Advanced Frisbee Golf Technique to Elevate Your Game

Frisbee golf, also known as disc golf, has been soaring in popularity over the past decade. This exciting sport combines the precision of golf with the accessibility of frisbee throwing, creating a unique and engaging outdoor activity. While beginners can quickly grasp the basics, mastering advanced techniques takes practice, dedication, and a deeper understanding.

In this comprehensive guide, The Golf Academy LA will explore essential frisbee golf technique, putting and approach shots, throws, and additional tips to elevate your game.

Types of Throws in Frisbee Golf

Before diving into advanced techniques, it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of frisbee golf. The sport combines elements of traditional golf and ultimate frisbee, requiring precision and control to navigate various courses and conditions.

Backhand Throw

The backhand throw is the foundation of frisbee golf and often the first technique new players learn. Here’s how to execute it properly:

• Grip: Hold the disc with your thumb on top and your fingers curled underneath the rim.
• Stance: Stand sideways to your target, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Reach back: Extend your throwing arm back, keeping the disc close to your body.
• Pull through: Bring the disc forward in a straight line across your chest.
• Release: Let go of the disc when your arm is extended forward, snapping your wrist for added spin.

Tips for power and accuracy:

• Keep your upper arm close to your body during the pull-through.
• Use your hips and core to generate power, not just your arm.
• Follow through with your throw, pointing at your target after release.

Forehand Throw (Sidearm)

The forehand throw, also known as a sidearm, is an essential technique for navigating obstacles and shaping shots around corners.

• Grip: Hold the disc with your index and middle fingers along the inside rim, thumb on top.
• Stance: Stand sideways to your target, with your throwing arm facing forward.
• Reach back: Bring the disc back to hip level, keeping your elbow close to your body.
• Throw: Push the disc forward, leading with your elbow and snapping your wrist at release.

Tips for forehand throws:

• Keep your palm facing up throughout the throw.
• Use a lower arm motion, almost like skipping a rock across the water.
• Practice with slower, controlled throws before adding power.

Overhand Throw

The overhand throw, also known as the thumber or tomahawk, is a versatile technique useful for navigating over obstacles or achieving a quick, straight flight path.

• Grip: Hold the disc vertically with your thumb on the inside of the rim and your fingers on the outside.
• Stance: Face your target with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Wind-up: Bring the disc back over your shoulder, similar to throwing a baseball.
• Throw: Step forward with your non-throwing foot and bring your arm forward forcefully.
• Release: Let go of the disc when your arm is nearly vertical, snapping your wrist for spin.

Tips for power and accuracy:

• Use your whole body in the throwing motion, starting from your legs and core.
• Keep your elbow high throughout the throw for maximum power.
• Experiment with different release angles to control the disc’s flight path.

Roller Throw 

The roller throw is an advanced technique that can be extremely effective for maximizing distance, especially on open fairways or when faced with low-hanging obstacles.

• Grip: Use your standard backhand or forehand grip, depending on your preference.
• Stance: Start with a wider stance than usual, with your weight on your back foot.
• Wind-up: Reach back lower than for a normal throw, almost to knee level.
• Throw: As you step forward, bring the disc through on a steep angle, almost vertically.
• Release: Let go of the disc when your arm is extended, with the disc nearly perpendicular to the ground.

Tips for power and accuracy:

• Choose an overstable disc for straighter rolls and an understable disc for turning rollers.
• Adjust the angle of release to control how quickly the disc stands up and begins rolling.
• Practice on different surfaces to understand how terrain affects the roll.

For women new to golf, understanding the fundamentals of body positioning, grip, and swing – much like in Frisbee golf – can significantly improve their performance on the course. By mastering the basics in both sports, beginners can build a strong foundation, making it easier to enjoy the game and see progress quickly.

Advanced Frisbee Golf Technique

Mastering advanced frisbee golf techniques can significantly elevate your game, allowing you to tackle challenging courses and improve your overall performance. Let’s explore some sophisticated throwing methods that can give you an edge on the course.

Rollers 

Roller throws can be a game-changer when faced with low ceilings or long, open fairways. This technique involves throwing the disc in a way that causes it to land on its edge and roll for extended distances.

How to throw a roller:

1. Use an overstable disc for straighter rolls or an understable disc for turning rollers.
2. Start with your standard backhand or forehand grip.
3. Release the disc at a steep angle, almost vertically.
4. Apply significant spin to help the disc stand up and roll straight.
5. Adjust your release angle to control how quickly the disc transitions to its rolling phase.

When to use rollers:

• On holes with low-hanging obstacles that prevent high throws.
• For maximizing distance on open, flat fairways.
• To navigate around obstacles by utilizing the ground.

Air Bounces 

Air bounces, also known as skip shots, are useful for navigating obstacles or reaching tucked-away baskets. This technique involves intentionally bouncing the disc off the ground or an object to alter its flight path.

Executing an air bounce:

1. Choose a stable disc with a flat bottom for consistent bounces.
2. Throw with a slight downward angle, aiming to hit the ground about two-thirds of the way to your target.
3. Release with extra spin to help the disc maintain its flight path after the bounce.
4. Adjust the angle and power based on the desired height and distance of the bounce.

Situations for air bounces:

• When there’s a low ceiling but open space near the ground.
• To skip the disc under obstacles like bushes or low branches.
• For approaching baskets positioned behind obstacles.

Flex Shots

Flex shots combine elements of both anhyzer and hyzer throws to create an S-shaped flight path. This advanced technique allows for navigating complex fairways and maximizing distance while maintaining control.

Performing a flex shot:

1. Select an overstable disc.
2. Start with an anhyzer release (outside edge of the disc tilted upward for right-handed backhand throws).
3. Throw with enough power to allow the disc’s natural stability to take over mid-flight.
4. The disc will initially move right (for RHBH), then “flex” back to the left for its final approach.

Benefits of flex shots:

• Navigating around multiple obstacles in a single throw.
• Achieving distance while maintaining control in windy conditions.
• Creating unique lines to reach difficult basket positions.

Conclusion

Mastering these advanced frisbee golf technique requires practice and patience. Spend time in an open field experimenting with different discs and release angles to understand how these shots behave. As you become more comfortable with these advanced throws, you’ll find new ways to tackle challenging holes and improve your overall frisbee golf performance.