Choosing the best throwing style in Disc Golf

Let's say you are interested in learning to play Disc Golf. It's not surprising since it is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in the nation. If you've ever been to a Disc Golf Course you might have seen people throwing the disc's many different ways other than the backhand approach you probably know from throwing a Frisbee. I'm going to explain some of the typical throwing styles so you can decide which will work for you.

To understand the different throws I first need to explain a little about how the disc's fly. When you throw a disc, it spins either clockwise or counter clockwise. The direction of the spin will make the disc drift to the right or to the left. That is called the 'hyzer', or natural fade. For explanation purposes lets assume that all of the throws are using the right hand. The four basic throwing types are the Backhand, Forehand, Thumber and Tomahawk. 

The Backhand throw is the most common seen, and the one that most beginners struggle the most with. This is done by wrapping your fingers under the lip of the disc, and placing your thumb on top of the disc. You bring the disc across and behind your body with the right arm, then whip your arm around and release the disc toward the basket. When you throw the backhand it will spin with a clock wise motion, and will fade to the left after flying straight for the majority of the flight. If you are trying to get around a corner to the left, the Backhand is a good throw choice.

The Forehand throw, or pistol throw starts with your palm facing up, the lip of the disc facing down, and one or two of your fingers under the inside lip and your thumb on top of the disc. This throw is almost like using a whip. Start with the disc behind your body with your right arm extended. Keeping the disc flat, bring your arm forward and whip your wrist as you release toward the basket. The counter clockwise spin will make the disc turn to the right.

The Thumber and the Tomahawk are both overhand throws. The motion is similar to throwing a baseball 

from the outfield to home plate. The Thumber starts with the disc held by the thumb and fore finger vertically in the hand (think throwing knife if you can't picture it). The bottom of the disc is facing toward your head. Raise the disc like a baseball and throw forward at a 35-40 degree loft. The disc will corkscrew left, then come back right. The Tomahawk is just the disc held with the top of the disc facing toward you. The Tomahawk will corkscrew right first, then come back to the left. These shots are perfect for going over trees or obstacles that going around would be dangerous.

Disc Golf - Selecting the right disc for your game

Selecting the right disc in Disc Golf is a lot like choosing the right club in ball Golf. The wrong disc will go to far or short, won't fade the right way, or will be carried by the wind and ruin the shot. For that reason, it is important to understand the differences between the disc and how they are used.

There are 3 main types of discs. There is the Driver, (also called distance Driver or fairway Driver) there is a midrange disc, and there is a putter. All of the discs are similiar in weight only. Everything else about them is different.

First the Driver series. These are the most used and usually the one people carry the most of. Drivers are known as stable, under stable or over stable. All this means is that when you throw a disc it spins and moves in one direction or the other depending on the the spin. For a standard right handed back hand throw, the disc is spinning clock wise, and therefore naturally moves to the left during flight. This natural movement is known as 'hyzer'. A stable disc will fly straight for a distance, then hyzer to the left toward the end of its flight. An under stable disc will fly straight for a shorter distance before begginning to hyzer to the left. An over stable disc will actually start to move to the right at the begginning of its flight, then straighten out and hyzer back to the left. Because of this S curve, when thrown correctly, the over stable disc can achieve the most distance. Drivers are the most aerodynamic and have a sharp or pointed edge.

The midrange disc is used for approach shots, or 'up' shots. This disc has a rounded edge and they are usually not as heavy as the drivers. (We are talking about a difference in only a few grams though). The throw for a midrange can also be a little different, and they are usally stable or over stable. This disc is used usually in the 50-100 foot range.

The last disc is the putter, and it is used for exactly that. Once you are inside a certain distance you want a disc that flies straight without a lot of hyzer. It has and even more rounded and beveled edge than the midrange disc, and it usually is more ridged than the midrange as well. This disc is made to fly short distances straight, thats all.

Once you start to learn to throw you will find that you use a variety of disc depending on the shot, the wind, the obstacles and the distance.

Fried Stuffed Potato Balls, OH MY!

Want to impress your friends with a great appetizer or side dish? How about fried stuffed potato balls? I came up with this recipe after visiting one of my favorite restaurants. On their menu, they have beer battered mashed potato balls with a sweet dark beer reduction sauce. Well, let's just say I LOVED it! Being an amatuer chef (highlight the 'amatuer'!) I decided to make them myself. As good as they were, they were NOT the same. So with some tinkering, and some additions, I came up with a recipe that I DO like, and it has been a HIT with my friends and family ever since!

What you need:
2 Large Idaho Russet Potatoes (or 3-4 small)
5 strips of bacon 
1 medium white onion
6 ounces of shredded cheddar/cheddar blend
One egg
Bread crumbs

Assembly for these is not difficult, and you can make them as big or as small as you like. I recommend something bigger than a golf ball, but smaller than a baseball. Any thing smaller will be hard to wrap, and anything bigger (like softball size) will not heat through to the center while fying. Once you have the technique down, you can play with the size a little more and make them more bite size.

First thing you need to do is cook all the ingredients. Chop the bacon into half inch pieces or smaller, and cook off till just crispy. Remove bacon but leave the fat in the pan. Add the onion, diced. Cook until camelized and then remove from the pan. Boil the Potatoes and mash, add milk or water to get a nice creamy consistancy. Add any spices you may want to the potato now. I use chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

Once you have everything in its own bowl or container, set up your assembly line. You need some plastic wrap, and I recommend taking two feet of it and folding it over itself so you have a one foot sheet double thick. Place some mashed potato on the plastic and fold the plastic wrap over and smash into patty/pancake. It should be a thin flat round disc. Add bacon, onion and cheese to the center and fold all four corners of the plastic wrap up so the potato closes in on the filling. Twist the potato and the wrap in your hand to make a ball. Set aside. 

Next is the breading station. Drop the balls into an egg wash (one egg, beaten with a little water added) and then into the bread crumbs. Take the potato balls and place on cooking sheet in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, just drop the balls in hot oil for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.