Tips and Advice

Disc Golf Jump Putt

What Is A Jump Putt?

A jump putt is a form of disc golf putting where the disc golfer actually jumps as he or she releases the putter. The purpose of a jump putt is to generate more power and gain distance while still maintaining control of the shot with a putt instead of a full throw.

Most putting forms generate some power from the legs but also rely greatly on power from the shoulder and sometimes the elbow and wrist. This often does not provide enough power to reach the basket on long putts so squatting down and jumping can provide that extra power. Jump putts usually sacrifice some control for the extra distance. However, jump putts are still often more controllable and accurate than approach shots which is why they are frequently utilized. There are different styles of jump putts in disc golf which we will cover below.

This post was written by the DG Puttheads and originally posted on dgputtheads.com.

Disc Golf Jump Putt Rules

Jump putts are legal in disc golf but there are a few tricky rules that you should understand. We do of course recommend that you read through all of the PDGA rules carefully, but here is an outline of disc golf jump putting rules, and we will explain in more detail below.

  • Putt with at least one foot inside your lie
  • Neither foot may be touching the ground in front of your lie
  • Release your putter before your feet leave the ground
  • You may then jump over your lie if you are outside of Circle 1
  • You may not jump over your lie if you are inside Circle 1
disc golf jump putt

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Jump Putt Lie

Understanding your lie is one of the most important rules for jump putting (and every throw really). PDGA rule 802.05 describes your lie as a rectangle “20cm wide and 30cm deep, centered on the line of play behind the rear edge of the marker disc.” You must jump putt with one foot in your lie and you may not have the other foot on the ground closer to the basket than the front of your lie. Here is a diagram explaining your lie:

disc golf lie explained

*You may mark you lie by replacing your disc with a mini marker disc touching the front of your thrown disc 

Jump Putt Release

When releasing your putter, you must have one balancing body part inside the lie. This means that while jump putting, you must release your putter before the foot that is touching your lie leaves the ground. In other words, you cannot jump and then throw your putter while you are in the air. This is one of the most misunderstood rules of jump putting and can be difficult to accomplish. Releasing your putter after your foot has left your lie is a stance violation that results in a penalty throw. You will not receive a foot fault warning first.

disc golf jump putting
Image courtesy of Kevin Stacey, IG: @kstaceyphotography

Jumping Over Your Lie

Jump putting outside Circle 1:
As long as you have one foot inside your lie at the time you release your putter, you are then allowed to jump over your lie if you outside of Circle 1. Circle 1 is defined in PDGA rule 806.01 as any area “within 10 meters of the target, as measured from the rear of the marker disc to the base of the target”. That is approximately 32.8 feet. Also remember that you may not have a foot on the ground in front of your lie when you release your putter, but you can have one foot to the side as long as it is in bounds.

Jump putting inside Circle 1:
If you are within Circle 1 then a standard jump put is illegal. The same rule that defines Circle 1 also states that inside Circle 1 a “player must demonstrate full control of balance behind the marker disc before advancing toward the target.” A jumping motion is not interpreted as control of balance. Stepping, or jumping, over your lie before displaying balance is a stance violation that results in a penalty throw. You will not receive a foot fault warning first.

How To Jump Putt

There are multiple types of jump putts and many form variations within each style. We are covering a few of the most popular forms but do not be surprised if your form varies from our description. This is just a good way to get started and a few things to think about, but that does not mean that your jump putt method is not valid or that our jump putt methods are superior.

Spin Jump Putt

The spin jump putt is the most common type of disc golf jump putt that you will encounter. Start in a normal spin putting position which often includes your feet shoulder width apart, your front foot pointed at the basket, your back foot staggered a little behind, and your chest facing the basket. Again, your spin putting form may be different from what is desccribed here and that is fine.

After identifying the specific spot to aim, pull your disc into your body, usually just below your sternum (some disc golfers may prefer a higher or lower holding position). Then squat down, remembering to keep your head up and chest up. Next, explode upward and forward while lifting your elbow up and out so that you can fling your putter. A large amount of your power will come from your hips and quadricep muscles so be sure engage your thighs. Snap your wrist outward to toss your putter just as your body fully extends. Remember to release your putter before the foot inside your lie leaves the ground! We recommend to land softly, but that’s your choice.

disc golf jump putt form

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Straddle Jump Putt

A jumping straddle putt is less natural for most people, but offers a few advantages. You will start in a straddle putt stance. If you are not familiar with straddle putting, then you should check out our article here on disc golf straddle putting.

One of the most important aspects of a straddle jump putt is that the power is generated primarily from your hips and hamstrings. This is a difficult motion especially when jumping! To start, bend the most at your waist and only a little at your knees but keep your back arched and head up. Drop your putter down lower than with a spin jump putt. In some variations of the straddle jump putt you keep your elbow locked and almost touch the ground with your putter as displayed in the video below, almost like a jumping push putt. In other styles you will bring the putter closer to your stomach and generate additional power with your elbow. You need to decide which is best for you.

As you begin to extend in the staddle jump putt, you will want to start with your weight on your heels. Squeeze your hamstrings to generate maximum power and drive your hips forward as you transfer your weight forward to the balls of your feet. This should almost feel as if you are performing a kettlebell swing or heaving a bag of mulch from the ground (maybe you can think of a better analogy??). Give a strong push with your shoulder, or strong upward rotation if you are following a push-putting method. Flick your fingers ourward to propell your putter just as your body approaches maximum extension.

Remember to release your putter before the foot inside your lie leaves the ground! In the video below, Rodney has great form but releases late and would receive a stance violation.

 
 
 
 
 
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Walking Putt

The disc golf walking putt is actually a jump putting alternative, but we are covering it here because it is used for similar purposes as the jump putt. A walking putt is a form of disc golf putting where you walk up to your lie and release your putter while moving forward. A walking putt is sometimes preferred over a jump putt because your body is in an upright position so it may be closer to a natural putting position than if you were to squat down to jump putt. The walking putt generates more power than a standing putt by taking advantage of the forward momentum as you walk. Similar to a jump putt, you must have a foot inside your lie as you release your putter and you may not have any balancing point in front of your lie.

Best Discs For Jump Putting

The best jump putting putters are usually high glide, fast, and stable. High glide and speed help you reach the basket on long putts and a stable putter will be more versatile than an overstable or understable putter. These are our top 5 best jump putting discs:

  1. Dynamic Discs Judge
  2. Latitude 64 Pure
  3. Dynamic Discs Warden
  4. Discraft Roach
  5. Latitude 64 Sarek

These best jump putting putters that we have listed meet the criteria that we suggest when looking for a jump putting disc. However, that is only our suggestion and you may have different preferences for other reasons. Do not be afraid to try a variety of discs to see which ones work best with your jump putting style.

Chris uses a Discraft Jawbreaker Roach. You can check out Roach pricing and options here!

Jump Putting In disc Golf

Now you know how to jump putt; use this skill wisely. Be sure to practice jump putting before using it in a tournament becuase it is not a natural motion for most people and can be difficult to predict what will happen. You will want to get familiar with releasing your putter at higher and lower angles and become good at estimating the proper amount of power. You should also experiment with hyzer jump putts and anhyzer jump putts which both come in handy especially on courses where the baskets are surrounded by trees.

We also have an entire article here dedicated to all the rules of disc golf putting!

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2 Comments

  • Steve C

    I’ve looked around the internet, but I cannot find the reason for the C1 rule. Why must players establish control? Why can’t they jump or step putt inside C1? I’m curious why that is even a rule. Do you know?

    • Chris Bawden

      The way it was explained to me is that it prevents a player from gaining an unfair advantage, such as a guaranteed slam dunk from a distance that would not otherwise be a guaranteed make. Establishing control would then be the refined threshold to draw the exact line. That explanation was from various TDs and not directly from PDGA, so I wouldn’t state that as gospel truth.

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