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Selecting A Disc
Fly It You'll Like It

      Selecting a Golf Disc

With over One Hundred models of golf discs available, choosing one can seem like an overwhelming task. It doesn't have to be. Following are some of the basics on terminology and a few suggestions on what you might want to start with.

is this hard to read w/ the back ground? let me know

Throwing style- So as not to be too confused below one should understand the two more popular throws.  A back hand throw is most conventional.  With a Backhand (bh), one grips the disc with palm turned towards the body and pulls the disc across the chest and towards the target, releasing at the end of the pull.  A Forehand (fh) or Side arm throw uses a grip with palm up and elbow to ones side.  There is less arm swing in a sidearm throw, the power is derived from a quick wrist snap.  The sidearm throw puts more spin on the disc, and also spins in the opposite direction of the back hand.

Stability- This has to do with how straight a disc flies. An overstable disc will turn left for a right handed back hand thrower(rh-bh). While an understable disc turns right for the same player. If you are left handed (lh-bh) or throw side arm (rh-fh) the disc has opposite spin and overstable turns right and understable turns left. Too many newer players strugle with the game because they use overstable discs which only go left.

Turning over- If a disc is thrown well with speed, good spin and clean release it will have more of a tendency to turn right (rh-bh) we call this turning over or slice. A less stable disc is easier to turn over. A more stable disc is harder to turn over and may overcome the turn as the disc slows and then go left (for a rh-bh thrower) at the end of it's flight. The consideration here is to find the fine line between left-straight-right. Learning this control is an important concept in that it will help you control the disc for maximum distance as well as throws to the right.

Four factors- There are four factors that influence how well a disc slices (or turnsover)

   1-Disc design -or models vary with some being more stable (harder to turn) or less stable (easier to turn).

   2- Weight- in that a lighter disc of a certain model is less stable than a heaver one.

   3-Throw-strength, speed and snap of throw in that the strongest players can turn over almost any model/weight.    A newer player will want a less stable disc to fit their arm.

   4-beatedness- as a disc is beat up it becomes less stable and will slice easier.

While the first two items are static factors of the disc, the second two are dynamic in that they change as you play. As you get better and your discs become beat you will find a turnover easier to accomplish. Of course angle of release is an additional factor but generally doesn't change how a disc finishes in flight (unless you are throwing a roller).

Hyzer and Anhyzer-has to do with the angle with which we throw. Hyzer will direct the disc away from the players hand (or left for rh-bh throws). Anhyzer will direct the disc in the direction of the throwers hand. Throwing a disc with a lot of anhyzer will help to turn it over.

Weight- The heavier the disc the more stable it will be. A lighter disc of a particular model will be easier to turn over. Throwing too heavy of a disc can make learning more difficult.

Headwind will tend to turn over a disc. Throwing a more stable or a heavier disc can help to correct for this.

What does this all mean? It is important to have control of the disc and to find the balance between model (stableness), weight and throwing style to where you can throw either right, left or straight. Many players use the characteristics of the disc to help direct the flight path. I.E. an overstable disc for left turns and an understable disc for right turns. But finding a disc that you can throw right or left can really help you learn control in the game much faster.

If your throws are cutting left too hard- try a lighter disc or a less stable model. throw with more anhyzer.

If your throws constantly turn right (rh-bh)- try a more stable model or a heavier weight.

A basic beginners assortment of discs might include a straighter flying driver, a good approach disc and a putter. Stick with discs under 170g and if you have a lighter arm try under165g or even 150 class weights.  You may consider just a single all around disc.

Good all around or approach discs-Classic Roc, Shark, Hawk, Aviar, Cobra, XD,#2 Flyer, Spyder, MRV, Comet, Omega AP

Straighter flying drivers-Cheetah, Cobra, Leopard, Express, Stratus,  #1 or #3 Driver,  JLS

Putters-Aviar putter, soft Magnet, Rattler, Birdie, Omega, Blowfly

Under stable drivers-Roc, Comet,Cobra, Stingray, Panther, #2 or #3 Slice

Stable drivers- Eagle, Valkyrie, Teebird,  Gazelle, JLS, Cyclones, Vortex, Polaris LS

Overstable drivers (not for beginners)-Cyclone-2, X-Clone, Firebird,  Banshee, Viper, Reaper