Putting

Push Putt vs Spin Putt

The two putting styles and how to choose yours.

Why it matters

These are the two putting styles, and the sport genuinely has not settled which is better — there are world titles won with each. What costs strokes is not picking the wrong one, it is never picking: a half-committed stroke somewhere between the two gives you a different amount of spin on every putt, and therefore a different flight. The point of this lesson is to choose and stop choosing.

How to do it

The push putt: the disc is pushed at the target by the legs and the extending arm, with the wrist staying nearly fixed. It leaves with little spin, flies slowly and lands softly.
The spin putt: the same stroke plus a wrist snap at release, which puts spin on the disc. It carries further for the same effort and holds whatever angle you release it at.
Know the real trade. Spin resists being pushed off line, so a slightly imperfect release angle still flies roughly straight — but a spinning disc is more likely to hit chains and spin back out. Low spin drops into the tray instead of spitting, but gives you less margin on the angle.
Test both honestly rather than by feel: fifteen putts from 20 feet with each, on three different days, counting makes.
Take the higher number and stop switching. If they tie, keep whichever one you can repeat when you are tired.

Common mistakes

Switching styles mid-round after two misses.Finish the round with what you started. A style change is a practice-session decision, not an in-round one.

A hybrid nobody chose — some wrist on some putts, none on others.Film ten putts from behind. If the amount of spin visibly varies, you do not yet have a style, you have two half-styles.

Choosing from what a favourite pro does rather than from your own numbers.Their stroke suits their body and their practice history. Your counted makes are the only evidence that applies to you.

Key points

Push putt: low spin — lands softer, spits out of the chains less.
Spin putt: more spin holds your release angle, and carries further.
World titles have been won with both. Pick one, count makes, stop switching.

The drill

Drill · Head to head — 15 putts per style from 20 ft, on 3 separate days (90 putts total). Alternate in blocks of five so neither style gets only your fresh arm. Write the six numbers down before you judge anything — one session is noise, three is a signal. Then commit to the winner for a month before you reconsider.

Watch: Spin putting vs. Push putting: What's the difference? | Disc Golf Beginner's guide ft. Chris Clemons — DynamicDiscs