Reigning world champion thinks straddle stance will limit fatigue
June 1, 2016 by Steve Hill in News with 1 comments
As Professional Disc Golf Association World Champion Paul McBeth looks to improve from some recent putting woes, he’s decided to change from his traditional putting stance to a straddle style at this weekend’s European Open, he told Ultiworld Disc Golf.
“I’ll probably be putting straddle this week because it takes a lot of strain off my knee and it allows me to practice more,” McBeth said. “When I was back in Huntington [Beach] I was doing that, so I’ll probably just transfer that over to the tournament this weekend.”
The knee pain he is experiencing is a result of the injury he suffered at last year’s European Open, he said. The still-displaced vertebra in his back are pinching on nerves that lead to his right knee, causing discomfort and fatigue. He’s been wearing a wrap around the knee this season.
“It gets super tired and super weak really quick,” McBeth said. “It’s hard to practice, mainly.”
While the move to a new putting style sounds drastic, McBeth said he already feels more comfortable with the change.
“I’ve never had an issue with straddle putting,” he said. “I’m sure it’ll look a lot different, but right now I’m making a lot more straddle putts than I am just traditional. Basically, in the practice aspect, it’s a lot easier to practice more putts from a straddle stance than it is constantly putting all my weight on my front leg, which is the one that hurts a little bit I guess. It just gets tired, and then when I’m tired practice isn’t as clean as it is so I’ll start to develop bad habits.”
McBeth tees off tomorrow at 2 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EDT) for round one of the European Open.
