How to throw approach shots/upshots: 11 disc golf approach shot tips
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How do you throw a tee shot in disc golf?
You want your thumb on the inside ring of the disc. Next, you will approach your tee shot as if you were throwing a forehand shot. Instead of sidearm, you will throw overhand. Once you get into the throwing motion, you DO NOT want to bring your arm straight up and straight down.
Can you throw a disc golf disc golf shot upside down?
These two shots have a very particular way of curving since they will essentially be flying upside down at one point in flight. And the top of the disc will be facing the ground. Now Instead of separating them, I decided to keep these two throws together since they’re so similar in how you throw them.
What is an s shot in disc golf?
The S Shot is a shot that starts out flat and is accomplished by using an understable disc with a bit of fade on the end. Step 1 is disc selection. You’re going to want an understable disc that has a decent amount of high-speed turn (-2 to -3) and just a bit of low-speed fade (1 to 2).
Is the backhand the best throw in disc golf?
It’s the most basic of throws and is much easier to learn for most players, especially compared to forehand flicks. For comparison, it’s important to note that more disc golfers can throw a backhand much further than forehand throws or any other type of utility shot.
How to master disc golf?
You can master proper disc golf technique by maintaining good grip on the disc, using good hip rotation, reaching back to fully extend your throwing arm, looking away from the line of sight, leading the throw with your elbow, using a big, strong final step, and making sure to follow through after your throw.
How to drive discs?
Whenever we all drive, we try to get the most power, velocity, and distance out of our shots. We don’t do this with trying to throw the disc harder or running up on the teepad for momentum. We do this with proper technique, a slow methodical walk up, and gripping the disc correctly. You can complete this grip by placing your thumb on top of the disc and your other fingers on the inside ring of the disc. Some people use two fingers, some three fingers, and others use four fingers. Modify it to whatever is most comfortable for you.
What is the most common throw in disc golf?
The backhand throw is one of the most common throws in all of disc golf. It's tough to perfect, but once you master it, you open yourself up to learn the game and become a great disc golfer. But...
How many steps are needed to throw disc golf?
It takes all seven steps working together in sync to be able to throw with perfect, or even good, technique. And none of steps are any more important than another step. If you’re lagging in one, it can throw off your whole technique. So it’s important to practice your technique over and over and over again. If you can continue to do that, and be patient with yourself in the process, you have the ability to become a great disc golfer.
Why does my disc go everywhere?
Running up before you throw also makes your throws erratic. This causes the disc to go almost everywhere other than where you want it to go. The correct way to throw involves a more smooth, disciplined approach. So try using every other part of this article together with a good walkup on the teepad.
Why does disc golf technique matter?
Why does technique really matter? Well, for some players starting out or others who are slowly learning the ropes of the game, technique isn’t anything more than words uttered by really good disc golf players: “Focus on technique”, “use good technique”, and “you should learn how to use good disc good technique.” Technique matters because once you learn the fundamentals of the game, all of the other parts of your game will improve.
What happens if you hang on to a disc?
The way you hold the disc determines if it’s going to be let out of your hand early, late, or just right. If you hang on to the disc too tight , the disc will probably leave late and go the wrong direction.
How to line up a shot for a 150 foot putt?
If you are throwing an overstable putt and approach disc for a 150-foot righty backhand upshot, you know it is going to travel left at the end of its flight. If you consider that a stable disc will likely fade 20 feet, then aim at least 20 feet right of the basket to account for the natural flight of the disc and the power with which you intend to throw it. Even if it doesn’t end up fading quite as much as you thought, you are still probably pretty close and in a good position to make your putt. If throwing a neutral or understable disc, adjust your aim accordingly to account for the disc's natural flight characteristics.
How to practice disc golf?
When you are doing your fieldwork, practice throwing your Innova putters and mid-ranges at less than full power. Pick a closer target and work on laying up to it with a mid-range disc. Always remember that most disc golf courses are not open fields like your practice area, so work on different angles and shot shapes so that you know how to control your discs for specific shots.
What does "drive for show and putt for dough" mean?
“Drive for show and putt for dough” is a popular saying in traditional golf, and it certainly applies to disc golf, as well. Disc golfers love to rip on big drives and get full flight out of a distance driver. And of course, we all know putting is crucial if you ever want to win a competitive event. The ability to make a very high percentage of C1x and C2 putts is one of the things that separates the pro disc golfers from us amateurs!
What are the most common disc golf mistakes?
One of the most common mistakes disc golfers make is not committing to shots. We’ve all done it plenty of times. You aren’t confident in a certain shot or disc selection and you end up throwing it poorly. This perhaps happens the most on upshots at awkward angles or distances. Envision the shot you plan to throw and then commit to it before you take your final stance. Even if it ends up being the wrong shot selection, you will gain more confidence and learn more lessons by focusing and executing the specific shot you had in your head. When you don’t commit, you just end up feeling disappointed in yourself and it’s hard to build confidence that way.
What is disc selection?
Disc selection is crucial to approach shots. There may end up being multiple ways you can get from point A (your lie) to point B (near the basket). You decide which shot you want to take (see commitment above) and now you need to make sure and use the proper disc for that shot.
How to practice scramble shots?
You might even just have to use your imagination during practice. Work on stand-still forehands, flex shots, patent-pending backhands, overhand shots and flick rollers. Learn what all of your discs do when thrown different ways and this will become extremely valuable when you actually need to pull off one of these tricky shots in competition. Don’t fall too in love with trick shots, but have a few in your bag in case you need them in a tournament round.
Backhand
Backhand throws are the most common type that you’ll see disc golfers do. It’s the most basic of throws and is much easier to learn for most players, especially compared to forehand flicks.
Forehand
The second most used throwing style is a forehand flick or sidearm as many players like to call it. Even though a forehand seems to be the exact opposite of a backhand throw, there are a few differences to note about how the disc will fly.
Overhand
Overhand throws are not used as often and are usually saved for those situations where you don’t have any other option. Most of my overhand throws are when I’m deep in the woods and have no other angle than to go above any obstacles that are in the way.
Roller
One of my favorite shots to throw on wide-open drives is the roller. The basic idea behind the roller is to throw an understable disc with enough force and angle so that it will land on the side of the disc and continue to roll down the fairway.
Disc Golf Throwing Angles
There are three categories that make up the angle a disc is released on; hyzer, flat, and anhyzer. Understanding and getting the right angle for your shot is key to improving your drives and mastering the game of disc golf.
Top 5 Best Discraft Drivers
Besides being one of Discraft’s most popular drivers, the Nuke is one of the most used discs of all time. The Nuke is an overstable high speed driver that features a thick rim compared to other distance drivers.
How to throw a hyzer flip?
Don’t overdo it, but put a good amount of hyzer angle on your disc when you first throw. After the disc is thrown, it will start with the hyzer, flip over or turn over the other direction, and then fade back at the end. It’s fairly tough to perfect the hyzer flip but it can be a really valuable asset for your game.
What is the difference between anhyzer and hyzer?
Hyzer – a throw where the top of the disc is angled away from the thrower and the disc’s angle of flight turns to the left for a RHBH thrower. Anhyzer – a throw where the top of the disc is angled towards the thrower and the disc’s angle of flight turns to the right for a RHBH thrower.
What does RHBH stand for in disc flight?
RHBH – Short for ‘right-handed backhand’. A type of throw where a person throws with their right hand with a backhand throw. Other throws are RHFH for ‘right-handed forehand’, and the equivalent throws for left-handed players, LHBH and LHFH. When discussing disc flight it is important to make this distinction.
How to hyzer a disc?
1. Start short and slow: having trouble with your hyzer? Start out from 15-20 feet out from a friend or a basket and just work on trying to hyzer your disc a small amount in that distance. Then slowly start to work your way back. If you’re still lacking hyzer skills, check out Danny Lindahl’s video below on consistent release angles.
How to improve backhand disc golf throw?
Lots and lots of field practice: if you’re new, there’s only one thing that can truly help you improve your backhand disc golf throw – and that’s practicing…over and over and over again. Get out into an open field and throw as many discs as you possibly can. Grab some cheap discs off of InfiniteDiscs.com and get throwing!
What is the backhand movement?
Backhand – Where the throwing arm reaches backward towards the opposite side of the body (from the throwing hand) and swings outward/away from the body while releasing the disc from the throwers grip, near the end of the arm swing motion, to complete the movement. (mimics a horizontal motion of pull-starting a lawn mower).
Why are hyzers good for throwing?
Hyzers are good for many different throwing situations including (but not limited to) obstacles in your path or sharp dogleg left holes on the course. Essentially, hyzers are there so that we can take advantage of the natural angle of the disc for any reason necessary.
How to practice overhand shots?
If you don’t have a tomahawk or a thumber down yet, find a lower speed, less overstable disc and hit a field for some practice. Start slow, as that particular motion might be new to you. If you feel pain while throwing, slow down and try a lighter or less stable disc. Don’t risk an injury to learn the throw.
Why do people throw overhand shots?
Typically, people who throw overhand shots choose more overstable discs for the throw. That helps control the rotation in the air. A flippier disc would rotate faster and the finish would not be the same as a more overstable disc. Throwing a less overstable disc still has its place. Just practice the discs you will be using so you can get used to the timing of the rotation and when the discs dives to the ground.
How to do an overhand shot in disc golf?
The crow hop is another baseball term. It’s the double-hop on one leg, followed by planting the other foot to ‘brace’ for the throw. If you’ve watched baseball, you’ve seen the move from an outfielder making a long throw. That method translates fairly well to disc golf. Walking up to the throw is another method for disc golfers.
What are the most common throws in disc golf?
When it comes to the types of throws we use in disc golf, the backhand and forehand are by far the most common types. However, there are other shots in disc golf that might not be as popular as the backhand/forehand, but are valuable tools in our disc golf skill toolbox. Call them utility shots. They can help in a bad situation. Or are simply an alternate way of driving, or approaching, the basket.
What is the flight of an overhand throw?
The flight of a typical overhand throw resembles an arc. How high the arc is depends on the type of throw, but in a typical flight, the disc will ascend while quickly rotating, then descend to the left or right of the thrower. For a shot through a gap, the arc is usually flatter.
Which way does a Tomahawk disc go?
The rotation of the disc during flight is the opposite of the thumber. The tomahawk will rotate corkscrew clockwise, then finish to the left. As a rule, the disc will finish in the direction of the flight plate, when the disc is in the thrower’s hand.
What is an overhand shot?
Although it may not be as popular, the overhand shot is a tool that can get you out of a bad situation, such as being stuck behind a row of trees with the basket on the other side. Or it can be used on a drive or approach shot to avoid obstacles or land in a narrow area. The overhand shot is popular among people who played baseball, since some of the same body mechanics come into play. The motion is similar to a long throw from an outfielder.
How to keep your arm on the straight line?
One of my favorite ways to really ingrain the proper throwing technique and keeping your arm on that straight line is the use of resistance bands. I highly recommend getting a medium gauge resistance band that you can fix to the proper height of the intended throwing motion and start with multiple repetitions in order to reenforce your muscle memory. The resistance band will not allow you to take your arm of the line and this added resistance will definitely add increased power/speed to your overall throw.
How to throw a straight disc?
It’s extending the arm back in a straight line to arm position A at the peak of reach back, then pulling through while bending the elbow to ensure that you are keeping the disc close to your body until the release of the disc in arm position B. In the end, it’s a simple pull from point A-to-B on a straight line while your arm travels from back to front.
How to avoid taking disc off straight line?
You absolutely want to avoid taking the disc off that straight line by over rotating your upper body on the pull back or letting the disc drift away from your body.
Why is it called rounding?
It’s called rounding because the disc is literally curving around the body while pulling the shot through until the release point. It’s very difficult to hit your line when you take the disc off line before you release it. If you don’t release the disc on the line, the disc is going to travel either left or right depending on if you release ...
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Can you hit your line when you take a disc off line?
It’s very difficult to hit your line when you take the disc off line before you release it.
How to Throw Approach Shots/Upshots: 11 Disc Golf Approach Shot Tips
- There’s almost nothing that’s going to improve your disc golf approach game like field work…and a lot of it! Pick a time and place to go out for a couple of hours to work strictly on your approach shots. Just that repetition of approach shots alone will ultimately help you improve. First, make …
A Few More Resources For Improving Your Approach Game!
- Paul Ulibarri’s Approach Clinic ⬇️ link to video on YouTube. The 5 Best Upshot/Approach Tips from Paul McBeth⬇️ link to video on YouTube. How to Park Every Upshot/Approach Shot by Dynamic Discs⬇️ link to video on YouTube. Avery Jenkins’ Approach Tips on TheSpinTV⬇️ link to video on YouTube.
Summary
- So as you can see, approach shots are super important in disc golf. If you’re a good player looking to seriously up your game, you need to start practicing your approach game. Because your ability to play the approach shots perfectly can take you from good to great player. So do everything you can to not take your approach game for granted and practice it as much as possible. If you do, y…
Don’T Forget About The Book!
- Before you go, don’t forget to check out the best beginner disc golf book on the planet, “The Disc Golf Player’s Manual.”This ebook is packed with over 200+ pages of the best tips, tricks, and advice for new players. Grab one today!