Winds of Change - How Wind Affects Throwing Distance
- Generating Force. If you want to throw a disc far (for maximum distance or range), the most critical variable is the disc’s instant (initial) velocity after it leaves your hand.
- Lift & Drag. Wind can significantly impact a critical variable called angle of attack. ...
- Wind Direction. What about for uber-force producing players like Lizotte and Wiggins? ...
Why do disc golf discs fly in the wind?
So, with disc golf, the disc flies in one direction and the wind pushing against the disc in the opposite direction is causing drag. This causes friction and slows the disc down, which is why the disc may not fly as far as if there was no wind.
How does the wind affect your golf drives?
How the wind affects your drives, according to science 1 Into the wind hurts more than with the wind helps. 2 Upwind makes a shot go more offline, and downwind actually reduces dispersion. More ...
How can I control my discs in the wind?
Heavier discs will help you control your discs a little bit more. • Use an overstable disc. Overstable discs in the wind resist flipping and turning over more than stable or understable discs. These more stable discs tend to be able to handle stronger headwinds so get your discs ready.
What is the best disc golf disc for headwinds?
Regarding headwinds, the best overstable disc to play with is the Innova Blizzard Champion Ape (link to Amazon). According to DiscsUnlimited.net, the Innova Ape is, “essential for windy conditions and headwind drives.” Tailwinds, on the other side of the wind spectrum, are a little bit easier to handle.
What wind is too much for disc golf?
Gusts, of course, are worse than steady wind. Any steady winds above 20 mph makes disc golf more a comedy than a sport. Discs start blowing back into your face, then rolling miles away. It's a blast to watch, like goofy golf, but its no fun to play.
Why are Overstable discs better in wind?
Throwing an overstable disc with anhyzer allows a straighter and higher flight path to be taken. This is because the anhyzer tilt of the disc at release will prevent the crosswind from lifting it.
What discs are best in the wind?
11 best disc golf discs for windWestside Discs Harp – Mid-range putter.Innova Destroyer- Distance Driver. ... Discmania PD “Freak” – Power/Distance Driver.Innova Roc3 – Mid-range.Discraft Zone – Putt and Approach.Dynamic Discs Sheriff – Distance Driver.Innova Valkyrie – Control Driver.Discraft Comet – Mid-range.More items...
How do you do a disc golf putt in the wind?
0:311:42Pro Tips: Putting in the Wind with Nate Sexton - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI put the disc on an anhyzer angle. And the wind is hitting the top it's gonna have the oppositeMoreI put the disc on an anhyzer angle. And the wind is hitting the top it's gonna have the opposite effect it's really gonna drop the disc down.
How do you throw a disc in headwind?
8:2610:09Reading the Wind | Headwind, Tailwind, AND Crosswind | Disc GolfYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's critical that the first thing you do before you even consider the wind is you make sure thatMoreSo it's critical that the first thing you do before you even consider the wind is you make sure that you're throwing this disc nice and flat and nose down. Okay then mess around with your angles.
How do you tell if a disc is Overstable?
A short cut method for determining whether this disc is over or understable is to add the last two numbers in the flight numbers, in this case: -2+2=0. If the resulting number is positive the disc is said to be overstable.
What is hyzer and Anhyzer?
The difference between hyzer and anhyzer is how the disc is released in an angle by the disc golf player. The hyzer throw happens when the top of the disc is facing away from the thrower. The opposite is anhyzer, where the top of the disc will face the thrower upon release.
What does Overstable and Understable mean in disc golf?
Stability is a description of the disc's flight path. Understable means a flight that turns right ( RHBH throw). Stable is a flight that doesn't turn. Overstable refers to a flight that turns left ( RHBH throw). Spike/Spike Hyzer is a shot that lands almost vertically and doesn't skip.
What are Understable discs?
Understable is a term that describes the overall flight pattern of golf discs, i.e. where they land compared to their starting point. Understable discs are the most beginner friendly. They turn in the direction of their spin during the initial stages of their flight when thrown flat, straight and with average power.
How does wind affect putting?
The wind can also affect the speed of your putts, either slowing the ball down when putting into the wind, or speeding it up when putting downwind. In this way, putting in the wind is similar to hitting full shots in the wind.
Can you play Frisbee in the wind?
3:568:09How To Throw In The Wind in Ultimate Frisbee - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis way my throw I'm throwing to you I want to tilt that edge slightly. Up so that the wind helpsMoreThis way my throw I'm throwing to you I want to tilt that edge slightly. Up so that the wind helps the disc. Stay aloft longer whereas like I might throw a good backhand.
What does Overstable and Understable mean in disc golf?
Stability is a description of the disc's flight path. Understable means a flight that turns right ( RHBH throw). Stable is a flight that doesn't turn. Overstable refers to a flight that turns left ( RHBH throw). Spike/Spike Hyzer is a shot that lands almost vertically and doesn't skip.
What is hyzer and Anhyzer?
The difference between hyzer and anhyzer is how the disc is released in an angle by the disc golf player. The hyzer throw happens when the top of the disc is facing away from the thrower. The opposite is anhyzer, where the top of the disc will face the thrower upon release.
What are Understable discs?
Understable is a term that describes the overall flight pattern of golf discs, i.e. where they land compared to their starting point. Understable discs are the most beginner friendly. They turn in the direction of their spin during the initial stages of their flight when thrown flat, straight and with average power.
What happens when you release your putter flat?
If you are releasing your putters flat, the wind will have a similar effect on your putter as they do on your drivers. In a headwind, the disc will tend to get pushed up. For a tailwind, the effect is the opposite and the putter will get pushed down .
What direction does a disc move when thrown on a hyzer?
When throwing a disc on a hyzer, the disc will tend to lift and move more toward the left. If the disc is released with an anhyzer angle, it will get pushed down and toward the right. A disc released flat will get pushed to the left since this is the way the wind is moving.
Why does the flight plate tilt when throwing an anhzyer?
This makes sense because the flight plate is tilted in a way that catches the wind. When throwing an anhzyer, the disc will be pushed up and move more to the right than expected. If you are releasing the disc flat, you will notice the disc carrying to the right.
What happens when you face a headwind?
Headwinds. When facing a headwind you’ll want to grab an overstable disc with more fade. A headwind will cause the disc to act less stable and tends to push the disc up. Using an overstable disc with more fade will help counteract the discs tendency to turn.
Why do you need a fast disc?
You’ll want a fast disc because relative to the wind, the disc is moving faster than normal without increasing your release speed. This will ensure the disc flies as it should. If you didn’t catch all that, in a headwind, you’ll want to throw a fast, overstable disc and release it low to the ground.
Can you play in the wind?
There is no substitute for practice and playing in the wind isn’t an exception. To get better at playing in the wind you’ll need to expose yourself to it more often. If you’ve been shying away from wind play consider it a learning opportunity instead. Windy days are also a great time to get in some field work.
Can wind blow in one direction?
Wind can blow in different directions. When considering a shot in the wind you need to realize that wind doesn’t just move in one direction. Off the tee, wind could be moving one way but down the fairway, it could be moving another direction. Keep this in mind when planning your shots on windy days.
How to throw a disc far?
If you want to throw a disc far (for maximum distance or range), the most critical variable is the disc’s instant (initial) velocity after it leaves your hand. Before you throw a disc, it has a velocity of zero. The goal is to accelerate the disc through the throwing motion. To create this significant change in velocity, you must apply a significant force to a disc over a distance. Using a lighter disc means you can use less force to achieve the same initial velocity.
What about for uber force producing players like Lizotte and Wiggins?
What about for uber-force producing players like Lizotte and Wiggins? If there is a strong tailwind that is also blowing left-to-right (called a quarter wind), they opt for a hyzer and a less stable disc. The left-to-right wind will allow for the disc to be thrown nose-up to encourage lift force. As the disc rolls (changes from a hyzer angle to more flat), the tailwind will push the disc to the right for what seems like forever.
Why does a disc rise in a headwind?
A disc thrown into a headwind will rise and one thrown into a tailwind will fall because lift force is impacting angle of attack. Drag acts in opposition to the flight of a disc. Basically, a headwind creates greater turbulent airflow over and under a flying disc and thus greater drag.
Why does a disc lift when thrown with a hyzer?
This is because the anhyzer tilt of the disc at release will prevent the crosswind from lifting it. Because a less stable disc will be thrown with a hyzer angle, the crosswind effects (D) will push and lift, making it necessary to start the disc wider and play (guess) how much push it will receive.
Why is it easier to skip a righty?
Because of the spin a righty generates, it becomes easier to skip as the front edge will be rising into the wind after being driven into the ground by the wind moving across the top of the disc. An unstable disc with an anhyzer release will be lifted up and carried right.
Why does a disc move in a tailwind?
It will also make a disc behave as if it were more overstable. This is because the stability of a disc is directly related to the speed of the air passing across it. In other words, the disc thinks it's going slower in a tailwind than it really is.
How does wind affect discs?
Remember that as your disc travels through the different stages of its flight, the wind will affect your disc differently depending on the angle of the disc in relation to the ground (hyzer, anhyzer, or flat) and the direction of flight.
What is the drawback of tailwind?
The only drawback to a tailwind is the loss of lift (not to be confused with forward progress). With a little higher release point, exceptionally long throws are possible. A headwind plays exactly the opposite. A headwind will make a disc less stable, and will create less carry by pushing against your disc.
Where does Ron Convers live?
Ron Convers lives and plays disc golf in the windy state of Oklahoma. Throw with control. The throw is the only part of the flight you can control. Be smooth; throw it as perfectly as you can. If you get the opportunity to watch a previous throw, watch the release angle and the flight path.
Can disc golf be played in the wind?
For many players, throwing a round of disc golf in a substantial wind is not something to look forward to. Here in Oklahoma it is more common to play in the wind than to have a still day. As a result, disc golfers in central plains states have become accustomed to throwing in the wind. Instead of viewing wind as a problem, ...
Which wind will push discs forward?
Top. Wind. Tailwinds will tend to push discs forward and have the effect of increasing HST values, with less of a right-turning line and the potential for more distance. Headwinds will tend to push against discs and will have the effect of decreasing HST values, with more of a right-turning line.
What factors affect disc flight?
Plastic. Although not as significant as other factors affecting disc flight (such as speed/power levels), the type of plastic can influence how a disc flies. As a general rule, the discs made of more durable (e.g. premium) plastic will have a more overstable flight and discs made of less durable (e.g.
What is an OAT disc?
Off axis torque (OAT) occurs when the rotational force of a disc is not centered on an axis that goes through the center of the disc in a direction perpendicular to the flight plate at the time of release.
How does air density affect the flight of a disc?
Air Density. Differences in atmospheric conditions will influence the flight of the disc. Specifically, air density changes are inversely proportional to changes in altitude, temperature, and humidity. Taken individually, if altitude, temperature, or humidity increases, the air density (e.g. air resistance) decreases.
Does disc weight affect stability?
Disc Weight. Changes in disc weight do not inherently affect the stability of a disc. However, as disc weight decreases, the speed/power required to throw the disc also decreases and more effort can be put toward throwing the disc.
Do discs fade at lower speed?
This means discs will begin to turn at a lower speed thres hold and discs will begin to fade at a lower speed. Lower air density would have the opposite impact. Discs will maintain speed better with a higher overall cruising speed window where discs will require more speed to turn and fade.
What are the observations of Tutelman?
Tutelman had a couple observations about the data, as follows. 1. Into the wind hurts more than with the wind helps. 2. Upwind makes a shot go more offline, and downwind actually reduces dispersion. For both of these points, Tutelman breaks down the physics behind the phenomenon in great detail.
What happens when the wind increases relative to the ball?
Therefore: Into the wind, with the increased wind speed relative to the ball, the hook or slice will increase …. With the wind, with the decreased wind speed relative to the ball, the hook or slice will decrease.”. Perpendicular component:
Why does upwind hurt more than downwind?
As for why upwind hurts your carry distance more than downwind helps, it’s because of the effect of drag. Logically speaking, we would expect the effect of drag to be the same for both hurting and helping wind, but that’s not the case.
What component of the ball moves the ball away from the target line?
“Into the wind, the perpendicular component pushes the ball away from the target line.
Who is Dave Tutelman?
For the story of how wind affects the golf ball, we turn to Dave Tutelman, a retired engineer who has a website with a trove of information on the physics behind golf. First, let’s take a look at the data that piqued Tutelman’s curiosity on the subject. The graph was posted by Ping’s director of innovation and testing Erik Henrikson ...
Can wind affect golf?
The wind can wreak havoc on your game, here's why. With golf being an outdoor sport, the natural elements come into play every round. Of the many things mother nature can throw at us on the golf course, wind might represent the most difficult challenge. The variability and direction the wind blows can change any golf course ...
Who is Zephyr Melton?
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour.