This is a fantastic question. I would say if you can’t throw a putter 225 or a mid 275 then it might not be worth moving up discs. I’ve found it helps to think of everything in increments of 50 ft. If you can comfortably throw mids 275, then you should be able to throw a fairway over 300 with more control. It’s not just about reaching a certain distance, rather reaching them comfortably and with control! Hope that helps!
Higher speed accentuates left and right movement and also tends to hide more flaws because they stabilize quicker... If throw with wobble they flatten within 50-100ft compared to a putter that will wobble til it hits the ground. A competent beginner with a good throw could expect 100-150ft putter 150-200ft midrange 200-250ft fairway 250-300ft distance Each increasingly difficult to maintain accuracy. Add roughly 50ft every "skill level" intermediate, advanced, open
@@FormerAmericanIdol This is a very reasonable set of distances. As long as you have some control, you don't have to throw super far to make use of the disc. I mean, even someone as good as Robbie's challenged for 400.
Hey Robbie! My friends and I started playing disc golf casually a little over a year ago, and started taking it more seriously recently (while still having fun of course). Just wanted to say I found your channel this past spring and it has helped me out a ton. This video in particular really validated a lot of what I've been practicing and experiencing. I have a bunch of distance drivers in my bag which I can throw about 300ft reliably, but I've been throwing fareway drivers a lot more lately and it's been exposing weaker areas in my form that I should work on. I might not have been aware of that if I hadn't watched your series on distance and this video. I tend to throw on that anhyzer line with distance drivers but now I'm gonna work more on my lower speed discs to try to build up that distance. Thanks for all of the great videos, Robbie!
I always found it hilarious when I throw my FD further then people using destroyers, cranks, wraiths, and DD3s. They always ask the question "what disc is that?" Like I found a magical disc that's faster than theirs. People think they need really POWER distance drivers and their form breaks down. Slow is smooth and smooth is far. So drop that 12 speed and pick up something slower.
Hey now the FD is magical!!! Don't you say otherwise!!! 😋 My buddy calls my FD the F***Disc... As in "how the F did that Disc go so far and so straight?" or "that Disc really F's" 😁
@@nathanfrazier8525 Ah I never bought a d-line when they were still being made, love my s-line and old beat in c-line that is a wonderfully neutral flyer when dialed back that just glides forever... definitely becoming a FinesseDisc
My Fairway Driver is dependable and I can keep it low and -spinning it far distance and relatively straight. Just a basic Escape from a Dynamic Disc starter pack I got for Christmas.
One of the best things to do is know how the discs fly for you, does not matter the speed or the angle you go with if you can always throw it that way. I was never big on throwing drivers till I got a Shryke as a gift, which opened me up to throwing more types of discs and helped my game a lot in the end. Thanks for the vid as always.
I agree 100%, although as a beginner I didn't know and bought an Innova tern, and went from throwing my fairways around 280' to throwing the tern around 330-350
Great video Robbie! I've got a great example. When I got back into disc golf the highest speed disc I had in my bag was a 9 only to find out the game had moved up as high up to 14 speeds. So early on I went up to 12 13 and tried some 14's just to get a feel finally I settled on the 11 speed Wraith and 12 speed Tern as what really worked for me as far as feel and where my max potential was repeatable. Then falling back to those 9 8 7 speeds where I feel that my accuracy + distance control really fill the bag in shot selections.
Robbie, after watching some of your vids for just a couple days, I went out with all your tips in mind and absolutely crushed a course that had been given me so many problems. My score still wasn’t great on paper, it’s an unforgiving course and I missed putts early on, but as the round went on I started throwing some bombs and my putting turned automatic, even nailing a 60 footer for birdie to cap it off. Thanks for doing this man, you’re a resource I’ll recommend to anyone just getting in to disc golf
I’m a bigginner and have about 300ft power behind 7 speeds like the River and Maverick. I decided to get the Captain as my first distance driver and man that thing gave me an immediate 50 ft of distance with a natural flex line from a hyper flip.
A lot of these tips have helped a lot and got me to take those 12-13 speed drivers I couldn’t throw out of the bag. Finding way more success with mid ranges and fairway drivers.
Fastest disc in my bag is a 9 speed, and the fastest disc that I throw is an 8 speed. 9's are for practice/checking my distance/form. This is because if I don't make that self-limitation, I'd put ALLLLLLL my 12 speeds in my bag. Trying to take it slower and find my form "correctly" (for me).
I like that you’re checking your form with your 9 speeds, making sure your nose angle control is good is very important. I’d definitely recommend a GStar Wraith when you want to step up your speed. They break in quickly to become a bit flippier than a usual wraith, I found that I could throw about 60-75% power for a smooth hyzer flip that would glide out over 400’ if I got the angle right. The fact that it’s only 11 speed helps it be more forgiving and less power-intensive, and the GStar plastic grants an easier break-in and buttery smooth shots with relative ease at intermediate arm speeds.
@@jacksonpalmer8955 Thanks! I didn't start like that. I have way too many discs to sound "good". But, I finally came around to trying to control my shots as well as try for distance.
Like the vid. I'm a real newbie at DG (less than 2 months) and I know I'm definitely not focusing right with learning it. DG kind of fills a bit of an aspect of 1: being casual with the game, and 2: something neat to collect with the styles and plastics.. Yet I do still have a bit of a competitive aspect. I had as a main sport, bowling. Ran 208 average. Got several pieces of equipment (balls) for different lane conditions. Did some amateur tourneying. So it's kinda easy to think about matching the ball to the lane/condition for best response. So when I got to DGing.. I looked half at it as understanding my approaches and drives bodily (learning releases, how to get power to the disc well, and so forth) and then having equipment that "can do" the things I want it to. I'll be honest... I've never thought of the commented aspects that those initial speed ratings are more determining what kind of power is needed to throw to get the result as opposed to a general measure of how far. But I'm learning. I kind of worked it backwards with using those 14 drivers and figuring out what I did to limit them or the fact that it's likely my lack of power keeping them going too inaccurate at times. And yes, how I can maintain better a 9 or so out there. But this all is definitely giving me something more to consider. Instead of just a specific disc for "conditions" or for a specific flight plan... There's a 3rd aspect I'll have to consider for. General self. Thanks for the vid...
Great advice here, Robbie. Using hyzer lip regularly has been a real boon. For me, the forced turn over has pretty big error bars. When it works, it's great, but it's easy for me to over do it, and that's no good. Hyzer flipping understable discs is the way to go for me. I love my leopard and archangle discs for this purpose. For the record, I don't bother throwing anything faster than a 9 and my go to discs lately are 6-8 and I can still throw them 320+. I have a lot of form improvements to make and dial in before I even bother trying to throw something like a wraith or a destroyer... if I ever do.
I enjoy your tips and have used many of them. I would like to see a video on standstill driving. I'm 56 and new at the game and have trouble with running up and my standstill is inconsistent. I've worked backwards on my game with putting and then upshots. Just need to focus on my driving now.
I've only been playing for like six weeks. I still keep that halo wraith in my bag because it looks cool...and then throw my 5 speed off the tee. They both go the same distance for me in a field, anyhow.
This was an awesome video. I threw only putters/mids for the last three months. Working on smooth throws and flat releases. I only just a couple weeks ago added 9 speed fairway drivers. I don't plan on adding distance drivers for quite a while. Just last week was I hyzer flipping the fairway drivers. I'm going to stick with them as I've only broken the 300' mark a couple times with them. Played with a friend and his son several weeks ago. He walked by my comet (which flew dead straight and was parked on a 240' hole). He asked me why I was throwing a mid. I said, "Do you see where that landed? That's why." Mids are by far my favorite to throw. They fit my hands great, and I find that throwing 250-260 is pretty fine for most courses.
I'm so glad I just watched this before I went out and got 4 more destroyers. I thought my issue was not enough consistency in field work ( too many molds). Turns out I should still be throwing fairways. 🤣😂🤣. Oh and the hair (or lack of) looks great brother! First time I've seen it short. Been absent for a while. Glad to be back though!!
I think its a good general rule to stay clear of distance drivers early primarily because MOST of them can be an expensive and discouraging experience at first. But I may disagree that the disc speed ratings should have the final say in what is good to throw. I think some low-weight and high speed drivers of specific plastic can be a worthwhile tool for a beginner. I can't for the life of me average over 250ft. on my mid ranges so I have alot to yet figure out. But the last 10 years my DX Orc and DX Wraith have treated me better than any other driving disc despite their 10/11 speed. I'm still heeding the advice to go back and develop my slower discs, but when I get nowhere I pull out my wraiths and remind myself there is hope. So I do think there are good discs of particular plastic and of a particular weight that can give even a beginner some fun hope, but granted probably not the best way to build foundational skills.
Dude! I just DISCovered disc golf like a month ago…and I suck, but I love it! This is literally my biggest point of confusion: “throwing a disc the speed it is intended to be thrown”…and simultaneously not having a clue if I’m doing that or even getting close. My fastest disc (beginner set) is a 8,6,-2,1 Discmania Essence. I keep peeling it out to the left (RHBH). I’m just trying to throw straight or that beautiful S-line. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to release flat, hyzer or anhyzer (assuming target is straight ahead). Who knew disc golf would be this confusing? Anyways, really like the channel and appreciate the help as I learn. Thanks for making great and helpful content for beginners. 😎👍
If you are fighting the natural tendency of the disk to fade left (RHBH on an overstable disk) you're not reaching the speed needed to throw it. Take a hard look at some 4-6 speeds. Look for neutral to understable discs to start. Buzz, Mako3, leopard, wombat3, sol etc. They will yank left if you're underthrowing them, but go very strait if you hit their intended speed. I am just starting as well, and am throwing a Mako3 about 200 feet with just a bit of left fade at the end. I can hit 225 is with an IT or Leopard3 and also have a bit of left fade just at the end. Starting, all those disks went about 150 feet and hauled off left. Mako3, Buzz or similar discs will really work well for a long time. And then you can work on hyzer ( / turns left RHBH ), anhyzer (\ turns right RHBH) and flat throws.
My form was going accidental anhyzer all the time built from muscle memory of my first disc being a Wraith and always having distance drivers in the bag. So a couple months ago, I took all the distance drivers (except one for wind) out of my bag. Because I took them out, I’ve been able to actually work on form and I can now throw FURTHER with a Stag (8-speed) than I used to be able to with 12 speed. If I throw well, I can break 320 on a good throw, and have actually gotten the hang of what a hyzer flip is. Thanks so much for this - now I have a threshold for when some of those high speeds can go back in the bag (when I can RELIABLY get the Stag to go over 320ft)
I throw distance drivers depending on wind. I can throw mids and FDs 300-320 to a 315ft hole, but in strong head wind I could end up 60-70 far left or right because it doesn't fade. I'll take out a Destroyer just so I can land closer to the basket
Been playing for 3 years and just now put a disc in my bag over a 9 speed. If you get to know your discs, you'll know when your form and arm speed has improved enough to step up the disc speed. Great video!
Yes I keep things minimal and light - and get to know my discs.. and it pays off in several ways. I'm not carrying around 30 discs ..but no big deal if others do. Plus I'm not a pro or competitive circuit but I do compete when I play others.
💡 you just made me realize I need to throw the hyzer flip more often and that is going to help me get more distance what a great video. Also I love your intro I just barely got passed that feeling but distance drivers only go 20ft further than fairways . Maybe soon that will change
350 forehand flip up raider every time. But lucky to get a roadrunner to fly flat on half my shots backhand. Got some work to do but having fun every day
as far as getting discs to flip up, plastic can make quite a difference. A star teebird is a meathook for me while a DX will flip right up, often with some turn.
I love that MN Vikings stamp. Having said that, thank you for all the videos you post. Being a beginner as of last year you've gotten me to rethink how I approach my disc selections and practice routines. I've gone from among the worst in my group to pushing everyone I play with to continue to get better through proper form and technique. I've benched many of my drivers and have fallen in love with the more controllable mids. I know I've got a bunch of work to do still but your videos are incredibly helpful and you have a way of breaking down and explaining concepts that seems to speak to me and my play group. Thank you Robbie. You're awesome.
The first time I did field work and saw all my distance drivers chilling with my fairway drivers...I knew distance drivers were, at that time, pointless discs taking up space in my bag. The moment I removed them and put in more of my favorite fairway drivers in different plastics...I started seeing my overall score drop on the course. 8 years later...I only bag 6 distance drivers. 3 Shryke's (Halo, Star, G-star), 2 wraith's (beat in champion and Pro) and a beat in PFN Star Destroyer I found in a lake years ago. ( I am damn near 50 and fully aware I will most likely never throw over 400' with out ripping something.)
Robbie I just shot even par at my local 27 hole par 105 course for the first time. I have to shout out your video about hyzer flips in wooded courses. I am so pumped!
You told me " my videos probably are not for me" i think they are just fine for me. I always like reminders and you do excellent work sir.. - sparksman monster first round. :)
My aim is not to push discs much beyond 300 (given most of the courses I play, there's not much need), but to get to 300 with slower discs. My eventual goal would be speed fives (Buzzz, Reactor, or Hex). I screwed something up in my form last year, but I'm beginning to get it again. I got a 7 there (Streamline Drift).
I keep a couple of star wraiths in my bag, but I only throw them when I’m feeling froggy. I almost exclusively stick between speed 7-9. I do field work with faster speed discs, but I know better than to throw them on the course.
I think distance driver are good as soon as you feel your form coming into place. Now while i personally think its fine i do think you should start with something pretty understable or lighter as something like a destroyer is gonna be imposssible for a newer person to throw properly.
Wow, great video put in layman’s terms. I just started around seven months back and learned the hard way at first. But recently I have been leaning on my putters and mids for holes < 330’. I’m finding ( as you put it ) disc’ing down has really helped my accuracy and control. Yes, I could disc up, but I want controllable accurate power and disc placement. For me this is especially true on wooded tracks. But, thank you for such wonderful content and wanting to help improve anyone’s game who pays attention.
looking fresh Robbie! I have just picked up a Lots, Thundrebird (sick dye job by a local) and a bubble gum Volt and they are quickly becoming my go toos! but I still have my Grym, Shryke, and a Teleport for Thumbers. Great content as always. your happy driver collage and jingle was very clever.
I really only throw my star destroyer when I need a flex line. Other than that, I stick to my star teebird for tee shots at the moment. Perhaps I'm doing a disservice to my game progression by using the destroyer though.
3:45 I remember those days, still have a 14 speed Westside King, one of my firsts discs I got after my starter kit because it had high speed and I liked how it looked haha
our local course doesn't support many lines for even using a distance driver. off shooting beyond the hole will get you in the swamp on some of the most 'open' shots... and I'm finding Distance drivers in the hazard areas (lost) .. kind of confirming they shouldn't have been used probably due to lack of experience in general. I can't reliably use them but I do practice with one when I feel like doing some driving practice in the most open section or a field... - those days where I don't feel like an old man 😅 Thanks for the clear demonstration and discussion of this topic.
I just recently got my first distance driver. I could get my F3 to 310-320’ pretty consistently, and on the line I wanted. So I went out and got a star wraith. I’m definitely still learning it and not able to get everything I want out of it yet, but I can flip it up to flat. So I guess it’s a start.
The flip to flat distance driver line is the hardest shot in disc golf for me lol, I struggle mightily to get a disc that’s the right stability 😂 my photon is too stable and my Gstar destroyer is too flippy unless I back off it a little bit
great advice!! I have 1- 11 speed the Scorch and 2-10 speed Anax and Avenger SS and the rest are 9 speeds for drivers. I have a couple 7 speeds and a bunch of mids. I am still trying to master form as most are so my consistency is not great. I am constantly calculating what I should have in my bag or what I should buy next. I've only been playing 3+ months so it's kind of a crap shoot. I can get 250-275 consistently with my 9,10, and 11 speed discs so I feel as though I am on a good track. But the problem arises when I play more technical and tighter courses and that should come with more experience. Great videos as always!!!!
Thanks Robbie, your videos are a great help! I've played off and on for decades, so I always feel like I should have a more advanced game than "absolute novice". I was recently thinking about buying a few discs including distance drivers, but I had the good fortune to borrow a Crank for a game and realize that being able to throw a Viking (9) 250 ft on a wide open tee is not the right bar for stepping into distance drivers :/ Instead, I've spent the last few games working on my form. Once I settle in, I'll look at adding a lightweight 8 or maybe 10 speed if I'm still not meeting these suggested benchmarks, and still not getting the distance I want to feel cool (which is 100% why I want to throw distance drivers) :)
If you can throw understable on a hyzerflip, then there are some fariway drivers that'll give distance drivers a pretty good run for their money in the distance department. My Discmania Essence flies almost as far as my Tern, the furthest flying disc in my bag! (I currently throw ~350 for reference.) In my experience glide has a lot more effect on distance than speed. P.S.- Sweet haircut!
Haven't watched yet, because I wanted to first say that I KNOW I am not ready for distance drivers. I honestly don't think I am ready for the 9 speed fairway drivers I have now. But I do feel like I am getting close to to speed 7 fairways I am currently using the most.
I was throwing my Valkyrie about 250 and needed about another 20-30 ft to get birdies ops on many of my home course par 3's. I decided to try a Mamba and did pick up the extra distance. Admittedly, I do use 155-160 gram discs and clearly don't have great arm speed. They are both flippy by consensus, but they don't dive right for me which they probably would if I had more speed. The Mamba has worked out for me, but I do now wonder if I am ingraining some bad habits.
The fastest useable drivers for me are 9 speed with the exception of the discraft avenger ss, and innova beast. Both are 10 speed but fly straight with some fade at the end. The best disc for beginners in the driver category is the latitude 64 diamond. It’s an 8 speed, but it’s so easy to get turn out of it. You don’t have to put very much power into it, and you get nice s turns. The only distance driver in my bag currently is the infinite discs czar in glow plastic. It’s my headwind fighter, and boy does it fly good for me into the wind.
For me, a thunder bird is overstable, but my son can take the same disc and hyserflip it dead straight and 100 ft farther. For me, I get the best distance with roadrunner, Valkyrie and Jade, and that's 280-300 ft. The Truth or Roc3, I throw just 20-30 ft less. A champion destroyer, I throw about 225 ft putting anhyzer on the release, lol.
It's simple. You throw distance drivers or any disc when it has a flight that you want more consistently than the other options. You dont know until you try them. Best advice, try it, practice it, and evaluate it fairly against your other options that you are also practicing. I think its a disservice to tell people not to use one until they reach a certain arm speed or a distance. Buy 2 or 3 misprints or F2s and try them out. Also, learn your plastics. Something like a Gstar boss is great for slower arms, but a halo boss flies like a rock
99% of disc golfers, myself included, could gain 40ft just with mobility training. Mobilize your spine and hips, just as with golf flexibility will give effortless distances
Then, knowing, as it is happened at me today (😊), that with this Sapphire I reached the (very relative, ok) farthest distance two times (throwing 3 distance - including the Sapphire - and 4 fairway drivers) gives a pleasant and spurring feeling, 😊
not only lighter discs, but different plastics can be HUGE. i have a 167g dx destroyer AND it's beat in pretty well so i can get legit distance out of it.
Lighter disk has faster speed for the same power… but you still have to have right Technik to get that speed… just like lighter car can accelerate faster than heavy car if they have equally strong motor… but if you waste that better acceleration to bad road tyre contact aka have bad technic… Well you don`t get that extra speed…
Thanks for the video. I would like to see the video where it is explained why all putters, mids, and fairways go about the same distance. My guess is nose up.
That is the most common issue. Putters actually require a tiny bit of nose up to fly far and well, but that angle destroys distance potential for faster speed discs!
Ngl, I just throw what I want and feel like throwing. I do try to throw a lot of different discs (for my own amusement) but always tend to stick with a few discs and just go throw with em for a few weeks.
How much does the x-step add to a throw? Currently working on a standing pull back in practice but I use the x step when I'm on a course because it's more fun.
I use drivers all the time even though I don't see huge gains in distance. I'll use them in situations where I might want a skip or some more ground play at the end of my shot. I think there is a solid argument to be made for incorporating them into your game regardless of skill level for those purposes.
That final point on form is my current struggle. I got so focused on adding distance that I can now throw my Anax over 400ft comfortably and controllably, but it has ruined my ability to throw anything understable. It’s been a struggle fixing my form.
Back to the field, Shryke is only thing I can get over 300. But Leapard3 / Teebird have been my favorite fairways lately. Mostly just throw a buzzz though
I might add a buzzz to my bag but currently the meteor and sol are my go to midranges and have been doing me well thus far, especially since the meteor is a cryztal flx so it doesn't roll as much on certain shots where the z plastic sol would roll.
I am an old (59 year old) newbie to disc golf. My first round I played was in May this year. I thought I could throw any disc anytime. I was wrong!! So, now I just use mid range and putters on the local course/practice areas I go to. My question is what makes the disc go further - the speed with which you throw it, the amount of spin you put on it when releasing it or a combination of the two? On a side note I think I am catching on pretty well so far as I have one eagle and several birdies in the limited amount of rounds I have played (under 20) plus a bunch of bogies!
My max average distance is 290’. I throw putters 240’ max. In other words, I throw distance drivers further, even though I don’t have 320’ average max power. I do throw light (avg 158g), understable (Mamba, Bolt, etc.) and am able to hyzer flip them….but they still go only 300’ on my best throws. I have over 300 discs, so have tried a wide variety of discs, and I keep about four distance drivers in my bag. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t make guidelines into rules, as ymmv.
Pretty sure I'm not ready for drivers, lol. I throw a Savant in the yard once in a while to remind me to go back to my ITs and Leo3s. Currently I throw my IT about 210 to 225 feet, with my best throw being 255. I can throw my Rhyno 180 feet. I've been playing about 5 months, being 45 years old and 5'6 isn't doing me any favors, but I think I can still get better.
Yo Robbie, who's the stunt double?...lol!! Nice look brother, I buzz my hair as soon as the weather gets hot. Great for aerodynamics on those long drives...lol!!
I've recently worked Champion Blizzard Teedevil and Katana into my bag with most of my discs being 8 speed or under and having great success with them. Usually use the Teedevil if I need to go hard left on a shot and the Katana surprisingly works great for Hyzerflips even though I can only throw about 280ft right now.
Question for you guys. Im totally new to the game, so still working on my basic form. In throwing Escape and Truth, I'm consistently throwing Truth further. Is this common for a newbie? Am I just dealing with my form issues on throwing drivers?
My thing right now is that my throw with Fairway and Distance drivers fly more straight than my throw with Mid and Putts at a distance even if they go the same distance
What if I throw a putter around 150 ft, a mid around 225, a fairway around 265, and distance driver around 290ft? I usually throw my understable distance driver for my distance shots and my stable stuff for big head winds. Also, pretty much all my stuff is light weight air plastic. My form is not bad. I'm just old and don't have much flexibility so my arm speed is not very good. I do see more distance with each level of disk.
When should you start using fairway drivers? How Long should you be able too throw a midrange or a putter?
This is a fantastic question. I would say if you can’t throw a putter 225 or a mid 275 then it might not be worth moving up discs. I’ve found it helps to think of everything in increments of 50 ft. If you can comfortably throw mids 275, then you should be able to throw a fairway over 300 with more control. It’s not just about reaching a certain distance, rather reaching them comfortably and with control! Hope that helps!
Higher speed accentuates left and right movement and also tends to hide more flaws because they stabilize quicker... If throw with wobble they flatten within 50-100ft compared to a putter that will wobble til it hits the ground.
A competent beginner with a good throw could expect
100-150ft putter
150-200ft midrange
200-250ft fairway
250-300ft distance
Each increasingly difficult to maintain accuracy.
Add roughly 50ft every "skill level" intermediate, advanced, open
@@RobbieCDiscgolf I seem to think in 50s too 😁 great advice and videos as always!
@@RobbieCDiscgolf thanks!
@@FormerAmericanIdol This is a very reasonable set of distances. As long as you have some control, you don't have to throw super far to make use of the disc. I mean, even someone as good as Robbie's challenged for 400.
Hey Robbie! My friends and I started playing disc golf casually a little over a year ago, and started taking it more seriously recently (while still having fun of course). Just wanted to say I found your channel this past spring and it has helped me out a ton. This video in particular really validated a lot of what I've been practicing and experiencing. I have a bunch of distance drivers in my bag which I can throw about 300ft reliably, but I've been throwing fareway drivers a lot more lately and it's been exposing weaker areas in my form that I should work on. I might not have been aware of that if I hadn't watched your series on distance and this video. I tend to throw on that anhyzer line with distance drivers but now I'm gonna work more on my lower speed discs to try to build up that distance. Thanks for all of the great videos, Robbie!
I always found it hilarious when I throw my FD further then people using destroyers, cranks, wraiths, and DD3s. They always ask the question "what disc is that?" Like I found a magical disc that's faster than theirs.
People think they need really POWER distance drivers and their form breaks down. Slow is smooth and smooth is far. So drop that 12 speed and pick up something slower.
Hey now the FD is magical!!! Don't you say otherwise!!! 😋 My buddy calls my FD the F***Disc... As in "how the F did that Disc go so far and so straight?" or "that Disc really F's" 😁
@@FormerAmericanIdol mine is a D-line so it's super beat in and insanely understable (-4 turn). Amazing hyzer flip disc.
@@nathanfrazier8525 Ah I never bought a d-line when they were still being made, love my s-line and old beat in c-line that is a wonderfully neutral flyer when dialed back that just glides forever... definitely becoming a FinesseDisc
My Fairway Driver is dependable and I can keep it low and -spinning it far distance and relatively straight. Just a basic Escape from a Dynamic Disc starter pack I got for Christmas.
One of the best things to do is know how the discs fly for you, does not matter the speed or the angle you go with if you can always throw it that way. I was never big on throwing drivers till I got a Shryke as a gift, which opened me up to throwing more types of discs and helped my game a lot in the end. Thanks for the vid as always.
New haircut looks good Robbie! As always, thanks for the advice and tips
I started driving distance drivers about a week into my disc golf career
I agree 100%, although as a beginner I didn't know and bought an Innova tern, and went from throwing my fairways around 280' to throwing the tern around 330-350
Great video Robbie! I've got a great example. When I got back into disc golf the highest speed disc I had in my bag was a 9 only to find out the game had moved up as high up to 14 speeds. So early on I went up to 12 13 and tried some 14's just to get a feel finally I settled on the 11 speed Wraith and 12 speed Tern as what really worked for me as far as feel and where my max potential was repeatable. Then falling back to those 9 8 7 speeds where I feel that my accuracy + distance control really fill the bag in shot selections.
I'm just getting into Disc Golf, and the intro is totally where im at rn. Thanks for the quality content!
Love the hair. Great video topic !
Robbie, after watching some of your vids for just a couple days, I went out with all your tips in mind and absolutely crushed a course that had been given me so many problems. My score still wasn’t great on paper, it’s an unforgiving course and I missed putts early on, but as the round went on I started throwing some bombs and my putting turned automatic, even nailing a 60 footer for birdie to cap it off. Thanks for doing this man, you’re a resource I’ll recommend to anyone just getting in to disc golf
Thank You Will!! Means alot to hear that! Keep up the solid work!!
Half the time I throw my teebird as far as my stable drivers but when I started using floppy drivers it totally helped me.
I’m a bigginner and have about 300ft power behind 7 speeds like the River and Maverick. I decided to get the Captain as my first distance driver and man that thing gave me an immediate 50 ft of distance with a natural flex line from a hyper flip.
A lot of these tips have helped a lot and got me to take those 12-13 speed drivers I couldn’t throw out of the bag. Finding way more success with mid ranges and fairway drivers.
Fastest disc in my bag is a 9 speed, and the fastest disc that I throw is an 8 speed. 9's are for practice/checking my distance/form. This is because if I don't make that self-limitation, I'd put ALLLLLLL my 12 speeds in my bag. Trying to take it slower and find my form "correctly" (for me).
Yep, agreed. I think the fastest is my Destroyer but thats it.
I like that you’re checking your form with your 9 speeds, making sure your nose angle control is good is very important. I’d definitely recommend a GStar Wraith when you want to step up your speed. They break in quickly to become a bit flippier than a usual wraith, I found that I could throw about 60-75% power for a smooth hyzer flip that would glide out over 400’ if I got the angle right. The fact that it’s only 11 speed helps it be more forgiving and less power-intensive, and the GStar plastic grants an easier break-in and buttery smooth shots with relative ease at intermediate arm speeds.
@@jacksonpalmer8955 Thanks! I didn't start like that. I have way too many discs to sound "good". But, I finally came around to trying to control my shots as well as try for distance.
Try a thrasher, i cant turn over a destroyer but a thrasher will hyzer flip without effort
@@krauselee877 same concept, thrashers are great. I throw a champ daedelus since I lost my flippy wraith
Like the vid. I'm a real newbie at DG (less than 2 months) and I know I'm definitely not focusing right with learning it. DG kind of fills a bit of an aspect of 1: being casual with the game, and 2: something neat to collect with the styles and plastics..
Yet I do still have a bit of a competitive aspect.
I had as a main sport, bowling.
Ran 208 average. Got several pieces of equipment (balls) for different lane conditions. Did some amateur tourneying.
So it's kinda easy to think about matching the ball to the lane/condition for best response.
So when I got to DGing.. I looked half at it as understanding my approaches and drives bodily (learning releases, how to get power to the disc well, and so forth) and then having equipment that "can do" the things I want it to.
I'll be honest... I've never thought of the commented aspects that those initial speed ratings are more determining what kind of power is needed to throw to get the result as opposed to a general measure of how far.
But I'm learning. I kind of worked it backwards with using those 14 drivers and figuring out what I did to limit them or the fact that it's likely my lack of power keeping them going too inaccurate at times. And yes, how I can maintain better a 9 or so out there. But this all is definitely giving me something more to consider.
Instead of just a specific disc for "conditions" or for a specific flight plan... There's a 3rd aspect I'll have to consider for. General self.
Thanks for the vid...
Great advice here, Robbie. Using hyzer lip regularly has been a real boon. For me, the forced turn over has pretty big error bars. When it works, it's great, but it's easy for me to over do it, and that's no good. Hyzer flipping understable discs is the way to go for me. I love my leopard and archangle discs for this purpose. For the record, I don't bother throwing anything faster than a 9 and my go to discs lately are 6-8 and I can still throw them 320+. I have a lot of form improvements to make and dial in before I even bother trying to throw something like a wraith or a destroyer... if I ever do.
I enjoy your tips and have used many of them. I would like to see a video on standstill driving. I'm 56 and new at the game and have trouble with running up and my standstill is inconsistent. I've worked backwards on my game with putting and then upshots. Just need to focus on my driving now.
I've only been playing for like six weeks. I still keep that halo wraith in my bag because it looks cool...and then throw my 5 speed off the tee. They both go the same distance for me in a field, anyhow.
This was an awesome video. I threw only putters/mids for the last three months. Working on smooth throws and flat releases. I only just a couple weeks ago added 9 speed fairway drivers. I don't plan on adding distance drivers for quite a while. Just last week was I hyzer flipping the fairway drivers. I'm going to stick with them as I've only broken the 300' mark a couple times with them.
Played with a friend and his son several weeks ago. He walked by my comet (which flew dead straight and was parked on a 240' hole). He asked me why I was throwing a mid. I said, "Do you see where that landed? That's why." Mids are by far my favorite to throw. They fit my hands great, and I find that throwing 250-260 is pretty fine for most courses.
I'm so glad I just watched this before I went out and got 4 more destroyers. I thought my issue was not enough consistency in field work ( too many molds). Turns out I should still be throwing fairways. 🤣😂🤣. Oh and the hair (or lack of) looks great brother! First time I've seen it short. Been absent for a while. Glad to be back though!!
I think its a good general rule to stay clear of distance drivers early primarily because MOST of them can be an expensive and discouraging experience at first. But I may disagree that the disc speed ratings should have the final say in what is good to throw. I think some low-weight and high speed drivers of specific plastic can be a worthwhile tool for a beginner. I can't for the life of me average over 250ft. on my mid ranges so I have alot to yet figure out. But the last 10 years my DX Orc and DX Wraith have treated me better than any other driving disc despite their 10/11 speed. I'm still heeding the advice to go back and develop my slower discs, but when I get nowhere I pull out my wraiths and remind myself there is hope. So I do think there are good discs of particular plastic and of a particular weight that can give even a beginner some fun hope, but granted probably not the best way to build foundational skills.
Dude! I just DISCovered disc golf like a month ago…and I suck, but I love it! This is literally my biggest point of confusion: “throwing a disc the speed it is intended to be thrown”…and simultaneously not having a clue if I’m doing that or even getting close. My fastest disc (beginner set) is a 8,6,-2,1 Discmania Essence. I keep peeling it out to the left (RHBH). I’m just trying to throw straight or that beautiful S-line. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to release flat, hyzer or anhyzer (assuming target is straight ahead). Who knew disc golf would be this confusing? Anyways, really like the channel and appreciate the help as I learn. Thanks for making great and helpful content for beginners. 😎👍
If you are fighting the natural tendency of the disk to fade left (RHBH on an overstable disk) you're not reaching the speed needed to throw it. Take a hard look at some 4-6 speeds. Look for neutral to understable discs to start. Buzz, Mako3, leopard, wombat3, sol etc. They will yank left if you're underthrowing them, but go very strait if you hit their intended speed. I am just starting as well, and am throwing a Mako3 about 200 feet with just a bit of left fade at the end. I can hit 225 is with an IT or Leopard3 and also have a bit of left fade just at the end. Starting, all those disks went about 150 feet and hauled off left. Mako3, Buzz or similar discs will really work well for a long time. And then you can work on hyzer ( / turns left RHBH ), anhyzer (\ turns right RHBH) and flat throws.
My form was going accidental anhyzer all the time built from muscle memory of my first disc being a Wraith and always having distance drivers in the bag. So a couple months ago, I took all the distance drivers (except one for wind) out of my bag.
Because I took them out, I’ve been able to actually work on form and I can now throw FURTHER with a Stag (8-speed) than I used to be able to with 12 speed. If I throw well, I can break 320 on a good throw, and have actually gotten the hang of what a hyzer flip is. Thanks so much for this - now I have a threshold for when some of those high speeds can go back in the bag (when I can RELIABLY get the Stag to go over 320ft)
I literally searched for these videos so long just yesterday and couldn't find anything worth watching. Thank u robbie
I throw distance drivers depending on wind. I can throw mids and FDs 300-320 to a 315ft hole, but in strong head wind I could end up 60-70 far left or right because it doesn't fade. I'll take out a Destroyer just so I can land closer to the basket
Been playing for 3 years and just now put a disc in my bag over a 9 speed. If you get to know your discs, you'll know when your form and arm speed has improved enough to step up the disc speed. Great video!
Yes I keep things minimal and light - and get to know my discs.. and it pays off in several ways. I'm not carrying around 30 discs ..but no big deal if others do. Plus I'm not a pro or competitive circuit but I do compete when I play others.
💡 you just made me realize I need to throw the hyzer flip more often and that is going to help me get more distance what a great video. Also I love your intro I just barely got passed that feeling but distance drivers only go 20ft further than fairways . Maybe soon that will change
350 forehand flip up raider every time. But lucky to get a roadrunner to fly flat on half my shots backhand. Got some work to do but having fun every day
as far as getting discs to flip up, plastic can make quite a difference. A star teebird is a meathook for me while a DX will flip right up, often with some turn.
I love that MN Vikings stamp. Having said that, thank you for all the videos you post. Being a beginner as of last year you've gotten me to rethink how I approach my disc selections and practice routines. I've gone from among the worst in my group to pushing everyone I play with to continue to get better through proper form and technique. I've benched many of my drivers and have fallen in love with the more controllable mids. I know I've got a bunch of work to do still but your videos are incredibly helpful and you have a way of breaking down and explaining concepts that seems to speak to me and my play group. Thank you Robbie. You're awesome.
The first time I did field work and saw all my distance drivers chilling with my fairway drivers...I knew distance drivers were, at that time, pointless discs taking up space in my bag. The moment I removed them and put in more of my favorite fairway drivers in different plastics...I started seeing my overall score drop on the course. 8 years later...I only bag 6 distance drivers. 3 Shryke's (Halo, Star, G-star), 2 wraith's (beat in champion and Pro) and a beat in PFN Star Destroyer I found in a lake years ago. ( I am damn near 50 and fully aware I will most likely never throw over 400' with out ripping something.)
Dude! Thanks for covering this. I asked about this recently and appreciate the thought you put in.
Awesome video as always. Great tips and super funny thanks
Robbie I just shot even par at my local 27 hole par 105 course for the first time. I have to shout out your video about hyzer flips in wooded courses. I am so pumped!
You told me " my videos probably are not for me" i think they are just fine for me. I always like reminders and you do excellent work sir.. - sparksman monster first round. :)
My aim is not to push discs much beyond 300 (given most of the courses I play, there's not much need), but to get to 300 with slower discs. My eventual goal would be speed fives (Buzzz, Reactor, or Hex). I screwed something up in my form last year, but I'm beginning to get it again. I got a 7 there (Streamline Drift).
Nice hair cut thanks for taking your time to make all the videos
I keep a couple of star wraiths in my bag, but I only throw them when I’m feeling froggy. I almost exclusively stick between speed 7-9. I do field work with faster speed discs, but I know better than to throw them on the course.
I think distance driver are good as soon as you feel your form coming into place. Now while i personally think its fine i do think you should start with something pretty understable or lighter as something like a destroyer is gonna be imposssible for a newer person to throw properly.
Very fun video. I probably agree with you. That being said, fixing my form seems like a lot of work.
The haircut got me, I subscribed. Also I've found myself watching more and more of your content as I prepare for my first tournament in week
Dude let us know how you do! Best of luck and have fun.
Love watch your videos!! 🙏🏽
Wow, great video put in layman’s terms. I just started around seven months back and learned the hard way at first. But recently I have been leaning on my putters and mids for holes < 330’. I’m finding ( as you put it ) disc’ing down has really helped my accuracy and control. Yes, I could disc up, but I want controllable accurate power and disc placement. For me this is especially true on wooded tracks. But, thank you for such wonderful content and wanting to help improve anyone’s game who pays attention.
Robbie with detailed breakdown. Keep the content coming beotha
looking fresh Robbie! I have just picked up a Lots, Thundrebird (sick dye job by a local) and a bubble gum Volt and they are quickly becoming my go toos! but I still have my Grym, Shryke, and a Teleport for Thumbers. Great content as always. your happy driver collage and jingle was very clever.
I really only throw my star destroyer when I need a flex line. Other than that, I stick to my star teebird for tee shots at the moment. Perhaps I'm doing a disservice to my game progression by using the destroyer though.
3:45 I remember those days, still have a 14 speed Westside King, one of my firsts discs I got after my starter kit because it had high speed and I liked how it looked haha
our local course doesn't support many lines for even using a distance driver. off shooting beyond the hole will get you in the swamp on some of the most 'open' shots... and I'm finding Distance drivers in the hazard areas (lost) .. kind of confirming they shouldn't have been used probably due to lack of experience in general. I can't reliably use them but I do practice with one when I feel like doing some driving practice in the most open section or a field... - those days where I don't feel like an old man 😅 Thanks for the clear demonstration and discussion of this topic.
Great video, makes sense!
Great content here! Keep it up!
Shaved head looks dope!!! Mean and ready to play. Also, killer content. Thanks for all you do for the game!!
I just recently got my first distance driver. I could get my F3 to 310-320’ pretty consistently, and on the line I wanted. So I went out and got a star wraith. I’m definitely still learning it and not able to get everything I want out of it yet, but I can flip it up to flat. So I guess it’s a start.
The flip to flat distance driver line is the hardest shot in disc golf for me lol, I struggle mightily to get a disc that’s the right stability 😂 my photon is too stable and my Gstar destroyer is too flippy unless I back off it a little bit
Great video as always! Also loving the new look!
great advice!! I have 1- 11 speed the Scorch and 2-10 speed Anax and Avenger SS and the rest are 9 speeds for drivers. I have a couple 7 speeds and a bunch of mids. I am still trying to master form as most are so my consistency is not great. I am constantly calculating what I should have in my bag or what I should buy next. I've only been playing 3+ months so it's kind of a crap shoot. I can get 250-275 consistently with my 9,10, and 11 speed discs so I feel as though I am on a good track. But the problem arises when I play more technical and tighter courses and that should come with more experience.
Great videos as always!!!!
Looking sharp, great tips.
I remember starting out with an old 2014 run champ Xcal. hoo boy that was fun to try and make it do anything but I had so much damn fun
Thanks Robbie, your videos are a great help! I've played off and on for decades, so I always feel like I should have a more advanced game than "absolute novice". I was recently thinking about buying a few discs including distance drivers, but I had the good fortune to borrow a Crank for a game and realize that being able to throw a Viking (9) 250 ft on a wide open tee is not the right bar for stepping into distance drivers :/ Instead, I've spent the last few games working on my form. Once I settle in, I'll look at adding a lightweight 8 or maybe 10 speed if I'm still not meeting these suggested benchmarks, and still not getting the distance I want to feel cool (which is 100% why I want to throw distance drivers) :)
If you can throw understable on a hyzerflip, then there are some fariway drivers that'll give distance drivers a pretty good run for their money in the distance department. My Discmania Essence flies almost as far as my Tern, the furthest flying disc in my bag! (I currently throw ~350 for reference.) In my experience glide has a lot more effect on distance than speed.
P.S.- Sweet haircut!
My TL3 does the same thing! Great point, if I dont go full bore on my distance drivers my tl3 will hang right with them
Haven't watched yet, because I wanted to first say that I KNOW I am not ready for distance drivers. I honestly don't think I am ready for the 9 speed fairway drivers I have now. But I do feel like I am getting close to to speed 7 fairways I am currently using the most.
Along with whether to throw them is to consider player arm speed and weight of disc. Slower arm speed, go lighter weight.
I was throwing my Valkyrie about 250 and needed about another 20-30 ft to get birdies ops on many of my home course par 3's. I decided to try a Mamba and did pick up the extra distance. Admittedly, I do use 155-160 gram discs and clearly don't have great arm speed. They are both flippy by consensus, but they don't dive right for me which they probably would if I had more speed. The Mamba has worked out for me, but I do now wonder if I am ingraining some bad habits.
Disc golf and board gamer? Great combination.
The fastest useable drivers for me are 9 speed with the exception of the discraft avenger ss, and innova beast. Both are 10 speed but fly straight with some fade at the end. The best disc for beginners in the driver category is the latitude 64 diamond. It’s an 8 speed, but it’s so easy to get turn out of it. You don’t have to put very much power into it, and you get nice s turns. The only distance driver in my bag currently is the infinite discs czar in glow plastic. It’s my headwind fighter, and boy does it fly good for me into the wind.
This is the same problem I am having with drivers. I’m throwing putters further.
For me, a thunder bird is overstable, but my son can take the same disc and hyserflip it dead straight and 100 ft farther.
For me, I get the best distance with roadrunner, Valkyrie and Jade, and that's 280-300 ft. The Truth or Roc3, I throw just 20-30 ft less. A champion destroyer, I throw about 225 ft putting anhyzer on the release, lol.
Duuuude.. where’d you get the sick Vikings stamp? I’m a huge Vikes fan, this year is gonna be special.. Skol😈
It's simple. You throw distance drivers or any disc when it has a flight that you want more consistently than the other options. You dont know until you try them. Best advice, try it, practice it, and evaluate it fairly against your other options that you are also practicing. I think its a disservice to tell people not to use one until they reach a certain arm speed or a distance. Buy 2 or 3 misprints or F2s and try them out. Also, learn your plastics. Something like a Gstar boss is great for slower arms, but a halo boss flies like a rock
Love the haircut. Dope video
99% of disc golfers, myself included, could gain 40ft just with mobility training. Mobilize your spine and hips, just as with golf flexibility will give effortless distances
After a very short time I found out that distance drivers are the side Arm go to for many shots. So early I would say
What if using a lighter distance driver? Such as a Sapphire (10,ok inferior limit but...) of 159 g? I've spoken too early 😁
Then, knowing, as it is happened at me today (😊), that with this Sapphire I reached the (very relative, ok) farthest distance two times (throwing 3 distance - including the Sapphire - and 4 fairway drivers) gives a pleasant and spurring feeling, 😊
not only lighter discs, but different plastics can be HUGE. i have a 167g dx destroyer AND it's beat in pretty well so i can get legit distance out of it.
If it works, then that’s great!
Lighter disk has faster speed for the same power… but you still have to have right Technik to get that speed… just like lighter car can accelerate faster than heavy car if they have equally strong motor… but if you waste that better acceleration to bad road tyre contact aka have bad technic… Well you don`t get that extra speed…
Can you do reviews of the various courses you do? Might make for an interesting series. I know I would love it.
Thanks for the video. I would like to see the video where it is explained why all putters, mids, and fairways go about the same distance. My guess is nose up.
That is the most common issue. Putters actually require a tiny bit of nose up to fly far and well, but that angle destroys distance potential for faster speed discs!
Ngl, I just throw what I want and feel like throwing. I do try to throw a lot of different discs (for my own amusement) but always tend to stick with a few discs and just go throw with em for a few weeks.
Is that clay DGC? I love that course ! Moulton AL native here !
How much does the x-step add to a throw?
Currently working on a standing pull back in practice but I use the x step when I'm on a course because it's more fun.
Nice Viking stamp lol, Minnesotan here
I use drivers all the time even though I don't see huge gains in distance. I'll use them in situations where I might want a skip or some more ground play at the end of my shot. I think there is a solid argument to be made for incorporating them into your game regardless of skill level for those purposes.
That final point on form is my current struggle. I got so focused on adding distance that I can now throw my Anax over 400ft comfortably and controllably, but it has ruined my ability to throw anything understable. It’s been a struggle fixing my form.
Back to the field, Shryke is only thing I can get over 300. But Leapard3 / Teebird have been my favorite fairways lately. Mostly just throw a buzzz though
I might add a buzzz to my bag but currently the meteor and sol are my go to midranges and have been doing me well thus far, especially since the meteor is a cryztal flx so it doesn't roll as much on certain shots where the z plastic sol would roll.
Hole 1 at Inverness is a beast!
I am an old (59 year old) newbie to disc golf. My first round I played was in May this year. I thought I could throw any disc anytime. I was wrong!! So, now I just use mid range and putters on the local course/practice areas I go to. My question is what makes the disc go further - the speed with which you throw it, the amount of spin you put on it when releasing it or a combination of the two?
On a side note I think I am catching on pretty well so far as I have one eagle and several birdies in the limited amount of rounds I have played (under 20) plus a bunch of bogies!
You nailed it! It’s the speed thrown/body properly passing power into the disc thus causing it to rotate more. More rotations means more distance!
My max average distance is 290’. I throw putters 240’ max. In other words, I throw distance drivers further, even though I don’t have 320’ average max power.
I do throw light (avg 158g), understable (Mamba, Bolt, etc.) and am able to hyzer flip them….but they still go only 300’ on my best throws.
I have over 300 discs, so have tried a wide variety of discs, and I keep about four distance drivers in my bag. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t make guidelines into rules, as ymmv.
I wanna throw distance drivers because they're the most comfortable disc to hold
Pretty sure I'm not ready for drivers, lol. I throw a Savant in the yard once in a while to remind me to go back to my ITs and Leo3s. Currently I throw my IT about 210 to 225 feet, with my best throw being 255. I can throw my Rhyno 180 feet. I've been playing about 5 months, being 45 years old and 5'6 isn't doing me any favors, but I think I can still get better.
Yo Robbie, who's the stunt double?...lol!! Nice look brother, I buzz my hair as soon as the weather gets hot. Great for aerodynamics on those long drives...lol!!
«What the McBeth» 😂
Looks over to my thunderbird... yeah that's my hard left utility shot driver.... one day I'll use it for real.... as soon as I break my 200' drive.
I've recently worked Champion Blizzard Teedevil and Katana into my bag with most of my discs being 8 speed or under and having great success with them. Usually use the Teedevil if I need to go hard left on a shot and the Katana surprisingly works great for Hyzerflips even though I can only throw about 280ft right now.
Question for you guys. Im totally new to the game, so still working on my basic form. In throwing Escape and Truth, I'm consistently throwing Truth further. Is this common for a newbie? Am I just dealing with my form issues on throwing drivers?
My thing right now is that my throw with Fairway and Distance drivers fly more straight than my throw with Mid and Putts at a distance even if they go the same distance
Very funny.. I'm a beginner with 2 aces and they both were with distance drivers under 300ft lmao both forehands too
I bought some amazon pack, went to a field 3 times, threw all the discs with such little distance and I've never been back out ...
What if I throw a putter around 150 ft, a mid around 225, a fairway around 265, and distance driver around 290ft?
I usually throw my understable distance driver for my distance shots and my stable stuff for big head winds. Also, pretty much all my stuff is light weight air plastic. My form is not bad. I'm just old and don't have much flexibility so my arm speed is not very good. I do see more distance with each level of disk.
Under-stable disc suggestions?
Today on Baskets with Babish.
@1:00 what is the Viking stamp disc you’re holding in your left hand?
Entire vid of you dancing with halo discs plz.
Damn dude, board game collection and obsessed with disc golf... There are dozens of us... DOZENS!