Whether you have just started or you are a seasoned disc golf player, you need to learn various tips that will push your game to the next level. This is especially true if you notice that your throws do not go too far. From experience, one of the main causes for this is throwing nose-up.
To get the disc golf disc to skim over long distances, you need to stop throwing the disc with the nose up. If you see the top of your disc when your throw is flying away, you are throwing nose up. Basically, you need a grip and a throw that will keep the front or nose of the disc flatter towards the ground rather than raised in the front.
Read on to get tips on how you can get longer distances when throwing a disc golf disc. We will try and give you tips on how to throw like a pro.
What is a Nose-up Throw?
In a nose-up throw, the bottom of the disc faces the throw direction. While this can make the disc fly high, it will not give you good long throws. The key to a long throw is to keep the nose of the disc slightly downwards when you throw.
Just like a plane, tilting the nose of your disc golf upwards puts a lot of resistance on it and this can create more drag. This is because it is exposed to the air rushing against it. Consequently, this will change the disc flight of your disc and it can slow it down.
A nose-angle can come in handy when you want to create maneuvering and achieve better control. However, it is not the best if you want to make a throw over long distances.
These discs tend to climb higher in altitude rather than going faster. Besides, nose-up discs tend to stall in the air after reaching their trajectory. When this happens, the discs turn left.
If you want to excel in disc golf, it is important to know what you are doing wrong so you can rectify it. However, not a lot of people know when they are throwing nose up. Fortunately, there are a few indicators that show you are throwing nose up.
A nose-up throw is one where you:
- Can see the top of the disc as it flies through the air.
- Do not get long distances on your drives and mid-range throws.
- Both drivers and midrange fly at the same distance.
- Find your disc finishes its flight with an air skip.
- Find it difficult to throw heavier discs.
What Causes Nose Up Throw?
There are many reasons why you could be getting a nose-up throw. Some of the common causes for throwing nose up include;
Not Gripping the Disc Correctly
An incorrect grip of the disc can result in a nose-up throw. Possibly you are not using a tight grip. You may be gripping the disc loosely with your wrist pointing upwards and your hand pointing down. Such a grip could lead to a nose-up throw. Perhaps you are using a grip that makes it difficult for the nose to point down.
Using Excessive Force Instead of Technique
Another reason for a nose-up throw is the use of excessive force instead of using a proper technique. Perhaps you are using excessive force to try and get the disc to fly further. However, the key to a good throw is to use a proper technique rather than force. If you just use brute force, you could end up placing your elbow down and this will cause a nose-up throw.
Incorrect Delivery and Follow-through
In any sport, the delivery and follow-through is a key factor in achieving good form. You may be starting your throw high from your non-throwing side, swinging low, and arching up to cause the nose-up throw.
Or you could be trying to throw lower, which could result in the disc hitting the ground or skimming low and then flying high and out of control. It is also possible that you are curbing your follow-through which will affect the quality of your throws.
Improper Posture
Another cause of a nose-up throw is throwing while standing on your back foot. This is a common issue for beginners. To prevent this, you need to put all your weight into your front foot during the throwing motion. Another mistake is when you push the disc up rather than out as this keeps the disc longer in the air.
What is Throwing Nose-Down and Why is it Important?
If you want to be able to throw your golf discs over long distances, then throwing a nose-down is highly recommended. A nose-down throw involves throwing the disc such that the front part of the moving disc is slightly lower than the back.
Basically, the front part of the disc should be angled slightly down so that it is in relation to the flight path it is traveling in. Please note that this does not mean teh front of the disc should point towards the ground. If the nose points towards the ground, you will not get a great distance.
The advantage of throwing your disc golf disc nose down is that you will be able to achieve much longer distances. This may not be the case when you throw nose-up. Most advanced players use the nose down flight when making Anhyzer throws to achieve significant distance.
Also, throwing your disc golf nose up helps to prevent all your discs from flying the same distance. When you throw nose up, the profile that is exposed to the air becomes the same for all discs, meaning that there will be no difference whether you are using drivers, putters, or midranges.
How to Throw Nose Down Like a Pro
Let us take a look at how we can correct any issues in our throwing technique that will enable us to throw like the pros. Here are some tips to improve technique and form.
Use a Proper Grip
To prevent a nose up throw, we suggest that you grip the disc firmly with your fingers underneath and the thumb on the top of the disc. The side of the disc should touch your palm between your index finger and thumb.
Make sure that you grip the disc firmly with your wrist pointing slightly down. The correct grip is placing your forearm and thumb in a straight line almost like you were shaking someone’s hand. Don’t forget to ensure that the front of the disk is pointing slightly downwards.
Use the Proper Technique
The classic backhanded throw is the natural throwing technique used in disc golf. In this throwing technique, your throwing hand grips the disc, and your back almost faces the target.
Reach your throwing hand as far back as possible and keep your non-throwing hand down by your side. Now start from slightly below the waist height and aim to throw the disc at shoulder height or slightly higher. All the while, keep your wrist locked so that the front of the disc is pointing slightly downward.
As you turn, make sure that your weight is on your throwing leg, which is the leg on the side of your throwing hand. So, if you are right-handed, your throwing arm is your right arm and the throwing leg is the right leg. Pivot or turn on your throwing leg with most of the weight on it.
The Correct Delivery and Follow-through
Now, keep your wrist locked and your throwing elbow slightly higher. Then in a smooth action swing around. Make sure your throwing hand moves in a smooth even movement at a steady angle from the waist towards the shoulder.
Once you are facing the target, release the disc ensuring that the front is pointing slightly down and your elbow is slightly on the higher side. Like we said earlier, start low, but release the disc at shoulder height or higher.
Make sure to follow through after you release the disc for a good throw. In most cases, you will follow through naturally with the momentum of your body and do not try to curb or stop the follow-through.
Final Thoughts
If you want to up your game, you need to work hard on your grip, the movement of your arm, and the follow-through. Keep practicing and tweak the grip and movement till you are better at keeping the nose of the disc down.
With enough practice, you will get the hang of it. We also suggest that you go online and watch a few good videos on how to throw like a pro and avoid the nose down technique. You can learn a lot by watching the pros in action.
Remember, the key to a good throw in disc golf is the grip, the throwing motion, and the follow-through. Also remember, that you need to practice, practice, and practice some more to get it right.
