When you first get into disc golf, the same cookie-cutter advice is always given:
“Start with the slow stuff. Throw putters and midranges. Then, move up in disc speed.”
Fortunately, when I started playing, there were enough “smart people” around me to pass this along. I took it. I followed it. After a week, though, I kicked it to the curb and started throwing fairway and distance drivers. I was frustrated – I couldn’t get a clean release on anything.
Contrary to what some might have you believe, no – I didn’t die. Steadily, my game improved. And while I did get more comfortable throwing putters and midranges, it drove me crazy to hear people talk about bombing Big-Bead Aviars and Lucid EMAC Truths 350-plus feet …
Nothing worked: Slow-speed, high-shouldered discs felt flimsy and unstable in my hand …
That was until I hit the 3-minute, 20-second mark of THIS Danny Lindhal video back in 2018:
The fan grip changed everything about the way I play disc golf.
For the first time ever, I was able to throw putters and midranges – and not only for accuracy, but for some kind of (relative) distance, too. My bag immediately opened up. Discs did new, exciting things. I had way more options – more fun, even. Control was now a strength – not a crutch.
This didn’t just happen overnight, however …
Two things made the fan grip “work” for me – they’ll (likely) make it work for you, too:
1. Experiment like a madman with different fan grips
It’s terrifying how many different fan-grip options there are out there …
To find what works, try a bunch of ‘em out – it’s that simple. And if you can’t find one that works, ask around. You might have to combine a couple or improvise, but you’ll get it …
Here are a few different options to get the ball rolling, though:
- Will Shusterick uses a fairly standard-looking fan grip – click here.
- Paul McBeth uses a “modified power grip” for touch shots – click here.
- Michael Johansen uses this fan grip for literally every shot type – click here.
- Zach Melton uses his version of a “modified fan grip” for the short stuff – click here.
- Chris Clemons uses a “control grip” for most putter and midrange throws – click here.
* Note: All “click here” YouTube links take you directly to the necessary timestamp.
For what it’s worth, the best of the above options for me is the one Will Shusterick teaches.
I found that hooking my pointer finger tightly around the rim of the disc led to way too many griplocks. By resting it along the edge and pinching everything else tightly, I’m able to feel comfortable and confident, get a clean release and control the flight plate more easily.
2. Hit up your local ‘pitch-and-putt’ course on the reg
Mine is right across the street from my house at an elementary school. The course is only nine holes, so it plays quickly. Most holes are between 225 and 275 feet, with the longest 350 feet.
Whenever I play it, I bring only these three discs:
- My putting putter – it’s a seasoned KC Pro Aviar.
- My preferred throwing putter – it’s a gummy Champion Rhyno.
- My favorite stable to slightly overstable midrange – it’s a Champion Roc3.
I go stable to slightly overstable with everything on purpose – not only do I lean heavily on these discs during most rounds, but they allow me to play with different release angles: anhyzer, flat and hyzer. Getting the feel of your preferred fan grip is big, but can’t stress this enough …
Controlling the flight plate is what makes everything come together.
To make that happen, I do multiple, nine-hole laps with a good podcast – it’s awesome.
To date, do I have all of this “fan-grip stuff” down pat?
Not a chance in h*ck – but I’m confident enough in it to go to it off the tee with a putter or midrange for anything under 285-ish feet. The fan grip’s quickly become a staple of my game.
Drew Gibson, Jeremy Koling and Gregg Barsby – these guys use their own version of the fan grip with putters and mids like most, but also with Destroyers, Wraiths and Eagles, too.
In the battle of distance vs. control, control should win out most of the time …
The fan grip makes it happen.
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