I am fairly new to the game (7 months) but I think I am progressing really quickly. However, I have hit a plateau that I can't explain and don't know how to get past. I throw RHBH and I can throw a Rhyno 250ft on a straight line really consistently, but I struggle to throw drivers past 300ft consistently. I don't think its because I'm not strong enough for them, because on a flat release I am turning a 175 Surge over and can get it to fly on a straight line with a slight hyzer release. My question is, does it sound like my problem is a lack of snap, arm speed, both, or something else?

are you reaching way back to throw? also is the rhyno pretty old and beat in or is it new?

yes I try to reach back as far as comfortable, and the Rhyno is a still-new Champion Rhyno

I would recommend reading the articles on Blake's website (http://www.discgolfreview.com).

Yea, when I first was getting started I spent hours at discgolfreview.com reading up on all the information there, and it gave me a really good base to start with. I'm told my form looks good, and I'm satisfied with not being a huge arm, but I am fairly strong yet I get outthrown by weaker people whose form I can't see that much difference from mine and I can't figure out why.

My first question is in regards to weights.

Is your Rhyno heavy and the Surge light?

If you are only throwing 300ft, you really should not be turning over a Surge, that should be an overstable disc for you. I always recommend people throw the same weight in all their discs to learn the differences between them.

Secondly, you might be actually trying to over power your drives. On your Rhyno you are probably staying smooth, but when you take your driver you force through it and over tourqe the disc.

I do not know of any Pros in your area, but Dave Smith is a really good Advanced Masters player. He could probably help you out on the course if you asked him. He has the disc golf pull cart you can sit on.

The next best option would be to go to Blake T's website. Best of luck.

if you are snapping the rhyno and making it go straight then I would say you have good enough snap. I have a friend that has a short throw and he is the same way. My suggestion is to try to tighten up your throw. Try to not pull back so far and maybe just use a 3 step runup. Don't rush the throw but just make sure to pull through and not swing. I can't throw as far as I can when I'm trying to hard to do it. If that makes any sense. Just make sure your smooth.

my $.02

Is this like the blind leading the blind?

Yeah this is completely true. My farthest throws ever I was just trying to hit a line and it seemed effortless. Man I wish I lived in Bowling Green. It stinks that we only have one open field that is only 400ft long. It would be great to get out and boom shots everyday instead of throwing mids.

I would say that 90% of distance is technique, 5% power, and 5% physique. If you look at most big arms they are built similarly. But this does not mean that other physiques cannot throw far. I have seen all types and ages of players crack over 400ft.

Definately find someone who knows proper form and technique around you before you get too engrained in bad habits.

Blake's advice (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Board=Throwing Techniques&Number=199694&Searchpage=0&Main=199636&Search=true&#Post199694)

Is this like the blind leading the blind?



Exactly what I was thinking. This guy would be better off getting advice from someone who can actually see him throw.

Is your Rhyno heavy and the Surge light?




Actually the Rhyno is 171 and the Surge is 174.

I've played a couple of rounds with Dave Smith and I could definitely learn some things from him (and his pull cart is awesome!). I appreciate the feedback, I am probably trying to throw TOO hard with my faster discs as you suggested. Thanks.

As far as saying people who see me throw could help more, I understand that and I just wanted some feedback simply based on a technical description of my situation.

Just a blind suggestion. The thing that got me over my 300' stall was working with an optimizer (exercise resistance bands) while working on form. Not so much for the strength, but for the instant feedback on off plane motion. If you pull thru on a straight line, the band remains still, If you wobble up and down, or in and out,the band wobbles when tight.

You need to go through your throwing motion as much as the length of the band will allow. At the very least, set your feet as if you are coming out of an X-step with your shoulders and hips facing away from the target and your hand fully back (as far as your normal reach back). Work on keeping the band on the same line for the entire throwing motion, and keeping it just inches from your chest. Pay attention to having your hips leading the rotation, then your torso, and then shoulders. Do a few reps at slow speed for resistance, and a few at high speed for form.

The difference is now I throw (new)ROCs consistently to 300' without flipping them. I can throw my putters at high speed to over 200' and have them flat and on line the whole flight. My drives are much lower and flatter, still hyzer flips, but now only about 15' high. I get more distance with less energy. I still can't get beyond 400', but the 375' tight low shots are not scary anymore.

It also brought my release speed up from around 55 mph to above 60 mph in less than six months.

Here is a link to an affordable disc golf exercise tool / distance enhancement device that is used and endorsed by 11x World Champion Ken Climo: The Equalizer (http://www.discntucky.com)

That's what I meant, equalizer. Optimizer is a disc.

That Equalizer looks pretty cool, which color (tension) do you recommend that will be effective for me for a good amount of time?

The maker would probably be a better source for recommendatations, but I was using the red and blue (sometimes together).

I have a related, but slightly different problem. I throw my putter (KC 10x) 300', my control drivers (TLs) 350', and my distance drivers (Wraith, TeeRex) upwards of 400' but I can't really throw a midrange. I can get them farther than my putter, but with much less accuracy. For shots in the 305-340' range I don't feel I have a disc that fits, and I really think I should just be throwing my mids better than I am. Anyone have any tips for throwing mids?

I am fairly new to the game (7 months) but I think I am progressing really quickly. However, I have hit a plateau that I can't explain and don't know how to get past. I throw RHBH and I can throw a Rhyno 250ft on a straight line really consistently, but I struggle to throw drivers past 300ft consistently. I don't think its because I'm not strong enough for them, because on a flat release I am turning a 175 Surge over and can get it to fly on a straight line with a slight hyzer release. My question is, does it sound like my problem is a lack of snap, arm speed, both, or something else?



i'm guessing the problem is more rooted in consistency, especially with nose angles. if you are throwing a putter 250', that translates into ~310-350' of driver D (depending upon the driver).

from what you are saying, i'm guessing that on a good pull you do put your drivers into that range, it's just that you have a much lower execution % with drivers than with putters. if that is the case, that is natural for your stage in the game, especially if you are throwing super high speed wide rimmed drivers.

my advice is to pare down to a slower driver or two, e.g. dx gazelle, d cyclone, pro teebird-l, x xl, polaris ls, etc. and see if that increases your consistency. during the first year of play, while the potential is often there, the consistency often isn't.

i'd wager a guess that you are trying to throw too hard when you throw drivers.

if what i have written so far is not the case, then it is probably a matter of nose angles (not getting enough nose down with drivers).

also keep in mind that for a given amount of snap/velocity that you can generate, each disc will have a corresponding height that equates to maximum distance potential (think bell curve). below that height the disc loses some carry and above that height the disc loses penetration. you may be able to push your putter out farther if you can work the lines/heights.

also should add...

if you flip the majority of your drivers when you try and throw them flat, it sounds like you may need more weight forward on your throws to get more nose down with drivers (putters require less nose down to fly well).

hey i was checking the equalizer out and was wondering if there was another place to buy it. It's hard for me to send off sell slips like this with money order or check( dont have). I am over sea in Iraq. any help would be grate.

They have resistant bands at Academy, w/ at least 3 different strength levels. They have 2 handles on there bands but you can slide one through the other and make it one band. & they are only like $10.00!!!

Something else you can do to build forearm muscles is : Get a peice of 1" PVC about 12" long, Drill a hole through the middle. Then tie a rope through the hole and the other end to a 5 pound weight. Hold out in front of you and twist the pipe to lift the weight. Twist it up and down 3-5 times.

Here is a link to an affordable disc golf exercise tool / distance enhancement device that is used and endorsed by 11x World Champion Ken Climo: The Equalizer (http://www.discntucky.com)



hey i was checking the equalizer out and was wondering if there was another place to buy it. It's hard for me to send off sell slips like this with money order or check( dont have). I am over sea in Iraq. any help would be grate.



Email Fred Salaz direct at [email protected] and tell him your situation and i'm sure he will work with you.

Hey thanks for all the help.

Has anyone seen or read these books? There are 3 different ones for disc golf, & one for just about every sport you can think of...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maximum-Strength-Book-for-Disc-Golf_W0QQitemZ7231070392QQcategoryZ20851QQcmdZView Item

I'm thinking about getting the one for sumo wrestling.

I have a related, but slightly different problem. I throw my putter (KC 10x) 300', my control drivers (TLs) 350', and my distance drivers (Wraith, TeeRex) upwards of 400' but I can't really throw a midrange. I can get them farther than my putter, but with much less accuracy. For shots in the 305-340' range I don't feel I have a disc that fits, and I really think I should just be throwing my mids better than I am. Anyone have any tips for throwing mids?



What types of mids are you throwing? I'm going to assume a Roc/Buzz/Wasp type disc, since it seems most players use one of these. Do you get a clean release? Sometimes when switching from small diameter putters and drivers to a larger diameter midrange you have to adjust your grip so that the disc is orienting itself correctly out of your hand. Also, I think that it helps to throw stable and heavy mids so that you can throw them hard and flat. A beat Roc or other understable mid will flip up from hyzer, but not as quickly and predictably as some fast drivers. Also, understable mids are virtually useless in any wind except a tailwind. I throw my putters and drivers more or less the same distance as you, but I can get my mids out to 360' fairly comfortably and without as much armspeed as it would take with a faster disc. My favorite midrange is a max weight Champion Shark that started out new-Roc overstable and has broken in to a very straight disc with a forward dominant left fade. Star/SB Rocs break in to very nice stable flyers as well, but with the premium price tag. Hope this helps. :)

understable mids are virtually useless in any wind except a tailwind.



Ron Russell won his world championship with two mid-ranges in his bag: a comet and another comet.

A beat Roc is the most used disc in many golfers bags. Mid-ranges are very useful drivers when thrown with hyzer, plenty of spin, and less speed than for a fast driver.

Having trouble throwing mid-ranges: Play Catch!

Start at 170 ft. and throw smooth, flat, straight shots. Gradually move to longer distances striving for slow, dead-straight, floating shots. When your partner has to run to catch the disc, move back to shorter distances. When you're throwing pure at 250 ft., gradually bring on the power and stretch out the distance. Find your "golf" max D. (usually around 85% of absolute max)

If you've still got a gap between short rangers and long rangers try adding a Cyclone or Blaze to the bag.