Disc golf: Change nothing, throw farther (this is painfully simple)

Can you dig the headline?

You’ve probably seen a few dozen just like it on YouTube. For videos, obviously – not articles. The only difference with this one is that it’ll actually deliver on the promise it makes …

No matter how much of a dumpster fire it is, don’t touch your form and still throw farther.

Full disclosure: Something other than your form will need changing, so prepare mentally for that. And heads-up – though incredibly simple, it might set you back a few bucks.

My personal experience

I started playing disc golf seriously about seven years ago. I’d found some discs and bought a bag. I knew enough, however, to know that “building a bag” was more than merely filling it with plastic. So, like most newcomers to the sport, I watched a few “in the bag” videos for help.

It’s been years, but I kid you not – this is the first one I watched:

Literally 19 seconds into the video, Mr. Avery Jenkins drops the following nugget:

“I carry all max-weight discs from putters to midranges to drivers. Always max weight. Less affected by the wind. And they can handle a lot of power.”

That was all I needed to hear – I was sold. His logic made sense. Wind was a problem. More weight would help with that. And no, I couldn’t throw as far as him, but I could get a disc out there. Besides, lighter-weight discs were for juniors, girls and seniors – that wasn’t me.

He might’ve been right, but I was wrong to follow his advice …

And I wasted a lot of money because of it.

What you came here for: The hack (and the science)

If you made it this far, good for you – here’s the secret: Throw light-weight discs.

That’s all there is to it.

Don’t worry about the slower stuff. Max-weight putters and midranges are fine. But when you get to the plastic you throw for distance, drop down in weight. Anything from 167 to 172 grams is ideal. One paper clip weighs a gram. It seems insignificant, but you’ll feel the difference.

And this isn’t just my opinion – the science of “throwing far” agrees with me. The speed of a disc exiting your hand determines how far it will go. The faster it goes, the more it spins. The more it spins, the farther it travels. You can already see the problem here, right?

Max-weight plastic needs more initial power to keep it spinning.

It’s easier to put more spin on lighter discs, so they fly farther – throw lighter drivers.

You’ll be in good company going the light-weight route

Most of the FPO field throws lighter-weight discs for distance. Not everybody, but it’s a common theme. Also, lighter-weight plastic is becoming more popular amongst top MPO professionals. 

In fact, Philo Brathwaite is so known for throwing distance drivers in the upper-160s, his Tour Series Destroyers can’t be purchased at a weight heavier than 170 grams. Oh, and this little shot? Yeah, remember this thing? It was brought to you by a stock, 168-gram Star Destroyer …

As you can see, that featherweight Destroyer has more than enough “beef” in it.

Philo might not be known for distance shots, but Garrett Gurthie is. Even DoubleG drops his Emperors and Destroyers down a few grams to reach max distance on more open courses.

If it works for these guys, it’ll work for you, too.

This is easy distance – go get it.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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