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How to Play Disc Golf
Each hole starts at the tee. The player with the lowest score on the previous hole has honors and throws first. The tee area is generally marked by a sign that lists the distance and par of the hole, as well as a map showing the layout of the hole. The player must start by throwing his/her first shot from and area behind and within within 3 meters of the tee box markers (similar to ball golf). The drive may be thrown from any area of the tee box, providing that the players support point(s) at time of release are behind the tee markers, but no farther back than 3 meters behind the tee markers. The player may step past the tee line once the disc has been released. This shot is known as the Drive. The player may run up to the line prior to throwing the disc. This is generally referred to as the run up.
The next shot, known as the approach shot is thrown from the spot where the drive or previous shot came to rest, and must be thrown from a place that is behind the spot marking the leading edge of the disc. Players generally mark the leading edge of the disc with a mini ( or marker ) disc prior to picking up their previous shot, although a marker disc is not required. In fact, many players mark their lie simply by turning over the disc from their previous shot. The player farthest from the hole throws first. The player may again run up to throw the disc, as long as the player's foot is behind the marker disc, and within 30 CM (~12 inches) of it when the shot is released. Once again, the player may step past the marker disc once the shot has been released.
Most disc golf courses feature an elevated basket with chains to stop an incoming disc, generally referred to as the target, basket, or Pole Hole®. A putt is considered any throw that originates within 10 M of the basket. The rules for throwing putts are slightly different than drives and approach shots. When putting, a player may not run up, and must maintain control of his/her body position after releasing the putt. When putting, a player is not allowed to step past their marker disc even after releasing the shot. The hole is finished when a player's disc comes to rest in the basket. The score for each player is recorded immediately after completion, and reflects the number of shots thrown from the tee until the disc came to rest in the basket.
Selecting Beginner Golf Discs
With all of the manufacturers and discs that are currently on the market, selecting discs can be tough for new players. Fortunately we have been helping new players select discs for years, and there are some great discs that we generally recommend for beginners. Before we dive in to the discs we recommend, however, there are some basics that every new payer should understand about the flight characteristics of each disc.
Stability Rating
Every golf disc is manufactured to fly differently. You have probably noticed that some discs tend to bend more to the right or left than others. The amount of bend a disc will exhibit is determined by its stability rating. A neutral disc (stability rating 0) will have the straightest flight, whereas discs that are over or understable will bend to one side or another. For a right-handed player throwing backhand (traditional style), an over stable disc will fade more to the left, especially at the end of its flight. An understable for that same player will tend to bend to the right during its flight, but will likely still tail back a little to the left at the end of its flight. These flight patterns will be reversed for left-handed players or right-handed players throwing side-arm.
Many new players prefer discs that are understable (stability rating less than 0), as these discs tend to be easier to throw, fly straightest, and allow new players to practice the hyzer and anhyzer shots (anhyzers are more difficult to throw with over stable discs). Therefore, most of the discs we recommend for beginners are either neutral or understable flyers.
Disc Weights
Selecting the right disc weight is important, especially for new players. Many players struggle with selecting the right weights for discs they purchase, as they often do not have a reference to use for their decision. Further, many older disc golf players throw discs that are too heavy, which makes newer players think that they should go for the heaviest weight class available as well. This is not so - in fact throwing heavier discs will only exaggerate any poor throwing mechanics a player may have as a result of requiring them to throw so hard for every shot. This will make you tired more quickly, add strokes to your score, and increase the chance of injury.
So, how do you select the right weight? One of the best ways to find a weight that is comfortable to you is to borrow some discs from a friend and see how they fly for you. This could be done either at a course or in an open space. Either way, the important thing is to pay attention to the resulting flight and distance of the throw, and the level of fatigue you feel after several throws. When you watch the flight of the disc, it should follow the pattern that is outlined for that disc. This means that a right-handed player who throws an overstable disc with a rating of +2 backhanded and releases it flat, should see the disc take a big bend to the left during its flight. When that same player throws an understable disc with a stability rating of -2, it should start out to the right (for a right-handed player throwing backhand), and then come back a little to the left at the end of its flight.
So what does flight path and stability have to do with disc weight? A heavier disc will behave as though it is more stable when thrown with insufficient power. Therefore, a 180g Innova Stingray may have a lefthand bend when thrown by a player who normally throws a 150g Stingray perfectly straight (the 180g shot will likely be much shorter for this player as well). Therefore, a player should ideally test throw a variety of driver and mid-range discs in some assorted weights. If you have the opportunity to choose between a variety of weights, start with the lightest and work towards the heaviest. If this is not possible, try to at least throw some golf discs to see how heavy they feel in your hand and how your arm feels after 10, 25, and 50 throws. A typical disc golf course has a par between 55-65, so throwning 75 shots of mixed length will roughly approximate a round. If you arm feels fatigued after 25 shots, then you are definitely throwing discs that are too heavy.
If you go out and throw discs before buying, trust your instincts and experience and resist the urge to go too heavy. If you cannot throw any discs beforehand, then we recommend the following. Children (12 & under) should start with 150g Class discs without exception. We recommend that women start with discs in the 150g Class - 160g Class. Men should consider starting with discs between 165g - 172g to start. It is also important to remember that you will likely move up in weight classes as you play more and become stronger, so do not feel as though you are making a long-term commitment to a given weight class. You may even find that you prefer to carry specific discs in different weights (for example, many players prefer a heavier putter).
Recommended Beginner Discs
Ok, so now that you have read the background, here are our recommendations:
Drivers
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- - Also Floats in Water!
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Mid-Range (a.k.a. Multi-Purpose)
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Putt & Approach
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You may have noticed that we have recommended the entry level (least expensive) plastic for many of these discs. We do this for a few of reasons: First, the entry-level plastic is generally easier for beginners to throw. Second, These discs are available in the widest array of weights (the same disc can generally be made in lighter weights with the entry plastics). Finally, these discs are less expensive than their counterparts in upgraded plastic, which lowers your risk of paying a lot for a disc that you do not care for in the end. If you get an entry-level plastic disc and love it, then replace it with a Champion or Elite-Z version later.
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Disc Golf (also known as "Frisbee Golf" and "Folf" or "Frolf" and even "Disk Golf") is played much like traditional golf. Players throw flying discs (golf discs or Frisbees®) from a tee area toward a Disc Golf Basket or Target. The object: complete the hole by putting your golf disc in the basket in the fewest number of throws. Formalized in the 1970s, disc golf is governed by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). There are more than 1,750 disc golf courses worldwide, with over 1,400 in the USA. |
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