Backhand Grips

Mid-ranges/Putters – Modified Fan Grip

The Modified Fan Grip is mainly used on Mid-Range Drivers and Putters due to the increased depth and rim height on the under side of these discs. This grip provides a firm and more secure handling of the disc as compared to the Power Grip because it allows your fingers to spread out along the bottom side of the flight plate. The Power Grip is rarely used on deep-dish Mid-Range discs or Putters because it creates a loose grip on the disc in the hand, greatly reducing accuracy and control on throws.

I use the Modified Fan Grip because it allows me to have more of my hand on the disc at all times while providing more control with the fingers on the underside of the flight plate. At the same time, this grip produces a cleaner release out of the hand with less wobble and finger drag due to the fingers not being curled up underneath on the rim. With the fingers not putting pressure directly on the rim, the disc is able to release out of the hand without the timing issue of uncurling the fingers before the throw.

The Modified Fan Grip is very basic, I place the disc on the mid-line palm of my hand, wrapping the fingers around the underside of the disc and positioning my thumb on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the top flight plate of the disc. The heel of my palm is raised off the top of the disc to reduce drag and to increase the speed of release. This time, instead of curling the fingers around the rim, I just slide the fingers back allowing them to spread across the under side of the flight plate providing more stability in the handling the disc before release. Remember, when throwing those approaches or short drives with Mid-Range discs or Putters, accuracy becomes critical and this grip will help immensely.

See photos for grip examples:

Drivers– Power Grip

The grip that is used to start almost every hole in golf is the grip you use with your driver to get maximum distance with control. The standard grip used by many of the World’s best players is the “Power Grip”. Using the Power Grip on a driver allows the thrower to generate more rotational spin when compared to the variety of other grips used. This grip provides a more secure handling of the disc that really keeps the disc firmly in the palm of your hand. The benefit of this is that it does not allow the disc to slip out of your hand, greatly reducing the chance of ERS (Early Release Syndrome) and mis-throws.

I first started using the Power Grip when throwing rollers because it allowed me to produce a more powerful ripping of the disc while pulling the driver down to a roller angle. It made sense to do this since I was gripping the disc harder and that allowed me to be able to throw the disc harder as well. This grip was then transitioned to all my backhand driver shots due to the increased velocity that was generated which then translated to more distance off the tee.

The mechanics of the Power Grip are simple. I place the disc on the mid-line palm of my hand, wrapping fingers around the under side of the disc and positioning my thumb on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the top flight plate of the disc. The heel of my palm is raised off the top of the disc to reduce drag and to increase the speed of release. The fingers are then tucked and curled on the bottom rim, the index finger (first) and the little finger (fourth) pads of the fingers lay flat against the rim with the middle finger (second) and ring (third) fingers being slightly curled so that the tips of the fingers are touching the inside rim of the disc. The reason the middle two fingers are curled is that they are slightly longer then the others.

See photos for grip examples:

Forehand/Sidearm Grips

Midrange/Putters – Standard Sidearm grip

The Standard/Traditional Sidearm Grip is used by many of the games top Pros for short upshots or save shots around obstacles on the course. This grip allows the player to produce a shot with fine touch and accurate upshots that finish with the opposite fade as compared to the backhand. So if the player is right-handed, their sidearm shot will finish to the right. I say fine touch or accurate upshots because it takes a smooth, controllable release of these discs to produce a successful shot.

I started shorter range forehand shots with Mid-Range and Putter Discs well before progressively stepping up a level throwing sidearm for Driver shots. It is important to learn the angles of release and timing of the shot to get the feel on how you want to release the disc and how you intend the disc to fly. This grip is a must know for players wanting to take their game to the next level.

The grip is unique for the fact that the disc is resting in the throwing hand to that same side of your body with the index and middle finger placed on the underside of the disc with the thumb positioned on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the flight plate. The disc is tucked back in the hand and fitted into the webbing of the hand between the thumb and index finger. The index and middle fingers are extended and positioned to where the pad of the middle finger rests against the inside rim. The index finger lies next to the middle finger and is used to support the angle of the disc from the underside of the disc. The Ring and Little finger are extended and rest on the front edge of the disc, they remain there for support and are bent out of the way right before the disc is released.

See photos for grip examples:

Drivers – Sidearm Power Grip

The Forehand/Sidearm Power Grip is a modification of the traditional sidearm grip but offers a more firm and secure handling of the disc. The major difference is the positioning of the index (pointer) finger placed behind the middle finger instead of in front of it on the underside of the disc with the pad of the middle finger placed on the inside rim. The middle finger is the major component in this grip as the disc will push off and release only from that finger during the throw.

I started to use this Forehand Power Grip after watching the best forehand thrower in the game, Scott Stokley, just throwing some sidearm bombs on the course. I mainly use this grip because it allows me to throw the disc farther and with more control due to this tighter grip on the disc while throwing forehand shots. As with the backhand Power Grip, I am able to grip the disc a lot harder, therefore being able to throw it harder as well.

The grip closely resembles the traditional forehand grip as the disc is held in the throwing hand to the same side of the body with the index and middle finger placed on the underside of the disc with the thumb positioned on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the flight plate. The disc is tucked back in the hand and fitted into the webbing of the hand between the thumb and index finger. The Middle finger is extended and positioned to where the pad of the finger rests against the inside rim. The index finger is bent and placed behind the middle finger, and positioned to where the pad of the finger rests against the rim as well. The index finger provides a more secure grip and helps add more rotation to the disc when thrown. The Ring and Little finger are extended and rest on the front edge of the disc, they remain there for support and are bent out of the way right before the disc is released.

See photos for grip examples:

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The key to a strong mental game is to realize what you need to do in order to score well on the course. It’s best to not let the mind stray from what you set out to do at the start of the round, play consistent and as mistake-free as possible. You don’t want to ever lose focus when the situation shifts to less then ideal. The best way to develop a strong mental game is to not let errant shots and missed opportunities affect your next shot or your round. The strongest mental games are also attributed to the players that are the most patient and confident in their abilities on the course.

With that, there are many different pieces that add up to a complete mental game. For example, I prepare for tournament rounds by strategizing how I am going to play every hole by mentally walking through the course shot for shot. I try to think about where I what to ideally place every tee shot and every approach through an entire round. This has proven to really help me when the tournament starts and I feel that I that I know what I need to do in order to win. Once the tournament starts, I find that there are two different things I have to deal with mentally; my throwing and the people I am playing with.

When I am getting prepared to throw, my concentration is on different things depending on the type of throw that I am preparing for. I really try to focus on going through the basics of the technique, being patient and not trying to force anything that might cause an errant shot. During putting I try to concentrate on shifting my weight from back to front while extending my arm and reaching for the basket. During approach shots I concentrate on the speed of the disc coming into the basket, the angle of release and keeping the disc within 20 feet of the basket on all upshots. During driving I try to concentrate on hitting the right of angle of release whether it is on a hyzer, straight or anhyzer line and gauging the power needed to throw an accurate drive.

As for dealing with players in my group, it used to really shake me up early in my Disc Golf career when a player in my group was difficult to play with. I have learned to keep my distance from them and really focus on what I need to do on the course in order to score well. I have sometimes even used their negative emotions to increase my intensity during the round. I think the best thing to do is to really concentrate on the task at hand and play your game to the best of your ability in all situations.

Another thing that I keep out of my head is how other players are performing. I am never concerned with other player’s scores unless it is coming down to the final holes when I am battling it out for a win. I don’t think that concerning myself with others scores does anything positive for me during a tournament because in reality I know that I can only score so well on every hole on the course. It can only take my focus away from what I need to do in order to score well and play my best in a tournament. If someone plays better then your best that weekend, they deserve to win.

So remember, keep your mind on the basics and what is in your control. Letting other things or other people into your mind just distracts you from maintaining your mental game. I have always loved to play at any time, but I know that I play my best disc golf when I have that tournament feel and can maintain my intensity and focus.

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One of the most defined skills of any professional player is the ability to throw accurate and precise approaches in any situation. These shots are most helpful when playing long holes that are just out of reach off the tee or in certain predicaments following errant drives on wooded holes when a stroke-saving shot is required.

The properly thrown approach shot can ease the tension and stress of having to make a long putt to save par, as well as reduce the number of strokes recorded on the scorecard.

It may be one of the most routine shots in disc golf to execute when compared to drives and putting, but quite possibly the most important shot that you have to perform in order to score well on the golf course.

There are a variety of situations that require different approach shots, but here are some general things to remember in any upshot situation:

Proper alignment – Always face the target or intended flight path (gap) of choice when throwing toward the basket.

Solid stance – Balanced foot placement with lead leg (same side as throwing arm) behind mark or lie. Or when straddling out on a lie the use of either leg is preferred.

Body positioning – Position body with slight turn in stance to ensure smooth and fluent arm swing. Always make enough room to complete a full throwing motion by sometimes straddling out from the mark depending on the lie off the fairway.

Disc selection – Choose a disc depending on the shot (whether stable-left or understable-right for a right-handed thrower) to be a controllable midrange or putter. A driver can be used if thats what the shot calls for in low ceiling or skip shots situations. I prefer putters for shorter range shots because they are easier to control and shape the flight path depending on the shot. They also stay close to the basket when landing due to their slower flight and deeper rim.

Throw and release – A smooth, fluent arm swing toward the target with control and touch appropriate to the shot that is being executed is important. The release should be deliberate and the timing needs to be precise when maneuvering through objects on the way to basket. Remember to either power up or down or the shot depending on elevation changes and always determine the speed at which you want to throw in order to keep the shot close to the target.

Follow through – Ensure the flight of the disc is on line. The follow through may be shortened or obscured in certain situations when trees or other object are near. Use caution and make sure to quickly stop the arm swing after the release of the disc to avoid hitting objects on the follow through.

The ability to throw accurate approaches and upshots will make the difference in everyone’s game and is guaranteed to improve round scores. I recommend playing as much catch as possible to get in lots of repetitions along with learning shot timing and release angles. Practice is key to being great at anything, so get out there and practice throwing those approaches and upshots. Good Luck!

For more Pro Tips go to: Flyingdiscmagazine.com

Always glad to receive questions, drop me a line.

9/15/08

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