Sometimes control and accuracy is more important than distance on the disc golf course.In this article we will take a look at whatwhat a driving putter is,the best driving putters for each type of disc golf throw, andwhich one is right for you.
What Is A Driving Putter?
Simply put, a disc golf driving putter is a slower speed disc that is mainly utilized for controlled tee shots and approach shotsonto the green.They can usuallyhandle more off-axis torque and powerthana typical putting putter do to their overstability.
Also referred to as throwing putters, driving putters are commonly slightly faster than their on-the-green counterparts, having a slightly flatter top and forehand-friendly feel in the hand.
Like I mentioned earlier, driving putters are usually pretty stable - but not always.A good throwing putter should be able to handle a little more power without turning over into the dreaded "throller," but it also shouldn'tbe so beefy it falls out of the air immediately either.
Ready to shop? We havea huge selection of disc golf discs in our online store.
Why Drive With A Putter?
Putters aren't designed for distance, but they are one easiest discs to control. When you have a short, technical shot off the tee, a driving putter is often the best option. They are also less likely to skip or move once they touch the ground so they make terrific approach discs.
Let's get into our search by looking at the best overstable and neutral driving putters on the market.
Best Overstable Driving Putters
Innova Pig
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 3
- Glide: 1
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics: R-Pro, Glow Pro
Afavorite driving putter of many professional disc golfers (and my personal favorite) is the Innova Pig. The Pig is a low glide approach disc with a beadless rim that features the Innova patented Thumtrac on the top side of the flight plate,which makes for a comfortable forehand or backhand grip.
The Pig is great for dealing with windy days since the low glide makes it easy to judge range and not floatpast the basket. The low speed fade makes it easy to use for tricky hyzer putts as well. The 3 fade ratingis really apparent when the disc starts to slow down, and when is starts to beat in, it will slowly transition to a straight flying putter.
You can pick up aBradley Williams Color Glow Pig from our shop.
Discraft Zone
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 4
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics: ESP, Jawbreaker, CryZtal FLX, Z
The Discraft Zone has been hailed as one of the best driving and throwing putters of all time, and has found its way in to the bags of disc golfers of all skill levels from amateurs to five-time world champions.
The Zone offers a flat top, slightly thicker wing, and added torque resistance for more powerful throws. Even into a stiff headwind, the Zone is a solid choice for distance controlled power hyzers or short flex shots. You can count on a hard fade out of this disc whether throwing forehand or backhand.
Check out these sweet Ledgestone Z Glo Zones (pictured above).
Westside Harp
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 4
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics: BT Soft, BT Hard, VIP, Moonshine
The Westside version of an overstable throwing putter - the Harp features a beadless design, slightly shallow feel in the hand, and a super flat top regardless of the different plastic blends.
When thrown hard, the Harp will hold a hyzer line even in the wind, and the rim shape helps it stay where it hits. Released on anhyzer, it will hold the turnover for a short time before fighting back and finishing on hyzer.
Discmania Tactic
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 4
- Glide: 2
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics: Exo Hard, Exo Soft, Vapor (Razor Claw)
Discmania's answer to the need for a true windfighting overstable putter, the Tactic was right what loyal Discmania throwers were asking for. Eagle McMahon, arguably one of the furthest throwing players on tour, chose the Tactic as one of his tour series discs and is a staple in his bag.
With a flat top, shallow rim and beadless design, the Tactic feels fast out of the hand, but this putter offers enough overstability and torque resistance to keep from getting away from you on full power throws. Even in strong winds, the Tactic remains overstable and always fights to a hyzer finish.
Check out the Tactic in my personal favorite: Hard Exo plastic here.
Kastaplast Berg
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 1
- Glide: 1
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics: K1, K1 soft, K1 glow
The Kastablast Berg is by far one of the most unique discs on this list. With an extremely blunted rim shape and next to no glide, the Berg is a disc golf putter best known for its short flight and ability to be thrown with power without turning over, no matter how hard the wind is blowing. It is one of the few puddle top discs on the market.
The Berg fades hard and settles up close to where it hits the ground, limiting ground movement and making it ideal for hard packed and fast greens with danger close to the basket.
Best Neutral Driving Putters
The neutral putter is one of the most overlooked options when seeking a dependable driving putter. While they may take more effort and finesse to throw with power, the accuracy is exponential. These putters will start to resemble more traditional putters in their shapes and feels, and most of these
Discmania P2
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 2
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 2
Popular Plastics: D Line, S Line, P Line
Heralded as the best putter in disc golf, the Discmania P2 has been used by a huge number of professional golfers throughout their careers. The P2 has been the staple of Discmania for a decade and a half, and has served as a putting putter, approach putter, or driving putter for countless golfers.
A deep dish, beadless putter that has a more classic putter shape, the P2 is surprisingly resistant to turning over when thrown with power, and has a consistent fade that pushes forward and has limited ground movement.
The P2 pictured above is available from our online shop.
Innova Aviar
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 2
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics: DX, KC Pro, JK Pro, Glow, Nexus
Whether it is the beadless Putt and Approach mold or the beaded X or Driver mold, the Innova Aviar has, since its release, been the most popular putter on the market. At a 2 speed with only a 1 fade, the Aviar is easy to manipulate on any line for any technical or finesse short distance drive. The moderate rim depth makes for a comfortable grip for nearly all hand sizes and clean releases.
Thrown with power on a slight hyzer, the Aviar will flip to flat and boast a straight flight with a flat finish. When thrown flat, it will drift on a slight anhyzer and finish right, perfect for controlled turnover drives and putter approach shots that need minimal fade.
My personal favorite isthe Nexus Aviar.
Discraft Luna
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 3
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 3
Popular Plastics: Big Z, Rubber Blend, CryZtal
Part of the Paul McBeth line of discs from Discraft, the Luna has quickly become one of the most widely used putters on the market today for both throwing and putting. A traditional putter, the Luna has a rounded nose and a moderate depth making for a slow, controllable flight.
Slightly more overstable than the Aviar, the Luna will have a straight flight that finishes with a moderate hyzer from a flat release. The ability to point-and-shoot with this disc means a disc golfer of any skill level can pick the release angle, and trust the disc to hold that line throughout the flight path. When in the premium plastic blends, the Luna can handle the extra torque when thrown from the tee.
Professional player Paul McBeth loves his Big Z Luna.
Thought Space Athletics Praxis
Flight Ratings
- Speed: 3
- Glide: 3
- Turn: 0
- Fade: 1
Popular Plastics: Aura, Ethos, Glow
Thought Space Athletics' flagship throwing putter, the Praxis offers control off the tee and into the green. The durability of the premium plastic blends means this putter will stay in your bag round after round while maintaining the same flight throw after throw, and the swirls in the Nebula Aura plastic blend ensures this will be a putter to show off to your friends.
The flight of the Praxis is the sum of control and accuracy. It flies a straight line with little effort, and the rim shape allows the Praxis to land softly without extra movement once it is on the ground. Whether released on hyzer, flat, or anhyzer, the Praxis will hold the angle throughout the flight. This disc can truly be referred to as a "fairway finder."
You can get a Praxis in the plastic pictured above here.
Summary
So what really is the best driving putter in disc golf? The answer is simple, the one that works the best with you. Every current manufacturer has their own driving putter to choose from, so rest assured there is one out there for you, whether it is a buttery straight putter or something that can hold up to power forehand shots.
All in all, there is no cut and dry "best putter" for throwing because no two discs are truly the same, and every player is a little different in what they want. Be sure to shop all of the putters online here at Reaper Disc Supply and pick up your next go to driving putter.
More Putter Reviews:
The Best Discraft Putters Review
13 Disc Golf Putters For Beginners