Disc Golf Throws: The Components

When you get into the exciting game of disc golf, you begin to learn that there are many different aspects and components to disc golf throws than what you likely learned when you started tossing a Frisbee around with friends. While the core elements are the same, the similarities end there. Trying to compare the basic Frisbee throw to a disc golf throw would be akin to comparing a blacktop parking lot where many kids learn to play to a disc golf course, with all of its challenges and obstacles.

A proper throw in disc golf encompasses the grip that you choose, the stance, your windup, and release. It also can be affected by external factors such as the wind or rain or even pressure that you feel in the moment of the actual throw. In order to play the game of disc golf, you don’t need to have much more than a disc and the desire to participate. On any given disc golf course, you will see a variety of different players all with different skill sets and levels. It’s important that you don’t become frustrated by your throws, or try to compare yourself to anyone else. Focus first on getting the feel for the game and the rules, as well as scoring.

As you become more comfortable, then you can begin to think about proper technique, such as the grip, stance, windup, and release.

What Grip is Proper in Disc Golf?

Dictating to someone the proper grip is like telling them how to hold a pen. While there are accepted grip positions, there is no true ‘right’ one for everyone. One disc golfer may find that he uses a loose grip better than someone who uses a tighter grip, just for example.

The first thing to keep in mind with regard to your grip is that orientation of the disc in alignment with your arm is important. The disc should end up being like an extension of your arm. If you draw a line through the length of the disc, it should match up evenly to form one long line with that running down your arm. A golfer who holds the disc angling upward, for example, would be gripping it incorrectly.

Next, the disc should be held in the seam of the hand. To find the seam, draw a line from the point between your index and middle finger to the center of your wrist. This is the seam in which the axis of the disc should lay against. The wrist should be angled downward, which will allow the line running through the axis of the disc to align with your arm. Keeping a straight wrist will move the disc into the wrong position.

From here, place the thumb on top of the disc in a position that is comfortable. Maneuver your fingers into a comfortable position underneath. The index should place pressure on the upper edge of the disc while the middle and third fingers place pressure along the lip of the disc.

The Best Stance for Disc Golf

When preparing to throw a disc, stance is important, depending on the type of throw you are attempting. However, whether you stand still for putts or use a running start for momentum in an effort to gain more distance for those longer shots, the point of release is where your stance matters the most. Keeping a balanced postured at the point of release is essential to a quality throw.

The way to gain good balance is the ensure that your feet are spaced properly apart, generally about shoulder width apart. The lower you become to the ground, the more balanced you become. For this, simply bend slightly at your knees in a shallow crouch.

When you have a balanced stance, you will be able to generate more power through your legs and that power will be transferred to the disc upon release. Some disc golfers prefer to use a straddling stance in which you face your target with your feet parallel and facing forward. This stance is most ideal for backhand throws in which you begin with the disc (if you are right handed) to your left side, moving it forward and releasing when your arm is fully extended.

Another popular stance is the foot-forward stance. This doesn’t offer the same balance as the straddle, but is ideal for shorter putts. The side-straddle is the same as the straddle stance, but the difference is that the toes of your feet will form a line to the target. This is common in many sports where aim is important. Regular golfers use this stance almost exclusively for their main shots.

The Disc Golf Throw Windup

Many people might think that the windup is just for show or that it doesn’t serve a great purpose. However, the windup is essential to a positive outcome. When you have the right windup, the entire throw evolves from it. If you rush your windup or treat it in a hackneyed manner, something like an afterthought, then consistency will become a major issue for your game.

Whether you throw backhanded or forehanded, righty or lefty, your windup should essentially be the same for each of your throws. Putting is different and you may find that your putting windup will be different. The windup should be calculated, slow, and methodical. Never snap the disc back as this causes looseness in the control. When you don’t have full control of the disc throughout the throw, then there will be imperfections upon release. When this happens, your throw could end up far off the mark, depending on where your target was and the grievousness of the error.

Get in the habit of using the same approach to each shot and you will begin to develop a consistent and formidable windup.

How to Release Your Disc Golf Throw

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the disc golf throw to master is the release. This is the point at which all of the effort that you’ve put into the throw, from planning the trajectory and angle to the setup and focus, comes together. If your release is off even a slight amount, then that could equate to dozens of yards, and even more, off target. A shot that you intend to travel 200 feet, for example, through a copse of trees forty yards wide could actually travel 100 feet into the trees, fifty yards to the right of your target.

The ideal release occurs at the moment when your arm is fully extended, your weight is off your legs and moving forward, and your fingers extended. The best way to practice your release is to face a wall or a net with a target on it, standing only ten or fifteen feet away, and, using the proper stance for the type of throw you are working on, try to hit the target with the same release point.

A release point on your forehand side may differ from that on your backhand side. Releasing too early will keep you from capitalizing on the full power potential. Releasing too late will push the disc far off target. A late release also has the potential to become caught on your fingers, snapping it down, driving it into the ground just a few feet ahead of you.

When you put the components of the throw together, you will find that your throws become more consistent and you spend less time trying to work around hazards and obstacles and more time putting for the finish.

Different Types of Disc Golf Throws

In disc golf, there are five general throws: backhand, sidearm (also referred to as the forehand), overhand, hyzer, and anhyzer. Each of these throwing styles has to incorporate the four components of grip, stance, windup, and release. As one can see from all of this, there is a great deal more to the game of disc golf than standing on a tee and tossing the disc as far as you can.

While these different types of throws are certainly not required for every disc golfer, the more that one understands and practices them, the more tools he or she will build

within his or her arsenal for disc golf. Let’s explore the different types of throws and the ideal components for each.

The Backhand Disc Golf Throw

The most commonly known throw in disc golf is the backhand. It derives its name from tennis because the motion (having the arm cross over in front of the body, then moving outward and releasing with the arm extended before the body) is reminiscent of the tennis stroke. The same holds true for the forehand, or side arm throw.

The ideal grip for the backhand is cupping the disc on the outside, across from the body, and using the thumb on top and fingers underneath, with the index farthest from the ridge. While a straddle stance might work for some disc golfers, the side-straddle or foot forward stance is most suited for the backhand throw. By keeping the feet in proper alignment and aiming toward the target, the disc will generally travel in that direction without much focus, as long as the release point is mastered.

For the windup, bring the disc toward the opposite side of the body from the throwing hand. If you are right handed, then you would curl the disc toward your left side, around the lower end of the rib cage. Turning the shoulders slightly away from the target, as well as your hips, you are now in a position to gain maximum power from this throw.

The release will be at the moment your arm is fully extended and the wrist snaps forward. Mastering the snap of the wrist and the release timing is one of the most crucial aspects of the throw.

The Side Arm (Forehand) Disc Golf Throw

With the sidearm throw, the disc golfer can either face the opposite direction of the backhand type or use the straddle stance in which the golfer would face the target with the feet parallel, also facing the target and about shoulder-width apart. For this type of throw, the grip is the same as for the backhand but instead of curling the wrist inward, the wrist is instead turned outward. The right-handed golfer would extend his or her right out, moving it behind his shoulder line, about chest high, and will twist the hips slightly to help generate power.

The release point will be about a foot forward of the shoulder line. This throw is more complicated than the backhand as far as creating stability and control of the disc, but it also has the potential to generate considerably more speed and power, allowing the disc golfer to gain more distance.

The Overhead Disc Golf Throw

This type of throw is unique and requires that you practice quite a bit off the course. It is also commonly referred to as the hammer, or Tomahawk throw because the motion resembles the throwing of a Tomahawk. The grip used for this type of throw is just like for the forehand, but the toss offers a unique flight pattern and this makes it ideal for getting over or around certain obstacles.

For example, if you are standing on the opposite side from your target with a small building, such as a restroom facility in your way, you may not want to have to incur extra strokes just to get around the obstruction, and still end up the same distance from the basket as you are at this moment. In this case, the overhand throw would benefit you well. Being able to toss the disc over the roof, and as long as the disc flattens out properly, you can take the obstacle out of the equation.

The stand that should be used for this is the same as for the forehand or sidearm throw. A straddle or foot forward stance is best. The windup is essentially the same as for the sidearm except that the arm would be brought over the shoulder, above the head.

The Hyzer Disc Golf Throw

A Hyzer is a throw that is designed to take advantage of the natural angle of the disc. For a right-handed disc golfer using a backhanded throwing style, the natural angle of the disc is for it to travel toward the left. By understanding the disc’s natural angle, helps the disc golfer to plan his or her next angle of approach. For example, if you have a tree blocking your approach to the basket, you can use the Hyzer type of throw and angle the disc further down (toward the left for right-handed golfers) to generate a harder angled turn.

The Anhyzer Disc Golf Throw

If you want to move the disc the opposite way, then you would be using the Anhyzer type of throw. In this instance, the right-handed golfer would angle the left side of the disc upward. Once released, then the disc will move toward the right, against the natural angle of the disc.

Mastering either of these two types of throwing techniques requires practice. It’s also important to understand that depending on how much of an angle the disc is release at, and how much you would require it to move, then you will need to compensate for the distance that will be lost. For a disc that averages one hundred feet per throw, if you need to move the disc forty feet to the left (Hyzer), then the disc will likely only travel a maximum of sixty feet downfield.

Another challenge to mastering the Hyzer and Anhyzer throws is that many novice disc golfers, when they turn the angle of the disc up of down, also tend to draw it back slightly. When this happens, then the flight of the disc will lead it angling back from where it came, back to you.

As with regular golf, ‘shaping’ shots is a challenging aspect of the game, but once it is mastered, or once you have reasonable skills to help make these shots work the way you want them to, then you will be in a better position to reach the basket in fewer shots. Every tool that you have in your arsenal as a disc golfer will make you a more potent opponent, or if you play by yourself, it will help you shave strokes off your game.

Some of these types of disc golf shots will not be comfortable to you, so you want to focus on what is comfortable first. After a while, begin to practice these other types of shots when you’re away from the course. You’ll begin to understand how the flight of the disc is affected through these different types of shots. When that happens, you’ll begin to see your scores drop consistently.

Why the Follow Through is So Important in Disc Golf

disc golf follow through

When you have a number of moving parts in an athletic activity, everything becomes important and that includes the follow-through. One might assume that once the disc is released from the grip that follow-through doesn’t really matter. But when you pay attention to your follow-through, you will begin to see the impact that it has on your shot.

Why is the Follow Through So Important?

The follow-through is so important because it represents the entire process of the swing. If you throw the disc with a backhanded style and your arm flops out after release, then the disc is going to drift to the right, likely wobbling along the way, and then drop half the distance of its potential.

The follow-through, then, is the intention of the thrower. If you intend for the shot to be smooth, then you will want to make sure that your follow-through is also smooth. The moment you begin to rush or try to hold your follow-through up short, it is reflected in the throw itself.

In order to better understand this, look to American football or baseball. When a quarterback in football throws the ball, there is a fluid motion from start to finish. Each quarterback’s throw will be different, but their follow-through will always be the same from one toss to the next. If anything interferes with the follow-through, whether a defender hits his arm at the release or grabs his arm from behind while he’s trying to throw, then the ball will not reach its intended target. The ball could sail high or drop short.

In baseball, if the second baseman is trying to turn a double play and jumps out of the way of an oncoming runner while throwing the ball, his instincts to protect himself often overpower his instinct to follow through. He is already planning on bracing himself for the fall before the ball is released and as a result, the throw will either be off the mark or will lack the power and speed necessary to get the man out at first base.

How to Master the Follow Through

There’s only one sure way to master the follow-through in any sport and that is to pay attention to exactly what your body is doing once the disc is released. Most of the time we are paying attention to where the disc is going that we don’t think about the follow-through. By paying attention to how your arm moves just after the release, and how your shoulders hold up, and whether your legs remain in position or move, you will begin to see how adjusting these aspects affect the throw itself.

What is a proper follow through? Ideally, the follow-through will simply be the natural extension of the motion created for the throw. By holding your finish, as they say in regular golf, you will be able to tell a lot about how your follow-through is working. If you’re having trouble with any aspects of your throw, then concentrate on your follow through and don’t force your arms to a stop or change their natural motion from the throw.