The cheaper, easier version of golf was invented in California in the 1960s.The sport has exploded since then, with courses across the country and discs in most major sport retailers.Disc golf is a great way to exercise and have fun, it's easy to pick up and play, and it costs less than normal golf.
Step 1: Use your four fingers under the disc and thumb near the edge on top to grip it.
You want a tight grip on the disc, as you'll be grabbing it out of your hands when you release it.The lip on the underside of the disc should hold your four fingers.On the softer part of the disc, your thumb is on top.Make sure your arm and wrist are loose.The forefinger of some players is extended along the rim of the disc.This increases accuracy for some people during putts and mid-range shots.
Step 2: Go for a drive with a 3-step run-up.
If you're a righty, you start your run with the right foot.Take three smooth steps up if you square your shoulders up to the basket.This is referred to as the "X-Step."
Step 3: The disc should be raised to roughly chest height.
This is the beginning of a good drive.If you're a righty, raise the disc below your pecs if you step with the right foot.Your body will turn away from the basket as you turn.
Step 4: The left foot should be pointed towards the basket.
Continue rotating your body so that your back is turning towards the basket in front of you.This is for a righty.This causes your body to move back and forth, with your shoulders, hips, and disc behind you.The body should move away from the basket if you end this step with the disc behind you.Think of a coil being wound up and ready to release.
Step 5: Shift your weight onto this foot as you uncoil your body.
Take this final step and let your body rotation back towards your front foot.If you keep the disc "flat" the other time, it will be the same height as when you started.Your shoulders, hips, and head should turn to face the basket when your back leg pulls forward.
Step 6: Pull the disc out of your body.
You don't want the disc to be around you, either.You want to pull the disc across your chest.Start by pointing the disc at your target.As your turn, pull the disc straight back.Pull the disc in a straight line towards the basket if you bend at the elbow.As you pass your chest, you'll feel your elbow unbending in order to keep the disc on a straight line.
Step 7: When the disc points directly at the target, release your arm fluidly.
You want to think about how your power moves from your hips to your wrist.Thinking about your body ascoils is a good way to think about this.The better your throw, the quicker you make these motions.Your body should rotation from the hips, through the shoulders, along the elbow and finally release with a flick of the wrist.If you let your body carry you around in this order, your throws will be smooth and accurate.This is similar to a baseball batter hitting a ball from the feet up.
Step 8: Follow through with your throwing motion, pointing to the target and letting your body spill forward.
You should keep your palm up as you finish.This will prevent you from turning or spinning the disc, which can lead to inaccurate throws.
Step 9: For shots and properties, grow your disc collection.
Many of the discs on the market have different flight patterns.You should experiment with different styles of shot and thrower discs.When shopping, it is helpful to understand the basic terminology: means that the disc fades to the left for right-handed throwers, and right for left-handers, when thrown backhand.When thrown backhand, a disc fades to the right for righties and left for lefties.It tells you how hard it is to throw a disc and how long it stays in the air.High glide is harder to control than high speed discs.You will throw for longer distances when you master it.Determine how long a disc will last after hitting trees.Higher quality plastic have better grip.
Step 10: If you want to get maximum distance on your backhand, you need to work on a strong, flat throw.
A long-distance throw comes from a consistent technique.Keeping your disc "flat" is the best advice.As the disc rises, it catches more wind and hooks off, heading to the left with right-handers.Keep the nose of the disc down when releasing.The best throws can be made if you are 10-20 feet off the ground.If the nose is up, the disc will usually rise and fall to the left.
Step 11: To curve the disc, angle it.
Depending on the angle of the disc, honing is called "hyzer."These terms and how to accomplish each type of throw greatly increase your skills and shots on the links.If the outside edge is lower than your grip, tilt the disc to the left.When thrown, the disc curve left.If the grip edge is lower than the outer edge, tilt the disc to the right.The disc curves to the right.Throwing a nose-up anhyzer throw will break the nose up disc at the end, but it will not break in the beginning.If you can pull it off, you'll get a curvy path.
Step 12: Sometimes you don't want to approach the disc straight on.
If you want to be a pro, you need to learn to hone your hyzers in combination with your throwing angle.You should note how your drives break.Do you need to curve the disc left?Start on the back left of the tee and aim towards the basket.It will tilt your disc slightly.Do you need to get the disc up high?The shot will be left if you point your nose up.Look towards the right to compensate.
Step 13: To throw it further, concentrate on technique, not full power.
It seems odd, but most disc golfers use 80% of their power to hit longer drives, and the rest is used to perfect technique.Trying to throw too hard can lead to tense muscles, which can affect your accuracy.The arm speed used to throw is the number one indicator of disc distance.This is important to note, as speed is usually a factor of form, having a relaxed but concise throwing motion without locking up or getting tense.
Step 14: You can increase your range by learing other throws.
The backhand throw will suffice for most of your shots, but you can extend your shot selection to hit tricky angles.Instead of turning your body in, then uncoiling, you point with your foot and follow through.It's a good way to get a hook or slice without having to point the nose in a different angle, because this has less power, but reverses your normal curve on the shot.You release the disc with a snap of the wrist when you throw it up high.The top of the disc should point to the ground when you bring it back behind your head.Keep the top of the disc pointed to the ground with a short overhand throw.A short, straight, and high shot is perfect for getting over an obstacle in front of you.
Step 15: A set of discs is what you should get.
The initial set usually consists of a Driver, Mid-range, and Putter.Some of the courses have pro shops where you can rent discs.It is advised to find a local retailer or purchase a beginner's set online, since this is the exception and not the rule.You should get three discs.You should cover everything between your drive and final putt.If you only want to get one disc, you should get a midrange like the Buzzcraft.They are easy to throw and stay straight.If offered, aim for a "stability rating" of less than 1.0.They are the most difficult to keep accurate.Beginners should aim for a basic driver.These tend to curve harshly if you get an overstable driver.They are round and soft.They glide well but don't throw too far, allowing you to drift towards the basket without overshooting.
Step 16: You can find courses at parks, campgrounds, campuses and rec centers.
Most disc golf courses are free to play, and almost no need to call or reserve ahead of time.If you're not sure about the courses near you, you can check out the website, which has ratings, maps, pictures, and even shot recommendations for tricky holes.Look to see if there is a course map when you arrive.Sometimes courses aren't well mapped.Take a picture with your phone if there is only one map.
Step 17: Start each shot on the flat tee.
Depending on your skill level, there will be multiple tees on some courses, with those closer to the hole made for beginners and those far away for advanced players.The location of your basket should be noted by consulting the diagram near the tee.Basket confusion can occur if you're unsure of the hole.
Step 18: The last shot should be taken within one step of where it landed.
You can change your discs at any time, but you have to stay on top of your disc.If you need help to get around an object, this means leaving your back foot near the disc and leaning either way.You can take a run-up to any shot, but you must release the disc within a food of where the last shot landed.
Step 19: If the disc lands here, note the OB areas on each hole.
Where is OB will be indicated by hole diagrams at the tee.You must add a stroke to your current hole if you sink a disc.If you retrieve a disc from OB, you take your next throw from where your disc sailed out-of-bounds.You should not move closer to the hole than the spot where you went OB.
Step 20: Put the disc in the cage at the bottom of the basket.
The chains help drop the disc into the hole.The disc must land in the basket in order to be counted.
Step 21: Keep track of each hole by adding the number of throws you took to hit the basket to your score.
The strokes are the same as normal golf.The lowest score is the winner.You have four strokes if you take four throws to finish a hole.Your score is seven if the next hole takes you three strokes.You should add strokes for water traps.The hole took five strokes if you took four throws to hit the basket, but one went OB.
Step 22: The lowest score on the previous holes should be the basis of throwing order.
The winner of the previous hole will throw first on the next one.If there is a tie, the player with the lowest score throws.If there is still a tie, alternate players with the first throw.
Step 23: The winner will be the person who took the least strokes.
You want to have the lowest score in order to win.It took the winner fewer throws than everyone else to complete the same holes, making them the day's leader.
Step 24: To keep our free courses open to the public, we must remain courteous, helpful, and clean.
Disc golf is a community sport.Users share the course graciously and most courses are free because people volunteer to keep them clean.Don't act like you own the course and always remember to share the inclusive, kind, and do-it-yourself spirit that makes the sport so special.Keep local trees, plants, and wildlife in mind when picking up trash.Stand behind throwers when disc may hit someone.