Throwing rollers..

[Mikk]

Usualy I don't throw rollers unless I have to. Hole 6 at White River makes me use the roller shot due to not being able to throw RHFH. I have been trying to RHFH but I feel all backwards? I throw LHFH and RHBH so a LHFH roller works very well. Some of the other people I golf with have been talking me into throwing a RHBH roller on hole 5 at White River. If thrown correctly you "should" be able to park this long hole(450?). Most the time my rollers go about as far as my drive, about 400 feet. Well yesterday I threw my 176 Serius Orion LS RHBH on a roll from the blue t-pad. It hit the ground just in front of the red t-pad and made the mando gap perfectly. It was at about 70deg angle and still stood up and rolled all the way to the pin!! Thats the 2nd time I was able to birdie that hole playing the blue t-pad. What was strange to me is that the throw felt way easier rolling it than driving it..
So is it actualy easier to throw a roller or just air it, given if the grass isnt to deep..

[Uhlman]

It all depends on how you throw the disc.
In theory a roller can go farther than an air shot, however there is more that can happen to the disc when it is on the ground. Let’s look at an extreme example of throwing tires, I can throw a tire (for a small car) about 50 feet however if I roll the same tire I can get it to go 150 to 200 feet farther because the physics are similar because round objects have a tendency to roll. You can also look at the distance disparities between the longest throw and longest roller (http://www.wfdf.org/index.php?page=records/index.htm)(non-turf). It all comes down to the conditions that are imparted on the disc when it leaves your hand and when it (the disc) hits the ground.
(did answer the question or did I totaly miss the point)

[Mikk]

Realy I think its what is on the ground you DONT see that scares me the most when using a roller shot. I did use a roller at Hornings on hole 18, its the big down hill and mando to the left of the big tree, My disc stoped in the tall grass by the basket. I realy dont think I could have thrown a disc that far...

[General Scales]

Rollers are awesome if you have enough dedication to field work them. Took me a lot of days to gain enough confidence to throw them when they count. The forehand roller was a lot easier to learn for me than the backhand even though I'm primarily a backhand huckster. Still don't have them dialed perfect yet though. That will take a few more months of dedication.

[Mikk]

So me and Fox got into throwin rollers conversation yesterday at White River. We went to t-pad 17 blue(big open flat field-420ft to pin?) and decided to try rolling everything we had. My best roller disc still is the 176 Orion. hit the pin and stopped. However Fox has a seriously nasty roller and using a beat to hell wraith was able to roll waaaayyy past the pin. If the tree debris behind the pin didn't stop his roll it might have gone 500ft+. So that answered that. If you got the roller shot use it!!

[Uhlman]

I have found the rollers work great when the ground hard, flat and smooth. Winter is a great time to work on rollers because the ground (at least where I live) is frozen and a lot harder than normal. Beat discs are also great to use as rollers becasue you don't care that they get even more beat and the tend to want to be rollers anyway

[Mikk]

I actualy like the ground frozen. Makes for some killer upside down thumber/hookers!!

[dcnewt2]

I love the rollers too, but I have paid the price a few times. You never know what may be hiding in the grass, and I've had a few hit things and die at 100 - 150 ft when I could have easily thrown twice that with no worries. There are definitely pluses and minuses.

[DexterHawk]

Rollers for me often fill the role of a giant forehand. I can throw pretty far (425+) so for most holes that are two able I throw air shots... but I have a hard time throwing late flipping backhand shots and the roller really helps with that flight path. I agree that rollers really demand a pretty perfect set of circumstances to be useful (grass that is not too long, the right shaped fairway, room on the left side of the teepad to lay it down... ect.) and that they have a medium high lottery factor, but they are a game changer and it's a good shot to have in the bag.

If you are trying to learn one here is my advice...
If you can't throw your regular shot 300ft+ stop trying to work on a roller and keep practacing your air shot, you probably don't have enough snap to really get much benifit from putting a disc on the ground

When learning really focus on trying to get the disc to the ground aim for a spot 50ft in front of the teepad and try to land your disc there.

After that it's all about getting the right combination of angle, rotational speed and landing area. Experiment with different discs and angles in general trying to land your stable discs more vertically up and down and land flippier discs with a little more tilt towards the ground. learning to get the roller to the ground is the key though.

[Uhlman]

...
If you are trying to learn one here is my advice...
If you can't throw your regular shot 300ft+ stop trying to work on a roller and keep practacing your air shot, you probably don't have enough snap to really get much benifit from putting a disc on the ground.
...


I wouldn’t say that, The roller is a great tool to have even if you can’t throw 300ft. I know people (like my wife for example) that don’t have a 300ft drive but can throw down a roller like nobody’s business.
I agree with the rest of your post that there is a lot of chance when throwing a roller but you can mitigate those chances with practice and knowledge of when, why, and how you should throw the roller.

[Mikk]

I do play with some older golfers and they too can lay down the rollers like nobodys business. For me I like to try as many different styles as possible. Why? You just never know when that super funky shot will save you a stroke!! I also throw a roller at steli sw #4. That lefty mando tree is difficult for me to throw RHBH super-anti hyzer with out rolling it. Besides it looks super cool to throw a huge anti-hyzer to roller shot on that hole!!

[Adam Schneider]

When learning really focus on trying to get the disc to the ground aim for a spot 50ft in front of the teepad and try to land your disc there.
50'? Seriously, even for backhand rollers? Seems to me that the most effective rollers (distance-wise, anyway) are those that get some time in the air first. Obviously it depends on the terrain. Either way, use stiff plastic.

By the way, a forehand "cut roller" with an overstable disc (the disc lands at a 45° angle) can be a great way to make a REALLY sharp right turn, if you can make it work.

[DMajor]

I can't remember where I read it, but I remeber Climo being qouted as saying T-birds are his farthest rolling discs because the weight is distributed evenly on both sides. I saw him throwing rollers for the first time at the memorial final round last year. Pretty incredible to say the least.

[Scott]

50'? Seriously, even for backhand rollers? Seems to me that the most effective rollers (distance-wise, anyway) are those that get some time in the air first. Obviously it depends on the terrain. Either way, use stiff plastic.



I'd say 50' is a good place to start. Nail that and you'll have a lot better success laying it down farther out.

[Mikk]

I'd say 50' is a good place to start. Nail that and you'll have a lot better success laying it down farther out.
When I throw a roller LHFH I keep the air-time distance short mabe 50ft. When I throw a roller RHBH I prefer some distance before the roll. I would think I throw about 80ft of distance before the roll if I'm attemting a 300ft+ shot. Realy I only use the roller when I'm stuck where I have to try RHFH as a drive, due to my lack of having a RHFH drive. Usualy my LHFH roller works well when I'm not trying to "kill-it". Overpowering any throw is no good.:nono:
Unfortunately there are those shots where my roller just dont work.

[DexterHawk]

The 50' trick is just a start... when I throw backhand rollers I land them anywhere between 75' and 200' away from the teepad, depending on the intended path of the shot... the trick is you need to land your disc on the ground with a lot of rotational speed.

Oh and folks are also right about the 300' starting platform... I guess I was reading the thread as if newer players were talking about learning rollers and for a young adult male I would say learning to throw an air shot that is consistent and controllable to 300' should be a priority before trying to roll... But it is certainly possible to roll a disc with less power, just much more technique oriented and touchyer

That said, I haven't even had a consistent controllable 300' air shot lately so who am I to judge...

[Uhlman]

I think once you have a controllable air shot you can start learning rollers. However, for some throwing a roller is easier than throwing an air shot. I think it has a lot to do with body physiology.

[Uhlman]

Question, which disc is your best roller? I have a very beat (one of my first discs) 167g DX Valk that I use for roller practice or if I know the course is going to require a decisive roller. I also carry two star Valks (my go to drivers) that I can use as a roller if I want. I am also starting to get good results with my newer 167g Champ Roadrunner. I also find that the Coyote is good for mid-range rollers.

[DexterHawk]

I can throw a bunch of different discs for rollers... my go to roller disc is a beat to death star wraith. But I also throw star destroyers and eagles. That said, any disc (including mid range discs) can be used. I find that the only limit is really that a disc needs to hold it's line long enough to get to the ground (i.e. it can't start hyzering before it gets to the ground)

[Uhlman]

While any really beat disc disc can be used as a roller some discs are easier to use as rollers out of the box, the Monarch, Roadrunner, Archangel are a good examples of this just by thier very nature as grossly understable discs.

[General Scales]

Visions, S.S Avengers, Teerex-X and Venoms

[Mikk]

Well me and Mazza were working on some roller style at steili yesterday(never made it to NAD). I was using my beat Orion on nw12(big open and flat field-465ft to pin) I was able to roll 400ft. I then started driving some discs and found out that my roller is a bit more accurate for me as far as the ending placement. I did try some other plastic, a 168 champ sidewinder and a 170 rush, and I still like the Orion best for my roller shot. That disc is sooooo flippy its crazy!!

[mazza]

Well me and Mazza were working on some roller style at steili yesterday(never made it to NAD). I was using my beat Orion on nw12(big open and flat field-465ft to pin) I was able to roll 400ft. I then started driving some discs and found out that my roller is a bit more accurate for me as far as the ending placement. I did try some other plastic, a 168 champ sidewinder and a 170 rush, and I still like the Orion best for my roller shot. That disc is sooooo flippy its crazy!!

u forgot the part where i air'd out a huge back hand...that landed 20 past ur roll.
but my drive did not look as cool has his roller....that thing was sick

[TYVEK]

u forgot the part where i air'd out a huge back hand...that landed 20 past ur roll.
but my drive did not look as cool has his roller....that thing was sick

Man if you could have landed your disc 20' past his and rolled it the rest of the way to the pin, THEN it would have been cool!!!! i think its time to step it up Mazza! :laughing:

[mazza]

Man if you could have landed your disc 20' past his and rolled it the rest of the way to the pin, THEN it would have been cool!!!! i think its time to step it up Mazza! :laughing:

i put down some rollers......but they r not worth talking about so no mo info


ooo and thats 20 past where his disc stop rollin.......not sure some one could throw 400 in the air AN then get it to roll

but i have been wrong 1 time before

[Mikk]

I found my new roller disc. a beat to hell 171 avenger flx ss in esp plastic!! That disc is a damn rocket!!! I threw it as a roller from 17 blue t-pad at white river and stoped at the 14 short pin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG its perfect!! but its not mine ;-( so now I gota get an avenger ss.
I called the owner and I'm getting it back to him in the morning. Yes I did get permission to throw it, and no he doesnt wana give it up. not even for 10$

[Mikk]

Man if you could have landed your disc 20' past his and rolled it the rest of the way to the pin, THEN it would have been cool!!!! i think its time to step it up Mazza! :laughing:

Trust me Mazza definately kicked my a$$. However we bolth had some good damn driving!! and putting and mid-range. well it was just friggin sweet.
I threw a super anti-hyzer on nw11(i think) and damn near aced!!

[Mikk]

i put down some rollers......but they r not worth talking about so no mo info


ooo and thats 20 past where his disc stop rollin.......not sure some one could throw 400 in the air AN then get it to roll

but i have been wrong 1 time before
I might be able to do it!! Right after I fly to the moon and back!!

[mazza]

Trust me Mazza definately kicked my a$$.
I threw a super anti-hyzer on nw11(i think) and damn near aced!!

that my friend is now the mikk route....only 1 other person i seen take that route....and they threw forehand....u sir turnd the shit out that disc.....nw11 throwing down into the center of the grove....mikk took some disc..drove back hand about 30 out to the left( almost over the yellow basket)...pulled it over and was about 5 ft-10 ft short of the basket ( in the short position)....i didn't want to follow his throw.....so i put my bag on and started going to look for my disc

[mazza]

Trust me Mazza definately kicked my a$$. However we bolth had some good damn driving!! and putting and mid-range. well it was just friggin sweet.
I threw a super anti-hyzer on nw11(i think) and damn near aced!!

i still think ur hyzer bomb off alt 11 was sick(up in till i teed off that is)

[Mikk]

that my friend is now the mikk route....only 1 other person i seen take that route....and they threw forehand....u sir turnd the shit out that disc.....nw11 throwing down into the center of the grove....mikk took some disc..drove back hand about 30 out to the left( almost over the yellow basket)...pulled it over and was about 5 ft-10 ft short of the basket ( in the short position)....i didn't want to follow his throw.....so i put my bag on and started going to look for my disc
That was a 171 Discmania s-line Rush. It belongs to a friend of mine and I lost it a year ago, then you found it, then I almost anti-hyzer aced!!

[Mikk]

Every single time I go play at Ft.Steilacoom DGC I learn more about disc golf, my ability to play and the plastic I choose to throw. Ask Big Mike about my line drive smash I threw with his champ Destroyer on pro 2. I friggin parked that bad boy!! Yes I made the mando too!!

[mazza]

hell i learnd something about my rollers..................i have no business throwing them

[Mikk]

I learned a valuable lesson today. Rollers are harder for me when the wind is to my back. Damn tail wind refused to let my roller shot work its magic..

[DexterHawk]

Wind is also bad for rollers if it is coming from the top side of the disc when it is on the ground... but when the wind is supporting the bottom of the disc WATCH OUT... you can throw them 20 - 50 % farther if you get the technique correct... land it closer to the wind and watch the air hold the disc up and keep it rolling like it is a sail!

[Uhlman]

Wind is also bad for rollers if it is coming from the top side of the disc when it is on the ground... but when the wind is supporting the bottom of the disc WATCH OUT... you can throw them 20 - 50 % farther if you get the technique correct... land it closer to the wind and watch the air hold the disc up and keep it rolling like it is a sail!
had thappen to me on the beach once with my ultmate disc. My partner missed it and it hit the hard pack and rolled about 200 yards

[Mikk]

I was throwing my roller shots yesterday evening at White River in practice for the 1 disc tourney this saturday. I learned somethings during my practice. My 176 Orion -thrown RHBH- is dead accurate for me as I almost had a roller ace on hole 17!! There is a small mound in front of the basket that makes a nice jump!! If I roll my rock/buzz RHBH it either cuts right or left hard, however if I roll LHFH with a rock/buzz its very accurate. So this tells me I have to be mindful of my "snap" when rolling mid-range plactic throwing RHBH. I have been trying to use my Star Mako as a roller but haven't had much luck so far possibly due to the vastly different profile and grip(for me).

[Mikk]

Getting some more roller practice at White River. I tried a roller on 4 blue and ended up under the basket! The wind was non-existant so I got to see how far I could roll a disc without natures help. Then I tried to roll blue 5 and missed the mando to the right. oops!!
So far the only 2 discs that have worked for rolling for me is my 176 Orion and a 175 Avenger SS FLX. I do have a champ sidewinder but I still havent figured that 1 out for rolling yet..