This post will take you through all the throws you need to know in Disc Golf. Before you even think about acing the bucket you have to know the best way to get to there, and that of course is dictated by where your previous shot landed and what’s in front of you. Which is dependent on course design, tactics and weather conditions.
But first things first, let’s get to all the throws that will take you from Point A – the teepad, to Point B – the basket.
This piece will focus on the throws you can use in this game. If you are new to disc golf you’ll learn the names of the throws and there’ll be a description of each shot type, and how of course, to execute them.
I’ll provide a breakdown of what each of these shots mean, but if you want even more details I have more detailed analysis of each of the shot types on this blog.
Shot 1 – Backhand – The numero uno shot you will use in this golf. It is the most natural and powerful shot you can make. It’s exciting and comes natural to most players. The game has some great forehand players, but the majority of us are forearm dominant players. Assuming you are a right handed backhand thrower (RHBH) this is how it goes.
Execution:
To perform a backhand throw in disc golf, follow these steps:
The above backhand does not include a run-up, but the same principal applies during a run up.
Shot 2 – Forehand – The second most popular throw. Again this is from the point of view of a right handed player. Forehands are also known as sidearms or flicks, as they rely on much more of a wrist flick as a backhand. This is a RHFH (right handed forehand shot).
Execution:
Shot 3 – Hyzer or Hyzer Flip – This is from the point of view of a RHBH thrower.
For a RHBH thrower, a hyzer is a throw in which the top of the disc is tilted away from the thrower. This causes the disc to turn to the left almost as soon as it is released.
A hyzer shot in disc golf is a type of throw where the disc is thrown at an angle such that the leading edge of the disc tilts away from you as you throw. This causes the disc to initially fly to the left (for a right-handed backhand throw) or to the right (for a left-handed backhand throw) before it eventually turns over and flies towards the target.
A throw that curves the way opposite that of the throwing arm, i.e. left for a right-hand player or right for a left-hand player.
So why would you use a hyzer flip? When you want to throw long distance and you want the disc to fly straight for the longest possible time. If you were to release an understable disc with a flat release it will move over to the right and you will lose distance on your throw.
Fairway drivers will generally fly straighter than control drivers.
So if you where to hyzer flip an understable distance driver lets look at what will happen.
[If you want to make an overstable disc fly the furthest you have to put it on an anhyzer release. It’s all explained here.]
Some discs are more understable than others and if that’s so your disc will keep tuning (turn over) and keep going that way until it lands. If this happens grab another disc or put more hyzer angle on it, point it down a bit more than the previous throw, find the angle that is comfortable for you. Don’t go as extreme as 90 degrees.
If you have a disc that’s too overstable naturally its going to finish way left of the target.
For more accuracy on hyzer flips – Disc down to a fairway driver for much straighter tunnel shots.
Good Understable Hyzer flips disc to try
Driver – Prodigy D3 Max – high speed (12) distance driver – although it’s fast the understability can help newer players, Innova Roadrunner great for new players- has a good bit of turn (-4)
Fairway Driver – Legacy Patriot 7 speed disc with a lot of glide (5) good for beginners and up, or Innova Sidewinder – 9 speed – good when you want to transition up from beginner level
Mid-range – Westside Discs Tursas 5 speed beginner friendly, Discraft Comet straight as disc, good for beginners.
Shot 4 – Anhyzer – An Anhzer or Anny as it’s affectionally known as, will curve towards the same direction as the throwing arm, so for righties it will go right, and for lefties it’s gonna go left. And how exactly is an anhyzer performed? If you are to throw a RHBH then hold the disc so the nose is titled upwards and facing you.
Like with a hyzer, an anny does not describe a discs flight characteristics, but the angle of release.
Here’s how it goes with a RHBH shot
Shot 5 – S Shot
For an S-Shot, it works best with an understable disc. After a RHBH throw is released flat the disc will turn to the right. As the goes into the end it makes its way to the left. So if you look at the flight from above it will make a nice S Shaped curve. It can also be done on a hyzer line.
Here’s how it’s done.
The S-shot, also known as the S-curve shot, is a technique used in disc golf that involves throwing the disc with a specific trajectory that causes it to curve in the shape of an “S” as it flies through the air. This shot is used to navigate around obstacles and to hit difficult to reach baskets.
Here’s a basic tutorial on how to perform an S-shot:
Keep in mind that the S-shot takes a bit of practice to master and that it may take some time to develop the necessary control to consistently hit your target. However, once you have mastered the technique, the S-shot can be a valuable tool for navigating tricky holes and reaching difficult to reach baskets.
So what situations would you use the S-Shot for? For courses with a lot of trees, and to add distance to your shot.
Scenario 1 – Shot shaping is the initial step. The flex shot is ideal if you need the disc to make a sharp right turn to escape one obstacle (tree) and then quickly make a left turn to avoid another obstacle. You should learn and get good at this shot if you play a lot of courses that are in the woods.
Scenario 2 – Distance shots.
If you throw an overstable disc with a flat release, it will fly straight and then hyzer out, but if you push it out with an anhyzer release, it will bend and glide for a longer period of time. When you throw it higher, you get better results.
Now on to turnovers.
Simply put, a turnover shot in disc golf is a throw that starts out moving in one direction, but then curves in the opposite direction as it loses speed. This type of shot can be particularly useful when you need to navigate around obstacles or trees in order to reach the basket.
To create a turnover shot, you’ll need to throw the disc at an angle so that it starts to turn in the opposite direction of your throwing hand. For right-handed players, this means throwing the disc at a slight angle to the right, so that it will eventually turn to the left. For left-handed players, the opposite is true – you’ll need to throw the disc at a slight angle to the left, so that it turns to the right.
It’s important to note that the key to a successful turnover shot is not just the angle of the throw, but also the speed and power of your throw. If you throw too hard, the disc will simply continue on its original trajectory without turning. On the other hand, if you don’t throw with enough speed or power, the disc may not turn enough to avoid the obstacle you’re trying to navigate.
As with any disc golf shot, the best way to improve your turnover shot is through practice. Start by throwing your disc at a low power and gradually increasing your power until you find the sweet spot that produces the desired amount of turn. Once you’ve got the basics down, try experimenting with different angles and release points to see how they affect the flight of your disc.
In conclusion, the turnover shot is a valuable tool in any disc golfer’s arsenal. By mastering this shot, you can navigate tricky fairways with ease and improve your overall game. Remember to practice your technique and experiment with different discs to find the right combination for your style of play. Good luck out on the course!
| Throw | Definition |
|---|---|
| Backhand | this is the most common throw in disc golf, involves gripping the disc with the fingers on one side and throwing it with a flick of the wrist |
| Forehand | also known as a sidearm, this throw is similar to a baseball throw and involves gripping the disc with the fingers on one side and throwing it with an overhand motion |
| Roller | a throw where the disc is thrown low to the ground, with the intent of it rolling along the ground after it lands |
| Tomahawk | a throw where the disc is gripped vertically and thrown with a chopping motion, similar to a tomahawk axe |
| Thumber | a throw where the disc is gripped with the thumb on top, and thrown with a flick of the wrist |
| Hammer | a throw where the disc is released with a high, vertical trajectory and then falls steeply to the ground |
| Hyzer | a throw where the disc is released at a slight angle, causing it to curve to the left (for a right-handed thrower) |
| Anhyzer | a throw where the disc is released at a slight angle, causing it to curve to the right (for a right-handed thrower) |
| Flick | a throw similar to a backhand, but with a more pronounced wrist flick to generate extra power and spin |
| Turnover | a throw where the disc is released with a combination of hyzer and anhyzer, causing it to curve in the opposite direction of the initial angle. |
What is the Difference Between Discs that are Overstable and Discs that are Understable?
Spike Hyzers; When & Why You Need One
Throwing Analysis; Hyzer vs Anhyzer
Are You Throwing Those Rollers Correctly?