Hey, I've been really curious about this for a while. We don't have a lot of girls out here, and I was wondering,If I am using the right technique, how far can I expect to throw? I've read several articles saying that any guy should be able to throw around 350, but what about us girls? How far can the open women throw? Also, how does elevation affect the disc? Lower elevation makes them less stable, right? So if I throw an orc straight here(about 4500 ft. above sea level) How would it throw in say, Peoria (about 600 ft. above sea level)?

I cannot help you on the distance part, but I can on the elevation.

Your Orc will turn over considerably more at 600ft vs 4500ft. I noticed a considerable difference in stability from my normal 700ft when I played in a tournament at sea level.

a top level open female can throw a golf distance shot in the 330-350ft range. Some throw farther, but none(that I've ever heard of at least) can consistently throw 400+.

Thank you. I've been looking all over for this, and couldn't find anything. There aren't many women out here, so I wanted to get a feel for it. I throw in the 280-320 range right now, so I guess it's time to work on my upshots ;)

a word in about elevation -- I just moved to Boulder, CO from Raleigh, NC. I have a viking that was just starting to get flippy on me back home and it was like new again when I first got here. Things are a little more stable at elevation, but not insanely much so (e.g., your nice stable drivers will not become rollers when you drop down a bit). Best thing to do is play around a bit and see what happens with your throw. Thing #2 that happened when I moved here is I started throwing farther and my putt was all screwy. The air (or lack thereof) has a slightly different effect on the discs, a little less drag.

Mike Randolph (lives in Denver) interviewed with someone and there was an article in the latest DGWN about playing at elevation -- take that and flip it around. Or pm him on the mile high forums!

a top level open female can throw a golf distance shot in the 330-350ft range. Some throw farther, but none(that I've ever heard of at least) can consistently throw 400+.



So if I were to get a sex change I could set the female distance record? Isn't that what Annie did? Insert laugh :D

So if I were to get a sex change I could set the female distance record? Isn't that what Annie did? Insert laugh :D



:eek: :eek: :eek:

wow i suck. i can only throw around the 220-250 area.. :(
i've got a powerful arm and everything. i got up shots high up and stuff grrr...but thts as far as i can get em is that range out.

From what I have noticed, the women who have command of the X-step can out-throw others in the field. I taught a girl the X-step in Arlington, and she was out throwing her man who couldn't understand it.

Matt - You couldn't beat the women's record, or at least you didn't at Worlds :D

Does anyone who played the USWDGC remember what the winning throws were in the distance competition? I think adv women was 297, but I can't remember the others. All I know is Burl crushed her drives!

From what I have noticed, the women who have command of the X-step can out-throw others in the field. I taught a girl the X-step in Arlington, and she was out throwing her man who couldn't understand it.

Matt - You couldn't beat the women's record, or at least you didn't at Worlds :D



What is it? :confused: :confused: I bet my 546' drive beat it. :D:D

Ahem.. Let a girl answer this one..
I'd say a average female distance is around 300 ft.. I threw like 380 at worlds in Iowa.. The X-step just times everything out with the pull back and your release.. But the secret in distance is all about the SNaP! Fast arm speed and the "flick" of the wrist will get you in the right direction.. The faster you get that disc spinning the furthur you will throw.. :DAs for elevation just switch the discs more understable the higher the elevation!

Here's actual throwing data from the 2002 Pro & Am Worlds

<table border="1"><tr><td> Division</td><td>Avg</td><td>Long</td><td>Short
</td></tr><tr><td>FPO</td><td>279</td><td>321</td><td>231
</td></tr><tr><td>FPM</td><td>249</td><td>267</td><td>225
</td></tr><tr><td>FW1</td><td>236</td><td>315</td><td>171
</td></tr><tr><td>FPS</td><td>213</td><td>213</td><td>213
</td></tr><tr><td>FJ1-2</td><td>213</td><td>225</td><td>201
</td></tr><tr><td>FW2-3</td><td>204</td><td>213</td><td>186
</td></tr><tr><td>FJ3-4</td><td>171</td><td>183</td><td>156
</td></tr><tr><td> </tr></td></table>

Ahem.. Let a girl answer this one..
I'd say a average female distance is around 300 ft.. I threw like 380 at worlds in Iowa..


You ain't average!

I think 300 is way too far to be claiming as "average" for girls. I think 250 is closer to "average" for chicks that play a lot and are doing well. Advanced winners in distance at Worlds are usually in the 320' range, so 300 is a really good distance. And that's not a golf shot.

I think 300 is closer to average for guys who play. Not the average of the top pros, but of the regular people playing.

Thanks Chuck. :)

The longest throw for Pro Women was 330 by Burl. I only threw 289 and won for the Pro Master Women.

Ahem.. Let a girl answer this one..
I'd say a average female distance is around 300 ft.. I threw like 380 at worlds in Iowa.. The X-step just times everything out with the pull back and your release.. But the secret in distance is all about the SNaP! Fast arm speed and the "flick" of the wrist will get you in the right direction.. The faster you get that disc spinning the furthur you will throw.. :DAs for elevation just switch the discs more understable the higher the elevation!


Valarie, what do you throw at lower elevations? I throw 162-168 orcs here, but it is quite high in elevation. What would you recommend me adding to my bag when I go to a lower elevation? (Provo is about 4500 feet elevation)

I bring out all the old beat up discs i used to love.. The ones that have hit one too many trees in their time and when thrown as sea level flip and roll.. if youre goin for new discs on the mountains i would go w/ some lite jls's or some valks

i was playin with these top women every weekend and im throwing long shots but they are very consistant in the 300 range.. she asked for a good goal to be average at.. 300 is good average

a top level open female can throw a golf distance shot in the 330-350ft range. Some throw farther, but none(that I've ever heard of at least) can consistently throw 400+.



I've seen Jennifer Allen (Norman, OK) throw 400'...granted that was just one drive, not a consistent barometer, but she can HEAVE a disc

Valarie, what do you throw at lower elevations? I throw 162-168 orcs here, but it is quite high in elevation. What would you recommend me adding to my bag when I go to a lower elevation? (Provo is about 4500 feet elevation)


Im sorry i missed the "lower elevation" part of the question... but yeah.. in my bag i have about 5- 170g starfires.. ranging in all sorts of stability.. its my ultimate disc for every drive 300+.. i also throw some jls's and t-birds also around 170g.. does that help? :confused:

Well I'm throwing between 280-320 most of the time, and my favorites up here are 162's. So I'm guessing if I got a couple of 170 orcs, that would be about the right stability? Thanks for helping me out with this.

[QUOTE]


in my bag i have about 5- 170g starfires.. ranging in all sorts of stability.. its my ultimate disc for every drive 300+..



Starfire eh!....I wondered what you Pro Women were throwing...If it's good enough for Val...That's all I need to know...I'm gonna buy one today and see what happens...Thanks for the tip...

BTW...I really hope you're planning to attend the Flatts or the Finals here in St. Thomas....We would be honoured to have you...Hell I'll even put you guys up at my place... ;)

I finally conquered my own problem. My favorite discs at home are a 162, and a 164 orc. I found my 167 orc worked best at am worlds, and also a 167 TL that I picked up at the flymart on Tuesday, I actually got my best distance in the distance competition with the TL. The way that disc is working, I may have to pick up a couple more. ;)

in my bag i have about 5- 170g starfires.. ranging in all sorts of stability.. its my ultimate disc for every drive 300+.. i also throw some jls's and t-birds also around 170g.. does that help? :confused:



do you mean Pro Starfires (which are actually SL's) or Champ /Star Starfires which are more stable than Orcs?
or do you throw both :confused:

SLs are similar to the Pro Starfire but not the same, i only threw an SL once or twice, my dad says it reminds him of a tbird.. but i stick to the white Pro Starfires

Ive never thrown a Champion Starfire, which i heard are like a more stable Orc
And the Star Starfires are WAAAAYY overstable, i can't get mine to turn over more than like 150 ft until it comes back and dives

I've been crushin the Star and Champion Sidewinders too! That disc is amazing!!

I have a question for my wife.
She is having a hard time getting any distance with a driver. She consistently outthrows her drivers with her midrange, but is still only hitting about 150-175 feet. I think the problem is she gets no snap on the disc, b/c she swings her arm instead of pulling through, which doesn't get enough spin on a driver. She says she can't do the pull through b/c of the size of her breasts. Does anyone have any advice that will help her get more distance?
She throws a beat-in Archangel the most, but also a 150 class Champ Valk, and a 150 class Eagle. Her best distance still comes with a Stingray or Skeeter.

Would she have more "clearance" trying to throw forehand? I've worked with some women beginners who found it easier to get more snap with a forehand.

I thought the same thing, but when the disc comes out of her hand it is really wobbly, and gets no distance. I think her arm gets ahead of her hand and she doesn't finish this with "snap" either. She wants to work out the backhand b/c she is familiar with throwing that way (frisbee) but she can't get out of the swing around mindset.

Try having her stand and practice the arm motion with no runup while facing a wall that's close enough to prevent the big arcing arm swing but enough room for the proper pull through. I've even seen people practice snap (just like snapping a towel in the locker room) by using a small towel and holding the other end with the opposite hand to produce tension before snapping it.

i would also ask val jenkins about the technique she uses as you can hear the snap on her throws a couple of fairways away when she releases...
plus she can outdrive probably 50% of the male players out there :eek:

i would also ask val jenkins about the technique she uses as you can hear the snap on her throws a couple of fairways away when she releases...
plus she can outdrive probably 50% of the male players out there :eek:



She also doesn't seem to have problems pulling through close to her chest either.

i would also ask val jenkins about the technique she uses as you can hear the snap on her throws a couple of fairways away when she releases...
plus she can outdrive probably 50% of the male players out there :eek:



She also doesn't seem to have problems pulling through close to her chest either.



as i like AND respect val...i wasn't going there...just commenting on her technique which creates some serious snap and power when she's "on"

keith

Although I don't think I really "went there" with my response, I do think it is appropriate to "go there," as that was an issue raised in the question. I also don't find it disrespectful in any way, which you seemed to imply.

Although I don't think I really "went there" with my response, I do think it is appropriate to "go there," as that was an issue raised in the question. I also don't find it disrespectful in any way, which you seemed to imply.



sorry, didn't mean to imply disrespect...it's just a given for anyone who has seen val to get the connection to the original poster without being "male" ;)...i was trying to be discreet...sorta like chuck was asking about "clearance"... :eek:

keith

No apology necessary, although I appreciate it, I just don't think my initial post was "male" or indiscreet.

Mr. Kennedy thanks for the advice but I could not get her to trust me on the "stand next to a wall and throw" idea. :D I do understand what you are saying and I had her work on the basic movements, but still when she goes to throw with any power she has the same motion. She claims it is a defense mechanism against injury to sensitive body parts (like male knee-jerk).
Are there any ladies out there who can give her some advice?
Any ideas of what driver she can get to do her justice?
As I had said before her best distance comes from a Stingray or Skeeter. She has tried a light Archangel and Valkerie, and a beat in, but heavy, Sidewinder. I think that she would get more excited about the sport if he didn't take 3 throws to just get ready to putt on most holes. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Does she have any strength to throw the overhand baseball shot? Some women throw that on occasion but upper body strength is a drawback on average for women. Learning how to throw forehand better and even forehand rollers may be the only long term solution.

No on the overhand, as she does not have the power for any distance with it. I had not considered a roller though as it is not a throw I am yet really comfortable with. I will show her how to throw it and see if she can get it to work for her.
Thanks!

It's a throw that youth and other beginners really grab onto because they can go farther than in the air, even if less accurately. Forehand roller is usually easier to get going but she may be able to throw the backhand roller easier than a regular backhand airshot.

I would say to slow down her approach on the tee and really focus on the arm movement. And don't just play but practice driving in a field as well. I have found that by slowing down on my drives and and really focusing hard on my pull thru and snap I can get close to the same distance as when I'm driving 'hard'. I always have to tell myself to "slow my roll" and it seems to come after practicing that for a while.
Hope this helps!

Thank you for that. I do think that she is understanding it now more. I slowed down my drive and showed her a step-by-step and I showed her some drive analysis pics online. I feel that this helped her better understand what the pull-through really is. But when we put it in play and try to use it she still has the same swing-around motion. If there are any ladies out there who would like to try and help her, but are not comfortable making suggestions on here, please PM her as she is now a PDGA member and is on the board.
Her name is Shawna Williams and on the board she goes by AlmaShawna. Her first posts have been on Western Arkansas DGA. She is looking for help, as she is playing her first tourney tomorrow and I think she is going to enjoy it and want to push herself even harder.
Thanks everyone!

I will be more than willing to work with her if ya'll are ever in the Tulsa area. And I plan on coming to Ark a few times too. I played Alma Greens last year, and am tentatively planning to play again this year. Definitely get ahold of me, or have her get ahold of me anytime you are up this way. You guys should come and play the Chandler Tornado! It's a great time!

Any ideas of what driver she can get to do her justice?
As I had said before her best distance comes from a Stingray or Skeeter. She has tried a light Archangel and Valkerie, and a beat in, but heavy, Sidewinder. I think that she would get more excited about the sport if he didn't take 3 throws to just get ready to putt on most holes. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Innova has a good selection of understable 150 stuff. I'd recommend she try the 150 Star Sidewinder and the 150 Star Valkyrie. The 150 Z Storm is also a very good disc for women who are beginning as well as for women who have played for awhile who like the 150 weight stuff.

Thanks for all the info. I played my first tournament this past weekend and I really enjoyed it. I do get discouraged when I rank myself with the men but I love the challenge. I'll definitely try your suggestions. I feel like my driving is pretty good but my midrange and putting have a lot of work to do.

Congrats on your first tournament.

I was taught to drive by taking my disc tit to tit. Then I'd swing around, too. Now I think (arm) pit to pit because it gets me above. As I do that, I lead with my elbow. Hope that helps.

Yep, I totally agree.. Focus on leading with your elbow.. Releasing at the target, and following through.. Keep the discs plane nice and flat.. It sounds simple, but theres a million tiny steps in between that could go wrong too..

My mom has had a hard time getting distance because she doesnt want to reinjure her knees, so she doesn't plant her lead as hard anymore.. If you want to throw farther.. I just tell her grip the disc firmly and make it do what you want..

The footwork is there just for timing out your throw and to get momentum up to your throw..

I've been told that i have a higher release than most women.. possibly for "clearance" but just stand up tall and pull back straight across my chest, again.. leading with the elbow..

Keep working on your throw, It'll all come together!!
Congrats on playing your first tournament! Its great to hear about new women in the sport!!

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me! :D

Thanks for all the advice. I will continue to practice and probably ask a million more questions. There are some questions that guys just can't answer. I'll definitely try leading with the elbow. Thanks for the support!

What is this X-step??? How can I learn it?