Winter Warriors 8 Final Update

This past Saturday was the last Winter Warriors event. What an incredible winter season it was and what a great last experience for this years series at one of my favorite courses.

Some people I need to say, "Thank You" to:

Jeff & Ray for running the whole series.

All my partners, but especially those who gave me my useable scores.
Dale, Paige, Bob, Vinnie, Jake & Jeff

All the other competators. We raised a ton of stinking money and will feed a lot of people. Wow!

Alright, on to the goals that I previously posted. For the most part, I met or exceeded my goals. I was able to finish the series at -116. That would be 16 throws better than my target score. I also had a blast and learned to have more fun, even when I or my partner wasn't playing as well as we should have been. There were lost of missed putts, but in the end it really didn't matter. Maybe I would have played my mulligans better. Also, I feel like right near the end of the season, along with my putting practice, I was able to make some great strides in my game. I feel more ready for this tournament season and I know the process will continue but I can already tell it is going to be better than last year.

As for the one goal that I did not achieve, I did not make it into the top 10. -116 put me in 13th place overall and was 5 throws behind the person in 10th place. I would have won the tie breaker so literally it was just 5 throws from accomplishing even this goal. But, of course having achieved my goal of learning to have more fun again, this really seems to not be nearly as important as it could have been for someone else.

A few things that I am taking away from this whole experience.

1. I really enjoy the local disc golf community here in Colorado. These people are fun to be around and no matter how different we are, we can all come together and do something truly amazing. We are all there to do the best for ourselves but know that the community is just as important as we are as individuals.

2. I need to spend more time practicing, and in particular my putting. I am not sure that this will ever not be the case and I would imagine that the top pros are those who are practicing their putting everyday. Even then, there will still be missed putts that are usually makes and it really isn't worth getting upset about it. Let it live in its own moment then move forward and make the next one like you know how to do.

3. Playing doubles is a great way to learn that this game is more than you as an individual. I had moment where I had to rely on my partners and moments when my partners relied on me. I genuinely want to see these people do their best and it is a reminder that it is really not worth winning if we are not all playing our best.

With tournament season just around the corner, I am more excited than ever. Soon I will have to post my schedule but for now it is back to putting practice. Good thing I have space inside my house to do this.

Some Thoughts On Putting

The off season is a tough thing, especially when a cold snap hits where you live. Sure you can go out and play some rounds with your long underwear on but that really isn't helpful for improving your game because you are thinking about how cold it is and hoping that you will be able to feel the disc in your hand. So, like last winter I have decided to practice my putting inside. I do not have a great place in my house to do this but have one hall that at its longest is about 25 ft long. Good enough.

In an amazing bit of discovery and brilliance I think I have discovered some things that might be helpful to the world as far as it depends on putting.

1. Your exact for is not as important as most putting videos have led you to believe. As you watch how the pros putt they all look a little bit different. I am not talking about the difference between spin and loft putters, I am talking about everyone in general. Lets face it, no two bodies are exactly alike and as such we are all going to putt differently.

2. The most important thing in regards to putting is simply keeping everything on line. Watch where your arm goes when you throw a putt. You will notice that your arm ends in a particular place when you make a putt, right on line. When you miss your arm will not be in the same place. Even more importantly think about the line when your arm is down next to your body as well. Then keep it all on line the entire time through your motion. This is the one common aspect of all the best putters in the world. Look at as many videos as you can and see for yourself.

I hope these things encourage you in your quest to become a better putter. I have already seen my putting game improve, but more importantly, my confidence in putting has gotten stronger. I can putt a number of different ways, but when my arm stays on line it goes in (sometimes maybe high and sometimes low, but always on line) and when it isn't on that line, I miss.