Rookie Frustrations

[jtreadwell]

Originally Posted by pauldst

What's the saying from Mel Gibson's "The Patriot," "Aim small, miss small"?
I had not thought of this or heard it before and will have to try it.

It makes the putt less stressful too because you don't have to hit your target to make the putt. If you look at the basket as a whole it can be a bit more intimidating.

[Ricky_Rick]

Originally Posted by jtreadwell

You may have heard this bit of wisdom already, but try focusing and aiming for a single chain link somewhere near the center of the basket. That way, if you miss your target you're still likely hitting chains. It may be mostly psychological but it truly helps.

Very good advice. As simple as it sounds it really does help a lot. Majority of putting is focus and confidence, honing in on a single chain link can work wonders. Usually when I miss it is because I am just aiming at the entire basket. When I am hitting, it is usually do to laser focus on a single link and hitting it.

Originally Posted by sloppydisc

Simplify your game and bag as much as possible. If you are too busy to master 15 discs or whatever you are carrying, narrow it down s small as you can, and practice with those discs until you are happy. Then add 1 disc at a time to fill a major need. That will all change as you progress.

More great advice. Start small then expand when you feel comfortable. Build up a strong core of discs, your "go to" discs and work them as much as possible. Then as you improve you can add in a disc to fill a need you may encounter during the process. Trying to master 15-20 discs is hard, start small (3-6 discs) and slowly add more as your game and experience grow.

Use Youtube for putting videos, the best thing you can do is to try and master putting. A basket for home is nice, but might not be in the budget. Get creative and use a fence post, or mark a section on a tree trunk to hit, anything to work on hitting a skinny object. Then the basket will look huge when you go back to the course with all those chains dangling around it.

Of course the best advice is have fun. Good luck!

[Avehnor]

I got my 4 year old a disc (star tl) that has the batman emblem on it. This way he has his own disc when we play. We usually can get through 9 holes if we make sure he gets to throw too. I make sure it's not all about disc golf when he's there. We break and have bonding time too. Good luck with the kids! It's rough at first but if you can get them involved, it's easier in the long run.

[Dan Ensor]

Pick your target and aim at it. I know several people that can't tell me if they were laying up or going for it on the past throw. Decide what you're doing and aim for that result. If I'm playing a safe shot that might go in if it hangs in the air, I'm aiming for a point 5-10' or so behind the basket on the ground where I want my disc to land.

[NOStheBOSS]

Having a backhand and forehand is great for your game, IMO. however, I don't see any real gains in being ambidextrous. I've tried exclusive backhand for the past 4 years, and have been practicing my forehand for the past few months and it is a lot of fun being able to throw shots on holes that I would struggle with backhand. To make everything less frustrating, maybe just have one goal per round. i.e. I'm going to work on my reach back today. You said your mind was going a million miles an hour, if you slow down and concentrate on one thing, I think you'll be pleased with the results at the end of the round. After a few rounds, you've improved multiple aspects of your game, and it will all start to come together

[BigBelly]

Just want to say you all are awesome and thanks for wisdom! Keep it coming!

[Dan Ensor]

Originally Posted by NOStheBOSS

Having a backhand and forehand is great for your game, IMO. however, I don't see any real gains in being ambidextrous. I've tried exclusive backhand for the past 4 years, and have been practicing my forehand for the past few months and it is a lot of fun being able to throw shots on holes that I would struggle with backhand. To make everything less frustrating, maybe just have one goal per round. i.e. I'm going to work on my reach back today. You said your mind was going a million miles an hour, if you slow down and concentrate on one thing, I think you'll be pleased with the results at the end of the round. After a few rounds, you've improved multiple aspects of your game, and it will all start to come together

If you can eliminate the "if" from your game, abidexterity is a good thing. If you throw shots because you feel like that's the right line, whether or not you're good enough to throw it, you've got an "if". "If I pull off this shot, it will work perfectly."

[NOStheBOSS]

Originally Posted by Dan Ensor

If you can eliminate the "if" from your game, abidexterity is a good thing. If you throw shots because you feel like that's the right line, whether or not you're good enough to throw it, you've got an "if". "If I pull off this shot, it will work perfectly."

I just feel like you can accomplish every shot with a backhand forehand and its a waste of time to incorporate the off hand, but that's my opinion

[Dan Ensor]

Originally Posted by NOStheBOSS

I just feel like you can accomplish every shot with a backhand forehand and its a waste of time to incorporate the off hand, but that's my opinion

Well, there are certainly awkward lies that being able to use both hands would be worthwhile. Also, it's my understanding that throwing a FH for distance equal to a BH is a fool's errand, although I have nowhere near the FH it would take to test that theory.

[pauldst]

Originally Posted by NOStheBOSS

I just feel like you can accomplish every shot with a backhand forehand and its a waste of time to incorporate the off hand, but that's my opinion

I have been working on my LHBH so that I am not using my right arm and shoulder as much. The shoulder gets sore from using a lot, and every throw that can be made with the other arm is more disc golf that I can play.