Practicing is not the sole factor that helps you improve your skills and capacity in disc golf. As a disc golf player, you should be aware of the tactical aspects and tips that help you perform better on the court.
If you have invested tremendous time but saw little improvement or progress, this post is for you. I will introduce some best disc golf driving tips that can dramatically increase your skills and knowledge in the game.
The tips provided are based on my personal experience and the advice of the most skillful players in the field. Check them out, and you will find many interesting things to learn!
The 9 Tips For Better Disc Golf Driving Distance
Like other sports, disc golf requires a harmonious combination of skill, technique, knowledge, and strength. Just one factor solely cannot help you achieve the best performance and results on the court.
Therefore, I want to bring you these excellent tips and instructions to help you become a more advanced and complete disc golf player. You will also find more motivation to keep up with the process.
Now, let’s jump straight in to avoid wasting your time!
#1. Improve The Footwork
You may have heard many players and disc golf commentators speaking about the X-step during a play. This special and popular technique helps you quickly extend your distance.
The position of your leg and step movement plays a critical role in your performance. If you perform the proper footwork when throwing the disc, the distance will significantly increase.
This technique involves four main steps. The first step starts with putting the left foot forward, followed by the right foot. Ensure that your right foot is positioned in front of the left foot.
Then, step with the left foot and move it to create an X posture with your two legs. The last step is crucial, extending the right foot forward as much as possible to generate the highest momentum.
You can rehearse these steps slowly at the beginning and repeat the techniques multiple times. When the X-step has become muscle memory, your performance will significantly improve.
#2. Don’t Underestimate Upper Body Coordination
The upper body parts are just as critical as the lower body in generating throwing power. You must properly coordinate your hands, back, and shoulder to achieve the highest powers.
You can witness the advanced players throwing their shots to mimic their upper-body coordination. Pay attention to the positions of the head, shoulders, back, and arms when they throw.
There are some keys you should note to adjust your upper body posture. Your shoulders should be square with the ground, meaning you should stand up straight.
Then, you can practice by swinging your arms back and forth, mimicking the disc-throwing posture. The key is to shift your body weight into the shot and generate the most power.
Also, don’t forget the hip posture, which determines whether you can make a good turn. When you coordinate the upper body parts with the X-step technique, your throws’ accuracy and power will increase.
#3. Find Your Whip And Power Pocket
Besides the X-step technique, the power pocket is another critical notion you should note. When putting it simply, the power pocket refers to a U-shape posture created by the arm, hand, forearm, and chest of the throwers.
In addition, a right power pocket should feature a 90-degree angle between your throwing arm and chest. You will need to use your hip and chest rotation effectively to generate more power.
This rotation is what you should really focus on. The technique and posture of your throw are the main factors that decide the throwing distance, not your body strength or muscles’ capacity.
When you practice by following this technique, you should feel more engaged in your planning. Through constant practice, you will slowly learn to unlock this power and generate the highest power.
#4. Avoid Rounding
Rounding is one of beginner disc golf players’ most common mistakes, but it’s not immune to advanced players. It happens when you swing your arm, and it goes in a circular motion.
This mistake will only decrease the speed of your arm or the throwing distance significantly, but it will make your release point stable. It will result in the grip locks or the early releases when you practice or play on the field.
Advanced disc golf players can consistently achieve the highest throwing distance without any unstable release. This capacity is tremendously important if you want to perform well on the court.
To avoid rounding, you should practice so that your hands can swing forth and return to their positions in a straight line. After adjusting your posture, you should check if the throwing distance increases.
#5. Timing Is Everything
Timing is a critical factor that many disc golf players underestimate. To dictate the drive distance, you must coordinate and move the proper body parts at the perfect time to achieve an efficient posture.
The only way to improve your timing is to practice consistently. Try to perform the throws and monitor your posture simultaneously. You can seek a professional coach or experienced players to help you do this task.
Through repetitive practice, you will gain muscle memories, and the timing will become perfect without much effort. I recommend you join a local club, where you can find multiple competent players.
If your timing is not right, try experimenting with various release points and choose the one that works best. Also, try visualizing the shots and timing before you throw, which will give you more confidence and direction.
#6. Follow-Through
Follow-through indicates the posture and motion of your body parts, especially the arms after you have released the disc. If you perform this follow-through properly, your release will become more efficient and stable.
In general, proper follow-through features the arms pointing right at the target after releasing the disc. However, the target doesn’t necessarily have to be the disc golf basket.
You should aim for a longer or shorter distance, and the target should be where your disc will land. Also, you should rotate your body with your head facing the throw’s direction.
Another benefit of mastering your follow-through is that it can lower the risk of injuries. Improper postures and release can generate more pressure on your hip, arms, and shoulders.
#7. Don’t Hesitate To Disc Down
There are various disc golf discs with specific weights, diameters, and speeds. Besides these factors, consider the flight rating and pick the most suitable disc for your playing style.
Choose less stable disc drivers if you are a beginner disc golf player with weak forearms and a slower speed. Meanwhile, the overstable drivers are ideal for advanced players who want to achieve the furthest distance.
#8. Choose The Disc That Work Best For You
If you want to achieve the furthest distance without putting up too much strength and effort, choose the lightweight discs. Though they are less fast and stable than heavy discs, you can throw them with much more ease.
If you feel like the weight is still too much and you cannot practice effectively, don’t hesitate to discard and choose lighter products. Try experimenting with different brands and pick your favorite option.
#9. Prioritize Accuracy Over Driving Distance
Many disc golf players care about how far they can throw the discs without paying much attention to accuracy.
It would be best if you prioritized accuracy when starting with disc gold, which can help cultivate your skills and techniques first.
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Final Thoughts
Remember that no matter how hard-working and determined you are, every player can only become excellent at disc golf with good techniques.
Focus more on practicing the right skills and techniques, which are critical aspects of the game. The tips and instructions this post covers can help you practice more effectively and inspire more.
However, they are just the tip of the iceberg. There are various other things and knowledge to obtain. Through hard work and arduous training sessions, I promise you will progress quickly. Thank you for reading!
Further Reading