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| Tips from the Pro
Q: I experimented before a tourney with some lighter discs and really liked the extra distance I was getting of the tee. I typically can throw my 175 gram TeeRex, Destroyer, Boss around 300'. I purchased a 168 gram Valkerie and got closer to 330' with my drives and did not have to turn on the disc so much to keep it straight.
The question I really have is about stability before the disc turns in regards to the weight. From all I have read and talked to people about, it seems as if the disc will stay straighter longer with the same amount of force put to the disc? A: Your disc selection has to be one of the biggest factors, throwing the valk 330 vs destroyer, boss, and t-rex makes all the difference in itself. It's a lesser stable disc to start with so you should have a straighter flight and some movement to the right which can give you that extra 30'. And of course, you should have a little more movement as you drop the weight of your disc more than a couple of grams, with less energy. Why do you think all the old guys throw 160's? Because they're weak (hehe, jokin ;-) ) They can throw with less energy and use the movement of the properly selected disc to get the distance. A: Lighter discs will be less stable than max weight. The only time a lighter disc will stay straighter longer is if the max weight disc is hyzering out to early (going left for RHBH before you want it too). Your right on track with the Valkerie, you dont have to force it over like the boss or destroyer. Say you went and picked up a 160 Valkerie, it wont go straighter longer then the 168 if the 168 is going straight. The 160 might actually go a little right for half the flight, then start heading left. Over all theme, lighter weight means Less stable, and not necessarily straighter longer.
A: For some crazy reason, it is considered good (but you do have to get it before it falls out) so no need to putt again. My understanding is, that part of the disc is in the basket when it sticks, so count it! If your disc lands on top of the basket it is no good and you'll need to make the "give me" and move on.
Q: What is a power grip?
A:
There is no one real "secret", distance comes by creating the most
possible revolutions (spin) on your disc that you can. Your spin will
come from the snap release point of your disc, so by timing your snap
as close to your release as possible, you can obtain maximum spin. I've
heard the example: "it's like poping a towel" keep your wrist straight
thru your back swing and at the last possible moment before releasing
your disc, your wrist should whip back and forth, like your poping a
towel. Disc choice is also important. You can't expect to throw a
firebird (over stable) 500 feet, but a wraith, destroyer, boss are all
faster and has less stability than the firebird and can be thrown 400,
500, or 600 feet. A: Many
players want the big secret to getting more distance. There is a secret
on how to do this but the wrong question is asked. Some
better questions to ask yourself is how can my form get smoother? Am I
using my whole body to throw and not just my arm (legs, hips, back)? Am
I finishing my shot (follow through)? Am I getting the most out of my
disc (disc selection)? What I do all the time is youtube or watch DVD's
of the worlds best. Climo's all around game is amazing to watch.
Schultz off the tee is a mechanic. I emulate Feldberg's putting style.
Once you see what great form looks like, now go out and try to throw
with similar form. Before distance can come, you must have a solid
foundation. The first time I truely understood this concept was
watching Matt Orum in 2005. He parked a 420 ft hole and I thought to
myself "That didnt look like he even tried". He had smooth form, big D,
and didn't start 3 steps off the tee-pad. A: Practice standing still. Work on weight shifting and reach back. Use a towel and focus on snapping it at the end.
A: Always have good thoughts. Stay loose. Stretch. Throw every shot you are going to throw during the round MORE than once. Be ready for anything. A:
This varies for many, but it is good to stretch the muscles, throw a
few holes and putt to loosen up before tournament play. When you warm
up/practice try to do it the same way you do during a round, so that
you can focus on your shot and not an approach to the shot.
Q: How do I throw an overhead tomahawk? A:
It's basically the same as throwing the roller except your throwing it
in the air. This shot should carry right as the disc flies upside down
and then finish left. A: Kinda like the forehand but its over your head and the disc flips over. A: There is a really great video teaching overhand shots here.
Q: How do I throw a thumber? A:
Thumb is placed in the lip of the disc and the knuckle of your first
finger on the top of the disc, squeeze tight and throw overhand. This
shot should carry a little left and as the disc inverts it will finish
back right, so start it left of your target. A: Flip the disc over so your thumb is on the rim. Tend to need more height. A: Again, see this video teaching overhand shot technique here.
Q: Could you talk a little about course management vs. just raw power during rounds? A:
It doesn't matter what level of player you are, it is always to your
advantage to learn course management. Puting your disc in a safe spot
on the hole for an easy approach or giving your self a putt will shave
strokes off your score.
A: I
am going to focus on course management. Raw power can get you up the
fairway but plenty of disc golfers can throw 400 feet and haven't made
it out of intermeidate or advanced. Short Game is "the game". -When
managing a course, if your familiar with it, think about how many holes
you can feasably duece. After the round see how many of those you
actually got. Then go back and see why you missed the ones you did.
Where the drives off, or did you miss putts? -Aggressive
or Conservative? Playing all one way or the other will be a
disadvantage to you. How do you typically play? I tend to be more
conservative so I have to be aware of when I should be more aggressive.
Know your limits. A 500 ft hole for most of us wont be dueced. Could we
bogey it? Yes. Therefore, don't try to Kallstrom a monster drive when
it could go astray and leave you with a bogey. Make a solid drive and
up shot and take your 3. -
Some of my weakest holes of a round are my starting 3 and my finishing
3. See what those holes are for you and be aware of it when playing. I
wrote on my bag "start strong" on the left and "finish strong" on the
right. This reminds me to not be nervous and go after the starting and
finishing 3 holes
Q:
I am a novice and was wondering (from a beginner's standpoint) how
important is the weight of the disc? Should beginner's start out using
lighter discs over heavier ones? I understand that the difference is
mere grams, so is the weight even an issue? A:
It's hard to tell a difference in the weight of a disc unless you're
comparing 170g to a 150g, in my opinion, the lighter discs can be a
little easier to throw, but what really makes a difference is the type
of disc you throw. Most novice or beginner players I see now a days
carry wraiths, destroyers, excaliburs (overstable) and often wonder why
they can't get it to fly straight or move right, when all they need to
be carrying is a sidewinder, roadrunner, etc. (something understable,)
The more advanced they become the more stable of a disc they should
carry. So, be smart with your disc selection and watch your game move
to another level. A:
The weight of the disc is pretty important. I wouldn't stress the
difference between 167 and 168. But the difference from 175 and 150 is
night and day. Assuming your right handed and throw backhand, let me
ask you, do your discs go left earlier than you want them to? This may
be a disc selection problem, or you can try lighter discs. A 160 gram
Orc will typically be straighter then a 175 gram Orc. I would recommend
a newer player start with a weight of mid 160 gram discs and moving up
to max weight as you feel comfortable.
A: They
all are made to do fly a little different, some are stable (which means
they will finish on a hyzer alot sooner,) some are understable (which
allows your disc to fly on an anhyzer,) and some are straighter in
flight. Your drivers are typically faster and will fly further, mid
ranges will be slower, but glide more, and your putters - well I
recommend using them for just putting they are soft, slow and accurate. A: So many people throw differently and have different likes/tastes companies to need to make sure they cover everyone who plays. Q: How do I choose whether to throw a backhand or forehand for a shot? A: First
off, if you don't throw both of these shots, it is highly recommended
to practice them, so that you can throw them when the shot is
needed. Backhand shots will favor the dogleg to the left, the
forhand/sidearm shots will favor the dogleg to the right. If the hole
is straight go with which ever is your stronger shot. A: Backhand is more consistent ususally. Forehands are good for sharp right hand turn shots.
Q: The wind just kills me, how do I compensate for the wind? A: Disc
selection is the best way to compensate for the wind. If your throwing
in a tail wind, choose an understable disc (sidewinder, roadrunner,
monarch, wraith or even a mid range.) If you have a head wind, choose
an overstable disc (destroyer, excalibur, firebird, or cro, gator for a
mid range.) A: Headwind
makes the disc think that it is going faster than it really is so it
tends to go right (back hand). Tailwind does the opposite, making the
disc seem slower and making it be more overstable.
A:
Middle finger and ring finger placed under the lip of the disc, pinky
is tucked in to your hand and first finger placed on the edge of the
lip. My grip stays the same (this game is hard enough with wind,
elevation, ob's and fairways to hit, the simpler the better) the only
variation is disc selection and right now my distance driver of choice
has been the pro destroyer but, I don't own a boss yet! A: Its tough to talk this one out. Dave Feldberg describes it well here in this youtube clip. I used it a year ago and I've been playing since 2003. Very helpful.
Q: Which discs should new players start out with? A: Light
weight discs (160-169) understable drivers (sidewinder, roadrunner,
monarch,) mid ranges (roc, coyote, buzz,) and a putter. A: Midranges and putters. Start to throw drivers only when you can throw harder and farther.
A:
Correct practice is under-rated. Consistent practice is under-rated.
There are many different ways you can practice putting. Again, alot of
the tips I'm giving you are emulated from the players who have played
before me and have been the most successful. 33' and in ask yourself,
"did I miss a 25 footer the last round I played?" If the answer is yes,
why are you jump-putting from 50' during practice? Discipline is needed
to be a good putter. Limit yourself to inside 33' for a couple weeks.
You can ask "What if my jump put falls apart?" My response is "What if
you actually had confidence stepping up to a 30' putt?" For most of us,
outside of the circle is bonus anyway. Slow down. Repetition
is helpful. Rapid fire is hurtful. 1 or 2 putters is all I use for
practice. I try to spread my putts out at least 30 seconds in between.
Set up, go through your routine, and putt. If you miss, think about
what happen. Try to make the adjustment the next time through. I shy
away from practicing with 5 and 10 putters because of this: how much
are you focusing on hitting that 4,5-8th putter. If you miss a couple
its not a big deal, but come tournament play, its one shot. If you
miss, you wait 10 minutes until the next putt, and if you miss that,
then the confidence can get shaken. Practicing
slower will simulate a tournament putt, and put more pressure on each
stroke. Putting 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Is more benifical than
2 rounds a week (close to 6 hours a week). Quick story; end of the 08
season I played the Cane Creek Challege. Played bad but putted
horribly. I got 2nd to last and Averaged a 937, 4 strokes below my
average. I was so upset I didnt allow myself to play rounds or even
throw a drive. When I wanted to disc golf, I putted. I went without a
round for 3 weeks. A month and 12 days after my worst tournment of the
year I traveled to Indiana for the Homies Fall Celebration. My putting
paid off. 2nd Place of 42 open players. 997 average, 2 strokes above my
average, and highest cash of the year. I putted correct and consistant
for 40 days. See what it can do for your game. Special thanks to our pros Jacky Logan and Trevor Dehmlow for the answers! | |
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