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Disc Golf Overview from AB Ski and Sport - Summit County's Disc Golf Central
For the purpose of defining flight characteristics, the following descriptions assume a right handed back hand throw delivery. The disc is spinning clockwise. Each golf disc has a specific shape that determines it "stability".
- Stable
- The disc does not turn much during its flight. When thrown flat and fast, the disc will fly straight.
- Understable
- The disc will turn from left to right in the fast part of it's flight.
- Overstable
- The disc will travel from right to left, even in the fast part of its flight.
Factors That Affect a Discs Stability
- Wear
- A disc will become more understable with wear. This is a good thing. Some discs are too overstable when new, but break - in nicely.
- Air-Speed
- The speed the disc is traveling relative to the surrounding air is the disc's air speed. Throwing into the wind causes your disc to travel at a higher air-speed than throwing with the wind. Discs fly more understable when thrown into the wind or at higher air-speeds and more overstable at lower air-speed or with the wind.
- Disc Weight
- Lighter discs fly more understable than heavier discs. This phenomenon is due mostly to the higher airspeed these discs are traveling. The difference between a 175 and a 150 gram disc at the end of your arm can translate into a tremendous difference in air speed and hopefully disc speed.
Factors That Influence the Flight of a Disc
- Spin
- Spin maintains the disc's orientation throughout it's flight. If your throws go out a ways flat and then drop hard left, you could use more spin. Anhyzer shots ( see below) require especially high amounts of spin.
- Angle of Release
- Discs can be thrown flat or with angle. When released flat and aimed slightly above the horizon, the disc will travel a good distance since the lift of the disc keeps it in the air.
- Hyzer
- When a disc is released with an angle where the part of the disc opposite your grip is tilted towards the ground, we call this a hyzer release. A hyzer shot is aimed higher on the horizon and off to the right. Anhyzer - is when the disc is angled away from the ground, or a roller angle.
Disc Shapes and Types
- Drivers
- Although you can drive with any disc, for the purpose of disc classification we will call a driver any disc with a sharp beveled edge. Some may be overstable and some understable but all travel very fast in flight and become overstable at the end of the flight.
- Midrange
- These are your most thrown discs. These discs have beveled edge but are not as sharp or fast flying as a driver. A midrange, as a long range driver disc can continue to fly flat even at medium speeds.
- Putt & Approach
- When you can see the chain links, you want to have one of these in your hand. There are basically two types of putters. Non- Beveled edge or "Vintage Class" discs give a slow,straight, flat, floating run at the pole. Beveled edge putters sink more throughout the putt. Many people will throw these up and to the right of the target and let the disc dive into the basket.
What's Better For Beginners?
Beginning players should concentrate on a relaxed, consistent motion for driving, approaching, and putting. Generally speaking, understable to stable discs are easier to throw and achieve greater distances for beginners. Disc speed is greater with lighter discs (150 class) and usually greater distances are realized. If your throws usually tail sharply to one side you should:
- Throw a lighter disc.
- Throw a more understable disc.
- Work on the trajectory release.
- Experiment to find the right disc.
Now that we have talked about the terms and what you need to do. Why not come and give it a try? We will be happy to help you and to get you started. We also have disc golf for your best friend.
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