Importance of Grip

In this video Dave Dunipace, co-founder and President of Innova Champion Discs, show you some interesting tips to grip techniques and how to grasp the disc securely to create maximum rip.

 

For more information about grip techniques click on the following link!

Dave's Grip Tips

Merchandise Available Soon!

What a better way to show membership and support for the club, then to have our own club t-shirts.
The Club will soon have its own merchandise.  We are putting many hours into obtaining information on how to start producing our own merchandise.  The merchandise will help expose the club to the many students at Cal State Fullerton that are interested in joining the club. 

The merchandise that will be available:

• Official disc golf club t-shirts
• T-shirts sizes small to xxx large
• Official club disc with logo
• Various disc color to choose from
• Official club lanyards
• Sponsorships' equipment

We will be keeping you posted as to when the merchandise is ready.

Throwing Sidearm

Throwing your disc sidearm is a throwing style where you throw the disc with your palm up and off to the side.  It offers many advantages and disadvantages when compared to the backhand technique. 

First off is what feels natural to you.  Give both backhand and sidearm a shot and see what feels best.  If the are about equal, stick with backhand for most shots because it is the most common and you will most likely learn more from people.  The forehand is also more versatile because you can more easily tilt the disc to get it to do what you want more easily. 

Normally the disc will curve to the left when throwing with the backhand technique but when throwing sidearm, it will curve to the right.  This can come in very handy when trying to get around an obstacle.  Most pros actually practice both sidearm and backhand throws so that they can use the correct technique no matter what situation they are in.

Also, throwing sidearm will give you more spin (speed).  This means you can throw a disc with a high speed ranking with more control and distance (in theory at least).

In a perfect world, you should pick a throw technique and practice, practice, practice it until you feel that it is solid.  Then move on and try another technique for those special situations where you need it.

For how to throw using proper sidearm technique, check out this very helpful video.

Epic Trick Shot Battle!

Today, we are taking a break from the norm for an amazing detour. We came across this epic Disc Vs. B-Ball trick shot video and had to share.  Enjoy! 

Number Ratings on Innova Discs

So what the hell do those numbers mean on Innova's line of discs?

There are four numbers on each Innova disc. Sometimes they aren't actually on the disc but one can find these numbers on Innova's website (innovadiscs.com).
(All of the numbers will be described as if it is a right-handed thrower, throwing backhand)

The first number represents the speed at which the player must release the disc in order for the disc to act the way it was intended.  For example a disc with a rating of 9 is not as hard to throw as a disc with a rating of 13 (Innova's most difficult discs to learn to throw).  So if you have a monstrously powerful experienced throw, go with a 10 or higher, if you are just beginning or have a more finessed throw, stick with a 9 or below and work on technique before power.

The second number represents the glide of the disc or how long the disc will remain in the air.  Think of it as the disc's ability to float. Something to keep in mind is that the disc will only act and glide at its number if thrown at the proper speed for the disc.

The third number is the disc's tendency to go right after it is thrown. A disc, such as the Valkyrie (9,4,-2,2) will tend to go right a smidgen and then come back in left.  A disc with a rating of 0 in this attribute will not go right on its own but must be made to go right by giving it an-hyzer when one throws it.

The fourth number represents the discs tendency to go to the left. The Valkyrie is at a 2 so it will go left but not that abruptly. There is a disc Innova just released called the Ape with specs (13,5,0,4). This disc will not go right unless you manhandle it to the right.

The fundamental thing to keep in mind is that when you are beginning is to find a disc that natural counteracts itself. This will ensure straight, long drives.  A person throwing an Ape or its 9-speed alternative must actively create the right to left, whereas a person throwing a Valkyrie or its 13-speed counterpart must only focus on the speed of the throw and keeping the disc level as it is released. The Valkyrie's 13-speed counterpart is called the Groove and is a fantastic disc as well. (I have two in my bag)

The Right Discs

When choosing discs for your game, keep certain things in mind:

1. Drivers are either over-stable (fade left harder for a right-handed thrower) or under-stable (fade right for a right-handed thrower).  These same principles apply to a south-paw but are reversed.  Also when throwing side-arm, whatever direction the disc normally turns will be reversed as well.

2.  Mid-range and putter discs are completely subjective as to how you will enjoy them and whether or not they will help your game. I recommend a putter with a 0,0 rating on the fade, draw characteristics unless you notice your disc is regularly going in one direction, at which point you can get a disc that counters that tendency.

3.  Sometimes it is best to learn how to throw one driver well, no matter the shot.  A skilled player can get even the most over-stable disc to draw right and then fade left back in towards the basket.  We think the best disc for any beginner is Innova's Valkyrie.  The specs on the Valkyrie are -2,2 meaning it will want to go right and then left.  Some discs are catered more towards those of you whom throw side-arm but as a starter disc, We think people should look into getting anything with a speed of 9 or less (The valkyrie is a 9).

4. We recommend staying away from fairway drivers because it is a step down from a driver or an ultra-long distance driver.  When you become proficient, all you will need (ideally) is a putter, mid-range, and driver. A skilled player can throw a mid-range near 300ft. A skilled player can throw a driver 350-400ft.  Once a player is proficient, they can finesse the driver down to what a fairway driver would be.

5. Ultimately, it comes down to just purchasing a disc and seeing how you throw with it.  Even if you throw it terribly, with enough practice, that disc will start to feel good. As with anything, the longer you stay at it, the better you will get.

To Achieve Distance

2010 WFDF World Distance Champ Dion Arlyn teaches you how he gets maximum distance out of today's high speed disc golf drivers like NUKE and Force. He threw a NUKE 732 feet! How far can you throw?


Few tips from Dion to achieve a good distance shot
1. Speed

2. Get your body behind your shot which can get you to your highest distance potential

3. Must understand how a disc flies

4. Grip onto the disc with four fingers along the seams of the disc (upper part of your fingers...see demonstration in the video below)

5. Put most of your pressure on your thumb when pressing onto the disc to grip control of the shot

6. Power of the swing is from your legs to your arms, while hips are turned away from target

7. Three basic starting positions: heel ups, hip turned, arm extended

8. Ready-Throw-Position: Dropped your heel and you will experience a weight shift, start to open up the hip, pull back your shoulders, as your disc come across, this is when you accelerate.

To find out more detailed information for your swing to max. distance, please watch the video below:

Disc Throwing Techniques

The first goal when disc golfing is to have fun.  However a close second goal for most people is to improve their game.  Through proper technique, you can throw farther and more accurately.  Also, although fairly rare, injuries can occur when disc golfing if improper technique is used.  All the more reason to pick up a few quick pointers for your throw.

Today, we will be focusing on your drive using a standard throwing technique.

Grip:

You should be using a grip that has four fingers underneath the disk with your thumb resting on top.  It should be firm and not too tight or loose.  You should not actively release the disc, rather, you should let the disc be ripped from your hand at the end of your throw.  It will happen naturally.

Footwork:

Your goal should be to remain balanced throughout the throw.  Make sure you get your weight over your front foot when you plant and start your throw. If your weight is behind your foot it will affect your throw in negative ways and also risk injuries to your knee and ankle. Use the explosion of your hips to start your body rotation. The direction of your feet will lead your hips, your hips will turn your torso, your torso will turn your shoulders, and your shoulders will lead your arm.

Reach Back:
There are mixed philosophies on the reach back part of your throw. There are however a few things that are consistent between the various techniques. Your reach should only be as far as you feel comfortable with and can maintain good balance. You should reach in a straight line rather than swinging the disc back on an arc. You should also plan your intended throw during this time. For a flat line drive your hand should be on the same plane as the disc. For a hyzer, your hand should be under the disc and for an anhyzer, your hand should be above the disc.

Pull Through:
The pull-through is where you begin to generate the power needed for a long throw. For maximum power and speed your shoulder rotation should pull your arm through. Don't try to muscle or “strong arm” the disc it won't be nearly as powerful or fast as a whip driven by the shoulders. Also, keep the disc as close to your chest as possible and let your elbow bend. The extension of your elbow during the latter part of your throw will be your main power source. You should also have your off arm close to your body during the throw in order to let your body rotate as fast as possible. Also of importance, try to be as strong as possible at the point the disc will leave your hand rather than at the beginning of your throw. This should give you maximum snap as the power is focused on getting the most force on the disc at the release rather than during the pull. 

Follow-Through:
A good follow-through is important for both a clean throw and to avoid injury. Although you should be smooth and loose during the first part of your throw, concentrate on finishing strong during your follow-through. A clean pivot is also good to avoid knee injury, as your body will continue rotating after the disc leaves your hand.

Disc Selection:
Disc selection is also a very important part of your game. Make sure you are throwing discs that are light enough and easy enough for you to control. Most of the modern “ultra long” drivers are designed with the pro player in mind. Most new players will have the best success with discs that are easy to control and have good glide and discs under 170 grams in weight. A rule of thumb is if your average distance is less than 200' you will probably have the most success with the larger diameter all-around midrange discs and drivers. If you can throw 200-250' on average the easier to control small-diameter drivers should be within your range of control. Once you can throw 250'+ you will be in a better position to control the faster overstable maximum distance drivers.

Find Your Nearest Course

DGreviews.com provides a great search engine for you to search for your nearest course.  You can simply enter your city or your zip code, and you can review the list of course locations.

The following is the step by step instructions to naigavate through DGreviews.com:
1. Click on "Courses" on the top of the page

2. You wll have three options to choose from : Browse Course, Map Browser or Random Course

3. Personally I prefer to use Browse Course option because the search engine allows you to filter the list by number of holes, holes types, tee types, the structure of the course, course landscape, ratings and many more. 

4. If you prefer to look for courses with visuals, Map Browser will be your ideal option because you can pinpoint locations on the map. Viewers can simply view locations on the map.

5. Random Course provides you an option to view information about a random course.

6. For example, Here is a list of course locations near Cal State Fullerton, zip code 92831.

Course	City	# Holes	Distance (miles)
Twila-Reid Park	Anaheim	9	3.22
La Mirada Regional Park	La Mirada	36	6.65
Liberty Park	Cerritos	9	9.55
Frontier Park	Tustin	9	11.08
El Dorado Park DGC	Long Beach	18	12.77
Huntington Beach Central Park	Huntington Beach	18	13.91

    

Hope you all Titan Disc Golfers will find this website useful!