No, Simon Lizotte doesn’t use the Bonapane grip …
But he’ll probably make a YouTube video on it one day.
That’s good enough for me.
Clicks, baby.
The “Bonapane” name comes from Al Bonapane – he’s the one who invented it. The purpose of the unusual grip is to help with nose angle. More specifically, it’s designed to keep the nose of the disc down on distance throws. Regardless of the disc, if everything you throw dumps too soon or stalls in the air before crashing to the ground, nose angle is likely the main culprit.
You want it down.
Not up.
It’s bizarre, but hey …
Try the Bonapane.
Here’s how to make it happen:
- Grab a fairway or distance driver. Again, the Bonapane is best for distance.
- Place your thumb atop the flight plate as you normally would for a drive.
- This is weird: Curl your pointer finger around it, pressing down firmly.
- Then, hook your remaining three fingers under the rim of the disc.
Hold on tight.
* Note #1: If you hate the feeling of your pinky finger on the rim, tuck it into your palm.
* Note #2: Consider taping the middle knuckle of your middle finger, as it’ll blister easily.
Here’s what the Bonapane looks like from the top of the disc:
And here’s what it looks like from below:
Now this might appear bat-crap crazy, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – it’s surprisingly comfortable. And it doesn’t throw half-bad, either. It’s not a true max-distance power grip, but even for long-range throws, accuracy trounces distance in importance every single time.
Nose angle is a BIG part of that.
In my experience, the Bonapane does two things exceptionally well: 1) As advertised, it forces the nose of the disc down, and 2) it turns heads like nobody’s business on the disc golf course.
The Bonapane is something that old, freakishly gifted guy with the ancient, over-the-shoulder bag in your local club busts out on occasion to impress his younger comrades. He might have a few decades (and molds) on you, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t add it to your bag of tricks.
Have fun. Throw weird.
Bonapane.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Excessive time: Wind is not a ‘distraction’ in disc golf
- Disc golf: Always enforce this rule on yourself (thank you)
- Gripe No. 62: The DX Tee-Bird is hyphenated (and I hate it)
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That over the shoulder bag was aimed at me huh? Cuz I sling my bag over my shoulder and then do a modified Bonapane grip on everything 9 speed and faster. (I can’t get the thumb under the pointer – that’s too much. )
You’re right about increasing accuracy and right about getting a nice callous on your middle finger knuc.
I think everyone should experiment with this grip. It is just so consistent.
Haha!
Nah, I’d actually forgotten about the over-the-shoulder bag thing with you …
But yes, I did write this with you and your funky grip in mind.
I threw an entire round with this thing.
If you struggle with nose angle, it works.
But, at least in my case, it was a major sacrificer of distance.
If you struggle with shoulder/upper arm pain I suggest giving this a try. I’ve never had a problem with pain while using this grip while whenever I try to get the pointer finger under the rim I start having problems. Maybe it removes a bit of tension and that translated to the shoulder. Maybe it’s just me. Who knows.
I’ve played ball golf for about 45 years and disc golf for a bit more than three. I adopted this grip almost immediately and way before I had any idea it was an actual thing because it felt like a golf grip. The disc feels naturally locked in place rather than being held, much like the difference between an overlap and baseball grip on a golf club.
I use it for everything except when my putting grip is more appropriate. On the non-power shots I backload it more and take my pointer off my thumb
RCC, thanks for this, man!
I actually DO struggle with shoulder pain, from time to time …
When it’s especially bad, maybe I’ll give this a whirl again?
Seriously, thanks for the suggestion!
Also came from ball golf and maybe that’s why this grop feels so natural.
Lucas said he lost distance but i bet he gained in accuracy. Something about it just puts the disc in the perfect position in the palm/back of your hand.
Thanks for chiming in, Fletch!
I’ve been playing long enough that it wasn’t noticeably more accurate, but I can see how someone would have that experience, without a doubt.
I’d also say that I TOTALLY get the “coming from ball golf” comment.
That’s not me, but I know how to hold a golf club, and the feeling is similar … ish. Haha.
Great feedback, and something I’d never considered when writing this.
Thanks for the comments, you two 🙂
I use to play oak grove the first disc golf course in the country back in the late 70s and their were several of us who use this grip not wanting credit for it but this is not a recent thing we threw thumbers scooters upside downs long before anyone back in the days of wham o thanks Dan roddick
Gary, when you say “Oak Grove,” are you referring to that creepy, cult-like place for rich people in California?
I’ve seen a few documentaries.
It’d be sweet if there was a disc golf course nearby 🙂
I didn’t read the comments, so maybe you’ve already heard this. Frisbee is a brand name and should always be capitalized. Second, disc golfers haven’t used Frisbees since 1983. We’ve been using professional golf discs.
Oh, I’ve heard it before, Eric …
This was written for you a number of months ago: https://tinyurl.com/y79p2x6y
Thanks for reading and sharing, my man – appreciate it!
I actually tried this for a few rounds because I’m a newbie for the past 3 months or so. So far I can say my biggest loss of power and length of overall throws is because I throw nose up 1/2 the time. This made my throws go so much farther and accurate since the nose stays down consistently like 90% of the time now. I don’t want to get used to this but I’m an extremely competitive person so when I play with friends I don’t want to lose and will do whatever it takes to win legally. This is my secret and if they want to make fun of me for the grip and I beat them I’ll just be laughing say you just lost to the bonapane grip how’s it feel? Haha
I say go for it!
It’s hard to argue with results …
If it works, it works – and that’s that.