problems with my approach disc

[givinmethecreeps]

so i havent been playing for very long but ive been playing about 4-5 times a week and love every second of it...but theres one problem...i cant seem to throw my approach disc (discraft rattler) consistently....i have no problems with any other disc in my bag except for this one...i was wondering if anybody else had a problem with it? cause the rim is really deep and may be part of the problem...or if anyone had any tips for me?....thanks in advance

[zud00]

Maybe try to use a different grip; find something that is comfortable for you and allows you to have a clean release.

Are you having problems throwing it full power? What kind of range are you seeing these problems?

[givinmethecreeps]

im having problems throwing it at any power really....and just about any range too....i only use it from about 100-60ft out otherwise ill throw my putter any closer than that

[milow369]

Check out these grip instruction videos on youtube - midrange grip tips. They're excellent and these really helped me improve both distance and accuracy on the approach. K. Climo and D. Feldberg.

K. Climo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAV8kKURKaw

D. Feldberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ABf6csQpM

[givinmethecreeps]

thanks man i will check those out for sure

[volklgirl]

I ended up having to change my grip to a Three Finger Grip (http://www.innovadiscs.com/tips/davesgripsmain.html) on my Storm and Impact to eliminate inconsistencies resulting from grip lock.

[The Dude]

I personally dont like the deep rim of the putters, so I just use my Shark. It works for me;)

[TalbotTrojan]

Putting really is whatever works for you. Mid range is a different story, but I would say that if you are using the same grip that you use with you drivers, something is wrong. You are using the disc for an entirely different purpose and as such you need to make some adjustments. I use a four finger power grip for drives and then a three finger grip with my pointer on the rim for my mid range and wow, I can be so much more accurate with my mid range. At the same time I can still throw my mid range 300+ ft. It is when I need to go 350ft that I need to reach for my driver, or when I need to get around something, then I will go to a fairway driver.

[XxInnovaxX]

throw a roc!! get off the discrap :)

[Omega SuperSloth]

I ended up having to change my grip to a Three Finger Grip (http://www.innovadiscs.com/tips/davesgripsmain.html) on my Storm and Impact to eliminate inconsistencies resulting from grip lock.recently ive noticed i do better on long aprroach or short mids shots using my driver grip which is a three finger grip with the index inside the rim minus the pinkie instead , inside of 75 feet or so i switch to for finger .

That grenade grip looks pretty cool i think im gonna have to have a go at it thats the first time ive seen alot of those grips good find

[sidewinder22]

I loved my Rattler for the two weeks it lasted. I nailed a tree right off the tee in a tourney and it completely taco'd and bent to hell, so that was it. I loved it for 100-220' straight shots, and almost hit a couple aces. I wish they made it in FLX or ESP. I used a fan grip most the time with some hyzer. It was a bit less consistent with a power grip. It is a very slow disc, so if you throw it too hard or with bad form it doesn't behave.

[DeafDiscGolfer]

...i cant seem to throw my approach disc (discraft rattler) consistently....i have no problems with any other disc in my bag except for this one...

Its obvious that the Rattler isn't working for you! Time to try other putters!

Rattler are good for newbies and can be used as catch-play as well.

[sidewinding]

The rattler is one of the most understable discs on the market which automatically makes it not a good choice for an approach disc. Try a D Challenger. It has a similar feel but you can putt, approach, and even drive with it and it is very consistent and forgiving.

[givinmethecreeps]

the challenger is my main putter i love that thing to death....i think i will switch my grip up....when throwing my rattler i use the same grip as my putter which is a fan grip with my index on the outside of the rim...ive gotten alot of good suggestions and i think im going to try the three finger grip today when i go practice...oh and i have a roc too but i tend to use that for shorter holes and not approach shots but ill give that a try too..thanks again

[zenbot]

Are you standing still during your approach shots? I like to do a slow walk up while throwing. It keeps the throw more fluid for me.

[givinmethecreeps]

yeah i do a slow walk up...just a couple steps and then throw

[sidewinding]

the challenger is my main putter i love that thing to death....i think i will switch my grip up....when throwing my rattler i use the same grip as my putter which is a fan grip with my index on the outside of the rim...ive gotten alot of good suggestions and i think im going to try the three finger grip today when i go practice...oh and i have a roc too but i tend to use that for shorter holes and not approach shots but ill give that a try too..thanks again

Trade the rattler in for another Challenger.

There's an old DG saying that I just made up and it goes like this. It's not the arrow...it's the archer...unless the arrow is a Rattler. ;)

[The Reverend]

on approaches I always put my index finger along the rim of the disc, instead of tucking it under like I would for a power grip. This helps with my accuracy.... but really though I just had to figure out that grip would work for my approaches. You'll have to find what works best for you.

[zud00]

There's an old DG saying that I just made up and it goes like this. It's not the arrow...it's the archer...unless the arrow is a Rattler. ;)

Sounds good to me:D

[Midnightbiker]

OK, I guess the first question is what are you called an "Approach Shot"? I say that anything 100ft-30ft is an approach shot.

That being said, having taught a few people, an approach shot is a shot that has to be learned and mastered. You are trying to put the disc in a certain spot from a distance out, and that takes practice. Lots of practice. The Approach shot is one of the shots I practice the most.

Now one of the things that I do that is different from most people is I only use two fingers for an approach shot. It makes the disc release at a slight hyzer, and I aim just right of the basket, and that brings the disc back in and 60-80% of the time hits the chains. Also, by coming in at an angle, I am not going to blow that far past the basket. This takes practice, but it works.

Like others have said, you might want to try using a different disc if that Rattler is not working for you. I would actually say that you switch and use the Rattler as you main putter, and use the Challenger as you approach disc. If you like using the Challenger as you putter, try approaching with it. Most people can throw a putter 70-100ft. Go practice with that , and let us know what you find.

Don't practice on the course, practice in a field or something with a basket. If you don't have a basket, find a tree, stand about 60-100ft away, and just try to hit the tree, or park it right next to the tree. That will help.

[zenbot]

Don't practice on the course, practice in a field or something with a basket. If you don't have a basket, find a tree, stand about 60-100ft away, and just try to hit the tree, or park it right next to the tree. That will help.


I'm going to play off what ol' Biker said. One of the things that helped me understand approaches with my putter was playing catch with it. It just happened in between rounds one day. I realized that if hit my buddy in the chest at 100 feet away really consistently I could do the same thing in a round. It has really helped me out and I rarely use mids anymore.

[zenbot]

I'm going to play off what ol' Biker said. One of the things that helped me understand approaches with my putter was playing catch with it. It just happened in between rounds one day. I realized that if hit my buddy in the chest at 100 feet away really consistently I could do the same thing in a round. It has really helped me out and I rarely use mids anymore.
Plus you don't have to chase your disc around.

[Midnightbiker]

Plus you don't have to chase your disc around.

Good point. I got a couple of guys that I am teaching how to play, and I am going to try that.

[Neophyte]

I like the playing catch idea. For some reason I don't have any trouble throwing regular Frisbees but the deeper rim on most putters feels strange to me. I guess it is just the transition from the other discs to the putter.

[mashnut]

I often warm up before round by tossing a soft putter back and forth, and slowly increasing the distance. It helps warm up the muscles, and is good approach/long putt practice.

[givinmethecreeps]

haha hilarious...yeah the rattler is different...im gonna try to conquer the dang thing though....switch my grip up and practice alot cause its the straightest thing when i release it right...hopefully i can tomorrow cause the weather was not permitting today and i have a tournament on saturday

[Ball-Z]

The Rattler is a strange disc. I use it for approaches that I'm afraid of overthrowing because it sorrta just dies and sits down with very little fade. If you need to put a little more power on it, I go with a skeeter, Even more power, a buzz or a Roc.
I know some people don't use many mids but i carry : a Rattler, a beat up skeeter, a new skeeter, a 150gram shark, a buzz and a Roc!

[Midnightbiker]

I tried a Soft APX at the practice field yesterday as an approach disc, and that thing flies dead straight for 150ft.

[givinmethecreeps]

thanks for all the advice guys...i switched up my grip and took a third place tie at a tourney on saturday...the two finger grip really worked for me

[sweeper]

I love throwing the rattler. I have two of them in my bag at all times. They aren't for everyone though. That, and I'm not very good.

Confession:

I am very bored at work today and as a result I have put about 1 million posts on this forum. None of them will have any benefit to anyone who reads them. Again, because I'm not very good. You have all been warned.

[SomeChump]

OK, I guess the first question is what are you called an "Approach Shot"? I say that anything 100ft-30ft is an approach shot.

That being said, having taught a few people, an approach shot is a shot that has to be learned and mastered. You are trying to put the disc in a certain spot from a distance out, and that takes practice. Lots of practice. The Approach shot is one of the shots I practice the most.

Now one of the things that I do that is different from most people is I only use two fingers for an approach shot. It makes the disc release at a slight hyzer, and I aim just right of the basket, and that brings the disc back in and 60-80% of the time hits the chains. Also, by coming in at an angle, I am not going to blow that far past the basket. This takes practice, but it works.

Like others have said, you might want to try using a different disc if that Rattler is not working for you. I would actually say that you switch and use the Rattler as you main putter, and use the Challenger as you approach disc. If you like using the Challenger as you putter, try approaching with it. Most people can throw a putter 70-100ft. Go practice with that , and let us know what you find.

Don't practice on the course, practice in a field or something with a basket. If you don't have a basket, find a tree, stand about 60-100ft away, and just try to hit the tree, or park it right next to the tree. That will help.

WTH? You hit chains 60-80% of the time from 30-100 feet? Why aren't you creaming Klimo? You sure bout those percentages? I might hit chains 60% of the time from 30...but 100? I'm feeling good to drop it within 10 feet from 100.

[Midnightbiker]

WTH? You hit chains 60-80% of the time from 30-100 feet? Why aren't you creaming Klimo? You sure bout those percentages? I might hit chains 60% of the time from 30...but 100? I'm feeling good to drop it within 10 feet from 100.

When I throw that disc, magic happens.

Plus I work on my approach shots more than any other.