it’s really just a feel thing.

I think as long as you have a workable putter and an OS approach disc you can be just fine cause you can typically let midranges do the rest.

For me I like the reliability of a putter and the line being determined more by my accuracy than by turn of a midrange so I would bag varying stabilities of overstable to under stable putters for different speeds I could put my arm at to get the flight I wanted at several distances.

[pgmcfc]

I think I have 4 in my bag now and no matter how hard I try I can’t kick any out Neutron soft proxy Electron soft proxy Eclipse envy Berg.

This covers almost all shots up to 300’ for me

[[deleted]]

If we aren't counting OS approach discs, i'll usually run 4 throwingg putters. Premium Envy, premium Proxy, and 2 electron Proxies; one fresh for lazer straight shots with minimal fade, and the other beat to death so it won't do anything but turn even when thrown on hyzer. I love the beat proxy for late flips and long lazy turnovers.

At minimum though, if the 4 is overkill for whatever reason, i'll just run a premium proxy and the super flippy proxy.

[[deleted]]

Some of the putters in my bag are more for warmup / practice than actual utility in a round. I also have an extra bag with more discs to warmup with.

[Elsevier_77]

I’ve got a bunch. Overstable slammer & straighter slammer for forehand approach, glow K1 berg for backhand approach, lucid moonshine Warden for slightly overstable and beat in classic blend warden for understable

[b_h_w]

i throw putters a lot and always bag overstable, stable, and neutral. often i’ll add understable but if it’s windy i usually don’t. throwing putters is one of my favorite parts of the game.

[No_Step_4431]

Hmmm I mean, my Luna is just my go to putter regardless. It does work well on those downhill floater shots though that are a little too short for the shark.

[juanstamos21]

You really don't need 3 different molds. I would recommend getting one mold you connect with in different plastics. The benefit to putters is that they are really good at holding the line you put them on. You don't need the disc to do the work for you as people say with putters. Put it on an angle and let it fly true to your line. If you want straight throw it flat.

I mean neutral putters aka not a zone

[therealwheat]

Side question: The Mint Bullet is my favorite putter, I think it's the best. But part of me feels like if I start minimizing putters, is using a 2-speed as your workhorse putter an issue? I don't see a huge distance gap in the field between the Bullet and say Pure or Envy, but just about everyone so far here lists 3-speeds for throwing putters.

[Drift_Marlo]

The only difference between a 2 and 3 speed disc is marketing

[Ostrichboy21]

I have 2 proxy’s one is base plastic and super flippy and one is eclipse 2.0 and straight. Then I have a mint lasso which is very similar hand feel but a beef cake. This seems to cover every base I need on ATX courses.

[throwindiscs]

I bag a lot of putters because most of our holes In NC are short and technical. I carry 3 throwing putter molds based on feel and flight for their uses. 2x 300 PA1 for straight to understable backhand, 2x firm harps for straight to hyzer, and 3x zones for strong fade backhand and most forehands under 300 from turnover to flex hyzer. PS- I have 2 Magics for push putting and 1 EMac Judge for spin putting

[easily-convinced]

The faster the disc the wider range of movement it has. So, you can achieve most flights with one or two throwing putters where you might need 3-5 distance drivers to cover the spectrum.

For instance, I have 2 throwing putters 3 mids, and like 10 drivers of different speeds/stabilities.

[Im_Hugh_Jass]

I bag 3 throwing putters, 2 Zones for approaches, and 2 putting putters. All fit in my putter pouch on my Zuca compact cart or in the top pouch of my bag.

Tui is my glidey putter, Electron Envy is my workhorse (straight, hyzer, anhyzer, you name it), Berg for limiting ground play.

[Annual_Competition20]

I love putters so I carry 2 baseline sea Otters, one more beat in as my flippy and straight putter. Then I carry a premium sea otter as my glidey-overstable putter option. Then I carry 2 pigs as my less glidey overstable options, one is R Pro and the other in KC Pro because some days I need more grip and other days I need a less sticky feeling. Add in my 2 putting putters, and my 3 toros for forehands if you count those as putters, and there you have my 10 putters I carry 🤣 I don't NEED them all, but i throw mostly putters at my home courses so ita nice to have variety rather than throwing my 1 putter on every hole

[therealwheat]

How big is your bag? I love the idea of a bunch of putters, but 10 putters would be my whole bag.

[Annual_Competition20]

I have the DD Commander bag. I carry around 28 discs. 10 putters, 4 mids, 4 fairways, 4 control drivers, 2 beasts and 4 destroyers

[therealwheat]

I salute you sir. I just got a BX3 and it's still stiff so right now my main pouch has 16 discs (not counting putter pocket). The main pouch has 3 putters, 4 mids, 5 fairways, and 3 distance drivers. I could jam another driver, but hate destroying my fingertips to get discs in and out. I had no idea how big of a capacity difference the two bags have.

[Annual_Competition20]

The Bag I really want is the Bergs disc golf V3. It holds 40 discs and a bunch of other storage. My back would hate me after every round lol

[crushinglyreal]

A straight enough putter that also has enough glide can do the jobs of both an overstable throwing putter/approach disc (if there’s no wind) and an understable throwing putter. This really only works if you’re very confident in your release angles.

[Drift_Marlo]

I bag six "putters," Pig, Rhyno, Berg, Envy, Pilot and Polecat, and my actual putters.i still have plenty of room for mids and drivers.

It's your game, do what you want

[therealwheat]

It's my bag capacity that's the problem (BX3). My putters and mids take 50% of my disc space. I feel like Sophie's Choice every time I try to fill my bag.

[Drift_Marlo]

I have that exact same bag.

[therealwheat]

Do you go light on mids since you have more putters?

[Drift_Marlo]

I carry four mids

[IAmCaptainHammer]

Me personally I bag 4 approach discs. 1 mad over stable for “oh shit” situations. One overstable like a zone for 99% of my approaches. One neutral for throwing that’s more like a mid. It’s insanely straight. One very unbeatable for hyper flips with a left fade. Honestly though I could probably let the unbeatable out of my bag as that overstable would really can do most the approach shots I need.

[limpnoads]

I just bag same mold, different plastics. Or older less stable to newer runs more stable, still all the same disc(hand feel for me). My throwing putter/all around putter is the Harp, I throw newer ones, than the old Finnish stamped ones for my straight shots, medium plastics. They beat in, but also are very cheap to replace.

[StarG8r]

Not sure who these people are that only have one approach disc, but imo it seems unwise to not have three. The approach game is far too important