How do you practice?

[billnchristy]

I cannot practice drives in my yard but have been working on putting and midrange throws lately.

I imagine drives are best done in an open field, the closest park has all the fields closed unfortunately so my only practice comes at the course.

For midrange I like to set up the practice basket to where I have several lines of approach. I basically do lay-up training by trying difficult, usually blind shots from different angles.

The goal obviously is to get within putting range. Basically it is like starting from your second shot ranging anywhere from 60-150'

My putting practice is either PP360 or just random throws from different distances.

If I am not playing 360 I will throw all my putters from a far distance...40-50' and if they do not go in I pick them up and relocate to another difficult position. I do this until they are all in.

[Dthunderchicken]

When I throw drivers, I'll use two targets. Usually my bag and a cooler. Then I'll try different shots all aiming to land as close to the target as possible.

For putting I have two foam covered pipes on portable stands that I putt at.

[billnchristy]

Oh good idea aiming at something! Will have to try that.

[tamahawk]

My putting practice is either PP360 or just random throws from different distances.

Same here on the putting, PP360 and various distances with focus being on the 20-30ft range.

For throwing, open field practice is great, and very beneficial.

Having targets to throw at is very helpful.
Also, try throwing different lines. Pick a line and learn to make it happen.

[Neophyte]

I usually practice on a football field. I stand between the uprights on one end and try to land my throws between the uprights on the other side of the field. Right now I can only reach with my X-Cal so I try to land all my other shots right in the center of the field between the hash-marks.

[billnchristy]

Yeah I would love a marked football field, that would be heavenly....it is so hard to judge how far your throws are unmarked.

[skottyb]

Since there aren't any marked football fields I generally throw from a baseball field, its about 350 dead center so I throw a little behind home plate. I focus more on form and release then general power. Its also a great area to practice rollers and what not, since your not going to lose any discs since its completely enclosed.

As a person who has left discs behind I would HIGHLY recommend counting the number of discs before you start practicing, then once you are finished count them again. This will prevent you from the heartache you might receive next time you go out and play a round.

[Dthunderchicken]

My first time practicing I went to the local Highschool football field. Unbeknownst to me they have an irrigation set up there. About 1/2 an hour after I start, I notice that me shoes are getting wet. By the time I figured out what was going on I was in water up to my ankles.

Soccer fields with their netted goals work OK if the netting is fine enough. My office is near a new soccer park and I have gone there at lunch to try new discs.

[phishbrained]

For drives I throw an old soccer field and try to get it in the goal or atleast between the goal posts. I have a skill shot net that I practice my midrange and putting on. I always have it in my car so I can break it out anywhere.

[Roc1Time]

For drives I throw an old soccer field and try to get it in the goal or atleast between the goal posts. I have a skill shot net that I practice my midrange and putting on. I always have it in my car so I can break it out anywhere.

Deja vu, except I have my cheap instep instead of skill shot

[cc0049]

Field practice is great...just emptying your bag over and over again and learning your discs. I usually like to have a target to aim and and will usually set up my portable basket. I'll throw at all different distances and try to throw my discs on all different lines.
I also really like getting a course somewhat to myself and throwing lots of shots on one hole. Of course, this is only feasible if the course is somewhat empty.
For putting, lately I've been playing PP360 because it makes putting practice more fun. A lot of times, I'll just putt 50-100 times from a certain distance and track my percentages. I putt in my house a lot for practice. I usually try to spend 15 to 20 minutes before casual round practicing putting then too.
This may sound crazy, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, but I also visualize my form and putting etc when I'm not playing. I'm not sure if this helps much or not...I think it does some because it reminds me what I need to be doing when I get back out to actually throw.

[trifocal]

[QUOTE=cc0049;61554This may sound crazy, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, but I also visualize my form and putting etc when I'm not playing. I'm not sure if this helps much or not...I think it does some because it reminds me what I need to be doing when I get back out to actually throw.[/QUOTE]

That does't sound crazy, but how about this?

My gal informed me yesterday that I was talking in my sleep the previous night. Evidently I was having an R.E.M. practice session with my disc mentor. She tells me I was muttering...." how'd you do that? How'd you throw that disc? What disc was that? How'd you do that?"

Good grief.

[solomon.trenton]

I cannot practice drives in my yard but have been working on putting and midrange throws lately.

I imagine drives are best done in an open field, the closest park has all the fields closed unfortunately so my only practice comes at the course.

For midrange I like to set up the practice basket to where I have several lines of approach. I basically do lay-up training by trying difficult, usually blind shots from different angles.

The goal obviously is to get within putting range. Basically it is like starting from your second shot ranging anywhere from 60-150'

My putting practice is either PP360 or just random throws from different distances.

If I am not playing 360 I will throw all my putters from a far distance...40-50' and if they do not go in I pick them up and relocate to another difficult position. I do this until they are all in.
i like the putting idea. i just take my bag into a public park (baseball/soccer field) and empty my whole bag.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

That does't sound crazy, but how about this?

My gal informed me yesterday that I was talking in my sleep the previous night. Evidently I was having an R.E.M. practice session with my disc mentor. She tells me I was muttering...." how'd you do that? How'd you throw that disc? What disc was that? How'd you do that?"

Good grief.

Funny stuff... you need to post this on the thread "You know your addiucted to DG when.."

Deja Vu 2... for everything u just posted cc0049... esp. what u said abt. throwing all your discs on one hole if the course is empty.... IMO it's the best way to learn a course.... It is also very impt. to count how many discs u start w/ @ the beginning.... man, I've lost dozens of discs emptying my bag and not realizing I'm missing somethin' till its too late.... before I "learned" to count.... :D

[SpringDgLover]

For putting i set up my Mach Lite in the backyard and basically follow the instructions Greg Ellis gives in his Discraft instructional video. I too go out to a football field and throw all manor of shots. Another thing i like to do there is stand about 15 yards behind the goal post (old school one with two poles) and shoot through the "box" that the goal post creates. It forces you to shoot straight and that has always been my achilles heal.

[Ball-Z]

Practice?........ Wow, maybe thats's why I suck at this game.

[zud00]

For driving, I go to a school football field. As SpringDGLover mentioned, I tee off about 10 feet behind the field goal and shoot through the opening to the other field goal.

I don't have a practice basket, so for my mid range practice, I have thrown from my back porch to the horseshoe pits (about 125 feet) and then when throwing the discs back, I shoot at a lawn chair. Dang, I can't wait til I get a basket!

[billnchristy]

Well some of my practice worked well for me tonight...my wife congratulated me for several blind putts that landed right next to the basket.

Like I told her though...if my first shot didnt suck so bad I would not have been in that predicament.

[trifocal]

I'm giving the Rocs and Putters more practice time. I vary the distance from 70 out to about 150. I have a few Rocs to practice with, 2 Millinium softs, a couple JK Aviars and my original pair of shabby yellow Chain Magnets. I try each mold at the same distance working on shaping a hyzer, anhyzer and flat throw. Rhbh and an Ultimate type flick. Change up on directions so I have different wind angles to gauge.

The little park I practice in, really isn't much bigger than a soccer field, flat on the bottom, but one side has a slope thats runs 300' and is 15' higher than the bottom. I use that elevation for practice, too....throwing up it, down it and diagonally. Targets are my bag, trees, garbage cans or whatever is laying on the ground.

Its fun to practice the various imaginary approach shots in the open and then go behind trees or bushes. I also will find a fence and get up close to it and throw approaches from there. Its funny how a 4' chain link fence allows a good view of my target, yet really forces me to get a nice release on a slightly higher plane...ever have an open look at the basket 50' away, but have some twigy bush directly in front of you.

I don't have a Tommy ( yet ) or a Roller, those throws are on the "to do " list. Meanwhile, I give time to practicing getting Up & Down from different distances and simulated situations with the throws I do have.

[Midnightbiker]

I have two empty lots that the town owns, and I used them to practice. One field actually is half lit at night, because the lights from the library parking lot lights up part of the field at night. I throw my drives from the dark side to the light side of the field at night.

I take my Skill Shot to the field, and warm up by doing some putts. Then I start walking away from the basket with a hand full of discs. I walk about 100 feet and drop my approach disc on the ground. I then walk about 200-220 ft and drop my mids on the ground. I then walk about 300ft or so and drop my drivers on the ground.

I throw my drivers at the basket, and make a mental note of how each one did. I notice which ones fly or land in the same spot, and make sure I don't have any overlap in my bag. I then walk up to my mids and do the same thing. I then walk up to my putter, throw it for an approach shot, and then , walk around and look at my discs, and where they landed, and make a mental note in my head. I also make a note of the distances from the basket, so I know which disc to choose for what distances. Kind of the same way a regular golfer checks his Irons at a driving range.

I then give my arm a break and do some putting practice from 10-30ft out. I then repeat the process with the drivers and mids again. I then take my approach disc and my putter and walk about from 20-70ft away from the basket and practice my approach shots. I think this is one of the most over looked shots in disc golf. I may not be able to drive much past 300ft, but most people are amazed at my approach shots. I have made more shots from 60-100ft, and people are shocked at how close I can land next to or in the basket from these distances.

I work on approach shots for about half an hour, then I make a few more drives, work on some putts again, throw a few mids, work on my approaches again. All this time, I have my headphones on, and I am jamming. I also make sure I bring plenty to drink, because it can get thirsty even at the practice field.

I try to limit myself, because I have hurt my arm throwing too much. That is just how I practice. I hope this helps someone.

[DallaS]

I have a basket I move around and putt in the backyard daily. Love PP360.
I also go to football fields to practice form and distance. I also like to practice on the course throwing several drives, approches and putts per hole. This can be hard on the busy courses. What I did was look up or find a less popular course. W.O. Harrington is fairly close to my house and a pretty simple course with a 2 rating. Has 9 holes and natural tee boxes.Find these less popular courses for practice. Hardly anyone out there.

[jesus]

You should practice hitting your lines. If you just throw at a target, you aren't really helping yourself as much as you could. Jack Nichlaus used to talk about an imaginary line that he would trace from the hole, all the way back to the teebox (ball golf player, but the concept translates). He'd pick a target off of the teebox and commit to hitting that line. If you know what your discs will do, all you have to do is hit your line and let the disc do the rest.

IE: If you are at a 350 ft hole with a soft fade to the right at the end, pick a point in the fairway to aim at and let the disc do the work from there, your job is to get the disc to that point, at the right speed. It's easier to hit a spot at 100 ft than it is to hit one at 350. When you get good at this, you can hit all sorts of different lines, which helps you play better on courses that you are not familiar with. When you know what your discs will do and you are confident in your ability to hit your lines, you will be a much better player.

If you don't practice in a field and choose to practice on a course, don't make the same shot for every hole, everytime you play. Try different lines and practice that way. Versatility is key.

[FRIZZLE TOSSLER]

You should practice hitting your lines. If you just throw at a target, you aren't really helping yourself as much as you could. Jack Nichlaus used to talk about an imaginary line that he would trace from the hole, all the way back to the teebox (ball golf player, but the concept translates). He'd pick a target off of the teebox and commit to hitting that line. If you know what your discs will do, all you have to do is hit your line and let the disc do the rest.

IE: If you are at a 350 ft hole with a soft fade to the right at the end, pick a point in the fairway to aim at and let the disc do the work from there, your job is to get the disc to that point, at the right speed. It's easier to hit a spot at 100 ft than it is to hit one at 350. When you get good at this, you can hit all sorts of different lines, which helps you play better on courses that you are not familiar with. When you know what your discs will do and you are confident in your ability to hit your lines, you will be a much better player.

If you don't practice in a field and choose to practice on a course, don't make the same shot for every hole, everytime you play. Try different lines and practice that way. Versatility is key.

VERY sound advice.. couldn't have said it any better myself. Thanks Jesus :D

[sumner420]

I drive at a rugby pitch at the college where I work.
Not as kool as a football field but the lines do help judge distance.
usually I back hand, stand still from one end- out into the field, aiming at the other upright,
Then I collect discs and toss back where I was, but, this time forehand.
If I'm feeling a bit frisky, I may practice my (bad rollers), which take a long time to collect, or give a thumber/tommy volley-These are way more consistant(depending on the disc tossed), but, I rarely see improvemnet in my range or accuracy- I'm stalled at about 80 to 100, very controlled throw though- I learned this toss by praticing over the backstops at a baseball field, so my line is super high but not too long.
After a warmup of sorts I will try for full power drives, I toss everything as if it were a driver, sometimes with some interesting results...my XD outdriving my whole rack of drivers for example.
After this gather(the full power is ALL over the place) I will try to shoot my way back- as if putting to the upright-taking a second shot or third for the errant discs, old school object target golf.
For my putt practice days I usaully drive over to the course at H.C.C. and although it kills me to go to a course and not play it, I practice putting at a variety of baskets with different elevations and obstacles sorrounding them, I bring 5 discs to putt, Aviar, Roc, Polecat, XD, and a Wolf. which may be an issue...but I can't seem to bring myself to buy 5 putters all the same.
so thats my deal.
Just my two cents...

[flash86]

I do a lot of practice with my mid-ranges. Helps with form for driving and builds confidence for when I do have a bad drive or catch some bad luck. I have a 5' PVC with a flag attached to it that I use as a target. I plant that thing in the middle of the park and will shoot at it from various distances and angles. If I am feeling more motivated, I will mark off a 20' circle around the flag with cones to see if I am hitting my "confidence zone". In just a few weeks, this has really improved my up-and-down game.

[SomeChump]

Some of the things I've done to practice include:

1) Get to know my discs, especially a new one, by playing an entire round with it. You can do this by just carrying the disc if it is a mid-range or a putter. If a driver, you can just throw it off every tee, or if you don't want to "sacrifice the round" you can throw it as a second shot off the tees.

2) Go to the football field. I use this to work on my max distance and to get to know the distances on my discs. Sometimes I take surveying flags and recreate holes at local courses that I'm having trouble with (must go left of this flag and right of that one for instance.) I also empty my bag throwing all anhyzer throws, pick them up and empty it throwing all hyzer throws. Then I throw into the wind trying to determine how much hyzer to put on each disc to throw it straight (hyzer-flip) and then throw with the wind at my back trying to figure out which discs work for a flex shot and how much anhyzer I have to put on them. You can then throw with a right to left crosswind and a left to right cross wind. If you're trying to learn a forehand or a tomahawk or whatever, start at the football field. Plus, you put a lot less wear on your discs doing this than smacking into trees at the course.

3) Putt. Perfect Putt 360 is nice. But I've come up with a handful of other games to work on other aspects of my putting. Such as how to go for it from 50 feet without leaving too big of a come-back putt. You can attach a score to any game you want. PP360 talks about a "pro version". Well, I made a Barney version. The distances are 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, and 20 and I throw 5 from each spot. Very quick and helps me eliminate embarrassing misses. 20 footers are becoming gimmees for me.

4) When I'm alone I throw multiple discs. Sometimes 4 or 5 off the tee and then I just keep track of my score playing the first one. Usually I'm trying to hit several different lines. I might throw an unstable driver on an anhyzer line, a stable one on a hyzer line, a fairway driver as a worm burner, and a "roc down the middle." Or I'll try to throw a bunch of discs on the same line. You quickly learn which lines at a course and which discs are high-percentage for you and which are not. If I really blow an approach or a putt I might throw a second one too. I might stop at a really unique basket (downhill putt, or straddle putt, or a basket on a hill) in the middle of the round and throw 10 or 20 putts at it. I play a lot during the day on weekdays and rarely have someone come through when I'm doing this.

5) I try to play with other people I don't know when I can get them to let me join their group. They don't know it, but I'm pretending I'm in a tournament with them. Helps you deal with tournament pressure. If they're pretty good, I also often learn some new lines or other techniques. If nothing else, they inspire me to practice more.

6) I make up object courses at local parks. New lines. New distances. A lot easier than traveling out of the local area to new courses. Plus I can go to the park around the corner, play 18, and be back in an hour. I've got a half hour drive to my nearest real course. Plus, this way I can throw my discs into ponds, which my local park has but none of the local courses do. :)

[SomeChump]

. It is also very impt. to count how many discs u start w/ @ the beginning.... man, I've lost dozens of discs emptying my bag and not realizing I'm missing somethin' till its too late.... before I "learned" to count.... :D

I still can't figure out where I left that TeeRex.

[sidewinding]

Don't just throw drivers on the football field. Throw everything you own. Then you will see the range of each disc which will really come in handy later on the course. If you can throw a Roc 240 max and you come up to a 240' hole then there you go. If you can throw an Aviar 200' then you will know what to throw on those 200' holes. If you are carrying a few different molds in your bag and they always land in the same spot on the football field, then get rid of the overlapping molds. Also throw in some big sweeping hyzers and anhyzers on the football field. Don't just throw low flat bombs all day long.

[A.Mutt]

behind my place is a very large retirement living complex and more specifically lots of field space. What I love the most is the fact that in the field next to my place there are two large clusters of trees that mimic a lot of the shots I need to take at the wooded holes around here.

[mashnut]

Don't just throw drivers on the football field. Throw everything you own. Then you will see the range of each disc which will really come in handy later on the course. If you can throw a Roc 240 max and you come up to a 240' hole then there you go. If you can throw an Aviar 200' then you will know what to throw on those 200' holes. If you are carrying a few different molds in your bag and they always land in the same spot on the football field, then get rid of the overlapping molds. Also throw in some big sweeping hyzers and anhyzers on the football field. Don't just throw low flat bombs all day long.

I think this is great advice. I recently spent a few days out on a football field doing this, and it really made me rethink how I make a disc selection on the course. Now that I have a better idea of what discs I throw accurately at what lengths, I feel much more confident about which disc to pull out on each shot.

[amcarlson83]

FOR THE SOCCER FIELD PRACTIC..ER(?) WHO DOESN'T HAVE A BASKET/OTHER TARGET:

When I am practicing on a soccer field I use the white circle in the middle of the field as my mid-range target. This actually helped my approach game significantly, because I began visualizing a white circle around the basket when I would play.

I used to aim for the basket (3 feet above the ground), which seemed reasonable in the beginning, but since I don't have a sniper's aim, the flight line would be where I wanted it, but it would land "too far" away. It was one of those Capt. Obvious moments that took me until year three to figure out.

Drives on a Soccer field, I aim for the goals (couple people said that one already)

[cc0049]

I spend most of my time, when I do field practice, throwing my mid range discs. Throwing my mids well translates to throwing my drivers well.

[trifocal]

I practice a walk up/ x step for long fairway shots. Place a mini, put my right foot 6" behind it and then take 3 steps backwards beginning with the right foot. When I get there a bring my left foot near my right foot and then move back about another foot. The extra foot allows for the little studder step I have.
I like to walk into a long shot if I can and this routine has helped me improve my overall footwork and get me safely behind my mini marker for a clean throw.

[craigg]

Field work is good.
I take a bag of 20-30 discs, stack them into their various types (do a quick count to make sure you collect all that you throw) and start with a "loosening up" set. Not trying to throw hard - just doing some stretching and basic footwork/rhythm practice - all these throws are your basic easy line drives. Not going for D - just for nice smooth release, and generally trying to hit the same spot (that spot is wherever the first disc landed).
After collecting and laying them out again, I choose a target. The field I usually go to has a backstop, and two soccer goals. Choosing the target is based on what the wind is doing.
If I'm using the soccer goals, I do one of 3 things.
I choose one of the posts as THE target
I try and fly THROUGH the target
I try and land BEHIND the target
If I'm using the ball field it's sort of the same thing
I try and land on one side or the other of one of the baseline fences
Or I try and throw to one of the bases

Using a single target can actually provide a pretty wide variety of practice shots. especially with a soccer/football goal. As you can combine your approach to each task with vaious shot types (this is especially good for roller practice.)

[billnchristy]

I need to get out to a field for sure. I am getting pretty confident in my putting game from playing pp360 and just taking various shots.

15' is the new 10'
20' is the new 15'
etc.

The only one I am not consistently over 50% on is 30'

Definitely need to work on the driving/midrange game.

[Donovan]

Putting: I try to use the PP360, but I prefer the Pozzy's Putting Game. I really think getting penalized for missing the comeback putt is a realistic part of the game. I also like to throw 20 foot putts before playing. Long putting has no purpose for me before a game. Confidence and consistency is the key for me.

Approaching: I not only pick an object to hit, but I tactually pick the tiniest part of an object to aim at. SO if it is a tree, it is a certain leaf or not on the tree I am trying to hit. Just like in putting and driving, I am a firm believer in aiming at the smallest thing I can possibly see. Aim Small-Miss Small

Driving: In the field, I gather and throw like discs and at the target. Then gather another set and so on. Work on the flight paths until I start to zone in on them. Sometimes I will do some distance work, but throwing more than 90%seems a bit pointless for me. Accuracy and Flight Path is the key for me.

Mental: I visualize shots in my mind before throwing them. If I can't see it proper mentally first, I don't throw.