The Disc Golf Step Putt Complete Guide!

The disc golf step putt is a lightning rod type of topic.

Should it be allowed, or shouldn’t it be?

It’s cheating! It’s great! Your foot hit before you released! No it didn’t!

And on and on it goes.

For me, it comes down to one thing. Does it help me make more putts?

If my answer is yes, then I’m doing it.

The way I see it is, if the pros can do it, then I should definitely be allowed to as well…

After that, I just have to make sure I’m step putting within the rules and my conscience is perfectly clean!

So, if you are interested in adding the disc golf step putt into your bag of tricks, then I have some really nice videos for you to look at.

Like always, I will lay out what they say, so you can watch then reinforce the highlights after. Let’s go!

When Can I Step Putt in Disc Golf?

Basically, if you are within Circle 1 (10 meters), you cannot step putt or jump putt. Instead, you must putt and establish balance after you release your putt, before walking towards the basket.

white circle within blue circle — *Step putting occurs in Circle 2 and beyond!*

If you want an explanation of Circles 1 and 2 I have that written here.

However, I will say that I’ve seen many a pro have their disc land on the line and elect to shoot from circle 2 so they can step-putt.

If they are choosing a longer putt, they must feel there is an advantage to it. This is part of the reason why step putting is so enticing.

It can help you drain those longer range putts with more confidence.

That right there was enough for me to want to learn more. If you’re the same way, then let’s keep going…

Step Putting Basics

In general, I am going to following a similar format for a lot of various disc golf shots. I will curate videos of people far more learned than I, and break down the essential points they present (join my free monthly newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!)

The first video, by Robbie C, takes us through a lot of the basics of step putting.

He also gets into his own opinions on the matter (not a huge fan), but in the end, I think he actually comes around to the idea.

Give it a look below. Personally, I think you can watch from the 5-minute mark to get the actual tutorial part, but do what works for you…

Highlights!

Like many videos on the subject, Robbie reminds us that we are generating extra power towards the basket with a step putt. That means we don’t want the line we keep the disc on to be aiming too high or your putt will sail.
He recommends a spin putt so you are keeping the putter on that plane with the basket. This is how I do it as well. However, if you are push-putter, the last video will keep you in mind as well!
He also recommends practicing from 15 feet and slowly moving out to legal range (10 meters or about 33 feet) just so you can get the mechanics correctly.
For the hands, you are envisioning sliding a disc across a table to the basket. To do so you are pointing your wrist at the basket with your hand loosely lagging behind. In the last part of the motion you inject the power into the disc by snapping your hand at the basket and following through with your fingers pointing at the target.
Putting it all together, you are bringing the disc down to your belt buckle as you load weight into your back leg. Once you reach the belt buckle that is your cue to pop forward towards the basket and bring your back leg through towards the basket as well, making sure you release before that foot hits the ground.

This will take a good amount of practice, but is worth adding to your putting routine!

Let’s look at another video or two (taught by pros) so you can see what you want to incorporate into your own form.

Next up, we look at a way that pro Ezra Aderhold (a very good step-putter) thinks about his disc golf step putt. When we combine these two, we’ll be unstoppable from circle 2!

Disc Golf Step Putt Tips from a Pro!

When you think of Ezra Aderhold, putting isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind.

Nevertheless, he is an excellent step-putter and absolutely worth listening to on the matter.

Have a look at this 5-minute video and we’ll highlight the best points after!

Highlights!

Ezra’s first point reiterates what we’ve heard before. The step putt let’s you do your normal putting motion, while adding a little extra power with the legs.

As for the leg, Ezra thinks about it like this: He starts in his typical stance. He brings his arm to his belt buckle like usual. His front leg bends a little to load the energy as he’s lifting his back leg.

Ezra’s back leg bends at the knee as his thigh swings towards the basket. Then his lower leg extends out towards the basket (along with his hand as he ejects the disc).

With his disc golf step putt, he likes to fall back even more on his back leg to load even more energy, before he executes the shot.

He also steps directly towards the basket and even takes a few steps toward it afterwards to accentuate the point and make sure all the energy is transferred into the disc.

Final Step Putt Thoughts from Aderhold

Ezra also reminds us that the timing is very important and it takes a while to figure out.

So this means… Yup! Practice!

Practicing this move correctly will result in more confidence and, likely, more made putts. That makes it absolutely worth it in my book!

And, Ezra adds, “it’s not too difficult”.

Sign me up!

Step Putting with a Push Putt

In this video, Scott Stokely discussed different style of putting (spin, push, and spush) and applies them to step putting.

At 3:15, he gets into the bit on push putting.

If you are a push putter, give this one a look.

Scott Stokely is a highly regarded player, and more recently, coach.

If he’s saying it, I’m listening. And for you push putters, I hope that is helpful to you.

Popular Step-Putting Discs

I’m going to tell you straight up. Most people recommend that you just putt with your regular putting putter. If you’ve got one you love, there is no need to change it.

What I will do is tell you about the putters I use when I’m in Circle 2. Currently, I am having a high-stakes battle between a lot of putters to determine which becomes my mainstay. When I get results, I’ll post it here.

Of those putters, two of them stand out for circle 2. They both glide a good amount and have a predictable fade that I like.

Depending on wind, distance, etc. I start them high and right (I’m righty) and let them fade/drop right into the chains. Here they are below…

The Shogun

The Shogun (2, 4, 0, 2) is a beaded putter that has the predictable glide and fade that I like.

If you like beaded, overstable putters, with high glide at a great price then check out The Shogun here!

The Sparta

The Sparta (3, 3, 0, 0.5) may have a micro-bead but it’s barely perceptible. It’s another putter with great glide and very straight flight.

For a less stable, less-beaded, great putter check out The Sparta here!

Circle 2 Putting Midranges!

When I get past the 45 foot mark (sometimes way closer), I like pulling out a midrange to step putt with.

I usually pick something slightly “understable and glidey.” With this type of disc I have to give even less oomph so I can just focus on my form and hitting my line.

The midranges I use and recommend are BOTH in my bag. I use them all the time for other shots as well. If you do get one or both of them, I highly doubt you’ll regret it.

Here they are below…

The Buzzz SS

The Buzzz SS (5,4,-2,1) is a great all-around disc. It’s the favorite for my one-disc round! I have mine in Z-line plastic so it’s a bit more stable.

I love using it from deep in circle 2 and so many other shots as well! Find it here!

The Wombat3

When you need a dead-straight, glidey fairway shot, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better disc than the Wombat3 (5,6,-1,0).

As such it transfers wonderfully for long, straight, gliding, circle 2 putts. I have it in star plastic! Check it out here!

The Disc Golf Step Putt – In Summary

If you find yourself in circle 2, you might want to consider the step putt. So many of us have to alter our putting styles to muster up the power to get the putt there.

And when you are digging for more power, you’re probably also changing your form. This results in missed putts, low confidence, and it has the potential to create bad form habits.

What’s so great about the step putt is that you don’t have to change the other parts of your normal putting motion.

The step gives you the extra power to help you get to the basket.

That, to me, is enough to get me to keep working on my step putt. I’ve seen a lot of great gains, and I want even more!

I want to eye every circle 2 putt with the confidence that I’m going to make it. I want the same for you as well.

By raising my circle 2 percentages, we’re slowly but surely adding to our game and improving.

One step (putt) at a time…

Thank you for reading everyone! If you use the step putt, or are planning to start, let me know in the comments below. Also, feel free to let all of us know if you have any tips that work for you. I’ll even hear you out on your strong opinions, if you have any…

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Thank you for your support! I look forward to having you along for the ride!

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