I have been playing for a couple years and have gotten to be a pretty good putter, but the last 2 times I've played I have struggled to make even the easiest routine putts. Last time I played I missed several from 15 to 20 feet, got really frustrated and totally lost confidence and started questioning everything. Any suggestions?

take a few days off.

I'm a very streaky putter, and I find that when I start to devolp a bad habit, I take a few days off and when I return, my original putt is back.

If you trust your stroke, it will return!

don't wuss out on your putts and start putting in slow motion. your successful putting form was based around executing your motion at a certain speed and with a certain amount of speed. as soon as this breaks down, your feel breaks down, and when your feel breaks down, your putts miss (and usually miss all over the place).

focus on putting with enough pop/speed and your old form should fall into place assuming you can regain your feel after a breakdown occurs.

Stop thinking you are a good putter. Resign yourself to sukcing at putting, and all of a sudden your stroke will come back.

But you have to mean it when you think you sukc. :)

Stop thinking you are a good putter. Resign yourself to sukcing at putting, and all of a sudden your stroke will come back.

But you have to mean it when you think you sukc.



Rhett just wants you to be a bad putter so he can beat you so dont listen to him. Those Cali guys are WEIRD :D

I agree with MTL take a little time off from putting. Just practice the drives and upshots. I know when I go out to practice putting or something if i dont start hitting putts after about 10 minutes of practice and my putt is just WAY off I either go to practicing a kneeling putt or straddle or something like that and just leave me normal putt alone. Putting is ALL ABOUT CONFIDENCE. If you step up to your putt and you think your going to miss, more times then not your going to miss. But if you step up to ALL your putts and say "IM GOING TO CAN THIS ONE" More times then not your going to make it and who cares if you miss. EVERYONE MISSES. Climo misses Hammmock misses Schultz misses. THEY ALL DO IT so just step over every putt you have and say IM GOING TO MAKE THIS and that will help you as well. If i step up to a putt and a negative thought crosses my mind or for some reason I dont think im going to make the putt, I step back take a deep breath and go threw my pre putt routine again.

Finally dont try and stress about it too much. The more you try and find the problem the worse the putting will become and the more frustrated you will get. Try not to think about it and it will come back.

I hope this helped you

don't wuss out on your putts and start putting in slow motion. your successful putting form was based around executing your motion at a certain speed and with a certain amount of speed. as soon as this breaks down, your feel breaks down, and when your feel breaks down, your putts miss (and usually miss all over the place).

focus on putting with enough pop/speed and your old form should fall into place assuming you can regain your feel after a breakdown occurs.



Do exactly what Blake said.

Putting is the hardest part of this game and it's all about confidence if you think you�re going to make the putt then you more than likely will make it. The best advice I can give you is to know that if you miss the duce putt, you can make your come back putt.

Confidence, confidence, confidence!!!

Putting is the hardest part of this game and it's all about confidence if you think you�re going to make the putt then you more than likely will make it. The best advice I can give you is to know that if you miss the duce putt, you can make your come back putt.



You should NEVER be thinking about the comeback when trying to make your first putt. The comeback thought only comes into your head AFTER you miss the first putt. Heres the thing though, If you have a good putt you should be able to run EVERYTHING within 50 ft without going more then 10 ft by if you miss. And if you cant make 98% of your 10 footers then you shouldnt be running the 50 footers in the first place :D

and he talks fom experience. :D

Couldn't help you. I've been in one for 5 years.

Oh wait, that's not a slump, its my style. Nevermind.

Putting is the hardest part of this game and it's all about confidence if you think you�re going to make the putt then you more than likely will make it. The best advice I can give you is to know that if you miss the duce putt, you can make your come back putt.



You should NEVER be thinking about the comeback when trying to make your first putt. The comeback thought only comes into your head AFTER you miss the first putt. Heres the thing though, If you have a good putt you should be able to run EVERYTHING within 50 ft without going more then 10 ft by if you miss. And if you cant make 98% of your 10 footers then you shouldnt be running the 50 footers in the first place :D


The best putting style is one that will only leave you a 10-15ft come back putt, but this is a technique and not a fix to a slump. I personally run at any thing with in 60ft.

The best putting style is one that will only leave you a 10-15ft come back putt, but this is a technique and not a fix to a slump. I personally run at any thing with in 60ft.



Which is why I beat you every time we play :eek:

and he talks fom experience.



Yes Yes Unfortunetly (sp?) I do

Great post subject

Even though your emotions can have a significant effect on putting, my unsubstantiated belief is that most putting slumps occur because a DGer has changed some part(s) of his putting technique. In other words, DGer was putting a level X, then changed something, perhaps out of laziness, boredom, forgetfulness, bad back, trying to get to level Y, whatever, and now he's down to level Z.

So, two strategies come to mind.
(1) try to remember/recreate level X technique.
(2) create an entirely new better technique.

I consider option (1) to be a short-term solution and option (2) to be a long-term solution. So probably you'll want to do option (1) cuz you're impatient.

I suppose there are many ways to get back to your original level X technique: different ways work for different people under different circumstances. For instance one post above mentioned not playing for awhile, and then supposedly you'd "forget" the alterations you had made to your technique and get back to Level X. Maybe that's best for you: on the other hand, if you are a pro or DGer that needs to play every week, just waiting for Level Y to go away, then maybe that's not the best solution for you.

Now I've never been in a putting slump :eek: but if I were, I would try a combination of the following:

(1) Try to remember earlier times when you were putting well.
(a) What was your general philosophy/strategy/goals in your putting style?
(b) Can you remember some of your key swing thoughts when you were putting well, such as: keep head low, shift your weight, aim for a link, nose up, release early, keep shoulders from moving, be aggressive, be smooth, "pop" from your groin, eliminate fear, etc.
(c) Was there a favorite spot where you practiced a lot when you were putting well? Go back to that spot and maybe you'll remember better.
(d) If you're lucky enough to have a video of yourself making some good putts in the good-ol-days, you can do before-and-after comparisons, and see what you can find.
(e) Another way to look at your technique is by body part to help localize changes in technique. I'd say start with your feet and work up. E.g., where are your feet set up at the beginning of your putt? Where are they at release (if applicable)? Where are they after follow thru? Then work up to knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers. After you have done a body-part inventory, you can start changing variables. E.g., maybe my feet were pointed a little more at the basket and my shoulders were more square to the basket; let's try that. Or, e.g., maybe l lunged into a more bent knee than I'm doing now.

(2) Another strategy I like is to do a lot of putts, but from short distance, say 8-15 feet, whatever distance you can make 85%+ of your putts, even slumping like you are. Do occasional 10-meter putts also. I think you can re-find your original technique faster with shorter putts. But you just don't flick in 8-footers rat-a-tat-tat. You need to go thru the motions of a 10-meter putt, you just need to slow it down so that it only goes 8-15 feet, whatever your 85% range is.

More to say, but running out of time, what I said above is probably the meat of my suggestions.

And all you DGers: when you ARE putting really good, I would certainly recommend that you have a friend videotape your putting during a round, and then you need to write down your philosophy, strategy, technique, and key swing thoughts, so that when you DO slump for whatever reason, you'll have an easier time of recreating what worked for you in the past.

Same goes for upshots, drives, course management, etc also, but this is about putting.

try a slump buster! works for the baseball folk :o

The best putting style is one that will only leave you a 10-15ft come back putt, but this is a technique and not a fix to a slump. I personally run at any thing with in 60ft.




Which is why I beat you every time we play :eek:


I'll be in C-bus this weekend playing the lobdall tournament and I know you'll be in Ohio so lets say you bring your game if you think it's so **** good. :cool:

Hey Rhett , I'm at a Temp. Computer Terminal. I have a Starfire , with the Morley Stamp for you. Hope to see you by this Friday before the Tournament. If not , I'll see you , hopefully by Saturday morning.

Oh , and the putting slump thing for those wondering.
Practice all you can.

Later ,

Donny O. :D

Couldn't help you. I've been in one for 5 years.

Oh wait, that's not a slump, its my style. Nevermind.



Pass, too easy. :)

<font size=1>MASB&FP!</font>

just land your drives and up shots closer

Great post Kurt!

agreed, that was a very good post by kurt.

i occasionally slip into putting slumps, sometimes lasting a few holes, sometimes a week or so. this generally only happens when i haven't practiced in a long time.

i try to keep my putting motion stripped down only to the bare essentials of movement. this leaves me with 5 focal points (that can be condensed to 4) and generally troubleshooting is a rather easy task.

1) start point of the disc. this encompasses where your putter is at rest, my hand orientation on the disc, applicable hyzer/nose angles, and motion that happens before your arm motion forward begins. i always remove any kind of out-in-out motion with my arm as this can lead to inconsistencies of the start point.

2) stop point. this is where you release the disc and happens before the follow through (if you have one). height, nose angle, hyzer angle, and hand placement are the key variables.

3) touch. i use this to describe what my hand looks like immediately after the release (when i am trouble shooting my putt i don't follow through much). my position for this is with my hand fully open and with the palm perpendicular to the ground.

4) wrist position upon release. this can be combined with #3, but to me they are 2 separate actions that happen to together over a very brief period of time. many putters use a slight push of the heel of their palm, and this is often one of the things that gets neglected upon technique breakdown.

5) the speed at which the cycle of 1-2-3/4 happen. the easiest way for me to loose my feel is to slow this down, which often happens if your confidence is shaken or if there are hazards behind the basket. knowing the speed at which your motion occurs is half the battle of putting as it affects timing, feel, spin, etc.

as soon as i feel my confidence waning with putting, i insert this mental checklist into my routine and generally can quickly determine what part of my technique is failing. a miss = 1 or more parts failing. a slump = 1 or more parts failing consistently.

i try not to worry about it on misses, as often the putter just hooked on my ring finger due to a slight mistiming. the less you have going on in your putt, the less things you have to worry about going wrong and the less you have to analyze to correct technique failures.

if only i could learn how to drive consistently now :P

wow! thanks guys for all the input, i played today for the first time in 5 days and i tried to think positive and felt like my old self again. my confidence was back and that makes all the difference in the world for me, it impacts my whole game. there aren't any local pros to ask questions where i live so this place is a great source of info for me. i've been hangin here just readin for a while and finally got around to posting. i appreciate the help and the friendliness!

**** it!! i better read this thread , the putt is slipping!!

flip flap flys straight! :D:D

I take Blake's method of not slowing down a step further. I putt even harder than normal and force the disc to get in the hole. It worked in the last tournament I played after missing a couple of 20 footers, I went balls out on a downhill 30 footer that helped get me back in the groove.

I've also switched from in-line putting to straddle when I hit a slump. It makes me focus more since it's not my usual putting style.

Can you be in a putting slump if after a year you have never become any good at putting. And how do you know if you find a putt that works. Some days I can hit anything, other days nothing, and can never tell the difference in what I am doing differently, just that when I am putting good the release feels smooth and good. Anyone know what I can do to try and become more consistent from those good days? They happen about 1 out of 3 days out on the course.

just that when I am putting good the release feels smooth and good. Anyone know what I can do to try and become more consistent from those good days?



I would say practice. I know you don't want to hear that, but... When you find a style you like stick with it. You're putting will probably get worse before it gets better, but don't give up. When you go out to play, either before your round or after, practice at least 100 putts, if not more. Try to get in 100 putts a day. Start from your 90% range (even if that is 10 feet out) and putt till you make a set number in a row, say 25. Then move back 5 feet and go again. End on a good note making your set number. You will notice that your high percentage range will grow outward over time. My routine: Start at 15 feet, shoot 25, 20 feet shoot 25 and usually miss a few, 20 feet again shooting 25, 25 feet shooting 25. Then I throw in a group of 25 throws around trees and stuff (hyzer, anhyzer, one knee, etc).

Putting is important enough to practice a bunch. Everyone can afford to have some bad drives and upshots if they have a dead on putt from 30 feet+

just that when I am putting good the release feels smooth and good. Anyone know what I can do to try and become more consistent from those good days?



I would say practice. I know you don't want to hear that, but... When you find a style you like stick with it. You're putting will probably get worse before it gets better, but don't give up. When you go out to play, either before your round or after, practice at least 100 putts, if not more. Try to get in 100 putts a day. Start from your 90% range (even if that is 10 feet out) and putt till you make a set number in a row, say 25. Then move back 5 feet and go again. End on a good note making your set number. You will notice that your high percentage range will grow outward over time. My routine: Start at 15 feet, shoot 25, 20 feet shoot 25 and usually miss a few, 20 feet again shooting 25, 25 feet shooting 25. Then I throw in a group of 25 throws around trees and stuff (hyzer, anhyzer, one knee, etc).

Putting is important enough to practice a bunch. Everyone can afford to have some bad drives and upshots if they have a dead on putt from 30 feet+



I would like to be deadly from 30 + feet .

I'm still trying to putt over my neighbors fence , into my yard from 40 +. Need to master the up and over thing. In case I need to putt over a bush or something :eek:

Well, here's what I learned from playing 2+ rounds a day Every day on average for over a year, and taking 300 practice putts three times a week. My putting was better after practice, obviously, and got really great if I took a day off.
This only helps for insane practicers like myself who overuse the muscles and need a rest. But I agree with positive visualization techniques mentioned above. Think of a time when you were playing at your best, imagine it fully, then associate it with something neutral, like a thumbs up sign. See it, hear it, etc, then make the thumbs up sign.
Eventually all you'll need is a thumbs up to kick you into high gear.

Oh and use discraft.

.02 :)

I had a bad putting day at a local tourny a couple weeks ago. I couldn't hit the broad side of the barn even if it was 10 feet in front of me. But it was for only that tourny. Once I left the tourny and played another course, my putting stroke came back to me.

Videotaping yourself and watching it certainly helps.

Taking about a month off would help too.

Get a book called "The Inner Game of Golf" which talks about ball golf but all the concepts can be used in our games.

And finally, during that month off of actual putting, putt only using your minds eye and watch every one of them go in. It'll help build your confidence. After the month is up and you go back out to putt for real, you'll notice a difference. :D;)

Videotaping yourself and watching it certainly helps.

Taking about a month off would help too.

Get a book called "The Inner Game of Golf" which talks about ball golf but all the concepts can be used in our games.

And finally, during that month off of actual putting, putt only using your minds eye and watch every one of them go in. It'll help build your confidence. After the month is up and you go back out to putt for real, you'll notice a difference. :D;)



Can't argue with the World Champ ;) You are a good putter !!

Hope to see you at LaMa this weekend.

Videotaping yourself and watching it certainly helps.

Taking about a month off would help too.

Get a book called "The Inner Game of Golf" which talks about ball golf but all the concepts can be used in our games.

And finally, during that month off of actual putting, putt only using your minds eye and watch every one of them go in. It'll help build your confidence. After the month is up and you go back out to putt for real, you'll notice a difference. :D;)



Can't argue with the World Champ ;) You are a good putter !!

Hope to see you at LaMa this weekend.



Aw, you're too kind, Donny. I have a big party on Friday night and the Animazonia thing on Sunday so hopefully in between both, I'll conjure up some energy to get out there on Saturday. GO GET 'EM, Tiger! :D:p

I like petes optimism approach!! be confident and do it!!

I think I need to hang out in here for awhile. Maybe someones skillz will rub off. :confused:

Where did my putt go? :mad:

Check one of your other identities, maybe you left it there. :D

lmao!! :D

Hey thanks! I found it!!!! Seriously, played calli (sp?) yesterday and I was truely my worst enemy. My lord, where do these days come from? As bad as my game was, I still had a great time and that is what it is all about. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? :)

If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? :)




LIMP PIMP of course! :D

LIMP PIMP of course!



LMFAO :D

Well lookie here. Limpy has grown a funny bone. Now if you can keep that up when you dont know who your talking to then people will in turn know you as one cool cat with game. ;)

Which is actually a shame cause people sould not "KNOW" you from a message board. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

ya, ya. Put a practise basket in your back yard. Then use it! :D

Sometimes you just gotta relax and toss it in. Just like playing catch with the chains.

Good advice :cool:but what happens when the basket throws one back at you

Then it's time to sober up I'd guess. That, or run like heck

Good advice :cool:but what happens when the basket throws one back at you



" Tell the basket , next time , you will be replaced".

If that doesn't work , put coat hooks on the edge of your putter!!! It maybe tough , removing your disc from the chains though !!!!! :eek:

Just kidding...........................try putting with more accuracy !!! Sometimes ( for a right handed player) the Left side of the basket , hangs on to putts better.

I have hit perfect , right side chains , only to have the disc go straight through or bounce back. What can you do. :D

change your warm up routine perhaps. maybe you haven't routineized your putting warm up yet.

a local GM showed me a good way to warm up putting...

-start with 15 or so off hand putts. that means if you're righty, have your left foot forward as your right foot typically would be. this makes all of your putt's momentum come from your arm.

-next, putt 15 or so straddle putts.

-finish with 15 or so putts from your normal putting posture. you will feel the difference of how much you use your body vs. your arm.

That's interesting advice. I'm going to try that.

I have heard about this : -start with 15 or so off hand putts. that means if you're righty, have your left foot forward as your right foot typically would be. this makes all of your putt's momentum come from your arm.

Forward momentum , without a falling putt.
It should teach one , not to be weak.

Good advice!!! Thanks for that cool tip!

your confidence in your putting is almost half the battle. if you go up to a putt and say, "well im not sure if i can make this", then you probably wont make it. you need to go up to every putt like its your first and say, "i can and will make this!!!" i know you've made 15, 20, and 35 footers before, so that means it can be done by you again. you just gotta find what feels comfortable to you and stick with it, dont keep changing up. keep the practice up as everyone else has said, find yourself a routine and stick with it as well. "drive for show, putt for doh"

J

well said JJ!! :D

I agree. Once it's off the Tee pad ................

If that doesn't work , send me all your plastic !!!! :D

Practice putting untill your arm bleeds!!! and/or falls off. :cool::) :D

Practice putting untill your arm bleeds!!! and/or falls off.



Practice is good, but that will make you worse, and unhappy.

What you want to do is go on line , or to a bookstore and get a copy of Doctor Bob Rotella's "Putiing out of your mind" On book, or audio tape.

Dr Bob works with the PGA & LPGA's top players. he is a sports psychologist, so he talks about mental state, not mechanincs per sey, so it translates directly to disc golf, datrs, pool, whatever.

Dr Bob will help you love putting from where ever you lie. Instead of being all [I'm a potty-mouth!] that your not parked, you'll learn to see every "tester" and long putt as an opprtunity to try your skils.

If you can not find a way to love every putt, golf will be a long trying adventure for you. Rotella will teach you to love shots, even if they don't stick, and you'll have more fun. Like most things, easy to say, hard to do.

I'll give one quick example. You have probably birdied most if not all of the holes on your home course by now at some time.

So the Question is, why can't you go out and brid all of them in a row tommorow?

Answer: it is very difficult for the human body to repeat exact physical motions over and over. This examplifies the fact that golf is more of a mental game than a physical game. Therefor you should be spending as much or more time working on the mental part of your game as the physical.


So, before your arm falls off, :D go get yourself a copy of Dr Bobs book(s)

I promise you'll be glad you did.

I really liked "Golf is not a game of perfect." I'll have to try the one you mentioned.

Doctor Bob Rotella's



All of his books are AWESOME!!!

Im trying to work on the mental part of the game because I know I have the physical skills and If I could just get my head game right I could move up and compete.

I got nothing against positive mental attitudes, and "being the disc" philosophies, but a "putting slump" is purely mechanical. In other words, there is obviously something different in your "slump" form when compared to your successful form. Find it and fix it. Most importantly, don't think about it.

I got nothing against positive mental attitudes, and "being the disc" philosophies, but a "putting slump" is purely mechanical. In other words, there is obviously something different in your "slump" form when compared to your successful form. Find it and fix it. Most importantly, don't think about it.



This is not always true. You may have just lost your confidence and once you regain it you will start hitting putts again. If you are having a HORRIBLE slump then it may be mechanical but its usualy just about confidence.

I consider a slump when im hitting metal im just not making putts. So it may be different for everyone.

I'm not totally against what you and others are saying, I just think that this talk about confidence, positive mental attitudes diverts people from their real problems: bad form. For example, someone with bad form and a shaken confidence will get ten times more benefit in the long run by improving their form, rather than ruminating about confidence.

Anyways, I also question if a mind that preputt is thinking "I'm gonna miss this" or alternatively "I'm going to make this" is truly focused. Just clear the mind and execute the stroke. If you have cleared the mind and keep missing; don't fix the mind, fix the stroke.

i doubt you'd find a bigger "its mental" type than myself.. but James is 100% correct on this one. your mental state does not make the disc go off 10 degrees to the left. your mechanics do. fixing your broken mechanics will fix your confidence. fixing your broken confidence will only result in you confidently putting in the wrong direction :)

Bad putting comes from bad form, while a putting slump is normally mental.

I can rebut and say "A putting slump is bad putting; bad putting comes from bad form; therefore a putting slump comes from bad form." However, you also have a logical rebuttal to my statement. Suffice it to say that both viewpoints are just how we view the situation. Sort of like that drawing where some see the hag and some the beautiful woman. Neither is more "true" than the other.

I understand what you are saying, i just think your theory discounts the fact that people with bad form occasionally make physical adjustments and get hot, or people with good, but high-maintenance form will be able to perform their putt well with extreme focus, but the slightest ripple in their mind upsets their high maintenance technique.

Ultimately, both the bad form putter and the high-maintenance form putter can always assess their slump by saying "well, I was hot with this same form once, so it must be mental. I will read self-help books, meditate, and think good thoughts" This is logically sound, and possibly true. Hopefully it will also help. However, is it the best strategy to combat their problem? I'd say no. Most people are better served by learning good form, or learning low-maintenance good form since it can usually be successfully performed with less than perfect focus.

fixing your broken mechanics will fix your confidence. fixing your broken confidence will only result in you confidently putting in the wrong direction



Gotta love confidence!!! Confidence is a FRAGILE thing.

I usually get out of a putting slump by going to the beach and talking to pretty ladys , either sunbathing , bikeriding or rollerbladeing !!!!! :eek:

ok heres the deal, I had a putting slump and solved it. So here's how to do it...
1) Make sure ur in a slump, if u couldnt putt before then ur not in a slump, ur just going down the wrong path
2) SLUMPS ARE MENTAL NOT MECHANICAL (unless u changed ur form slightly and now cant putt)
3) Once ur sure its a slump, find a new way to focus on the putt.
4) align urself, aim with ur arm, bounce, w/e it takes to get focused on the putt
5) make sure ur in the right mindset, tell urself u can make every putt you step up to.
6) If you're constantly low play agressively. Too high? aim lower. left or right its an alignment issue.
7)Focus urself, even great putters miss when they dont concentrate.
8) When you practice, make every putt count. My favorite is you cant go inside until u make 10 in a row (Start small or ull live in the yard)
9) Get a basket (practice makes perfect)
10) Focus again. Repeat steps 3-10 until slump ends.

Your right about bad form, if some one has bad form they will always putt badly. Form is one of the key points to putting but since disc golf is still a new sport it's hard to find proper form for putting it's the same in ball golf.

Your right about bad form, if some one has bad form they will always putt badly. Form is one of the key points to putting but since disc golf is still a new sport it's hard to find proper form for putting it's the same in ball golf.



Take it from Nash hes horrible at driving and putting so he would know all about bad form :eek:

By the way there are lots of different putting strokes in ball golf. I used to play.

Take it from Nash hes horrible at driving and putting so he would know all about bad form :eek:
<font color="blue"> It's not that bad, just below or above average. </font>
By the way there are lots of different putting strokes in ball golf. I used to play. <font color="blue"> I use a improved claw grip. </font>

Take it from Nash hes horrible at driving and putting so he would know all about bad form
It's not that bad, just below or above average.
By the way there are lots of different putting strokes in ball golf. I used to play. I use a improved claw grip.



It looks like there are 2 sports I can beat you at now :D

I play many different sports so if your felling froggy....

What else do you play. I play Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Roller Hockey, Tennis, Raquetball, Swimming, Volleyball and prolly a bunch of other stuff I cant remember at the moment because it like 100 degrees here with 90% humidity :D

This will actually work with any aspect of the game, and even with any other sport.

Take a competitive break.

Something like a month off. When you go out to your home course, think and act like a rec player. Throw different discs then your normal bag set up, i.e. I throw Wasps and Buzzz's, but my practice bag is all Rocs. Just keep your arm loose, don't keep score. Don't "practice" just play a round with your friends (no wagers), enjoy a beer while you play if you can.

As long as you had good form to begin with before the slump. You will be back to good after your month off with only the slightest bit of readjustment to regain your competitiveness and focus.

It is what I am currently doing, and it is helping a million times over.

1) Make sure ur in a slump, if u couldnt putt before then ur not in a slump, ur just going down the wrong path
<font color="purple"> which most likely indicates a MECHANICAL problem. </font>

2) SLUMPS ARE MENTAL NOT MECHANICAL (unless u changed ur form slightly and now cant putt)
<font color="purple"> ie, until thoughts can directly change the flight of discs, its MECHANICAL </font>

3) Once ur sure its a slump, find a new way to focus on the putt.
<font color="purple"> yes. do this so that you can identify where your MECHANICS have gone wrong </font>

4) align urself, aim with ur arm, bounce, w/e it takes to get focused on the putt
<font color="purple"> good MECHANICAL advice there </font>

5) make sure ur in the right mindset, tell urself u can make every putt you step up to.
<font color="purple"> whatever. just make sure your body is positioned to allow good MECHANICS to happen </font>

6) If you're constantly low play agressively. Too high? aim lower. left or right its an alignment issue.
<font color="purple"> outstanding MECHANICAL analysis </font>

7)Focus urself, even great putters miss when they dont concentrate.
<font color="purple"> unless their MECHANICS are really good. then they will still make the putts. </font>

8) When you practice, make every putt count. My favorite is you cant go inside until u make 10 in a row (Start small or ull live in the yard)
<font color="purple"> that means get the MECHANICS correct on every putt </font>

9) Get a basket (practice makes perfect)
<font color="purple"> nothing like good solid repeatable MECHANICS </font>

10) Focus again. Repeat steps 3-10 until slump ends.
<font color="purple"> the same MECHANICS will yield the same result - every time. get the fundamentals correct and the rest will follow. the mental part comes into play by making sure your mind is in a condition that allows good MECHANICS to occur. for some that means hearing a favorite tune. for others it means imagining a beautiful brunette laying on the basket Hustler style while you reach for the sweet spot. but whatever works for you, its MECHANICS that actually puts it in the hole.</font>

I see both sides of this argument. Good mechanics and good mental game are necessary.

Now, would anyone care to share some helpful advice on making sure one's mechanics are good. Perhaps a simple checklist to incorporate into a preputt routine. I have routine, but as I am a {potty-mouth} putter, I'm obviously missing something...

I like the reaching for the sweet spot analogy btw...

1) Make sure ur in a slump, if u couldnt putt before then ur not in a slump, ur just going down the wrong path
<font color="purple"> which most likely indicates a MECHANICAL problem. </font>

2) SLUMPS ARE MENTAL NOT MECHANICAL (unless u changed ur form slightly and now cant putt)
<font color="purple"> ie, until thoughts can directly change the flight of discs, its MECHANICAL </font>

3) Once ur sure its a slump, find a new way to focus on the putt.
<font color="purple"> yes. do this so that you can identify where your MECHANICS have gone wrong </font>

4) align urself, aim with ur arm, bounce, w/e it takes to get focused on the putt
<font color="purple"> good MECHANICAL advice there </font>

5) make sure ur in the right mindset, tell urself u can make every putt you step up to.
<font color="purple"> whatever. just make sure your body is positioned to allow good MECHANICS to happen </font>

6) If you're constantly low play agressively. Too high? aim lower. left or right its an alignment issue.
<font color="purple"> outstanding MECHANICAL analysis </font>

7)Focus urself, even great putters miss when they dont concentrate.
<font color="purple"> unless their MECHANICS are really good. then they will still make the putts. </font>

8) When you practice, make every putt count. My favorite is you cant go inside until u make 10 in a row (Start small or ull live in the yard)
<font color="purple"> that means get the MECHANICS correct on every putt </font>

9) Get a basket (practice makes perfect)
<font color="purple"> nothing like good solid repeatable MECHANICS </font>

10) Focus again. Repeat steps 3-10 until slump ends.
<font color="purple"> the same MECHANICS will yield the same result - every time. get the fundamentals correct and the rest will follow. the mental part comes into play by making sure your mind is in a condition that allows good MECHANICS to occur. for some that means hearing a favorite tune. for others it means imagining a beautiful brunette laying on the basket Hustler style while you reach for the sweet spot. but whatever works for you, its MECHANICS that actually puts it in the hole.</font>


1) I was saying identify that u could putt before. if you could ur change is because u thought about doing something wrong, and did too much to correct it, the case in 99% of putting slumps (at least the countless ones ive seen in NEFA land).
2)Mental doesnt mean thoughts change disc, it means it changes ur form. you're just taking he simplistic ultra literal route.
3) I dont have time to point out anymore of this because u just stick to the same ultra simplified argument. So heres a short story. I currently make 80% of putts from 30' and (yes i count my putts and estimate distances during rounds). However I went into a putting slump about two months ago. What fixed this was in essence aiming with my right arm at the pole, this gave me more focus and I made my putts again. THIS WAS A MENTAL FIX. If you go into a slump its because ur not focusing on putts, u need to focus to putt, if you dont u make a mechanical mistake, but it was caused my a MENTAL lapse.

Pat, another example is if you allow other thoughts to enter your mind while you are putting. It does not matter what your form is like if you are thinking about the chores you are neglecting while playing, the pile of work on your desk (partially from coming to the board too much) and other issues in life. My scores are definitely on scale with my concentration level.
The main reason I like this game is because it is both a physical and a mental sport. You can't take the mental aspects out of disc golf.
I've attended clinics in which my drive and putt forms were watched, video taped, and dissected. I was told my main problem was that I just don't throw hard. That is mostly mental, not form. Oh, and the problem was found on my drives, not my putts. My putts, I was told, were right on. Most women I play with comment that my putts are great. However, I do go through a slump. Most of time it is because I have more important things on my mind or at least have allowed those things to cloud my mind during my putts.
It is also critical to believe you can putt (or drive) in order to do so. Gee, why do you think we have rules about interference and courtesy violations can be called on people that continue to distract golfers? Play with me, Pat, I'll show you how mental aspects have an affect on my putts. :)
(I'd love to play on your card some time. From what I understand you have the same problem with people making noise as I do.)
So, the main thing I would suggest to the person in the putting slump, based on my own personal experience, is to take care of whatever issue is taking your focus away from your game. Focus on your game while playing it. If you already know the mechanics part of it, then your putt will be back to what you were used to once you focus and follow through with the form you normally do well. :)

folks, i totally agree that it is mental in a way. really. trust me, i believe in the mental aspect of the game as much as anyone! i'm up to about 25 years now of studying (practicng) zen. the essense of the mental game is stillness. and stillness is the absense of the mental stuff. if you are worried abgoutthe mental game, your mechanics will suffer.

i cant tell anyone how to achieve stillness, bliss, zen, buddha... but i can provide a short list of mechanical checkpoints:

1. get those shoulders square to the putting line
2. position your feet comfortably (straddle, staggered, whatever, doesnt matter... whatever works for you)
3. keep your knees flexible... so that you can
4. bend from the waist enough to give your putting hand some room
5. let you body move a bit from back to front - and MAKE SURE your body momentum is precisely in line towards the pin (or wherever you are aiming)

point #5 is the most important! IF your body momentum is tawards your target, your arm/hand will more easily do the same, and your putts will go in.

in short, you could be thinking about next sunday's baby shower with the inlaws... but if you've got #5 under control, you are quite likely to make the putt.

willie, sorry if i sounded like i was goofing on ya. i guess i sorta was :) but not really.

i think i get what you are saying. which is that a mental, or thought process, lapse allowed a mechanical problem to occur. we could debate endlessly about this... it is a chicken and egg proposition. if a car horn sounds as i putt, and i jump, the car horn made me miss the putt. no... my mechanics made me miss... bad mechanics brought on by the car horn. but i would say that a proper MENTAL game would have made the car horn irrelevant. our definitinios of mental are likely different, thats all.

okay, so we essentially agree...but how about playing on the same card at one of the minis? I still want to, do you? If you simply say no, I'll understand. However, if you are willing, let me know.

I have tried this and some others too !!!!!

Get a CD / MP3 player. Crank on your favorite tunes that put you into that Happy place !!!!!! Have fun listening to Kick A.... tunes !!!!! Make your Putting time Fun !!!!!!

It will only get as serious as you make it !!!!!

:cool:

laura, i didnt know ya wanted to. it would hafta be a sunday, cuz i rarely play on wednesdays. anytime... why not?

I, too, have found mindfulness techniques to be of use on the DG course. ..."OHM"...

Sandalman, I would be interested to hear of your practice. Any particular style of Zen? Read any good books lately?
Send me a PM to chat, if'n you wanna keep it out of the thread. I could learn a lot from someone with 25 years of mindfulness training.

Namaste

sandalman, no worries just a friendly debate on putting, come up to the northeast and ill play a round with ya sometime.

Hurry I need advice quick KCWO tomorrow. :o:o

Just Putt !!!! Don't be thinking about anything else.

Dream about all your Putts being Golden !!!!!!!!

Watch them all go in !!!!!! Slump over !!!!!! /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

As a VERY streaky amateur player myself, I am often going through putting slumps. For me, I feel the reason is because I am frequently changing the way I put. I'll play a round with one person and they'll tell me to put one way, and then the next round, someone else will tell me to putt an entirely different way. I�ve noticed the best thing to do is to watch the players who seem to make EVERY SINGLE putt with ease and try to emulate them. When they have time, most of them will be happy to give you a few pointers. Next comes practice. Practice putting using this method until tossing the disc becomes an automatic reflex of your arm that you can land in the chains every time.