What comes to your mind when you see a group of people running around, throwing a flying disc into a basket? Or, a group of friends aiming to hit a target with a frisbee?
If you guessed disc golf, then you guessed correctly. Today, disc golf has evolved into one of the most played field sports. In addition to being a mentally calculative game, disc golfing can be fun too.
True to its name, disc golf is very similar to actual golf. The difference is that there are no balls or clubs involved, just a flying disc or a frisbee to substitute. In disc golf, the player aims to send the flying discs towards the target or the basket.
With just the right amount of effort and training, disc golf can become a professional sport for anyone. This is true because even children can play disc golf too.
So if you’re a beginner who’s interested in learning the pros and cons of this amazing sport, then this article is for you. Just below, we’ve provided important disc golf tips for beginners.
They come in the form of instructions that are sure to help a beginner in playing disc golf.
Here we go:
Table of Contents
Step By Step Guide On Disc Golf Tips For Beginners
1. Understand the game technique
Now the importance of this cannot be overstated. Who plays a game they can’t understand? So, to begin your disc golf experience, you need to understand how the game is played. Like traditional golf, the course is made up of 18 holes.
The aim is to get the disc into the hole (target) or a basket whichever works best. You also need to ensure that you do so in the least possible amount of strokes. Once the disc is in the target, the player moves to the next one until all 18 holes have been played.
The player who completes the holes with the least number of strokes is ultimately the winner. Great. Now you know how the game is played, what’s the next instruction?
2. Know your disc types and weight
This is a very important tip. Many sports have levels to which people can play such as the basic, intermediate, and professional levels. Disc golf works the same way. But there’s more.
Each level has its own specific disc tailored to suit the ability of the player. Once you’ve perfected one level, you can confidently move to another. For beginners, it is best, to begin with, a Putter.
There are three major types of discs
- Putters
- Midranges and
- Drivers
Putters are more beginner user friendly because they have the thinnest rims and are designed to fly shorter distances. As a result of their slow spinning ability, they tend to adhere to the straight line flight instead of deviating.
So, if you’re aiming to score straight to the basket as a beginner, putters are your surest bet. Understable putters are the best discs for beginners.
This is because they are designed to make a right turn for a right-handed backhanded thrower once the disc is in the first phase of flight.
With just the right amount of force, and understandable putter will whirl towards the straight line of the target or basket they are aimed at without straying away.
Now, how about disc weight? There’s a wide variety of disc golf as they come in different weights between 140g to 180g. The lighter a golf disc, the more further it flies. However, there’s a small clause. Lighter discs are more easily affected by heavy wind.
Heavier discs on the other hand tend to be more stable in cases of wind and fly for a short distance. For beginners, use a disc whose weight is between 150g – 166g. Lighter discs are much easier as they do not need much momentum from the thrower.
3. Limit Body Movements
Golfing can be one sure way to exercise, but this does not mean excessive body movement. This disc golf tip is a simple one that minimizes unnecessary body movements or motions.
This is because these movements directly affect either for good or bad, the speed, power, and distance the thrower can achieve. Throwing the disc golf is an athletic movement. The thrower needs to be balanced firmly on the ground combined with proper body alignment and balance.
The entire body is used to throw the disc, not just the arm. The entire body force is what builds momentum and increases the force used in throwing the disc.
It is best to go for a technique that allows you to comfortably throw the disc. You can start with a standstill throw as you begin. Follow this simple process of fully extending your arm and elbow while using a straight linear reach back.
Next, the arm should be brought through the midsection of the thrower so that it drives the elbow and gears forward to the release of the throw.
Remember, simplicity is key. Excess body movements would derail the accuracy and control of your game as a beginner
4. Learn Disc Release Techniques
Disc release is the act of releasing the throw with the aim of landing the basket or target hole. Learning how to release the disc is an important aspect of disc golf and every beginner needs to grab this.
Now the key to a good disc throw is focusing on keeping the disc flat and low. The keywords are “Flat and Low”
Now, what makes this a necessary instruction to follow? It is a beginner’s common mistake. Many new players tend to swoop their arms lower in a bid to release the disc in an upward throw. The results?
The disc nose dives, this time upwards, fades, and falls back to the ground. Of course, the discus fails to cover any distance and misses the basket.
Now if this is your struggle, it’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure at disc golf or that you’ve made the worst mistake ever.
Actually, almost every player of disc golf has at one time or the other done this. However, by focusing on the word “flat and low” you’ll surely see many improvements.
As you play, your aim should be to keep the disc level to the ground and retain the same height throughout the disc throw and release. That way, it is easier to achieve a straight linear line as you release the disc.
Before you begin a throw, it’s advisable to warm up your arm muscles a bit so as to release tension from your arms. A few warm-up arm swings are enough.
Next, focus on the edge of the disc end. Ensure that its end is flat and level so you can achieve that forward line when driving the disc towards the basket or target.
Now, what’s the last disc golf tips for beginners in the article ?
5. Practice and Learn!
Yes, that’s right. If you’re really out to enjoy playing disc golf, you have to be willing to spend your time practicing. Find a field or an open golf course and train. There should be no strict expectations. Remember you’re just learning.
Achieving your aim may not be easy now, but as soon as you start getting better, you’d want to keep going. That’s the competitive juice flowing!
Keep throwing lots of shots to slowly adapt to what suits you better. It doesn’t matter if you can’t seem to make progress quickly, you’re starting something new and you need to be patient.
Over time, repeated mistakes can be corrected with practice. It’s also highly effective to practice with someone or people who are better than you.
They can help you spot flaws and correct them more than you can alone. Build up a good practice routine.
Train with professionals. They have been training longer than you and definitely will have the experience you might need.
Now here’s bonus advice:
6. Start with a few discs
Yes. The right amount of discs always help. As a beginner, you’d have to be really careful in your disc selection.
There’s no straight rule that gives the number of discs one is allowed to carry, but you can bet you wouldn’t need so many discs when you first start learning.
Since you’ll be starting with the basics, a minimal amount of discs is more recommended. Great. Now that’s it for our disc golf tips for beginners.
Read also : How to Practice Disc Golf putting without a Basket
Summary:
- Understand the game technique
- Know your disc types and weight
- Limit body movements
- Learn disc release techniques
- Practice and learn
- Start with a few discs
Disc golf can seem a bit challenging and even frustrating especially after your first few tries.
But as soon as you see your efforts begin to pay off, your competitive spirit is set to soar and you might even begin looking forward to booking the weekend with friends to play disc golf.
But for now, it’s all work! If you do not give up though and follow these helpful instructions, you can be introduced to the fun side of playing disc golf!
Cheers to you as you begin this amazing journey of disc golfing!
Since childhood I like sports. Here I will try to review sports related gears.