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An adult throws a disc toward a metal basket on a grassy practice area

Sports hobbies

How to start disc golf with short putting practice

Cost to start
US$0 if you borrow a disc

Requires a free practice area; check access and rental fees

Difficulty
Easy

Start close to the basket and use gentle, controlled putts

First result
20–30 minutes

Twenty short putts, a tally and one adjustment to try

Try disc golf with one borrowed putter, find a suitable practice basket, and learn a controlled short throw before keeping a simple putting tally.

What you need to know

  1. One disc-golf putter

    Borrow a slow, rounded-rim putter if available; otherwise check the local rental or purchase cost before starting.

  2. An authorized practice basket

    Find a flat, clear practice area and confirm basket access and fees; do not occupy an active hole for repeated throws.

  3. Grippy shoes and a tally

    Wear shoes suited to the ground and use paper or a phone note to record each set of ten attempts.

Disc golf aims to reach a target in as few throws as possible. This 20–30-minute session is putting practice, not a scored round. The PDGA course directory lists venues; confirm practice-basket access before travelling.

Set up one short putt

Stand roughly 2–3 metres from the basket. Check the throwing area, including behind the target, and wait if anyone or a pet enters it. Keep companions behind you and take turns with other users. The PDGA courtesy rule says not to throw when a throw might injure someone or distract another player.

Face the basket with feet planted and knees relaxed. Try a fan grip: thumb on top, middle, ring and little fingers spread beneath the disc, index finger on its rim. Hold it roughly level, move it smoothly forward and finish with your hand pointing toward the chains. UDisc’s putter guide describes this grip and a controlled standstill motion. A hard wind-up or run-up is unnecessary here.

Make two sets of ten

Throw once, regain balance behind your starting spot, and retrieve only when everyone has finished throwing. The PDGA putting rule requires controlled balance after release before advancing in a round. Return to the same spot for ten putts. Count a make only when the disc comes to rest supported by the basket’s tray or chains below the chain support. Hitting the chains alone does not complete a hole. Record distance and makes out of ten.

If putts fall short, use a slightly fuller forward motion or move closer. If they fly past, reduce effort. Keep the release angle steady rather than twisting the wrist at the last moment. Change one thing, then take ten more putts. Record a changed distance; tallies from different distances are not direct progress measures. If you feel pain, stop rather than forcing the motion.

Next time, repeat the same distance before stepping back. For a first full round, choose short tees with an experienced player and read the PDGA rules for teeing, play order, lies and scoring. The ten-putt sets here are practice counts, not match rules.

Find a basket and learn the basics

Beginner Sports Disc Golf