30 Beginner Disc Golfing Advice
After a year of playing disc golf, here's my pieces of advice for those getting started
Random Observation/Comment #897: I love trying new sports with new people. It definitely deepens friendships and makes everything more fun.
//Beware of mosquitos
Why this List?
I can’t believe it has been a whole year of playing disc golf. Having played Ultimate Frisbee at Cooper Union, this was a fun revisiting of a hobby from my 20s. Did the muscle memory help? Not really. Maybe a little bit? Passing around a recreational frisbee is more about smooth nose up floaters for easy catching and disc golf seems to be more distance pulling of the disc with a lot more walking/hiking.
In either case, after playing, I get why the common ball golf is a fun escape. If you want to play ball golf without the expensive green fees and equipment, but with all the socializing and drinking, you should try disc golf.
Some stats for the past year (because I used UDisc):
69 rounds (nice)
939 holes
2,845 throws (although I usually throw at least 3 per hole and I’ve session-ed hole 1 and 2 of owl’s den like 50 times, so I’m sure this is the 10k number of throws.
12 courses played (mostly Owls’ Den)
Best score of a -15 at Bluebird Putting Course in Beaver Ranch. Usually an Even par player with some lucky birdies and unlucky putts.
I can get to 290-300ft regularly with a fairway driver. I think I max out around 350ft.
How’d I do? This was my most recent set of throws:
Compared to earlier in the year:
I guess there wasn’t a crazy amount of improvement, but I overall feel better at throwing, so that’s a plus. I’ve also spent more money on discs, but I feel like that’s a part of the fun.
Anyway, here’s a practical (+tongue and cheek) list:
Find a throwing buddy - I can’t emphasize this enough because it makes all the difference when you can regularly go weekly with a good friend where you’re comfortable in the enjoyment of the activity and also the silence.
Throw slower discs in the beginning - Don’t go past an 8 speed because you won’t throw it correctly for it to follow the path. (or whatever, you’re not turning pro anytime soon). I do love a good fairway driver like the Doomsday Blackout and Doomsday Chemtrail.
Do stand-still throws to get used to the hip rotation and flick - I did find this helpful at first, but I do really like the little X-step as it sets me up for the pullback.
Get into the sport with a bunch of how-to videos - I really love the Latitude 64 YouTube channel. I don’t know if it has helped me with my game, but I still like watching it. Disc golf reddit is also pretty fun.
Video your shots - I now have like 400 videos of me throwing (and most of them suck). I do like to see the little adjustments that I’ll probably forget.
Get a net to chuck some discs into - This GoSports 7ft x 7ft net from Amazon is great. I like to practice putting with it and it has definitely improved my game. I should have done this much earlier.
Buy a good disc bag - This off-brand one from Amazon has suited me well. I like that the side panel has space for beers.
If there’s no one waiting behind you, throw as many discs as you like - It’s good to keep it under 4 because you just wind up forgetting where the discs land, but we’re all about session-ing holes.
Get used to walking in high grass and bushes looking for discs - It’s also good etiquette to look for your friend’s disc (which is why we record). Hopefully you find it.
Do some bicep curls while walking to your discs - If you want some toned arms from your 15-20lbs bag then this habit is for you. My arms actually look pretty good after doing this for 6 months. Sets of 20 as you’re walking to the disc.
Use the UDisc app - I love the app and it’s free! I also started taking photos and keeping track of my bag with disc flight paths.
Your non-dominant arm matters - It’s not just a balance prop, but it can help steer your backhand to push it forward.
Throwing nose down is key for long drives - The “pouring tea” wrist was such a good piece of advice. It’s so awesome when you actually see the disc fly the numbers instead of just flaming out to the left.
Grip it like a firm handshake - I like the strategy of throwing full power with a power grip for every shot and just adjust by finding different discs that fit the flight path I like.
Reach back during the step up of the backhand - I still haven’t gotten this down correctly, but I keep thinking that the little changes I make will work. I stick the arm out perpendicular to the throw and then twist back for the rest of it.
Smooth is far. Fast is lost. - I don’t think I’ve gotten a good balance on this yet.
The disc doesn’t care about your feelings, only your angles. - You can be so good, but just mess up a throw real bad with grip lock. I felt this with table tennis as well, but it just gets easier the more you practice.
Don’t round your throw by lifting the elbow and creating the power pocket - Whatever this means. I do think my rounding is just bad habits from Ultimate frisbee.
Try not to bend forward (pull from shoulders) and plant your front foot - In the beginning, my momentum was pulling me forward. It’s better to just plant and stop the motion so your energy goes into the disc.
You probably can’t do all the advice things at once - It’s like 15 things to keep in my head for my body to get used to the throw shot. Have some constants like standing still, angle of disc, or rotation.
Trees are 90% air - Except the one you just hit. That one was 100% tree. I do love shouting out “tree” when I inevitably hit a tree.
Field work is practice - Field work with beer is social practice. I try to pop out in the morning before the sun gets too hot. There’s risk of mosquitoes though.
Always compliment a stranger’s putt - I do like saying “nice toss” and people appreciate it. I hope it’s not a jinx.
Don’t throw if there’s a chance you’ll hit someone (even if it’s a really small chance) - What’s the rush? I don’t know if it’s etiquette, but you can wave when you’re done with the basket if there’s someone right behind you.
Warm up your wrist and torso - Holy crap I didn’t know I needed to warm up, but it helps so much.
Also practice your forehand - So weird that I started as forehand dominant and decided to improve my backhand and now my forehand sucks. I’ll just do dinky 150ft hyzer flips. I also love the hammer throw practice when you have a tree in the way.
If you lose a disc, just buy 2 - Pretty accurate. I do love discs. Losing discs becomes a pretty common activity. I do think getting the same of multiple discs will help with consistency. I also like trying different weights and types of plastic.
Mark your discs with your name and number - People are super nice and return them under trash cans. There are some people who will look in the lakes and message you to re-purchase. Seems like a great hobby.
Have fun - As with all sports, if it’s not fun, what are you doing anyway? Am I trying to get a girl that thinks throwing 300ft is cool? What am I, 18?
The best throw is the one you can repeat sober - Playing sober? What’s that like?
~See Lemons into Disc Golf
