Every disc golfer wishes they could throw farther off the tee pad. Whatever the skill level, it’s satisfying to see players ripping a wide-rim driver down the fairway and getting maximum distance. But do drivers really give disc golfers more distance?
Yes and no. Drivers can cover great distances, unlike other disc golf discs. But to achieve this, disc golfers should have the right throwing technique, timing, speed, and power. We’ll discuss each factor below:
Paying Attention To Your Throwing Technique
One of the most important aspects of getting the correct distance intended for your driver is your overall throwing technique. Players considered to be among the world’s farthest throwers usually have perfect form and technique. By using the right throwing technique, disc golfers can later progress to more controlled speed and power using disc drivers. Here are basic throwing techniques:
- Backhand – when the throwing arm extends backward and touches the body’s opposing side.
- Forehand – same as backhand, but the throwing arm extends backward to the same side.
- Overhand – the disc driver comes from behind or near your head.
- Hyzer – the disc’s top is slanted away from the thrower, and the disc’s angle of flight turns to the left.
- Anhyzer – the opposite of hyzer, where the disc’s flight angle turns to the right.
Naturally, players should use a combination of these throwing techniques as each works in different situations. Disc golfers also need to consider the following things when paying attention and perfecting their throwing technique:
1. Proper Form
Aside from concentrating on the throwing technique, players must also check their stance, alignment, posture, and balance. For example, players must bring their throwing arm through their midsection close to the body. Then, drive their elbow and accelerate on one straight line through to the release.
Players should have a straight linear reach-back with full extension of the arm and elbow. On the other hand, the player should use their entire body to throw rather than just their arm. Additionally, they should shift their body weight when pushing with their legs.
2. Avoid Rounding
Disc golfers should also avoid doing things that will be detrimental to the throwing technique they have. One of which is rounding, which is the most prevalent issue for beginner and intermediate players.
Rounding occurs when the player’s throwing arm goes out and around your body more circularly. For a beginner with poor footwork and form, rounding may not significantly reduce arm speed or distance. But rounding will greatly affect their release point and the distance traveled by the driver.
3. Always Follow Through
Not all the torque and tension players build up before the throw is transferred to the disc. Rather, a significant portion of it stays in your body. That’s why you need to follow through.
On the follow-through, disc golfers must give their upper and lower body time to relax and uncoil. By doing this, players can release unnecessary strain from their knees, hips, and lower back. Doing a follow-through after every throw helps prevent any injuries.
Adding More Power
Again, proper stance, posture, and body alignment are important when giving your throw the right amount of power. Your upper body must work in tandem with your lower body as it prepares to generate power.
Throughout your throwing motion, your head, shoulders, arms, and chest should all be in the proper positions. A solid hip turn will allow your throwing arm to stretch back and snap through as your hips open naturally.
The lower body, hips, and core provide a large portion of the power the driver needs to fly its intended distance. These very big muscle groups play a big part in the explosive force produced from the ground up. You will have more strength, accuracy, consistency, and the distance intended for your disc driver when you master handling your power.
Professional disc golfers have the term “power pocket,” referring to the arm angles shortly before releasing the disc driver. The power pocket lets the lower arm and hand snap when you release the disc. Thus, making the driver speed up more after release.
Gaining Arm Speed
A disc golf throw typically travels between 50 and 70 miles per hour (80 and 112 kilometers per hour). But Simon Lizotte, a professional disc golfer, threw the fastest disc, traveling at 89.5 mph (144 kph).
Speed is everything when it comes to getting your driver’s intended distance. Staying flexible and avoiding excessive body tension is key to maintaining arm speed when throwing.
Again, a player’s body plays a big role. Proper arm extension and body rotation are required for enhanced arm speed. Here are some tips to increase arm speed:
- Ensure appropriate foot alignment and hip engagement
- Completely rotate shoulders in reach-back
- Always follow through
- Strengthening lats and core.
Working On Your Timing
Professional players always say that timing is crucial for getting the maximum distance of disc drivers. Players lose power and reduce the disc’s distance potential if everything is perfectly in sync throughout your throw.
But how do disc golfers have the perfect timing? The answer is repetition. Having lots of course practice to achieve that timing with proper technique will yield the best results. Disc golfers who want noticeable progress usually spend at least a few times per week on different courses.
Players frequently believe that speeding up their technique is necessary to throw farther. But, in reality, finding the sweet spot often requires little slowing down, especially in the run-up.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that most disc golfers use drivers for how far they can fly. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the extra distance down the fairway will lower your scores and make you a better overall player.
In the end, disc golfers should improve their technique, work on their timing, and gain arm speed and power. By achieving those factors, completing the course with the fewest throws possible will be easy as pie.
