Course Strategy

Play the Position, Not the Basket

On long holes, set up the birdie instead of forcing it.

Why it matters

On a hole you cannot reach, going for it anyway is a decision that looks ambitious and plays badly. A planned lay-up to your best putting distance converts a long hole into a routine par; an unplanned one leaves you somewhere awkward with the same number of throws gone.

How to do it

Decide early in the hole whether it is reachable for you. Be honest — reachable means reachable most of the time, not on your best throw.
If it is not, pick the distance you putt best from and lay up to exactly that.
Lay up to the side that leaves a straight, uphill putt rather than a sidehill or downhill one.
Take the guaranteed par-save spot when the hole offers one. A certain 3 beats a possible 2 and a likely 4.
Never attempt a shot in this situation that you have not practised. A long hole is the worst place to try something new.

Common mistakes

Going for a basket you reach one time in five.The other four times you are scrambling. Lay up and take the par that was always available.

Laying up to a vague distance rather than your best one.A lay-up should finish where you practise from. Otherwise you have swapped one difficult shot for another.

Deciding to lay up only after the drive went badly.Decide on the tee. A plan made mid-hole in disappointment is not a plan.

Key points

Lay up to your favorite putting distance.
Take the guaranteed par-save spot.
Force nothing you have not practiced.

The drill

Drill · Lay up on purpose — 9 long holes laying up to your best putting distance every time. Play nine holes you cannot reach and lay up deliberately to your favourite putting distance on every one. Count the pars. For most players the number is higher than when they go for it, and seeing that written down is what makes the habit stick.

Watch: Are You Playing SAFE or AGGRESSIVE on this Hole? #discgolf @agarduno29 — DGaiden