Table of Contents
Adjust Your Starting Position on the Tee
When facing a tight gap in the woods, it’s important to consider your starting position on the tee. Many players automatically assume they should run up the middle of the tee and plant in the front-center of the pad regardless of the shot they are trying to execute. However, different throws can be made easier by running up and planting in different places on the tee.
Before throwing, take a moment to check the far left, center, and far right positions on the tee to see which one offers the best angle and opens up the gap. Sometimes, planting farther away from the front edge of the tee can also provide different options. In some cases, a standstill on one of the corners of the tee might even reveal a hidden route that other players haven’t noticed.
Look from the Basket to the Tee
When trying to learn a new course or strategize your shots, it’s helpful to look back towards the teepad after you putt out. This allows you to see the fairway from a different perspective and gain valuable insights. You might realize that a shot which appeared to require a hard fade can actually be handled with a straight shot. You might also notice that one side of the fairway is more challenging to navigate than the other, or that the fairway slopes in a certain direction.
By looking from the basket back towards the tee, you can gather information about the best way to play a hole and make more informed decisions.
Reframe How You Think About the Disc Categories
It’s important to rethink how you categorize discs and explore the possibilities of each type. Short-range upshots with high-speed drivers can allow you to execute lines that would be difficult with midranges or putters. For example, a softly thrown driver can create more right to left action on a 200-foot baby flex shot compared to a stable midrange disc. Likewise, using a highly-overstable driver for a putt that requires a hard fade can be a viable option.
Similarly, putters can be used for long-distance shots on a dead-straight line. Many top professionals even throw putters on holes over 400 feet to better control the landing. By reframing how you view the disc categories and experimenting with different discs, you can expand your arsenal of throws and have more options in various situations.
Take Up a New Hobby
Disc golf can be mentally exhausting, especially during tournaments where rounds can be long and stakes are high. How you spend your downtime on the course can greatly impact your performance. Consider taking up a new hobby that you can engage in during your round to help alleviate mental fatigue.
For example, bird-watching or rock-hunting can distract your mind from racing between shots. If you find yourself dwelling on a mistake from a few holes ago or experiencing a backup on the next tee, switch activities for a while. Even just spending a couple of minutes engaging in a different hobby while walking to the next tee can help you stay relaxed and focused.
Throw What You Know
It’s important to separate your practice sessions from your scored rounds. While it’s beneficial to try out new disc molds during practice to fill gaps in your bag, it’s recommended to remove those new molds before a scored round. When score counts, it’s better to throw discs that you are familiar with and understand their flight characteristics.
By carrying only the discs you know well during scored rounds, you eliminate the risk of making mid-round decisions to throw discs you’re not familiar with. Use your practice time to increase your familiarity with different discs and expand your knowledge of their flight paths. Top professionals carry many discs because they have put in the work to learn and understand each one.
Barry Schultz Step Putt Scramble
If you find yourself outside the circle and stuck in dense rough, there’s a legal way to stance yourself in front of the obstacle without foot faulting. This technique, known as the Barry Schultz Step Putt Scramble, can help you get a clear look at the basket from a seemingly impossible position.
To execute this technique, stagger your feet as you would for a normal putt, but place your back foot in the small space behind your disc and your front foot out in front of the disc. When you putt from this position, both feet should be on the ground. However, to avoid a foot fault, push up off your front foot so that it is no longer touching the ground when you release the disc. This makes it a legal putt. In a freeze frame, it would look similar to the end of a jump putt. The Barry Schultz Step Putt Scramble can be a valuable tool in navigating challenging lies.
Throw Pink
Losing a disc on the course can be frustrating and disruptive to your game. To make it easier to find your discs, especially in various conditions and terrains, consider throwing pink discs. Pink stands out against fields, dirt, snow, and even fall leaves. When choosing a color for your high-speed drivers, prioritize visibility over personal preference.
By throwing pink discs, you increase the chances of quickly locating them, saving time and avoiding stroke penalties. Additionally, supporting the Throw Pink Element Series can help a great cause while enhancing your disc golf game.
In conclusion, improving your disc golf mental game goes beyond just fixing form and adding power. Understanding the rules of the game, developing strategies for attacking holes, and making creative decisions can be just as important as throwing talent. By adjusting your starting position on the tee, looking from the basket to the tee, reframing how you think about disc categories, taking up a new hobby, throwing what you know, utilizing the Barry Schultz Step Putt Scramble, and throwing pink discs, you can elevate your game and shave strokes off your rounds.