Disk Golf Techniques
While disk golf is a sport that has been around for several decades, it still flies under the radar for the most part. Over the past few years, though, this trend is changing as newer and more improved disk golf courses are sprouting all across the nation. One should not head to the course ill-prepared, however---there is a great deal of technique involved.
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Disks and Their Uses
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Make no mistake---you cannot just pack a frisbee or two and head to the disk golf course thinking you know what you're doing. Disk golf is a sport that requires specially made disks that range in shape, design, and purpose (just as with clubs in regular golf). Knowing what disck to use and when to use them is the foundation of any disk golfer's technique.
For your first throw on any hole, you'll want to go with a driver. Drivers typically feature the widest range in styles, from extra-long/distance drivers to long/fairway drivers, and will give you a good set-up for the pin (a metal basket with chains hung in the middle placed at the end of each hole) as soon as you've gotten used to how your drivers fly.
Once you're somewhat close to the pin, it's a good idea to have a mid-range disk handy. These disks are useful when you're close enough to overthrow the pin but not close enough to putt. Mid-range disks are also useful in sticky situations, like throwing from a thicket of trees or a water hazard.
Finally, when you're pretty close to the pin, you'll want to use a putter, which is the fattest and most precise disk you'll have. Just as in golf, putting is crucial in disk golf, so make sure you practice a good bit with your putter.
For beginners, it's a good idea to stick with three or possibly just two disks (always carry one putter and one driver, at least). Once your game improves, you'll be able to explore the thousands of different disks available and how they may help your game.
Throwing
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No matter what disk you're holding, you have a few options on how to actually get the disk from point A to point B.
Most disk golfers will feel comfortable throwing overhand---getting a good grip on the disk with your thumb on the top of the rim and all four fingers supporting from below. Righthanded throwers will want to angle their body to the left and follow through from shoulder to shoulder (lefthanded throwers angle to the right). Make sure you first look to see how far away the pin is so you can aim and adjust your throwing strength accordingly.
Some disk golfers may prefer to use the "flicking" technique---a throw that may yield more precision by sacrificing a little bit of power. To flick the disk, you'll want to angle your body the opposite way that you would to do an overhand throw (righthanded throwers angle to the right, lefthanded throwers angle to the left). Hold the disk again with the thumb on the top of the rim but this time have just your index and middle fingers support from the bottom. To flick the disk, you'll want to follow along the waist rather than your shoulders as you would with an overhand throw. Flicking requires a lot of wrist technique and will require some practice, but it may end up being your preferred style once you've gotten used to it.
Whether you're using the traditional overhand throw or the flick, it will take a while to adjust to your driver and how it flies. For beginners, the overhand throw will usually cause the disk to hook (curve to the left) a bit while the flick will do just the opposite and cause the disk to slice (curve to the right). Once you've mastered the feel of your driver, you'll be able to get a better control and straighten out your throws.
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