Wait, you mean that putt didn't stick?!?!?!

I just read a comment on another discussion that Mark E wrote.  It states that our permanent baskets (the Pro, top of the line targets) don't catch well.  I agree, a perfectly placed putt should stick and as we know they don't always do.  Now I have heard a lot of opinions about this subject.  I would like to hear some of your Ideas about how to improve targets to prevent this unfortunate extra stroke that we all have to deal with from time to time.  

[Reid F.]

well, all i can say is that more practice would always help with what you are trying to do. i mean i practice for at least half an hour in the day in the winter and i have to say that i have adjusted to this type of envoirnment. Come summer i will need to adjust for the change of the temp, it will make the glide less on the discs.

[Rubberband Man]

If a putt spits, then it wasn't a perfect putt. Too many people think that jamming a putt into the middle of the chains is perfect, but they fail to adjust the speed of their putt to avoid spits. Just because you hit the right spot, doesn't make it perfect. Similar to ball golf, if you putt with to much speed the ball will roll right over the cup.

[Justin NUDGA#15]

So a "perfect" put will always stick? Have you ever seen a golf ball bounce off the bottom of the cup and back out onto the green? I have seen discs bounce off of the bottom of the basket and out. I have seen discs on a downward angle into the bucket, bounce off of the heavy ring hanging from the inner chains and right back out. I have seen discs blown out of the center of the chains by the wind. I am just curious if there are any ideas out there for a better target. I am not trying to justify bad putting.

[Rubberband Man]

I believe so. Others will disagree, I'm sure. I agree that better targets can and should be designed a built. I still feel that you're putt should be constantly adjusting to make sure to avoid spits. Adjusting speed, nose angle, and spin are key to nailing putts. I see a lot of people slam the chains way too hard, then get pissed that that putt bounce off the pole and on to the ground. That was their fault, not a faulty design. I understand what you are trying to say though.

[Ian Macpherson]

Gotta agree with Rubberband Man on this one. A perfect putt will of course go in, because it hit the basket in exactly the right spot with exactly the right spin at exactly the right angle.

Just because it hits the basket in exactly the right spot, doesn't mean some factors of the putt weren't off..

A putt that isn't moving too quickly and hits the pole somewhere near where it meets the basket probably won't go far.

[Steve Hare]

Others will disagree with you. I am one of them, but my opinion doesn't really hold much water in the scheme of things. Now, Dave Feldberg's opinion does hold water and he disagrees with you. check out his video reply about this very subject on youtube.

[Ian Macpherson]

Can't find the video but I'll take your word that it exists. Simply citing a source that disagrees isn't refuting anything, however.

[Cinque]

Here's the link with Feldberg talking about fixing baskets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LplBP9-28b0

The one thing I worry about when thinking of an updated basket is the noise. Please don't ruin that beautiful chain sound. Feldberg mentions netting so discs won't go through the chains, but I wonder if that would have a muting effect to it.

[Rescue]

It's apart of the game. Heck I've had putts that had no right staying in the basket (ya, know the ones "who needs chains!"lol!) and I've had the nice pretty putts spit out. Just part of the game imo.

[Josh moody]

I had the same prob the other day but it happened with an ace, it hit dead center, spun in the chains for no lie 2 seconds then spit rite out in front of the basket. I still cant figure it out

[Disc-O Golf]

If you put in enough practice time, you can control where your putter hits on the basket.
Hit high, middle, or low...left side, right side, you de side.
Learn where the "sweet spot" is on the basket and hit it there.
If you hit the sweet spot, it will not spit out.
It is not "part of the game", though "making excuses" seems to be.
Blaming a basket is an excuse.
I started on 4x4 wooden poles and then Mach 1's with shallow baskets and doggie chains (sometimes plastic chains, yes plastic chains-check them out next time you are at the hardware store).
You just had to learn how to putt on that basket for it to stay in.
I use a touch putt on Mach 1's and Stick it more on newer baskets. No excuses.
Please be honest with yourself.
If you did not hit the sweet spot exact...expect some extra action that could spit you out.
If you hit the sweet spot, it will stay in. Every time.
Now go practice your putting!!!

[Brandon Swanson]

Every time? No. 99.8% of the time I'd grant you.