59 and new to disk golf!! Any other older golfers out there?

[Grinder12000]

Who knew I would take up a new sport at 59.

A few questions after TWO rounds.

Warming up! How do people warm up?? I know I'm older then 95% of you guys and need to do a little warming up, or at least my shoulder is now telling me. Any tips?

Disks are NOT like Frisbee's are they - lesson learned.

I'm still struggling with a Driver (Tern) and my Shark and Buzzz are interchangeable at the moment. I feel I need a fairway driver??

It seems most disks are made to fade - why is that?? why not just straight. Is there a theory behind this?

This sport is fascinating me! (where is that ice pack for my shoulder anyway).

 

[bradharris]

Who knew I would take up a new sport at 59.

Welcome!

A few questions after TWO rounds.

Warming up! How do people warm up?? I know I'm older then 95% of you guys and need to do a little warming up, or at least my shoulder is now telling me. Any tips?

You don't want to step up and throw max power drives right away. I like to warm up with mids, not trying to throw for distance, just trying to get some nice, clean throws to get the muscles moving.

It's also good to warm up putts to get your muscle memory set.

And definitely stretch!

Disks are NOT like Frisbee's are they - lesson learned.

There are some out there that fly more like a traditional frisbee. But most are very different. Also, "Disc" is spelled with a c rather than a k.

I'm still struggling with a Driver (Tern) and my Shark and Buzzz are interchangeable at the moment. I feel I need a fairway driver??

The Buzzz and Shark have very similar flight with a slightly different feel in the hand. Pick the one that feels best for you and that should be all you need. Just starting out, the Tern is probably too much for you. Work with just the Buzzz and a putter for a little while to help develop the skills you need to improve.

It seems most disks are made to fade - why is that?? why not just straight. Is there a theory behind this?

They're not necessarily designed that way, it's just basic physics of spinning objects that causes fade. The varying degrees of this are described by stabilities. Overstable discs are designed to fade hard and really crash to the ground as the slow. Stable discs are fairly neutral, designed to resist fade longer for a straighter flight. Understable discs are designed to really resist that fade and will often turn in the opposite direction at higher speeds.

As a beginner, discs on the understable side of the spectrum are better for you.

 

[SteezeOG]

Welcome to the addiction. He said it well above. I'd just add resist the initial temptation to buy up a bunch of discs. Try a few putters that feel good to you and decide on one after that. Slower and more understable fairway drivers and mids should keep you gaining distance the right way for the first year at least. The guy who has the most fun, wins.

 

[Grinder12000]

Awesome - yea - I knew it was "disc" - habit I guess. I had to buy a Buzzz when I left my other 3 discs at home and on a business trip I was right NEXT to a course in Springfield ILL so I purchased a Shark.

getting better with the Tern - it does go farther but I end up way left (unlike my ball golf which is way right). . . . . Maybe I'll look into a TL for a little more distance. (and so it begins). HEY - if anyone wants to play I'll have extra discs.

I played a freakish amount of trick freebees back "in da day" but that is kids play compared to disc golf.

 

[Old Bassman]

Welcome to the game. BH's advice is solid and I would agree that the Tern is too fast for you right now. Work with your choice of the Buzzz or the Shark and a putter for now. Don't worry about distance now. Strive for throwing straight shots and keeping it in the fairway.

I am 59 as well and it is always good to see more older players playing.

 

[Chainchaser]

Look into MVP Volt and Amp. Great discs in the fairway driver range. Drop the tern for now I would think. Sounds like you do not have the arm speed for it since it is meat hooking on you.

Go to youtube and watch videos on grip, putting and then driving.

 

[discoriented]

For warming up you might check out an "Equalizer" from the Nati DG shop. Developed by a disc golf Hall of Famer and all around nice guy. Support those who support us. I'll vote medium wt. Stingray for your next purchase. Welcome to the family! Never too late.

 

[simpletwist]

Hey now! I'm turning 60 in a few months and took up the sport only a few years ago.

I highly recommend an Innova 150g Leopard. You can get it in DX, but hey, at our age live a little and get it in Champion or Star plastic. Or you might want to try a Latitude 64 Diamond. Or if you are into Discraft you might want to give the Zombee a throw, it comes in lighter weights as well.

I'll let someone else explain the science but pretty much every disc will want to fade at least a little bit at the end.

Warm up by stretching, stretching and then more stretching. Then do some practice putting start at a comfortable close distance and then work your way out. Finally if the course has the space throw some mids or even your new fairway drivers to a comfortable distance. If the course has a practice basket that's great, if not then pick some objects or a buddy to throw to.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

 

[KniceZ]

Warming up! How do people warm up?? I know I'm older then 95% of you guys and need to do a little warming up, or at least my shoulder is now telling me. Any tips?

The amount stretching/warm-up you need will be based on your condition. I'm 53 and tend to just warm up much like Brad suggested. Throw some mids then work up to the drivers. But honestly my "warm-up" is focused more on consistency not actually stretching. However, I've never had any shoulder / back pain from DG.

I'm still struggling with a Driver (Tern)

Tern is probably too "fast" for now.

. . and my Shark and Buzzz are interchangeable at the moment.

These discs are pretty similar. I find the Shark a little less stable than the Buzzz but it also is dependent on the plastic.

I feel I need a fairway driver??

Look at the "how to build a bag" threads and don't go faster than a fairway driver for a while. You'll get a ton of suggestions but I'll put in a plug for the Vibram Track and Ascent pair. Great FW drivers with super feel and durability.

 

[Stardoggy]

If you're looking for something a bit slower than a Tern, I always seem to grab my Champion Eagle, and my current "new fav" disc in the bag is a Dynamic Disk Escape.

I've just recently taken anything over 10 speed out of the bag (except for a Destroyer for long forehands, and a DD Renegade, because it's new). I'm one of those guys that got all the high speed stuff, and is finding out I don't need it.

 

[Voldisc]

Welcome. I'm 64 and been playing about 6 months. I play about 4 days a week, I was walking every afternoon and kept seeing these kids throwing disc through the woods and thought that looks a lot more interesting than walking around the park. Had no idea it would be so challenging. I throw a ROC most of the time and can make it go right or left but not very far. Days I don't play a round, I throw in the yard trying for distance which is slow coming. I'm making some really long putts but I've always been good with the eye/hand thing but now you add a disc that don't fly straight. Anyway, just keep plugging, these kids have skills that I can't imagine yet and I enjoy just watching them tee off some time and curve it in and around trees.

 

[Underdog]

Fine out what's works for you to warm up before playing. Streaching, ,practice
Puttiing, ,try to fine somebody to play catch with two disc, ,less walking back and forth.
Also welcome to the game have FUN

 

[Grinder12000]

This stuff is gold - thanks all. Voldis - I'm in your boat. Maybe I'll start a senior league

BTW - it truly KILLS me to admit that "old" is something I am near. When did that happen anyway. I listen to high octane music and still feel 30! (well, a muscle in my back feels 75 at the moment).

Keep the comments coming - I actually understand THIS thread - a few others . . . not so much!

Round one I was just learning how to throw - took 6 holes, all I had was the Buzzz.

Round two (this morning) I threw too hard on the 1st couple holes but at least I understood what worked and what didn't. I threw all 4 disc just to see the differences. I can throw the Shark/Buzzz about 160 feet so I now have a base on which to improve.

The age of discovery - I hope you don't disapprove of silly newbie questions.

BTW - I'm writing a newspaper article on disc golf - info on wiki OK? I'll mention this site. I live in a small town that is voting on a 6 hole course tomorrow night. All we got room for.

I'll put the Tern away but will look for a driver I can handle.

 

[bradharris]

Round two (this morning) I threw too hard on the 1st couple holes but at least I understood what worked and what didn't. I threw all 4 disc just to see the differences. I can throw the Shark/Buzzz about 160 feet so I now have a base on which to improve.

Just remember to keep it smooth. Don't try to overpower the disc. A clean smooth throw will go farther and be easier to control.

BTW - I'm writing a newspaper article on disc golf - info on wiki OK? I'll mention this site.

There might be some misinformation on wiki. Check out the pdga website (pdga.com) as well as sites like allthingsdiscgolf.com and talkdg.com.

If you want some good history, do a search for Steady Ed Headrick. He's the one who really created this crazy sport for us.

 

[HeavyCritters]

Grinder, Where are you playing? I'm guessing if you're in Columbus you're probably playing Crystal Lake Park in Beaver Dam, correct? Maybe Madison? Bird's Ruins is close, too.

There's a nice little 9 hole course about 20 minutes away from you in Horicon, WI.

As for discs, stick with your Buzz to start. She'll do you no wrong.

 

[HeavyCritters]

I live in a small town that is voting on a 6 hole course tomorrow night. All we got room for.

I can email you a MS Word document that I created and presented to the Parks Board and the City Council to help get the Horicon course installed.

Direct message me if you'd like to see it.

 

[Spinthrift]

Welcome to the sport. I'm 63 this year and didn't begin playing until I was 57. I agree with the advice posted above. Look to throw your putters and mids well before progressing to faster drivers.

I warm up religiously before each round, mostly stretching exercises for arms, legs and core. The best way I've found to warm up my throwing arm is by tossing tennis balls forehand and backhand against a wall or door. Most parks have some sort of structure that'll work. I can get in 40 or 50 throws in the time it would take me to chuck a dozen field throws. Take three balls and stuff two in your pockets. That way on a bad throw or catch you don't have to run after it until all three are on the ground.

The biggest mistake I see older, first-time players make is they want to "let go" of the disc when they think it's suppose to leave their hand. To increase snap and distance, your goal is to try and NOT LET GO of the disc. Make it rip or pop out of your grip at the hit. Also, on backhand throws, it's about smooth, not hard. Pull straight, accelerate.

 

[sisyphus]

Welcome Grinder!

I too took up this sport only recently (at age 50 in 2011), and was astonished at the difference from my circa 1977 collection of Wham-O's, but you'll quickly develop the snap to keep these from hooking over too hard. I'm sure we'll all still be able to snap a towel at a grandson's derriere when we're octogenarians, so we can backhand a disc.

Listen to folks when they recommend slower speed 'understable' discs to start, and you'll be cranking that Tern out by this time next year. For now, pick a putter that feels really comfortable for you and get two or three of them (a full set is cheaper than one round of greens fees for ball golf).

The first thing I like to do when warming up is a bunch of putting, because accuracy will win over distance all the time. Then I try to throw two or three holes with good form, not tons of power. The walk alone gets my blood flowing, and I'm generally good to start my round from there.

If anything aches, remember lots of water goes in, and ice goes on.

...and enjoy! :hfive:

 

[teemkey]

I started playing last July at 63. Last Saturday I won $81 in an Ace Race event with no divisions, so it's possible to be successful even with the late start (at least on a good day ).

I play four or five times a week, and have gotten into good enough shape to play five rounds a day. It takes a while. You're using muscles in a way they haven't been used before. Take your time, do a lot of field work, and stop when things start to hurt. Build up slowly.

Initially I stretch by holding a disc in both hands with my feet about should-length apart, and my knees slightly bent. Bend over and touch the ground between your feet, then touch the ground in front of one foot, then the other. I do this until my legs & back feel loose. If possible, I play about five holes for practice before getting serious; even better, playing with two throws from each position, focusing on being smooth and accurate (not trying to rip for max distance).

You'll find most disc golfers are welcoming and helpful. There will probably be a few regulars that play the same time most days. Make friends with one of these groups, don't worry about being competitive until you develop some skills. Work on approach shots and putting with accuracy, these skills will keep you in the game as you work on the form and muscle memory needed to get your drives out with the 20/30-somethings.

That said, many tournaments have age-protected Grandmaster divisions (50+) where you don't have to compete against the 500' drives of the young guns. If not Grandmaster, then Master (40+). But don't be surprised by 350' - 400' off the tee by gray-haired golfers. I'm getting close to the 350' mark and expect to hit it later this summer .

Enjoy the game!

 

[Brodysseus]

Speed 6 Drivers would probably work great for you. The Leopard is awesome, but my favorite disc to recommend to new players is a DX Cheetah, great "stable" driver for a new arm. And you can pair that with a Gazelle/Whippet/Viper for overstable duties.

For a mid, X Comet, definitely.

And for a putter, a Vibram Summit (and eventually pair it with a VP for a deadly approach combo)