This post is going to cover the physical attribute of a beaded vs beadless putter. Lately, we’ve covered a lot of comparisons—we’ve compared aspects of flight, types of discs, and more. Our most recent comparison was that of a midrange vs a fairway driver.
It’s a pretty common discussion and debate within the disc golf world about which is best. Like most debates, this really comes down to personal preference. That means you’ll have to experiment with both a putter that has a bead and one that doesn’t. In this post, we’ll cover what a bead is, the benefits of having a bead, the benefits of going beadless, and why some people prefer one over the other.
What is a Bead?
A bead is a small piece of extra plastic around the edge of the rim. You could describe it as a ridge of plastic that sticks out from the rim.
Benefits of a Beaded Putter
There are a few reasons for the bead’s existence. These reasons often drive the discussion of whether it’s better to have a bead or not. Here are the three main points:
- To add a little more stability to the mold
- To limit ground play
- To increase the durability of the disc
1. Adding Stability to the Mold
This point is somewhat debated. Other blogs and threads have discussed this topic, referencing how one mold is just another with or without a bead—like the Judge and Warden. Even the numbers suggest that the Warden isn’t as stable as the Judge.
Despite that, some argue that these molds still fly the same and feel just as stable as their beaded or beadless counterpart, suggesting that the bead doesn’t actually add stability.
Personally, I don’t think the bead changes the flight path enough for me to notice. Looking at the Judge and the Warden, it’s clear that the only difference is the bead. Because of that, there should be a difference in flight, right? The profiles differ, so they can’t fly the same… right? However, I’ve thrown both back to back, and I don’t see a difference. I’m not good enough to notice. Maybe at the pro level, you’d feel it—but maybe not. As an avid golfer, I don’t notice a difference.
2. Limiting Ground Play
While looking into why people search for this, I found an interesting point: the bead can act as a brake. It has a rougher edge that catches the ground rather than slides across it, like a smoother, beadless disc.
From my experience, I’ve found that many of my beaded putters don’t offer much ground play. On the other hand, non-beaded putters tend to skip or slide more when they hit the ground. This effect is noticeable—beaded putters generally stay put better than beadless ones.
3. Increasing the Mold’s Durability
This was my first thought on why beads were added to discs. I firmly believe that the extra plastic helps the disc maintain its rim structure, prolonging its flight and helping it fly consistently for longer.
I think this may have been the original intent from manufacturers. The other benefits may just be unintended side effects. After all, increasing a disc’s durability was Dave Dunipace’s (co-founder of Innova Champion Discs) reason for the bead, as explained in the video.
Benefits of a Beadless Putter
There are a few reasons why beadless putters are attractive to many players:
- A smoother rim
- More ground play
1. The Smoother Rim
A beadless disc has a cleaner rim without that extra piece of plastic. This creates a smooth and consistent feel in the hand. It’s likely the top reason people prefer beadless putters.
Those who dislike beaded putters often say they struggle to find a comfortable grip. Their forefinger doesn’t settle well, and the bead gets in the way. Ironically, players who like beaded putters often say the bead offers a perfect spot to rest the forefinger.
2. Offers Ground Play
Without a bead, there’s no ledge for the ground to grab and slow the disc down. The smoother rim can cause the disc to skip or slide more easily upon landing.
Now, you might think ground play doesn’t matter for a putter—but it can. I’ve had missed putts roll farther away due to unwanted ground play, making the comeback putt harder. Also, putters are excellent approach discs, and in that context, ground play can make or break the shot.
So keep this in mind: sometimes you want ground play, and sometimes you don’t. It all depends on the situation.
The In-Hand Difference Between Bead and Beadless Putters
Beads vary in size. Some are large and easy to feel, while others are subtle or almost unnoticeable. Most people notice the bead during two moments: the grip and the release.
When putting, most players use a fan grip—thumb on top, fingers fanned beneath. The index finger may rest on or wrap around the rim. Personally, I tend to feel the bead on my index finger and slightly in my palm. This is where opinions divide: some like the consistent grip point, while others find the bead uncomfortable.
Another reason some dislike beads is their potential effect on release. For some, the bead interferes with finger contact during the throw, making the release feel inconsistent. This can result in an unpredictable and unreliable throw, which affects putting performance.
Concluding Thoughts
While these are the main points in the bead vs beadless discussion, I think the biggest factor is simply how the disc feels in your hand. Disc golf has so many variables that I don’t believe you can attribute performance to just one feature like the bead.
Because of that, I don’t worry too much about whether a putter has a bead or not. I’ve asked myself: “Does it make my grip uncomfortable?” “Does it affect my release?” And honestly, I can’t say it does. I’ve used Judges (beaded) successfully and am now using Alpacas (beadless) with the same success.
What matters most is that you find a putter you’re comfortable with—something that makes you excited to play. If you find that, you’ll do just fine.
