Disc golf: How to know if you’ve got a ‘dirty flick’

Every disc golfer wants a rock-solid sidearm.

To own one is to be the envy of your cardmates.

In reality, however, most disc golfers’ forehands live somewhere between Barsby-level great and completely non-existent. And of those forehands, though at least somewhat serviceable, a sizable chunk of ‘em are flat-out trashy. To be more specific, they’re what’s known as a “dirty flick.”

I love this term.

DGPT: The 2023 PCS Open

It’s one that was first introduced to me by the guys at the Innova East warehouse. And not that long ago, either – this was only five or six months back. I have no idea if its usage is mainstream within the greater disc golf world. If it isn’t, my hope is that THIS article helps make it happen.

The dirty flick is a forehand so far from pure it requires a disc with an ungodly amount of meat on it to make it work. Plain and simple, it’s a sidearm drowning in off-axis torque. Or, in other words, the pull-through deviates from the angle of the plane set during the reachback …

Hyzer, flat or anhyzer.

Click here to see one in action – and on the Pro Tour.

Not sure if this is YOUR flick?

DGPT: Jakub Semerád

Try these signs on for size …

  • Everything’s a flex forehand.
  • Your disc flutters like a wounded duck.
  • Your sidearm requires insanely overstable discs.
  • You’re unable to flick a neutral-flying putter or midrange.
  • You’re no stranger to nagging elbow and shoulder pain after lots of ‘em.

The true forehand specialist can crank over on a Star Destroyer for max distance. On the very next hole, though, he’s capable of hyzer-flipping a Champion Mako3 in tightly wooded territory.

If it’s a frisbee, he (or she) can make it fly with a flick …

It’s a beautiful thing.

Though the “dirty flick” name might imply otherwise, it’s this blogger’s belief that rocking one isn’t the worst thing in the world. Not everyone has the elbow or shoulder ligaments of Jeremy Koling – the dude can practically hyzer-flip a paper plate. A serviceable, 200-foot forehand you can regularly use with confidence will nab you strokes on folks in most amateur tournaments.

The dirty flick might not be pretty, but you know what?

In the right hands, it’s reliable.

Bag it with pride.

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Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

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