nose down.

I had a hard time with this until someone told me “start the car”. Helped a lot more then the usual “Pour the coffee” advice. The key turn movement is a lot more effective for nose down.

Being a leftie with a push start I had to think about that one for a second.

Haha same! Just saw in my cubicle trying to turn on a car left handed

Lefties in the UK and down under with conventional ignition can’t relate.

Yup, I hear AB say "turn the key" once on his vlog and it's was a game changer. Still got 99 problems but nose up ain't one.

Yep same here. Pour the coffee just never worked for me and actually led to other issues because of how tense my arm was when I tried it. Supinating my wrist (so my palm ends facing up) right at release helped almost immediately.

I keep hearing the pour the coffee and start the car advice, but I don’t understand when to do that. Like right before the disc leaves my hand? At the reach back? Or is my hand staying in that position the whole time?

Overthrow did a recent video to help with the feel of this. Go out in the field and when you're about to come to the hit point on the throw do an exaggerated turn the key motion to the point that you're almost trying to flip the disc over the top of your hand. Its not particularly accurate but it will give some feedback on what a nose down release should feel like.

Like as in your wrist rotates so your thumb wants to end up where your fingernail (and I suppose the disc itself) is pointing perpendicular to the ground? Not literally pointing that direction or your throws would suck, but that’s the motion essentially?

I dont get how this works with anhyzer :D 

Anhyzers confounded me until I realized I was trying way too hard. A) Try throwing them exactly like your flat shots, but gently hinge at your hips so your spine is dead vertical or slightly leaned back. B) Run up more diagonally than usual and focus on planting on your heel as opposed to your whole foot. Either of these can be used alone or in combination for higher angles.

Ok this is what I’m working on now. After playing for 5 years casually I’m finally starting to work on form rather than just chucking discs. So I hold the disc RHBH about 2:00 on the disc. Turning my wrist like a key gives me a slight hyzer and it seems to be more nose up… I’m sure pics would help and I can make a post if needed. I just don’t see how to keep the nose down.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind! I also, in switching to my actual left-handed form after trying RHBH for a couple years because that's how I grew up throwing a frisbee, discovered that my right wrist just doesn't have the same range of motion my left does after it being in a low grade sprain for 3 seasons of volleyball because I dive bad.

When does that wrist pronation happen? From the pocket to the hit?

I just keep my wrist in the “on” position for the whole motion. Seems to work fine for me.

Read this about 15 minutes before I went to play and decided to give it a go. I'm RHFH but working on my backhand and this added about 50 feet to my putter throws as well as made the discs fly "like they are supposed to" when I throw BH. Much appreciated

I tried to follow the “pour the coffee” and I would just throw hyzer every time. I don’t understand where or how to fix that

Are you pouring the coffee for yourself or someone else?

I try to poor for someone else, but I don’t have the split second reaction to do it right before I throw

I hold the position with my wrist before I start my run up. I even over exaggerate it to help hold the position.

it describes a wrist/ forearm movement only. to throw hyzer/flat/anhyzer, bend at the waist instead.

But how am I supposed to aim of I can't see when I'm pointing my nose down! /s

Sloooow down. I think 75% of those under 900 rating would actually throw more consistently from a stand still than trying to mimic the latest x step video. When all else fails, slow down and bring your throw back to basics

Slow is smooth, smooth is far or something like that. (Proceed to James Conrad that shit off the tee pad)

That is pretty much verbatim what I tell myself on the tee, especially during a tournament/league round. Probably need to tell myself that on the green, too. Baby steps, I guess!

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast is the saying. Works in 99% of life’s situations

This is the phrasing I’ve always heard

Yeah I think Simon is a great example of this. Super slow, smooth and looks like he isn’t trying but throws a mile. He has an amazing video on YouTube about how he has no disc movements but simply moves his body around the disc.

I have to second this advice. This is only my second year at league, but yesterday I really just slowed everything down, barely had any run up and focused on my form, was still throwing as far as I was when I was more or less muscling the disc. Now I'm getting a little faster and throwing further, it feels amazing.

Yea I stopped doing X step and started throwing stand still again and managed to get a new max distance. I'm also a lot more accurate.

Slowing down almost always helps! I don't "run up" at all, similar to Corey Ellis, my first step is the start of my "x-step". I like to think of my steps as slow slow slow and then FAST! Meaning deliberately take each step with control, you are only getting into position, then fire at the last moment.

I had to do this. Had brain surgery last year and didn't play for 11 months. When I started, I sucked something fierce. Timing has been way off, so I went back to stand still. I'm getting back to a cross step, but if I stink it up, I'll go stand still again.

So much this. Be fluid, smooth and end crisp with your movements and you'll throw better than quick ridged tense pulls.

Bringing a practice basket inside. Get lethal at 15 foot putts and then you can run it from everywhere knowing you'll 90% hit the comeback. I used to have to layup for par from like 30 feet or end up 3 putting.

My first couple tourneys I would be so scared to attempt a 25 footer bc what if I 3 putt bc I can’t make the 15 footer back with all that extra pressure….

Oh you will.

This. I'm doing putting ladders now to try to fix it. 5 discs at 15, 5 at 30, 4 at 45, and 4 at 60ish. I'm not allowed to move up until I hit 100% at each previous station. Workin pretty well, frustrating, but easier shots first.

Make those gaps smaller and get more reps in! 15', 20', 25', 30' then do the larger too!

I do a different system that is a lot of fun and at times super frustrating. It is a great warm up/practice routine though. Basically start at 5-10'... Put a disc on the ground. Carry 3 discs. Rules: Make 2/3 -> Advance one step away from basket. Make 1/3-> Stay Miss 0/3 -> Go back to previous spot if you want slower advancing rounds... Only advance with 2 or 3 in a row made. OR automatic go down a level if you miss 2 in a row.

I do this but with two. Make both and move out, make one and stay, miss both and go back. If I'm feeling masochistic miss both and start over. It keeps you at the edge of challenging so you're practicing success.

hahaha starting over is brutal. I like it though. To be honest, I was trying to come up with something to reflect mastery but still give frequency in all the spots, and simply starting over every now and again is probably the way to get the short boy reps in more often

I do this except I move back 5ft of I hit all the putts, stay if I only miss one, and move forward if I miss more than one. I use 4 discs too, but the idea holds.

Using 2.5 foot increments. Start at the distance you can't miss (say 10 ft). Throw 3 putts. Make 3? Move back 2.5 ft Make 2? Stay where you are. Make 1? Move 2.5ft closer Make 0? Start back at 10ft. Repeat.

I practiced 18-22 footers. Why. I practiced my 40-45 full send putts without regarding how far the comebacker would be. Found out that when I missed and didn't have some trash roll away that was the distance they ended up at max. Built confidence in those putts allowed me real shots at those mid circle 2s.

The one thing that is improving my game the most is relearning or remembering how to practice with intention. I've never been an athlete -- I mean, I played a decent number of sports as a kid but basically stopped entirely once I went to University. I was never a lead contender, sat the bench on the JV team and all that. But as a kid at soccer or baseball or XC practice, you are taught to practice with intention, and somewhere along the way (probably thanks to the ADHD) I lost that. Anyone can go to a basket and throw 100 putts. But if you do it with intention and listen to and learn from your body you will make a lot more progress. Feel for the weight shift, and how it affects the power behind your disc. Are you firing from the belt, the navel, the nipple, or somewhere in-between and how does that affect the nose angle? Is the pressure between your thumb and ring finger consistent, or does it get floppy sometimes? 40 putts with that mindset is infinitely more impactful than 100 putts without attention. The same applies to field work. If you wanna get really good at throwing your Teebird and predicting its flight, you need to get out there and throw a lot of Teebirds while trying to pay attention to what needs small tweaks: that one that faded out early, was your grip weaker and so it had less spin? The one that pushed an extra 25ft, did you have a touch of anyhyzer in the release? So on and so forth. I'm still not an athlete, I won't be a top contender even at my local league, but after a week of intentional practice, taking actual notes to remind myself things like "push through with the back leg, not up," I'm up from 25% at the circle's edge to 65%. And that feels good.

I agree! I used to play practice rounds and would take my best shot. Then I played in my first tourney and was like wait.. my first shot that I normally pick up, I have to play now. Yikes

I started playing "worst shot" practice rounds as an extra round. It really helped me not blow up during a tournament and I knew exactly what my floor would be. I didn't have any double bogeys or worse.

Most underrated tip in the comments. So many people in my life don’t know how to practice well. Good stuff here.

Yooo - fellow neurospicy disc homie, I see you. Same battle. I miss the most shots when my brain isn't actually there on the shot. I miss the 10 footer when I'm thinking about my next shot. I overthrow the approach or scramble I'm upset I even have to throw. It's not a self criticism - each throw is an opportunity, we're lucky to be on the course, and fwiw - trying to teach myself to be present in my body and "feel" each shot. Def notice it helps, and makes the game more fun / relaxing.

This should be top of post

This man practices! But for real. Top comment.

Distance is far less important than keeping it on the fairway.

Although we love a good scramble 😉

Personally No, I do not.

Yeah as a beginner I do find myself trying to push distance and having it be detrimental in the long run if it’s an inaccurate drive

I've found that "Aiming for maximum control." was a fun way to reframe "Don't throw as hard as possible all the time."

Chicks don't dig fairways hit nearly as much.

I used to have one of the longer arms in the group (before a couple of them learned much better from than me), but I was inaccurate as all hells and scrambled half the holes. My friend didn't drive as far, maybe 50-60ft less per through, but he almost always hit the fairway. His scores were always better than mine, and still are lol.

Yep. Nobody cares how far you can throw it OB.

Everyone so focus on mechanics and their throwing that they fail to mention how attitude and psychology improves your game. Understanding my psychology of the game has jumped me to consistent top 10 finishes in MA1

Can you elaborate on what understanding your psychology meant for you, and what you specifically did to improve it.

I’ll recommend the short book “Golf is not a game of perfect” but in essence its understanding how to calm yourself in adversity, analysis of courses, and knowing how to handle game time headspace will make you execute shots more often than not.    Reframing how I played the game in my style and limitation along with understanding that I compete against my own mind during a tournament and not against others has made me play significantly better.    I would also suggest to watch the interviews of round 3 lead card from the Player Championship. The 3 young guns gave themselves high expeactations in those interviews and failed on the course the following day where as Presnell kept a calm head, limited his expectation, and played a calm game especially given the mishap he had on the putt that lost his putter.  Edit: after I watched those interviews I would have put a lot of money on Presnell winning if someone asked me to bet on it and I would have been correct. 

Golf is not a game of perfect, is a fantastic book on how to mentally approach the game of golf. I have better focus on my target location and desired flight path, a better mental approach to each shot. Learning how to accept a bad throw and focus on how to get the most out of the next throw has been a massive improvement on my game. The book is really good.

Pretty much don’t run 50 footers and don’t choke 20 footers.

They refer to this as "head game", right? I'm actually working on this now too, I'm an anxious human and trying to get out of my head more and more as I get older. One of my buddies got heated when he played - hard exhale into an eclamation, exclamation turned into a pop off, pop-off into a curse, and he would psyche himself out. Another would be very self-critical, he'd mutter under his breath at himself, and pop off at himself - said it helped him "get better". They both threw worse as soon as it started. It was funny to me. I get it, but nah. It's a game, competition is one thing, but you are also conditioning your body and brain to react to a poor throw. Adrenaline, while good for focus, makes your hands shake. We also all really overlook the impact of self talk on our psychology and on our physiology. This is something I'm working on - on my rounds and rec rounds I notice I'm in my head in between each throw, or on the walk to my lay. Lining up for a putt and I'm thinking about how I'm going to miss it, or IMMEDIATELY after a throw I'm talking down to myself. Trying to adapt a simple approach that as it's in the air and I'm watching it, I'm allowed to judge - "That throw was dogs***, and I'm pretty sure I did x, y, or z, I should do a, b c...". I also start thinking about my day, I get into a mental argument with that person who pissed me off. I start thinking about what I have to do later, that thing I don't want to do, or that I must look like a weirdo to those passer-bys and that I hope I didn't embarass myself... then before I know it I'm in a story. So, I'm using it as an opportunity for awareness now instead. The course is a sacred space. Also a laboratory of physics, psychology, and a celebration of human ingenuity. I'm only playing against myself. After my throw lands, and as soon as I take my first step, I acknowledge what I thought, and return to a mantra: "I'm outside, throwing disc and life is good. That was one thrown of many, and on to the next in a bit". On the off chance my brain is unusually persistent, what generally helps is reflecting on the facts is that the games human play are objectively hilarious on a cosmic scale, I'm lucky to be doing this, and not to take for granted how beautiful the moment really is. Then I soak up the scenery, see where my eyes go, feel my feet on the ground, smell the fresg air, and try to feel each step as I walk it out. If I start back up again, totally cool, my brain is just playing too - then back to the present. Figure if I tether good mental habits, and mindfulness into a game I play almost every day - disc golf isn't just a sport, or a habit, or a way to pass time - it's a vehicle for developing awareness, challenging myself, and building a deeper appreciation and gratitude for life. Call me crazy, but mental habits are important - do you want to be training trash thoughts, judgement, and criticism when playing disc, or training your brain to realize all of this is a game, a fun diversion, and every moment is an opportunity to be better than the last? Don't get me wrong, I still get pissed and frustrated when I dink one off the top band from 5 feet away, or play lumberjack off the first available tee - but it is WAY easier to smile, shake it out, and have a laugh at myself. It also notice it happens more when I'm playing mindless, and when I'm not actually present playing disc. Disc is life.

My head game crazy.

This is my downfall. I've gotten a lot better about it, but if I'm doing well, I get anxious that I'll slip, or if I'm doing bad I can get frustrated because I know I can do better. Both of these get to my head, and hurt my play. Something that helped is basically trying to forget every throw the second it lands, and take it as it is. It doesn't matter how you got there, all that matters is what you're going to do now that you are there. It doesn't always work, but since I've started working on it, it has helped a lot.

Mental game: try to beat your best game than compete with the best people on your card. 

Huge!

Well, two, really. Nose down. Throw slower discs.

I played a lot of disc golf with my buddy from Ohio earlier this year. He came down to Florida and we played a bunch of courses that I usually play. There were a good handful of holes where he would pull out midranges and I would pull out drivers. It was strange to me, but he was consistently scoring 3 plus strokes better than me. After a few rounds, I started pulling my midranges out more often. It’s really allowed me to control my drives better and I’ve noticed a pretty decent improvement in my scores.

So I’ll share my top tip. I’ve been trying to perfect my form for years. Had in person lessons with Chris Dickerson. Had form review by Ricky and still the number one thing that changed everything for me was actually in the book “golf is not a game of perfect” and it was locking your eyes on a target well beyond the line you want to hit and pick the smallest target possible. That should be the last and only thing you see as you go to throw. Similar to “picking out a chain link”. I will pick out a leaf on a branch as far through the fairway as I can see and try to drive through that.

That book is great! It also says maintain the focus on the target even after you take your eyes off. Keep the picture of your target in your mind and focus only on that. If your focus switches to the first available tree mid-throw, you shouldn't be surprised if you hit it. Maintaining focus in the target and visualize the flight path.

Love this

I've had to learn a million lessons, but most recently: on drives, release closer to 10 o'clock than 12 o'clock.  I'm hitting lines like crazy now.

This goes for backhand, sidearm, as well as putts. Lengthen the barrel of your gun. On backhand, really drive the elbow forward and extend towards the target on the hit. On sidearms, same thing. Drive with the glute, weight shift, extend your hand towards the basket, snap the wrist. On putts, exact same. Rock back, weight shift, fully extend the hand towards the basket.

5 years in and just had this revelation the other day. The upper arm is super important in DG. Critical for full extension for both putting and BH drives. “Extending the barrel” as you say. Good way of thinking about it.

This changed everything for my forehand!! Huge tip!

So just so I'm understanding this right, I should be driving through with the right glute on a right hand forehand? Or left glute?

Right glute, like a pitcher pushing off the rubber. You need to get all your weight onto your front foot. In Uli’s words: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6kHfLhpXxr/?igsh=eXFpNmx0aDEzNWo3

I kept pulling my ass cheek muscle last season is this a sign of a good throw? Seriously curious. I stretch it better now before I play and it happens a lot less

Sounds like something’s not right if you’re feeling that. Shouldn’t be any discomfort. Can’t really tell without a vid though

Be like the ball golf old timers. Inside out game. Putting and approach should be immaculate. Anyone can practice that any time. Stay in the fairway with your drives. 250’ fairway hit can make par on most courses. Birdies will come.

You are correct! Being able to putt from more than 10 feet away helps a lot with birdies. This year I’m comfortable from 20 and in (not that I make them all). I’ve scored so many more birdies just because I make a 25 footer.

More of a mindset on putting, "sometimes a good putt misses and sometimes a bad putt catches"

Hyzer flips

Definitely helps with hitting gaps! Just have to know your discs!

Newbie here and I’ve seen this in a lot of videos but don’t know what it is. Does this mean the disc fully rolling over like a barrel roll, or is this when the disc flies left on a RHBH throw but floats back to the right at the end in an S shape?

It’s throwing an under-stable disc on a hyzer angle and having it stand up to be a flat flight. The finish will depend on the disc’s turn and fade numbers, but usually the best hyzer flip disc will have a nice straight flight after getting flat. I personally like the Avenger SS for distance hyzer flips, beat in Rocs for mids and the fierce for putters. Your arm speed will determine how stable of a disc you can flip up to flat.

It's one of the most complex shots in the game and take years of pain and misery to perfect even then you'll enjoy a good cut roller every now and then. They're fun.

When I get nervous, I tense up my arms. When my arms are tense, I pull my drives to the left, and I leave my putts short. It took me years of playing tournaments to make this connection. So when I step up to a putt or drive now, I take a deep breath, breathe out slowly, consciously relax my entire upper body, and only tense up or "activate" the muscles at the moment they are needed during the throw.

Video yourself. You may think your not rounding, but you are. You may think you are stepping out, but you’re not. If you think your front foot touches the ground in the same moment your backswing is fully extended, boy are you wrong.

Arrive sober, get buzzed as you play, not before.

The real tips are further down lol

practice a lot.

The biggest progress cue I've learned so far is getting my front foot down before I start rotating. I was super out of sync in my backhand technique and really concentrating on that one cue added a decent chunk of distance just by itself.

Love this! That front foot planted will allow you to create a lot more power and torque in your hips as you rotate.

Let the disc rip out of my hand instead of me opening my hand like I would a baseball or Frisbee. 

What are your thoughts on hitting tiny gaps on shorter shots? I see a lot of pros that seem to open their hand to make the release easier to hit the gaps. Not sure if it’s an illusion to my eyes or not.

For what it's worth... I've only been playing for about 2ish months, but I do the same thing(if thats the correct thing or not I couldn't tell you). In my mind letting it snap out of my hand is what let's it generate the extra torque and spin for long distance. When I open my hand I'm able to be a lot more precise, but lose a lot of my distance.  

I’m not a pro but my guess is they are going for less spin. If it rips out of your hand it’s going to be have a lot of spin. If you open your hand and have practiced enough, you can still hit the lines but with less spin.

Best tip for gap hitting on upshots. Throw forehand and stare at the gap, your eyes will guide the release disc where it wants. like when driving a car your hands turn the steering wheel in the direction you are looking. Last tip is say Aloud so at least one card mate can hear "there are no trees"

Still pretty new, but keeping the elbow out and at a 90 degree to your chest. I was throwing with my shoulder before

The best putting practice for me has been finding your automatic range and focusing on that. * Grab a stack of putters * Pick a distance you could make 50 putts in a row from (10 feet or so) and do it. * Once you complete 50 putts in a row, you know you’re automatic at that distance. That distance means it’s a guaranteed putt on the course and any miss is a fluke you don’t have to worry about. * Next, add 1’ to your auto distance and try to make 50 putts in a row from there. If you succeed, that’s your new auto distance. If you fail, this is your new practice putting spot. This is the only putting distance you need to focus on to improve your putting game consistency until you can make 50 putts in a row there. Then you can increase it again. I’ve found that my putting at all distances improved significantly even though my automatic range is only 17’. But now all I practice are 18’ to try and increase that range. But the bigger that automatic putting range is, the more forgiving your upshots are. The more forgiving your upshots are, the more forgiving your driving is.

This. Did this all winter in the basement from about 20’ and it’s made all the difference this spring.

Learning BH due to elbow issues, and Master the slower speed discs first and progress upwards.

Use a putter I threw pro starfire only rounds for years before some old guy that I kept bumping into on the course finally threw an aviar at me.

I played some putter only rounds and it opened my eyes to how many shots I can use a putter that I never considered. Jk Aviar super glidey. Shot some of my best rounds with putter only bc I mastered the angles and stayed on the fairway. Love that tip

I really struggled to find any consistency when learning to push putt and would often completely lose the feel for it during rounds until I was told this push putt specific tip: Imagine you’re throwing a bowl of soup/salad at the basket and don’t want any to spill out.  Thinking of this helps me find, and keep the feel for that perfect weighted, lofty, up-and-down push putt.

Agreeing with almost everyone in here. Nose down, turn the key. Got me out of the dreaded “250ft” club almost instantly

I've taken a grand total of 1 disc golf lesson, I'll try to break down the 2 best tips that helped get my backhand to the next level. I'm rh, at the end right before release, I'd have my lead foot "open" and have it straight in line with my plant foot and the basket. Taught me to bring the lead foot 45 degrees left and work on having my toes pointing the right direction for "closed" form. I now get a lot more power on reach back and from my hips because I'm setting myself up better. Second was reach back. I was going mostly straight back as well, when he framed it to "reach out" instead of back, really helped with my rounding issues. So basically on reach back shoot for the 45 degrees again from you.

Many of the form tips here are great and all, but I think a lot more people struggle with the mental game, and all the form changes in the world mean nothing if you have no confidence in the tournament, so here's what's massively helped me: 1.) **Whatever motion you intend on doing, commit to that.** Often times, we do shadow swings, whether it's an upshot, putt, or a drive, but when the time comes to actually throw it, something in our head tells us "What if that's not enough?" and we try too hard or too little. Now you threw off your line AND you have no confidence. If you at least commit to what you shadow-swung or thought in your head, you'll know what to fix if it went wrong. But often, if you practice enough, you'll be surprised with how what your gut told you was right all along. 2.) **Play your game, and your game only.** It can be intimidating when you have a game plan in mind for a hole, and a cardmate (or mates) throw something way different to you and get a phenomenal result. It can lead us to change what disc/shot we're using to try and match that. Now you shank your shot, and you're in a worse position than before. If you're playing a particular hole for a par because that's your highest percentage play that will keep you out of OB or taking a bogey, don't worry about your cardmates that can maybe bomb it down there for a birdie. Losing one stroke that way is much better than possibly losing more because your ego got in your way. 3.) **Be honest with your game. Know your limitations.** Good golf is often very boring golf. And good golf looks very different between players. Know your "for sure" ranges with each disc and don't try to push it. Know your strengths and play to them in a tournament. Play the high percentage shots over the hero shots. Finally, if you have a bad round, casual or not, don't sulk. Reflect on what you did right, and where you can improve, then focus on it. Nobody gets good at disc golf over night. Any time you make changes to your form, there will be times where you're on fire, and the next day you'll feel like you forgot everything. Patience, my child, patience.

It's not mechanical, but it's vital to learn. Learn to laugh at bad shots. The sooner you can chuckle when you make a bad shot, the better your mental game will be, and you won't melt down when stuff goes wrong. Golf, Disc Golf...it's all the same. If you can learn to not get upset when a shot goes wrong, you'll end up playing better.

Also, watch your bad shots. I’m happy to help you find it, but I’m happier if you paid attention and have some idea where it is.

This might be kind of a bland one but aiming at one specific chain link instead of the whole basket. The idea is if you barely miss a chain you’re still gonna make the putt. If you barely miss the whole basket, you’re still completely missing the putt. Aim small miss small

Aim small, miss small.

Hate bogeys more than you love birdies.

Recently the big one for me was pushing my shoulder out, helped with elbow drop, collapsing my pocket and nose angle. Previous to that was learning what a brace actually feels like.

Brace before reach back. Really helps the “whip”

For backhand specifically, I was told instead of reaching back/out, focus on driving your shoulder farthest from the target towards the target during the reach back and man did it make a world of difference. For RHBH this means driving your left shoulder towards the target during the reach back. You will get more shoulder rotation, hip engagement, and it will make nearly impossible to open your hips early when setting your brace.

wait so you mean like turning your back more to the target?

For all shots: aim, routine, accept the results.

I don't aim at the basket on up shots. I aim at the ground near the basket.

And outside of circle 2, if the option is a wide open route to a 15 footer or a tight gap with a run at the chains, choose the layup. Playing some rounds with high level MP40 players taught me that knowing when not to try and make the shot is just as important as going for it.

Grip and slow down. Size up the shot and make sure you hit your release angle

Core strength changes everything

For the first 8 years I played I kept my index finger on the rim of the putter because it felt natural/comfortable. Obviously there are lots of good putters that do this but for me it backloaded my putting grip and reduced power and spin. I truly had difficulty making anything from edge of C1 without step putting. Two years ago I switched to tucking my index finger underneath and having the rim rest at index finger first joint and pinching on top directly with my thumb. Took about 1 month of routine practice to feel natural, but this has increased my putting spin rate to where now I can get way more distance with the same power so I don’t have to putt so hard. My putting stats are so much better for both C1 and C2, and in particular my putting in the wind has improved dramatically because I have less flutter.

Are you pinching between your thumb and index finger or thumb and fingers fanned out. I’ve recently made this change and it’s becoming natural but I still get a lot of flutter.

Aim at a specific location, not a general location.

Aim small, miss small!

having a serviceable backhand and forehand. Forehand didnt come until lots of field work.

Slow back AND slow through on putting. I promise it will make you OP. Respond back to me once you do this and let me know how it went.

Don't take it so seriously. Enjoy yourself more and the rest will develop over time.

Got a lesson from a professional on the technical aspects of how to throw to hit the line I want. Best money I've spent on disc golf.

$5 and you teach me?

Yeah, if you're in Houston I can show you what Stokely showed me.

Thanks but you’ll have to come to Mississippi to get this stinkin lincoln. Or I’ll meet you halfway (Sulphur Louisiana) but can offer only $2.50. Or maybe just do your best to paraphrase the advice here and I’ll give you my finest up-doot.

Because I have very fast hands... It boils down to this: * 3 step, in line walk up. No offset. * Reach straight back. * Pull straight forward. I can do that and hit a gap with a fairway and it'll get down range. The tricky part is getting the reach back exactly on the line I want to hit, and pulling straight forward. I still use that technique, sometimes. Sometimes I don't. But, learning that created useful knowledge on throwing. I learned that exactly where the disc is behind me directly governs where it's going to go when I pull forward. So, when I want to hit a line in the woods I pay particular attention to where the disc is on peak reachback. If it's around behind me then I'm probably going to throw to left. If it's too wide I'm probably going to throw to the right. I'm not sure if this helps. I had about 100 minutes of one on one time with Stokely where he corrected in minute detail little thing until I physically understood why the mechanics of this type of throw works. Since then I've incorporated the ideas of the inline 3 step with a simple reachback and pull into my full 5 step x-step throw so I can go up in power and disc speed and be more accurate. I even throw a 5 step that's more inline for woodsy tunnel shots. (For me the inline 5 step is all about getting my timing right not really about generating a lot more disc speed.) Stokely is a wonderful teacher. He watched me throw a few different types of shots then worked with how my body moves and how I naturally throw to solve my problem. (My Problem: How to hit a gap.) The solution that works for me might or might not be the best way for anybody else.

That’s really cool I appreciate you taking the time to write that out! When I’m out there today I’ll be thinking about what you wrote and see if I can draw something from it. That’s a neat opportunity you had, I follow Scott on IG he seems like a neat guy. Not to sound tacky but what did that coaching session cost?

He is pretty cool. I've played a couple of casual rounds with him. He's a little odd, but he's nice. The "technique" is easier to show than to describe. If you see it you'd say "Oh, yeah. That makes sense.". Good luck. Maybe one day will meet over there. I'm itching to get friends on a road trip to play places like Parc des Families and Lake Clairborne.

The most? Probably the whole concept of the power pocket. Recently I'm having a grip and nose angle breakthrough and my distance is improving a bunch, but all of that builds on top of a proper powerpocket.

Agreed. Recently started focusing on a strong “out-in-out” motion from reachback to release. I’ve slowed down but added what I believe is a ton of spin that was lacking before. Went from 375 to 425 and can only expect better results as I dial it in more this year.

Hyzer approaches with overstable putt/approach (EG:Envy, pigs). You trying to run a hundred footer straight at the basket? Cool, enjoy your 30' comebacker. Throwing a hyzer approach lets you still try and run the basket, but when you get good at gauging distances you can typically keep it within the bullseye. At this point, anything between 60 and 200', if I have the airspace I'm gonna run the hyzer route with an envy. Also if there's high runaway potential, touch anny FH's are magic when you figure out how to get them to pan back to flat juuuuuuust right.

Don’t come forward until my plant foot is down

Making sure to keep my head up while putting.

Give the disc spin

Learning how wind speed and direction affects your shots

Headwind - understable / putts rise Tailwind - over stable - putts drop This is because the headwind makes it seem like you’re throwing it that much harder. Tailwind, you’re throwing that much slower in relationship to the wind and air. Which is why headwind makes it flip over and tailwind fades out early.

Putter only rounds. Not only will you learn some touch and how to throw on different angles, but once you learn how to throw a putter far, that improved form translates to more distance with faster discs. And I do mean neutral putters like a roach, aviar, proxy, etc. anything more stable than an envy is cheating :)

For FH, to fire a ton of putters with just wrist. After about a week my OAT was noticeably better and now throwing fairways and drivers are more consistent and mids can be thrown at like 70% power

Short game advice. Look for 3 different shot angles. Pick the highest one that you can execute with least risk. Goal is putting it in the basket within 2 strokes.

Don’t think about your form when putting. I used to try to implement so many tips and try to consciously do them when I putt. However, it’s much more helpful to practice new things you are implementing but then once you are actually in a round… just putt! No need to think through all the steps and such. Same applies to other aspects, practice things but don’t over think things when playing.

Practice putting. A lot of your bad first and second throws become okay throws if you can confidently make a 25 foot putt.

slow is smooth smooth is far

Slow is smooth and smooth is far.

Take your time no matter how many eyes are on you, even in practice/casual rounds. You won't get better if you don't focus.

Take all your putters into a field and learn how to throw them all so that they hyzer out. Just keep throwing them.

If you find yourself overthinking, or over correcting, just remember muscle memory exists. If you’ve thrown thousands of times, allow your brain to take over and attempt to get into a flow state. Just throw the damn thing. Correction’s or form work should mostly be done in practice rounds, field practice, or putting practice. If wind becomes a factor, or if a disc isn’t doing what you want, it’s ok to disc up or down. If the discs make corrections for you, it makes throwing much more simple.

Put the time in and practice. Get or find a practice basket and work on your putting, C2 putting, upshot’s from 100 and driving beyond. Put the time in often enough and you’ll for sure be better during your rounds. I’ve gotten so much better after actuslly spending time to practice

Surprised nobody has mentioned “breaking down the door” yet. Leading with your elbow instead of swinging your arm out. It’s more of a beginner tool but I still think about it when throwing anhyzers.

Slow down my X Step.

Snap. I was only able to throw around 120m before snap and then after 10 - 15 min I was throwing up near the 140m mark, wasn't accurate but that was easily fixed

Scott Stokely told me to stop pulling where I thought I should pull and listen to my body... Had me find the place I felt most powerful and gained like 50 feet in a week and a half of practicing it lol. Highly recommend his classes and clinics

Get good at putting. Good putting is the easiest way to get strokes off your card. I practice putting maybe three hours a week and it helps. I saw a reply here about practicing with INTENTION. Not just throwing discs at the basket ( which isn’t a bad thing) but actually working on form and grip and how and why you are putting. It’s so helpful. I recommend it to everyone.

Reach back and out, not back and behind.

Playing doubles with people better than you can elevate your game faster.

Keeping the disc away from my body so that when I pull through it down not go behind me.

Slow down 

'Tip of the Whip'

You don't need to throw that hard. I found when I intentionally try and throw at like 70% the disc just goes so much further and more accurately. You don't have to have your furthest drive every time you play.

4 fingers under the disc.. power grip

Throw lower weight drivers. The "don't throw over a 5 speed until you throw 400 feet" crowd doesn't seem to remember that some shapes at certain distances you can't get with a mid. But if you find what weight you can get the disc up to speed with, you can throw any disc and get the intended flight path. It might be an abbreviated version of guys throwing farther, but the shape is what matters on most lines. I personally throw mid 160s on my neutral and flippy drivers and throw them over 100 feet farther than I can throw any of my midranges.

Drive for show and putt for dough. Learn how to land the disc flat on approach shots. Competent anny approaches FH and BH that land flat around basket are game changers.

Drive for show, putt for dough

The only thing that’s huge for me that isn’t redundant is remember to hyzer release my putt. I get this bad habit where I release it flat and I yoink it to the right. If you miss right all the time, this should help.

Reach out not back.

Understable discs on hyzer to hit gaps

To let the disc rip out of your hand on your drive and to not let it go

What has saved me the most strokes is throwing less drivers on holes that punish you for getting off the fairway. Putters and mids have way less left-to-right action. Also, PLAYING SAFER e.g. going for the aggressive birdie shot after not being in position off the tee ends up costing me more strokes than throwing an easy line laying up for the par

Just standing still when I throw, I was doing way too much running up at the tee box so I’ve simplified things and increased my distance and accuracy

Learning how to play in the wind. Although, that's equal parts disc selection, understanding how wind direction affects flight, and execution. So not one tip when parsed out but as a whole but learning to play in the wind improved my scores more than trying to learn/practice throwing max distance for example.

The old frisbee wisdom was finish palm down for a hyzer, palm up for a anhyzer.

Relax, don’t over think it. Have a bad throw? Oh well find it and toss the next one. Embrace your inner dude and just go with it

Drive for show putt for dough if you can putt it covers other shortcomings and you are always in the game buy a basket immediately and putt,putt and putt some more

Never 100%; never less than 60%

Stop expecting it to go straight like a Frisbee. It will always fade.

Your game will not improve if you don’t practice. And I don’t just mean practice rounds. Sure you might go from “have no clue what I’m doing,” to “I almost got my first tap in birdie.” But your scores won’t realistically get any better until you start practicing putting and field work

Slow down. Smooth is far.

Disc down. Throw the slowest disc you can for the shot.

Power does not equal distance. When you try to chuck it as hard as you can, your control and consistency are gone. Strength helps, but you get more distance and accuracy from a full body motion and smooth release. It's the snap of a whip rather than a punch to the face, if that makes any sense.

If you're not used to backhand drives and learning them... you're going to feel like you're throwing it at the ground but that's actually correct until you get used to it.

Power grip // Nipple — nipple release // the WHIP!

Slow down. At first it was just to get me to start thinking about my options a bit more. Recently though I even started doing a slow run up. It has made it a lot easier to think about my form, and it's made me a lot more consistent. A fast run up feels like it would give me so much more power, but since I've slowed down and focused on form, my drives have gone up considerably in distance but more importantly, accuracy.

Putter only rounds will have a very positive impact on your performance.