What's missing?

I have a pretty strong arm, but my drives are just not going as far as I think they should. I was playing with a few really good players yesterday, two of which where smaller and weaker than me, yet they could bomb it with much less effort. I have a pretty good snap of my wrist when I throw, but I'm throwing mostly max weight stuff, do I need to lighten up my discs, or is their something else that's missing?

I'm primarily a backhand thrower and although sometimes I throw a sky biscuit or two, it's usually pretty flat and level, just not very far. Any ideas? I throw mostly innova stuff.

[Lotto]

well your first problem is innova.

i dont think weights matter that much personally, unless its extreme like a 150 or something lighter. id say just examine your form.

[Star*man]

Something I am seeing on YouTUBE and some questions in these forums related to form is that I am watching people shoot with VERY fast run ups to their release Points.
US Amateurs seem to have a tendency to start off fast and come to an abrupt halt while the DISC is still in our grasp.
The disc needs to be released while we are at the peak of speed to assist the ARM.

To FIX this problem I noticed that I am PARANOID that I am going to step over the line before I release the disc. Sometimes I catch myself looking down instead of looking where I want to throw. I am working on BACKING UP two feet further and releasing TWO feet sooner than I am allowed to; and make a Follow through STEP and still be in bounds.

TWO feet is not much to give up in distance to gain 50 feet in disc speed.

I place a MINI Marker two feet from the end of the Launchpad and aim to place my planted foot there, release my disc there and FOLLOW through with my trailing leg instead of using it as an ANCHOR. So far it seems to help.
There are Pro Teachers here such as Mark Ellis who can probably correct problems for you but for now give this a try and see if it works for you.

[Mike Inscho]

I had a problem with a fast run up. I pro just told me to slow down and not worry about distance.. worry about correct weight transfer. Practice with putters and mid-ranges until you're consistent. I'm still working on it..

I found an article you can read about snap and the best way to practice your drives. There are a bunch of them out there. Check out discgolfreview... and this link that i just pasted.

http://www.everythingdiscgolf.com/home.php?mode=howtopracticei
http://www.everythingdiscgolf.com/home.php?mode=howtopracticeii

Just go to the disc golf articles tab to read the 3rd and 4th of the series if you want.

Good luck.

[Bryce @ Treebangers Disc Golf]

Ive been having similar distance issues, great tips, lookin forward to reading more of them, I am learning that smooth is far :)

[Kyle Jacob Smalling]

Weights make a difference

Personally, I wouldn't throw max weight 175g.

I throw 169g and 170g, works well for me.

Run ups work nicely, start behind the teepad if you are afraid to foot fault.

Work on an s-curve, don't try to throw 500000000000000 feet straight.

[Donny Olow]

Try a Star Valkerie around 175 grams or the New Champion Boss !!!!!!

[Chain Gang]

In life there will always be people that are more gifted. Ever hear the saying, it's not the motion of the ocean, but the size of the wave? Proper technique will always produce desired results, and size dont matter when ya doing it right! Try throwing for an hour in an open field. Make sure to include hyzers, annie's, and some flat lazer guided missles. After this session, you should have a better understanding of what your truly capable of. If your still gettin outdriven by midgets, try catchin a round with some chicks. Then go back to that open field, practice your drives for another hour. Conquering the wind and blowin in the wind are also keys to a succesful drive. Pay more attention to the fairway. Are there crosswinds? Correctly aiming your body before ya even tee off is the first step to any drive. Focus on a spot, flow like water, and release with a controlled, fluid movement. Also try strikin a pose when you achieve your ideal throw. This will help you lock in your muscle memory for the perfect throw. Strike that pose, and out throw your woes!

[Chain Gang]

joshlotto said:

well your first problem is innova.

i dont think weights matter that much personally, unless its extreme like a 150 or something lighter. id say just examine your form.

If weight didnt matter, there wouldnt be diff weights available? Basic math principles also back up my opinion.

[matt51776]

A couple of grams doesn't matter to much but 5-10 can make a differance. I throw around 170, only throw heavier stuff than that in the wind for whatever bonus I get there. One thing that can derail a shot even if everything else is great, is lack of follow through. You want to accelerate through the hit and finish strong, yet its the place I find myself screwing up the most on the days where I am just not getting the results I know I am capable of. Follow through strong.