My Dad Sucks

[SomeChump]

Seriously. He loves the game, but he's brutal. He's in his 60s, in good shape, and has been playing maybe 10-15 rounds a year for 5 years or so. He wants to get better, but I'm at wit's end to give him good advice.

A typical hole for him (say, 300 feet) is drive, drive, drive, approach, putt. His putting is fine from 15 feet and in. A par is rare, even on a 200 foot hole.

He is very inconsistent, but mostly just plagued by a horrible lack of distance. I've got him a small bag of slow, light, relatively understable discs. He generally drives with a dx shark, 150g. He's doing well to make 100 feet. There is little spin, tons of flutter, and he usually turns it over. In an effort to stop the turning over, I handed him my 170 Buzz SS. He quit turning it over, but still no spin, a fair amount of flutter, and nose-up driving.

He doesn't use a power grip, preferring a control grip to improve consistency (and even wearing a batting glove on the throwing hand for some unknown reason.)

Can you recommend some tips or videos for him? What are your favorite tips for someone who cannot seem to get any reasonable distance?

[UnitedPuppySlayer]

He won't get any spin with a control grip. That's the biggest reason why he's getting the results he is.

[emook]

Man this reads really funny. Honestly sit him down in front of YouTube and go through all of the discraft clinic videos

[emook]

He won't get any spin with a control grip. That's the biggest reason why he's getting the results he is.

And this is really wrong. I.e. Ken Climo, Michael Johansen

[UnitedPuppySlayer]

And this is really wrong. I.e. Ken Climo

Rules/exceptions... He's the one...

[emook]

There are tons of players to name, I'm just notngonna sit here and list them. I myself use a control grip up to 300ft

[Star Shark]

Tell him to tighten up whatever grip he's using. It also sounds like he's just letting the shot go rather than letting it rip out.

[UnitedPuppySlayer]

It was a SUGGESTION. Didn't know people bashed them so easily...

[Banging Chains]

You tube that *hit son. Plus just have him play more, my wife has been playing for under a year and she can drive 200-300. She it 5'4 120 lbs. If she can do it anybody can.
Plus get him a driver.
The shark is great and all but a driver is the answer.

[tmahan]

Originally Posted by UnitedPuppySlayer
He won't get any spin with a control grip. That's the biggest reason why he's getting the results he is.

And this is really wrong. I.e. Ken Climo, Michael Johansen


Exceptions noted, but I think UPS is likely correct. I used to get half-decent spin with a control grip, I was extremely accurate with 240'. He needs to lock down and snap the towel. Once this gets him near 200' break out the vids.

[crazypep]

Get him some Blizzard discs to practice with?
Start betting him a dollar on a couple holes: Either A) You will win and you can get the discs he needs with the $ or B) He will get in competition mode or C) He will quit playing...hopefully you don't want that to happen...
Or you could just let him play like he does and just encourage him. Don't offer any advice unless he asks. Maybe he just likes to have fun with his son...

[crazypep]

Buy him a Father's Day card and write some links to the youtube videos as mentioned above!

[Banging Chains]

^^^ Don't push to hard, he might just want to play some disc with his soon. Nothing wrong with that! I wish my dad was in good enough shape to play.

[Shipley]

Sounds to me like you suck, because you're whining about your dad not playing at the level you've determined he has to play at, for you to enjoy playing DG with him.

[BrotherDave]

Get him a Rattler or Polecat (150 or below) and let him learn some very basic disc throwing fundamentals.

[Snore]

I would say dont give him advice unless he is seeking it is pretty crucial...also try to go with some other people then just you and him (maybe he just doesnt want to learn from his son)...also a big thing is tell him to not let go of the disc and let it rip out

that is prob the best advice i have read...i did this last time my gf and i played and it really helped her improve especially the part with letting it rip out and not letting the disc go

also if he is having fun with his current throws etc...who cares just let him have fun :D

[Jay Dub]

IMO, it doesn't matter which disc he uses at this point. Like others have said it's his grip.

What I tell people that are starting out is you sail a Frisbee but throw a golf disc. He's thinking old school Frisbee toss.

Like others have also said it might be he has a hard time taking instruction from his son, don't let that piss you off, my Dad was like that also. Maybe finding some one else closer to his age to help might work better.

Or, maybe he's hard headed and never wants to change how he throws. :)

[icedpuck]

Sounds like this old guy's problem too!

[Chris A.]

^^^ Don't push to hard, he might just want to play some disc with his soon. Nothing wrong with that! I wish my dad was in good enough shape to play.

This right here! The guy is havin fun, and thats what counts. My dad plays, and when my brothers in town we really have a blast! Minus the glove my pops sounds just like yours. I work with him and some things stick and some don't. I just know when I go out with him it's gunna be a practice round for me while he has a good ol' time. Cherish the time with him, cherish it like he does with you. He wont be around forever.

[Jay Dub]

This right here! The guy is havin fun, and thats what counts. My dad plays, and when my brothers in town we really have a blast! Minus the glove my pops sounds just like yours. I work with him and some things stick and some don't. I just know when I go out with him it's gunna be a practice round for me while he has a good ol' time. Cherish the time with him, cherish it like he does with you. He wont be around forever.
:thmbup: :thmbup: Excellent!
You will look back on this when that time comes, think about that when deciding how you want to handle the situation.

[412Disc]

A little stubborn eh?

[holotone]

In an effort to stop the turning over, I handed him my 170 Buzz SS. He quit turning it over, but still no spin, a fair amount of flutter, and nose-up driving.

Giving him a disc that masks his form flaws isn't doing him any favors, imho. It's tougher, but a much better solution long term, to teach him the correct way to throw the discs that he has trouble with - Definitely stick to mids / putters until then.

[sidewinding]

Somone need to buy this old dude a TeeBird...STAT!

[BIgNik]

Give him A Discraft Stratus ...

It will add more distance to any beginers drive ...

[lavon_andy]

YouTube videos, practice, and 150 class.

Don't give him advice he doesnt want. As long as he's having fun he's doing it right.

[Jar-El]

We're talking about a guy driving 100' so any driver is overkill. If he's turning over the 150g Shark, it's probably not due to him overpowering the disc. Have him play a full round with the power grip and see what happens. Then you can start working on his form/technique with on-course tips or videos. Above all, have fun and don't ruin it for him.

[Punisher]

Get him a Rattler or Polecat (150 or below) and let him learn some very basic disc throwing fundamentals.

This or buy a catch Frisbee to learn. Just simply play catch out to about 60 feet this will teach him to throw well and he will be able to see what the problem is

[sidewinding]

This or buy a catch Frisbee to learn. Just simply play catch out to about 60 feet this will teach him to throw well and he will be able to see what the problem is

He's already throwing a 150 shark which is pretty close to a catch frisbee. He needs to disc up and man up...or he may just be too old for disc golf.

[Jar-El]

He's already throwing a 150 shark which is pretty close to a catch frisbee. He needs to disc up and man up...or he may just be too old for disc golf.

False.

My Dad and Father-In-Law who are both around 65 years old play maybe 2-3x a year when I drag them out. I hand them a 168g Mako I don't throw, and they drive, approach, and putt with it just fine. They probably only throw 160'-180' but it's a line drive down the fairway with a little turn and a little fade. All I've done is showed them how to grip it and told them to "watch me" for correct form, and after hanging on these boards a bit it's clear my form could improve.

[slowRoll]

Quick fix. Teach him to throw a standstill sidearm flick with a faiway driver. It really is just like driving a nail. It also puts much less stress on his body due to the limited motion. My grandfather(84) threw a star leopard 150' after 3 attempts of me showing him what those discs in my trunk were for. This can be done completely flatfooted and distance will be added as he learns how to put his bodyweight behind the flick. A grown man should be able to sidearm 250' easy with just an afternoons worth of practice. Accuracy however, will take a little longer. Good luck.

[pdiddy71]

My Dad also started playing in his early sixties. One of the better discs that I got for him to try was a good old Jaguar. We also have a nice rec course that is distance friendly for his driving ability. I also have gotten him some Rocs, from DX, star, pro, and champion. He does well with those and a DX Wolf. He putts well with a Rhyno or occasionally an Aviar. I would look into discs like Fairway drivers and below that have good glide and low fade. And see if there is a Shorter course to play. I wouldn't want to discourage him by playing a long course knowing he doesn't throw all that far to begin with.

[Rugball]

Quick fix. Teach him to throw a standstill sidearm flick with a faiway driver. It really is just like driving a nail. It also puts much less stress on his body due to the limited motion. My grandfather(84) threw a star leopard 150' after 3 attempts of me showing him what those discs in my trunk were for. This can be done completely flatfooted and distance will be added as he learns how to put his bodyweight behind the flick. A grown man should be able to sidearm 250' easy with just an afternoons worth of practice. Accuracy however, will take a little longer. Good luck.

^^I was wondering if anyone was going to suggest forehanding. I like to think of it more like swinging a racquet, but whatever mental image works is fine. I think it's a great option to avoid the need for a run-up and more stress on the old body.

I play ball golf with my dad (69 yrs young) a few times a year. I feel your pain it terms of his unwillingness to try some changes that would improve his game. Old coots are stubborn. :p

[jtreadwell]

My dad and I play maybe 2 - 3 rounds a month, and I had to scale back the advice. He fits the same description as the OP's dad (late 50s, very good shape from 30 years of Karate, can't drive for sh!t, etc), and while he loves the game enough to have just today picked up a practice basket, it's more about having a mutual hobby with me than being a pro player. He's a putting machine compared to me, but insists on driving with a 180g echo star mako and can't get it past 100ft. I had him get a 165g DX leopard and it sits in his bag. My suggestion for the OP is to gently suggest your dad watch some videos and then go find a field to practice in together. Oh and enjoy the time with your dad - that's key.

[Connor Jones]

AT LEAST YOUR DAD IS ALIVEEEEEE.

*guilts everyone*
*laughs*
*cries*
*waits for zenbot to hold him*
*showers*

:|.

[Jay Dub]

I've played disc golf for a long time, I've been 54 for only a few months so I'm not as experienced at being old as I am at disc golf....thank gawd!

One big difference I'm noticing with my age is that I am more interested in making the perfect shot. I don't care much about my score and have settled with the fact that this is how far I can throw and it ain't gettin' better.

I think it's like some one said earlier. Your dad is doing this for fun and to be able to share something with his son, which he doesn't get to do as much anymore like he did when you were younger.

When you get to be his age, you'll be the same way. :)

[DiscNutt123]

He won't get any spin with a control grip. That's the biggest reason why he's getting the results he is.

I get 425' with a Climo grip...and plenty of spin.

[eegor]

I'm older (wish my dad was alive) and now I look to throw the disc to spots that set up my next shot. Big distance isn't a big deal for me. If I'm 60 feet or 100 feet away after the first shot, I'll still get a 3.

Let him have fun and throw what he wants. That said, when I get tired, I like to drive with a 154gm Diamond. Huge glide and easy to control. I can easily get it out to 250ft. I see it (or something like it) as my main driver 10-15 years from now.

[sidewinding]

I get 425' with a Climo grip...and plenty of spin.

This is funny. Internet distance claims always crack me up. :thmbup:

[DiscNutt123]

This is funny. Internet distance claims always crack me up. :thmbup:

Truth hurts doesn't it? That's semi controlled distance. My max was measured (with a rolling measure tape) was 468' 7 5/8". :)

[Brian Hess]

I want your Dad to buy a tag from our club so I can challenge him.

[sidewinding]

Truth hurts doesn't it? That's semi controlled distance. My max was measured (with a rolling measure tape) was 468' 7 5/8". :)

Rolling tape measures are highly innacurate for measuring distance unless you have a smooth level surface that is fee of obstructions. Every little thing they roll over and any elevation change will add extra distance.

[DiscNutt123]

Okay so take off a few feet for bumps in a flat field. Thanks :hfive:

[sidewinding]

Okay so take off a few feet for bumps in a flat field. Thanks :hfive:

So you throw > 450 on level ground with a control grip after only playing for 1.6 years? That is amazing! You are good.

[Brian Hess]

for all the discouraging things he ever said to you while growing up,that is if he is anything like my dad was.So if you tell him something one time and he doesen't do it exactly to your specifications just ask him when is he gonna get his head outta of his ass.

[DiscNutt123]

So you throw > 450 on level ground with a control grip after only playing for 1.6 years? That is amazing! You are good.

Thanks!! :)

[Brian Hess]

one hr befor he plays soak that Shark in a pan of water with a viagara.His drives should be hard and straight for up to 4 hrs.

[sidewinding]

one hr befor he plays soak that Shark in a pan of water with a viagara.His drives should be hard and straight for up to 4 hrs.

This made me chuckle. Thanks for that. :hfive:

[tarel]

He generally drives with a dx shark, 150g


i stopped reading at this point.


suggestions.

the most lightweight diamond you can find and he can control grip it all he wants.

distance+feelign better about one self.

if he drives 3 times on a 300f hole he needs to perhaps try a forhand over a backhand or perhaps he will do better using the other hand and trying both.

[SomeChump]

He goes and plays even without me, so it isn't just a "let's do this with my kid" thing. He actually wants to get better and is frustrated that he isn't. I'm just trying to help. If he could drive 150-200 feet it would dramatically lower his scores.

I think throwing forehand hurts his elbow/shoulder, so backhand is best for now. Part of the issue is he'd never thrown a frisbee at all before trying disc golf. He has no concept at all of disc sports. Didn't throw discs as a kid, play ultimate etc. Maybe we just need to play catch. I tried that once. Maybe we need to do it more.

[ohtobediscing]

somechump

So glad you are doing this with your dad. My dad and I have just reconnected after a family explosion/fallout 20 years ago. He used to throw Frisbee with me, and I'd like to think he can still throw well enough to try disc golf with me.

[nuker]

Don't know if anyones has suggested this yet, but.... Try a Roadrunner. He needs to throw with a driver and Roadrunners fly relatively far for weak arms. They're stable enough that they don't turnover and end up pretty straight.

[JoakimBL]

All the advice on which disc to use is probably well ment, but I don't think it will help anything. The dad obviously has bad technique, and needs to learn a proper throwing technique, for any disc to fly well. For him to learn that, he needs to be motivated to do so. If he isn't, no advice will work.

[TwoTechnics]

Do you know if your Dad is arthritic? You know sometimes it hurts some people to to power grip a disc. being with your dad and doing stuff togther is really all that matters. i wish my old man was still alive and chucking discs with me, because i know he would enjoy this sport, just like your dad.

[ptld2001]

Sounds very similar to the problems I've been having. Everyone told me to go with lighter discs, and I finally got advice that helped -- to go with heavier discs. I'm now throwing around 170g discs, rather than the 150s everyone was suggesting. I think the Buzz you suggested was a good start. With the wobble he's having, the lighter discs just make it worse.

As far as spin, I found my problem with spin was related to timing. I talked to people on the forum, and they helped me realize that my timing was off, and I was pulling too early. I've been working on changing my timing out in the field, and it's helped considerably. I'm not getting significant distance improvement, but the disc is going straight, and it's spinning! This may or may not be your father's problem, but I even had lessons from several pros, and they didn't pick up on it. I don't think it's obvious unless you specifically look for it. It wouldn't hurt to watch to see if that might be the problem.

[JTacoma03]

Wait, rewind. Did somebody just call the greatest disc golfer ever "the exception" to the rules of how to throw a disc?!? :wall::wall:


Well hell, I hope one day I'm an "exception" too while a bunch of 850 rated players nitpick each others form and disc selection.

...just sayin'

[nuker]

Sounds very similar to the problems I've been having. Everyone told me to go with lighter discs, and I finally got advice that helped -- to go with heavier discs. I'm now throwing around 170g discs, rather than the 150s everyone was suggesting. I think the Buzz you suggested was a good start. With the wobble he's having, the lighter discs just make it worse.

As far as spin, I found my problem with spin was related to timing. I talked to people on the forum, and they helped me realize that my timing was off, and I was pulling too early. I've been working on changing my timing out in the field, and it's helped considerably. I'm not getting significant distance improvement, but the disc is going straight, and it's spinning! This may or may not be your father's problem, but I even had lessons from several pros, and they didn't pick up on it. I don't think it's obvious unless you specifically look for it. It wouldn't hurt to watch to see if that might be the problem.

exactly. If form can't be improved, then go with a 175 Roadrunner. He'll probably double his D

[GUtz]

here's my thoughts on Disc Selection and such...

"Its the Indian, not the arrow."

[Clonan]

"Seriously. He doesn't use a power grip, preferring a control grip to improve consistency (and even wearing a batting glove on the throwing hand for some unknown reason."

I'm sorry but that batting glove thing had me rolling! My dad would probably do that to haha.. I can't give any advice tho, im pretty salty my self.

[jcrab66]

A. You should be happy he is still alive

B. You should be happy he is out doing something he enjoys doing that also happens to benefit his overall health, instead of sitting around getting fat and waiting to die...