Disc golf is a fun and inexpensive outdoor sport that originated in the US in the 1960s. Instead of using a real golf ball, players throw a ‘disc’ from a tee pad into a basket in the middle of the course. The player’s goal is to get their disc into the basket in the fewest number of throws or strokes possible.
To be successful at disc golf, the player must have good disc throwing technique and an understanding of the rules. This includes avoiding out-of-bounds throws, which are marked by the placement of an arrow or tree stump that must be passed to the opposite side of the playing field. In addition, the player must avoid water hazards (semi-circular areas of standing water or mud on the ground that cannot be seen from the tee pad) because these can sink the disc and cause it to go out of bounds.
There are two basic techniques for throwing a disc, the backhand and the forehand. Both techniques have pros and cons, but they help improve a player’s overall throwing skills.
* Keeping the arm straight and tucked to the body will allow you to release the disc with maximum power without the arm swinging. This will also help to keep the disc stable in your hand as you make the turn and sling it forward.
Once you’ve got this down, practice it on a tee pad so that your first few throws are as good as they can be. Then, when you feel confident, you can move on to a real disc!
You’ll need to pick up a few discs before you begin your journey, including the following:
Drivers
A driver is a disc with a wide rim and a sharp beveled edge. This gives the disc more speed and distance than a mid-range disc. Beginner players usually start with a mid-range disc and then move into drivers as their skill level increases and they feel comfortable with generating distance with a disc.
The most important thing for a beginner is to use a disc that will generate the right amount of spin and speed as you throw it. This will take a lot of time and practice.
Generally, beginners should choose a disc with a “turn” rating on the front side of the disc that is between -5 and -3 degrees. This means that the disc will fly toward your target (for a backhand throw) during most of its flight, then it will slow down and curl minimally left at the end of its flight.
Another key feature of a beginner’s disc is a “fade” rating on the back. This will give the disc a more predictable and consistent flight compared to higher-speed discs and can also help you predict the direction in which your throw will travel.
Discs come in many different shapes and sizes, so there’s something for every disc golfer at various price points. You can find numerous discs at most sporting goods stores and online. Depending on your location, you can also find local clubs that organize regular tournaments.