Internet Discussions toward newbies

I've been playing dg for about 5 weeks.  My average drive is 200 feet.  I do not care if I have a noodle arm, but what I don't need is disc golf keyboard elitists spouting off about "noodle arms with their Katanas and Grooves".  Show some support.

 

On the course do you see somone learning and say "fuckin' noob, learn how to throw an Ape, stop throwin' that Nuke you fucking bum"?  No.  Nine times out of ten an experienced dg'er doesn't care, he's more than willing to give tips, and he could not be a nicer guy. 

 

But behind the keyboard some of you guys are just complete elitist pricks.  You probably exaggerate your drive distance, tell fake stories about aces you've never made.  I don't know if these things are true, but the way you act certainly leaves a person with any semblance of rationality to believe so.

 

Some of you behave as if you don't want this game to grow.  Like being above the "noobs" gives you some kind of status.  Well, it doesn't.  Your just a disc golfer.  Like me, the 5 week novice with the 200 ft drive.  We both love the same thing, but your need to feel some kind of false superiority is preventing you from identifying with me because of the anonymity offered by the internet.

 

Treat us newcomers and novices the way you would have wanted to be treated when you were starting out.  I highly doubt most professionals would have this negative attitude towards new players, because they love the sport enough to want to see it grow.  You should too. 

 

Moral:  Don't be dicks, give us noobs some tips.

 

Thank you.

[Joshua Knutson]

I have started a facebook group for disc golfers in my area in hopes of bringing the community together and maybe even raising awareness to the needs of our areas courses. 

 

My favorite thing to do as a beginner is open field and near basket practice, just getting my form right, getting the feel of a good shot and just repeating it over and over.  I do have 2 aces to my credit now, and despite my lack of power am learning fairly quickly.  I mostly have trouble keeping my arm level and having the disc go off as if I were holding it at a hyzer when I'm holding slight anhyzer for a turnover, and have not at all cam to understand the concept of the "snap".  My aces came on 210 ft and 125 ft holes, one with a Wahoo (noob disc!) and one with a Roc. 

 

Thanks Danny for the supportive response.

[Donny Olow]

No Problem.   

 

Oh , as far as releasing the disc , put your arm out straight and try to keep your wrist level with your shoulder.  This should help in releasing the disc level.  You may have to try different releases and possibly different angles of release. I hope this makes some sense. It takes some Practice but I'm sure you will get it soon.

 

Try not to roll your wrist unless your going for a specific type of shot  , like Anhyzer or Hyzer.  ( Anhyzer will turn in towards your body as Hyzer will turn away from your body ).  I learned this the hard way.  Always Practice and Experiment with different Angles of release and before you know it , you will be  proficient at this Crazy Sport.

 

It takes Time. You can't learn every type of shot overnight. 

 

SideArm , BackHand , Roller , Upshots , Tomahawks , Twofinger , Scoobie , etc.. probably more I'm missing here.

 

The more you learn , the better off you are getting out of jams , like behind trees , bushes and other obstacles.

 

Always be ready to learn as much as you can. Don't limit your self to just a few types of shots !

 

Oh...............also try to always have a Positive Attitude. Don't let a bad shot or a bad round get to you !!!!  It gets better !  I will tell players sometimes , don't beat yourself up if something doesn't always go your way. Relax and let it go !

[Justin NUDGA#15]

Its all about the VIDEO....Its all there, everything you need to know.  Even better, so much better, go watch the pros play at a big event.  The coolest thing about Pro discgolf is all the different style, but when you watch the footage, look for the simularities.  You will see these similarities at the moment of impact, or the hit, the footing, the positioning of all the body parts.  They are all doing the same things.  Just like in any sport, there are fundamental mechanics that we all should be trying to figure out.  Discgolf is all about change and improvement, copeteition and making friends.   I am a visual learner, hope this works for you.  5 weeks in, keep hucking. you will start to see what I am talkin about Josh.

  5 weeks, you have probably gotten all the tips the internet has to offer anyway..:)

   

[Fred Vegas]

Hey if it's help in getting a course fixed up here's a great idea. Get your local Boys Scout troop involved in disc golf. If the troop can earn patches by learning a new sport or helping the local DG community they will.

 

As far as getting the local players organized it takes a lot of work & commitment to pull it off. You have to pretty much nag any player you meet to join in. If your like me and don't throw 300"+ then the best way is to contact a few of the online stores and see if they will donate some gift cards for prizes and hold a handicap league.

 

You have to figure out ways to make it so locals don't want to be left out and want to participate.

[Nic777]

Someone was mean on the internet? Stop the presses!

Just roll with the punches dude.

Even the meanies have good advice if you read what they are trying to say, sure the anonymity of the internet allows some people to say some nasty things, some of them pretty funny actually. If someone is going to quit disc golf because someone wrote something nasty on the internet... wait until they have to find a favourite disc in a bunch of thornbushes. You need a thick skin to survive the 21st century.

Good luck with game bro, go to a lower speed driver and you will be able to throw 10 500ft aces in a row just like me.

[Disc Player Sports]

Everyone has been a NEWB!

It's nice to give someone advice on the course and see them improve.

Next time some idiot looks down on anyone, remember they most likely have not improved at all.

As  far as NEWBS go, personally everyone, yes everyone has something to learn.

Top pros are newbs at different levels. No one has the 'complete' game.

WE ARE ALL NEWBS!

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

The only solid advice I can offer you is.....Throw the round one!!   ...it works for me.  HA!

[David Sauls]

Yeah, relax.  It's the internet.  Uncredentialed experts.  Anonymity-bolstered courage.  Infallible opinions.  So let me add mine......

 

Those dismissive of new players tend to dismiss their ability, or conduct, or both.  As to conduct, most experienced players more or less adhere to some rules of etiquette, and we most often endure violations of those rules by new players---or at least casual players we presume to be new.  Sure, many new players are very considerate and some veterans are rude, but the weight of experience of players damaging courses, throwing on top of others, not inviting smaller groups to play through, etc., etc., points towards new players.  Those who forget that we were all new players once tend to blast the noobs.

 

Some of the ability-based noob-bashing is a symptom of a school of thought that says "Everyone is, or should be, like ME.  The same practice, the same tournament expectactions, the same discs, etc.  If anyone isn't as good as me, doesn't throw as long as me, doesn't putt as well as move, doesn't move up divisions when I do---it's his fault for not following my lead.  (On the other hand, I'm not as good as Dave Feldberg, but that's not my fault at all!)"  

[Joshua Knutson]

Awesome post man.

[Herb E]

Right, I'm no expert, but here's some advice I wish somebody would have given me when I first started:

get to an open field and experiment. get five of your favorite mid ranges and just throw them. over and over.

1) learn how to throw a putter first- with control; straight, right and left. don't worry about distance.

2) then learn how to throw a mid range - straight. experiment with throwing at different angles (anhyzer, hyzer), and with different grips. grip and angle of release are the most important things to get down first. on the course, disc down. if your fastest driver is going 200ft, you should be able to throw a buzz or roc just as far.

3) on the course, control is usually more important than distance.

 

i think the three things that kept me from throwing far my first year playing was the angle of release, follow-through, and grip. most people starting out seem to throw with an extreme hyzer release, and short arm everything. plus, they don't have a solid or consistent grip figured out. i still don't know how people can throw 500ft +. it took me 4 years to learn how to throw more than 320ft consistently. i practice at a football field.

[Joshua Knutson]

Thanks for the tips, man, a fine example of an experienced player offering constructive info.

[mr ed]

You'll find that some of us have a very sarcastic,fun side to answering at times.Role with the punches,lighten up and enjoy the game of disc golf.It's all about the FUN.Try not to have anger issues,suck it in.You'll never know who/when ya might meet on the dgc.They'll remember you and your posts.Here is a sarcastic,fun moment..move from Iowa to a friendlier,dg  state.Your posts will lighten up and you'll start enjoying disc golf more.From an old school frisbee thrower;>}