I’ve thought about this for a good, long while …
It’s time I said something:
Three-hundred feet is a pump.
It’s hardly an elite, Pro Tour-level distance. But within the amateur realm, 300 feet on an air shot with a golf disc is respectable. Reddit and Disc Golf Course Review are loaded with guys talking about stretching their Pures out past 300 feet. Yes, that’s doable. Personally, I know multiple people capable of making that exact shot happen with their eyes closed while inebriated.
But I’d venture to say the vast majority of the aforementioned “guys” can’t even sniff 300 feet with a putter. In fact, though the group would be smaller, spot ‘em any one of the four-plus Star Destroyers in their bags, and incredibly, many of them are still coming up short of the mark.
On paper, 300 feet sounds like nothing. Stand at the end of a football field, though, and attempt to hit the opposing end zone in the air with a camera rolling, and you’ll feel some heat …
It’s not easy.
So why is there so much “internet distance” nonsense online?
In my opinion, at least part of the problem is wanting to avoid the “noodle arm” label. In disc golf, a noodle arm is the term used to describe a golfer who not only can’t throw far, but looks bad trying. But how far is far enough to avoid the ego-crushing, man card-shredding moniker?
Given the PDGA has nothing “official” on the books, this is an entirely subjective topic. But as I see it, true noodle-arm distance is (likely) shorter than you think. Before, I sink my teeth into this subject, though, here are two quick things I need you to understand about my thought process:
- First, I’m not counting newbies to disc golf with less than one year of regular play.
- Second, this is a measure of a golfer’s max-distance effort on a backhand line.
* Note #1: It sucks, but I’ve chosen to overlook sidearms, as not everybody has one.
Now, assuming you agree with 300 feet of distance as a tried-and-true line of respectability, a max-distance pull that comes in just below it couldn’t be considered complete and total trash.
That’d be overly harsh.
* Note #2: Here, Lucas claims 300 feet is the “line” for noodle-arm owners – he’s wrong.
Taking another numeric leap, I’d guess most recreational players have between 250 and 275 feet of power, give or take a bit. If you frequently disc golf at public parks, you know that’s a massive body of disc golfers. For every member of a group this size to be the owner of a noodle arm feels extreme. Remember: If everybody has a noodle arm, then in reality, nobody has a noodle arm.
Protect the sanctity of the title.
If you’re coming in south of 250 feet with a no-holds-barred tug of your farthest-flying frisbee, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s no doubt about what’s attached to your chest …
It’s a noodle arm.
Obviously, I don’t have access to an all-encompassing database of amateur golfers’ throwing distances. I do, however, have three things: eyes of my own, years of experience – and a brain.
Should you throw with the fury of a wet Kleenex, embrace it – raw power isn’t requisite for having fun on a disc golf course. It’s also not needed to compete for wins in the right division.
Go light. Go flippy.
Go big-ish.
Yes, even for you …
It’s possible.
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Most Internet Distance is based on one throw. Guy has perfect wind, slight down hill, gets perfect skip forward….udisc measures it at 426 feet.
From that day forward he throws 430 feet to everyone he meets.
His average 13 Speed probably goes 280 feet. Every once in awhile pushes 300.
Remember it’s not how far you hit it, it’s where you hit it that matters. Wait, throw not hit. Wrong golf idiom.
Bahahaha …
I get what you mean, Fletch.
It’s what you can do on a “golf line” that actually matters.
Get those “noodle arms” in the woods and all of the sudden the game changes pretty drastically too!
I always hate seeing that label attached to people that are new (which you were nice enough to add in your article!). Though like you said, it’s the “internet distance” phenomenon that seems to push it. Hopefully it’s not people looking at big throwers like Simon, since he could probably flip putt as far as half of us can throw.
Half the time I feel like it’s just not knowing enough about the form to really stretch that distance. I squarely put myself in that camp as a newbie that started last May. Every couple rounds I absolutely crank one, but how the heck did I do it??? Maybe this year I’ll get it figured out.
Keep on hucking 🙂
All VERY good points, Tyler.
Honestly, my distance is limited by not being very good at backhand flexes …
I throw flat naturally, which is great, but it’s hardly going to win me any distance competitions.
Thankfully, I’m (still) outside of “noodle-arm” territory 😉
Hey hey, another flat thrower! I have to think about it pretty hard if I’m going to try to throw a big hyzer or a backhand flex (forehand is a little easier). I can get my Wraith to do it pretty consistently, but most anything else doesn’t like to play nice. I’ve hit ~375 with that a couple times and almost 350 with my Hawkeye (once). Ask me to do it on cue and psshhhhh. Just cracking 300 feels like a good day, though I think I can do it fairly consistently with my Lockdown.
Having to hit a certain distance on command is brutal …
Hence, the whole, “Stand at one end of a football field and hit the other end” thing.
Nerves. Haha.
I’ve been playing 1.5 years and just got back from doing fieldwork. I’m hitting 350′ easy and up to 400′ if I go 100%. There are lots of people who throw much further than me, but I don’t think there are a lot of sub 300′ max throwers who are both male and also practice the game.
Thanks for making me feel special though… 😁
Oh, there are more than you’d think …
In the grand scheme of amateur disc golf, you’ve got WAY more distance than you give yourself credit for …
Keep on climbing that distance ladder, my man!
I’m no expert but I suspect 350-400′ is in the top percentiles of amateur disc golfers. Again I’m no expert but anecdotally from what I see in recreational disc golf and playing in a decent sized competitive league 300′ is respectable distance. 300′ is probably above average taking into account all players. You have to keep in mind many players don’t study the game and spend time on field work; they plateau at ‘good enough’ distance and don’t improve a lot beyond that. 350′ is very good for a rec player and 400+ is achieved by relatively few players. I believe that I have personally witnessed 2 amateur players who have thrown a legit flat ground laser measured golf line of 450+’. They’re out there but it’s not common for rec players to throw over 350′ from what I’ve seen.
How did I get the cover photo spot xD
Bahahaha …
Fair point, Matt!
You’ll be pleased to know I edited this article, so I actually chose the photo …
Trust me when I say this: Nobody is saying you have a “noodle arm” of any kind.
So as to not put a Pro Tour talent within the piece, all images were pulled from an “Amateur Worlds” album.
Yours looked cool, so I chose it – sorry!
Care to drop how far you can REALLY throw so our readers know you know what’s up?
Thanks for reading, brotha!
I have a thought: How MUCH does distance matter?
I’d say it’s better to throw with some consistency, and get the disc where it needs to go, than smash it all over the place.
In ball-golf, there’s an old saying: “Straight is worth 20 yards.” Meaning, better to land in the fairway than crank the ball a mile– but hook it into the woods.
It’s the same for disc golf. I’m 53, have some accumulated injuries, and am happy to throw some fairly straight drives. I’m never going to throw super far, so I focus on having a reliable, repeatable throw.
It’s all relative. I’d say that most people who pick up a golf disc won’t even be able to throw it 150 feet. And it will likely just hyzer off. Being able to throw a disc even just 200 feet, and land it in the fairway, is an accomplishment. If you string two of those throws together, you’re putting for par or birdie.
And then there
Amen to that, Steve!
It might not get much done on the Pro Tour, but during a C-tier in the right division?
You’ll be taking home some nice prizes if that’s all you can do …
Nothing wrong with that 🙂
I’m 69 years old and throw maybe 220′ forehand. I guess I’m a noodle arm but have been playing for over 20 years and I’ll tell you this. The average disc golfer I see doesn’t throw 300′. In fact I’ll bet 70% of recreational players don’t average 300′.
Agreed, Howard!
And as is stated in the piece …
Compared to the Pro Tour, 300 feet is awful.
But compared to most of the disc golf world, it’s not too shabby.
I think it’s funny it’s called noodle arm. Because honestly having your arm be limp helps in distance. At least it does for me. It’s all about creating whip. It’s more weight transfer and hip and body rotation. Basically what I’m saying is it’s technique and less to do with strength or your arm being weak.
Right?
An ex-baseball player commented that, in baseball, at least, the “noodle arm” title is positive.
More whip.
I love many of the comments made so far. I am in my 40s, and can consistently throw in the low 300s. Although this is far from elite distance, in the local tournament scene, this is respectable. Like everyone else, I’d like to get a little more distance, and am taking steps in that direction.
That being said, the majority of the longer throwing amateurs lack legitimate control. Although I would love to have the bragging rights of throwing a Destroyer 400, I think in the tournament scene, being able to hyzer flip my Hatchet in the woods for a 270 tunnel shot is far more valuable.
David, you’re going to win yourself a LOT of fans with this comment …
And for good reason:
You’re right.
Thanks for reading!
My home course is 5 minutes away from my house. I play a lot of rounds. Like five or six a week. 90% of the people out there cannot throw 300 ft. And it’s a bomber course with lots of open long holes. It also is Ezra and Isaac Robinson’s home course and I see them out there a fair amount. Really fun to watch the pros get out there and absolutely launch some plastic.
Oh, that is pretty cool …
Have you ever thrown a hole or two with ’em?
Not yet although Ezra is giving lessons now so I may book a slot with him. I have thrown a little bit with their dad and he is a phenomenal player. Ezra and Isaac was right behind me last weekend at Heritage Pines course. Unfortunately when they come there’s always a big group with them. Couple of years ago Ezra did randomly come up to me and tell me that I had a good forehand. That’s my brush with Fame LOL. Both seem to be really super nice guys also
Woah …
Now you can’t wash that throwing hand of yours 😉
(that’s a great story – write it down)