Practice, Practice, Practice, measuring with Google Earth and the journey of a newb.

[Jaemes]

I posted a while back, looking for tips to increase my drive distance, what I finally came up with is that I needed to read what everyone had already said before (in this and other forums :slapface:) and then, go out and practice, practice, practice.

Since then I have increased my drive distance from mostly under 275', to reliably hitting over 330 about 30% of the time. Some techniques that worked for me were, concentrating on my snap, and transferring the twist of my torso into the momentum of my arm/hand. I still have a long way to go but it’s a start.

The other thing that helped me, is using the measuring tool in Google Earth to measure out the park I practice in. I validated the accuracy of the Google Earth measuring tool by zooming in and measuring a local football field, and it is right on the money.

Knowing how far I'm actually throwing, let me know right away whether or not a particular technique was successful. It's also done wonders for my real world game because I have a much better idea of how far I can throw a specific disc. So if I know how long a hole is, It is much easier to choose the right disc.

One of the challenges I ran into after increasing my power was that discs I used to throw well started flipping and going way right (back hand with right arm), this is where I started to truly understand the application and value of over stable discs.

I was so excited by my recent progress I thought my trials and tribulations might help some other newb.

[Ken Smith]

You got it. Read commentary from experienced golfers, and practicing in a field is about the best thing you can do. Obviously, mix it up with some rounds ... but you will know much better what your discs can do when you have a big field to throw on. Your distance is good, but also work on the accuracy and approach shots. Hell, for several years all I could do was practice putting in my backyard and that, by far, has helped my game the most. Keep at it! Ken

[Burge]

I always go to the local community college to practice drives and throw on the field inside the track. The track has tons of distance markers on it to judge throws by and hardly anyone around. I started going there when I first started playing, and then when I got laid off, I started going to the college and, one quarter, worked out a deal to actually get 3 credits for throwing discs on the field for an hour a day, three times a week. :dancing: :rockon::dancing:

A good distance challenge, while on the field, is to not just try to crank out every drive as far as possible, but to pick a distance, well inside your power range, and try to throw as close to that mark without going past. This is an excellent control exercise and really can help your long approach game.

[ChUcK]

One of the challenges I ran into after increasing my power was that discs I used to throw well started flipping and going way right

Not trying to troll, but this doesn't necessarily mean you are throwing better, just harder. It could be a case of learned off-axis torque. Does your newly flippy plastic flutter at all when you first release it?

[Jaemes]

Not trying to troll, but this doesn't necessarily mean you are throwing better, just harder. It could be a case of learned off-axis torque. Does your newly flippy plastic flutter at all when you first release it?

The park across the street from my house has both an open area with a border of mature trees and an open field. I use the open field to practice power drives and the area with trees for accuracy. Durring my accuracy practice, I pick a tree just beyond the border and treat it as if it is the pin, trying to get my drives as close as I can. The discs that flip now are all beginner rated disc, but no, they don't flutter on release.