Putting League: Stay sharp this winter!
It’s that time of year where the leaves have fallen from the trees, the air is frigid and some parts of the country are dealing with snow. The days are shorter and those rounds after work just don’t exist anymore. So how are you supposed to get your disc golf fix in?? The answer is putting league! It’s something that can be done indoors during the winter months and keep your putting game sharp, which I consider the most important part of being a successful disc golfer.
If you’re fortunate, there’s someone already running a league in your area. If that’s not the case there are plenty of virtual putting leagues that you can find on Facebook. If you don’t have a league in your local community, I would highly recommend starting one yourself! It’s a fun way to feed that competitive appetite and make sure you’re not going months without any disc golf whatsoever.
I was playing with some guys that I met in Florida and they asked me how long I had been playing. I responded “two years” and they laughed and said “so you’ve really only been playing a year” (knowing I’m from Buffalo where we have winters that last 4-6 months). They were absolutely right! Down in Florida you can play year round, while I’m stuck sitting on my couch looking at the snow outside, daydreaming about playing again. Participating in a putting league will at least keep you engaged throughout the year without the long break. I’ve found it difficult to maintain a routine and timing when taking very long breaks and this will ensure you stay sharp!
Disc golf has grown so much in the last few years that I’m fortunate enough to have multiple disc golf leagues in my area. What’s neat about them is you can be incredibly creative with the format. The league I’ve been playing in this season has 4 baskets, setup as stations, each with a different level of difficulty (downhill, elevated, marksman basket, and obstacle) and distances from 15’ to 35’ at 5’ intervals. You throw 3 putts from each distance and there is a multiplier associated with each station/distance that determines how many points you get. You have a partner that you rotate with after each putt to simulate approaching a lie which helps you develop a routine, and because you’re competing against others, it also simulates how it would feel in a tournament. You can even establish a handicap which allows players of all skill levels to have a chance at cashing. This particular league pays players for their combined team scores as well as their individual score giving you two chances to make some money!
Putting league at Phatman Boardshop in Amherst, NY
I’ve also seen horseshoe style putting leagues (2v2 style with 2 putters each, 1 pt if you make one putt and 3 pts if you make both) and even a mini golf course where 9 baskets are set up with various obstacles and difficulty. Our local disc golf retailer Spartan Discs just started running a league like this and you can get incredibly creative with it! In this league you have 3 putters and up to 3 card mates just like you would in a round of disc golf. The easier holes are worth one point per putt made, while the more difficult ones grant two points per putt made. This particular league has a flex-start time which makes it more available to people with busy schedules. You can show up any time between 4 and 9 p.m., play your round, and go home when you’re done. If you cash they will let you know and pay out accordingly.
If you don’t have a league in your area, I would highly recommend trying to run one yourself. You can make it as simple or complex as you please and in the end, everyone that participates will benefit greatly from it! Try reaching out to local companies that may have the available space such as breweries or your own local disc golf retailer. If you have a unique putting league that you would like to share, describe it in the comments below or reach out to me on any of my social platforms! I’d love to hear about it!
