When you started playing disc golf, you probably did not even realize that someday you will be stuck into it. And now there you are, wanting to improve yourself because you are in love with this sport! You want to know how to get better at disc golf now because maybe you want some prizes or a certain amount of money from your hobby.
It is very natural to want to see yourself making a better version in competition, and if you want to see yourself in a disc golf game at the next level, this is the right place for you!
Disk Golf Aiming
Before we jump onto the fundamentals of improving the game, we need to get the idea of a proper throw. Aiming is an important part because it will determine your disk’s success rate. So, let’s get into it.
Formation
When throwing a disc golf disc, your stance is key. The sort of throw you want to make is influenced by your body type. For putts, you may stand straight. On longer strokes, you can even obtain a running start. Your position of release and balance are the most important aspects of your form. Keep your feet evenly separated to maintain good postural balance. This should be easily changeable on its own. You’ll have greater balance if you get closer to the ground. Begin by kneeling in a shallow squat with your knees slightly bent. You can produce power with your legs and pass it to the disc when you release it.
Grip
Like holding a pencil, each grip will be different. A suitable disc can be grabbed in a variety of ways. Whether loose or tight, everyone has a favored grip. When it comes to finding an optimal grip for you, there are three major aspects to consider.
- Disc positioning: The item that is connected to your arm is located here. Consider the disc to be an extension of your arm. The disc will tilt upward if you hold it incorrectly.
- Locating the seam: Draw a line from your wrist’s center to your middle and index fingers’ intersection. Your disc’s axis should be opposite to this seam. The disc may be kept aligned with your arm by angling your wrist down. If you maintain your wrist straight, the disc will be forced in the other direction.
- Finger placement: You should place the disc on top of your thumb. It should take place in a relaxed setting. The extra fingers should be positioned in a comfortable place beneath the disc. The top of the disc is pressed on your index finger, while the rest of your fingers are pressed against the rim.
Windup
A straight and forceful throw needs a windup. If you rush, your throw will be uneven, causing your game to suffer. The throwing action needs concentration. Each backhand and forehand throw will have a similar windup. It will be different when you position it. Wind up slowly and gradually, never snapping the disc, since this might lead you to lose control and miss the basket. Uneven throws and mistakes result from a lack of control while releasing the disc. Make it a habit to use the same windup and technique for all of these throws.
Launch
The release is said to be the most challenging part of disc golf. Any hitch in the process might cause your disc to stray from its planned route. When you release, your arm must be completely stretched. Your body’s weight will stretch your fingers and propel your legs forward. This part is challenging as it needs a high level of accuracy and strength. As a result, it’s important to strengthen your arms and aim properly for a successful release. Not to mention the importance of time. If you release too quickly, you may not create enough power. In addition, releasing your disc too late may cause it to fly off course. So, you need to make sure that you’re launching your disk golf with maximum effort and focus.
Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Disc Golf Game in Next Level:
First of all, playing a game is not an easy job. You may already have an idea of what I’m hinting at.
We do play sports to make ourselves stress-free. But then again, if you want to make a better version you always need to develop your skills, be more competitive, you need to be confident about yourself too!
Here, I am going to discuss some real tips and tricks for getting in good shape in the disc golf game!
- Practice, Practice, and Practice:
As we all know, practice makes a man perfect, if you want to make yourself good at disc golfs game you need to practice more and more. When you start to throw a disc in the basket seven days a week, you will surely see the changes at your game. You will become focused and you can learn techniques for the game more effectively.
And there is a small tip for you, playing in gusty winds should teach you a few new strategies for controlling and regulating your disc as well as your technique. Try it out a few times and see if your gameplay isn’t noticeably smoother and easier until the weather stagnates.
- Get in Shape:
Yes, here we are talking about your physical fitness. If you are in shape already that’s a plus but if you are not, well, to achieve a position in any field physical fitness is a must. You can start developing a fitness routine. It is really very important for you to take care of yourself.
You can follow a general exercise routine. In addition, you can follow some exercises that are for disc golf especially. It will make you stronger and leaner and can help you build up muscles to make you a better player.
- Improve Your Footwork
The “X Step” is a topic that top disc golfers and coaches often discuss. Your distance possibilities are affected by how and where you place your feet as you take each step forward on the tee pad. Your hips and legs propel your disc golf throw. I recommend studying videos of advanced and elite players in action to have a better understanding of their footwork. Aside from film and recordings, you may get ideas from your athletic role models and try practicing your footwork every day. There are several workouts and fitness regimens you may do to improve your footing and relieve stiffness. You can obtain the movement by spinning and releasing your hips with a perfect X stride.
- Determine Your Position (if you are good/ bad):
I hope you already know about PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association). They have a website where you can check the membership/ classification. You need to check your rate here.
A leisurely player will make 30% – 50% of 20 feet (6.1 m) putts, and drive 150 to 300 feet (45.7 to 91.4 m). An intermediate player will make 50%-70% of 20 feet (6.1 m) putts, and drive 200 to 350 feet (61.0 to 106.7 m). Check your position first.
- Set Your Goal:
You need to set a strict goal. Suppose, you have an underpowered drive such as 150 ft. It is certainly a disadvantage for a regular player because an average player will launch the disc 250 ft. So, my dear, you need to focus on improving the distance of the drive.
- YouTube Videos to The Rescue:
Nowadays, YouTube has become the ultimate solution for every aspiring problem we are facing to learn a lesson. It can be your classwork, can be some makeup tutorial, cooking skills, or some gaming tips!
To improve your disc golf skills, you may try YouTubing. There are a lot of youtube videos and not to surprise they are good. You can easily point out your weaknesses and work on them.
- Find Yourself Some Pro Level Disc Golf Equipment:
To improve yourself as a disc golf player, and to practice with the pros, you need to have a clear idea about disc golf equipment. If you want a perfect disc golf putter or a portable basket, even a towel for your disc or a distance driver, you can consider searching disc golf equipment stores first.
- Select your Signature Move:
Here is the most important tip for a disc golf player. A disc golf player needs to work on his forehand technique. An advanced disc golf player must have the signature skills that will differentiate him from other recreational players, right?
To make an impact on your game, you need to do some tracking. Select your move and work on that. It can be the single best area to focus on your stroke of game.
- Try to avoid rounding :
One of the most common issues that intermediate and advanced players face is rounding. Instead of returning straight back, your throwing arm circles around your body during the disc golf distance throw. For a rookie player with poor footwork and technique, rounding may not take much distance or arm speed away. It will, though, cause plenty of problems with your release point. If you have issues with early releases and grip locking on your drives, you’re rounding your arm. Try to avoid that.
- Maintain a Log for Your Score:
You need to keep score whenever you play disc golf. Put the number of feet to pin how much you were away from the stroke before you made it in the basket next to it as you record your stroke count.
Unless you make a deuce or an ace, each hole should have a distance in which you can have reduced your score by one stroke.
- Perfect Your Timing
As we’ve just discussed, time is important. It improves your chances of throwing nice disk golf. It is also essential to increase the average distance. Coordination of your limbs, grip, and body is important. If everything isn’t perfectly matched up during your throw, you’ll lose power and lower your distance potential.
- Attend a Tournament:
Attending a tournament can encourage your sportsman self. It helps to learn new experiences and you can get in touch with the disc golf community. At least you can find a new friend to play with by attending a tournament, right? And maybe this new friend can make a difference in your skills.
- Allow the Disc to Do the Hard Job
By using lighter-weight discs and discs with higher glide ratings, you can go further with less effort. Instead of trying to surpass a max-weight distance driver, focus on a clean release with a Tern, which has the same speed but considerably less stability.
- Reward yourself:
Rewards allow you to not only increase productivity but also to do it in a way that is consistent with your working values. You can reward yourself by playing a regular course after some practice sessions.
- Last but not least:
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “less is more,” you’ll understand what we are referring to. “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast,” as many disc golfers like to say. That is a credit to those who have excelled at disc golf.
When you observe the pros, you’ll notice that they don’t always try to fling the disc as hard as they can. They take it slowly and deliberately to ensure that good form is employed every time they throw. They take each throw slowly and smoothly. They can throw the disc very hard and very far with this smooth technique.
Conclusion
To improve more, you can definitely go for a disc golf mentor. A professional mentor can help you in a way that nobody else can. If you want to take this game seriously, find a mentor who is a pro. A great mentor can teach you the game, the techniques, and all of the fundamentals of disc golf. If you follow all the tips and tricks we have mentioned, you will surely see the changes in yourself. So, best of luck with disc golf, man!