Your #1 tip for an intermediate player

[SomethingClever]

I've been playing disc golf consistently (2-3x/week) for about a year now. And while I've improved dramatically since I first started, I seem to have hit somewhat of a plateau.

What is the one thing you started doing that pushed you to the next level when you were starting out?

[Sam]

Practicing in a field and spending time with my basket.

Rounds are a whole lot of fun... but they are much more fun when you have mastered some basic skills... like throwing straight and putting well.

[snap7times]

Research online for techniques and practicing on particular types of throws etc... Changing grips and discs...

[jevon]

Read these articles http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles.shtml

Go out and practice what you read. Then reread and practice some more. Rinse, repeat.

[LegoRules]

Taking a couple of lessons from a local pro like Nate Sexton. That really helped my game to the next level.

Cindy

[Scott]

Get some pro advice and then practice, practice, practice. It would be best to learn correct techniques first, and then hit the fields for practice. Otherwise you will just be re-enforcing bad habits.

And don't forget to practice all asepects of your game. Long bombs in the field are fun, but spend equal time on upshots and putting.

And patience, grasshopper. We're all anxious to improve, but excellence takes time.

[Scotty B]

Going to the field is a great way to take your game to the next level and if you are going to the course change it up throw shots you normaly would not throw and for sure play as many different courses to mix it up. i also make sure to just take at least a 1/2 hour at a basket to putt that has been my biggest help. I also have made sure to stick with the same disc trying something new is fun but you need to find what works for you and use it evrytime.

[PARR]

I say grab a mid range/Putter and play catch with a buddy for a half hour before a round.

[REDFIVE]

slow down, be smooth and balanced.

[Parks]

Minimize the molds and discs in your bag so you learn to throw them on all types of shots. Dave Feldberg carries 30+ discs on the course, but he also knows exactly what each and every one does, and could beat you, me, and most everyone else with just a putter.

Don't throw the ultrafast stuff (speed 11+ on Innova scale) unless you're consistently hitting 340+ with your fairway drivers on golf lines.

Try minimizing your bag to the bare minimum:

1 Putter
1-3 Midranges, slightly overstable to understable (try to use the same mold in different stages of wear for all mid shots, Buzzzes, Rocs, and Warriors are good for this)
1 Fairway driver
1 Overstable driver for fighting wind and skipping
1 Moderately overstable driver for all around utility and accurate long throws (SOLF, Avenger, and PD are good examples of this type of disc)
1 Distance Driver (use something easy to throw and glidey for max distance, like a Valkyrie, TL, Avenger SS, Assassin, or Striker)
1 Understable driver (can usually double as a max distance driver)


Sticking to this formula will really help you learn what you and your discs can do when combined with field practice. Adding multiples of the same mold will generally benefit you a lot more than adding more molds, as you know exactly how that disc will throw and you will have backups for the inevitable lost discs.

[Ol' Bob]

Understand that sometimes you'll have to go backwards to jump forwards. If you find potential problems with your form, be willing to gain some strokes while you practice the new corrections. If you're stuck at a level, it might take giving something up that you're used to for something better. You've got years to work on it. Maybe that's what winters are for.

[Joshua Olmsted]

All the advice here is great, one more idea might be playing many different courses, and mixing up how you play your home courses. I'll also heartily second the advice of minimizing your bag, I used to try a new disc every month, then 2 years ago I picked 6 molds and stuck to just mastering those molds and using variations in weight and plastic to achieve different flights, so my avengers can work as my overstable straight and understable driver.

[DMajor]

There are lots of videos online. Watch as many great players as you can. You will notice their routines and throwing styles vary but they all look pretty similar from their last two or three steps to the time they release the disc. Try to pick out the little things that you see are common among the top players such as footwork, pull back, hip turn weight shift, follow through and examine your own motion to see if you are doing the same things the same way. Try to slowly put the things you are missing or do differently into your motion and practice it over and over again using the exact same pre shot routine for every practice shot, practice round, and tournament round. Keep things as simple, smooth, and easy to repeat as possible.

[hyzer_sosa]

Originally Posted by jevon

Read these articles http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles.shtml

Go out and practice what you read. Then reread and practice some more. Rinse, repeat.

Thanks for the link. Good reading.

[sillybizz]

Originally Posted by REDFIVE

slow down, be smooth and balanced.

This man knows what he's talking about, after taking a lesson I went from sucking really bad to about average. No really my game has improved drastically.

[emmarose]

I totally agree on practice practice practice (open field for drives and also upshots) and mixing it up with courses (recently improved my game greatly!). I would stress the importance of putting practice, I feel that a half hour EVERY DAY with the basket improves my balance and focus and thus affects all aspects of my game.

Something that really improved my game, that was way more fun than practice, was when I started playing with golfers who were quite a bit better than me. I learned threw their example, they were really supportive and encouraging and helped me believe I, too, could throw that far and also just threw osmosis or something I absorbed technique and skill.

[purediscgolf]

Don't throw FAST plastic.....LEOPARDS, TEEBIRDS, EAGLES, FIREBIRDS (Firebirds if you have good snap). Learn how to throw these discs flat with control 200-300 ft. Everything else will come eventually from this technique.

I just threw all the Fast Plastic out of my bag and have appreciated my scores being lower.

Yes, The Boss and Dextroyer do fly a MILE. Sometimes tho they go a ---LONG WAY---THE WRONG WAY!!!!

LEOPARDS ARE THE BEST DISC FOR ANY PLAYER TO LEARN CONTROL WITH>!! Just my humble 14 years of experience..... GOOD LUCK

[Brody Cannon]

Originally Posted by jevon

Go out and practice what you read. Then reread and practice some more. Rinse, repeat.

You forgot to lather..

[SomethingClever]

Lots of good advice in here, thanks! I have plenty to think about and work on at this point (holy moly @ the level of detail in that link!), but additional comments and advice are still welcome.

[TreeLove]

Originally Posted by SomethingClever

What is the one thing you started doing that pushed you to the next level when you were starting out?

Learn the power grip (all 4 fingers curled under the rim).