Disc golf: How to not throw nose-up

You know what blows major chunks?

Throwing a disc nose-up.

Nose-up hucks are a bigger problem amongst newer, less-experienced disc golfers, but it’s a problem that can creep into the games of seasoned players, too. Eliminating a nose-up release can mean the difference between giving a drive everything you’ve got and seeing it travel 300 feet or 375 feet. Same form. Same energy. Same huckface. But again, just WAY more distance.

The term “nose-up” refers to a problematic release. When you release a disc with a nose-up angle, aerodynamically, it can’t fly far – it’s incapable of cutting through the air properly.

Here are a few tell-tale signs your game’s got a nose-up issue:

• Hint No. 1 – Your discs don’t fly far.
• Hint No. 2 – Everything feels overstable.
• Hint No. 3 – It’s tough to control disc height.

Sound familiar?

I’ve been there – this is what helped eliminate this issue …

PERMANENTLY.

1. Fix your grip

When throwing for distance, most people opt for a four-finger power grip. That’s fine and all, but if you’re seeing nose-up issues, try tweaking it to set the disc on a more downward-facing angle in your hand. If you start from a nose-down position, you’re more likely to finish there, too.

This’ll sound strange, but move the “fleshy” part of the underside of your pointer finger’s knuckle on top of the flight plate before curling said finger around the edge of your disc.

If your natural grip doesn’t account for this, it’ll feel weird – keep at it, though …

This will help.

* Note #1: This works well for both four- and three-finger power grips, whichever you prefer.

* Note #2: Two more tips: 1) Remove your pinky. 2) Move your thumb to a more central spot.

2. Adjust the angle of your wrist

Of the items mentioned in this article, this one’s the EASIEST to implement.

Seriously, it takes five seconds to make the suggested change …

I’m not a coffee-drinker, but – as it’s been explained to me – imagine you’re pouring coffee into a mug. The same wrist angle you maintain to do that simple task is the one with which you should tilt the disc down throughout your swing. Make certain your grip is right, though …

No wrist angle will account for a nose-up grip that’s doomed right from the get-go.

3. Change your reachback (and point of release)

Grip? Check.

Wrist? Noted.

If you’re still battling the nose-up stuff, your reachback or point of release might be to blame. Your reachback should be underneath your chest – it’s lower. You shouldn’t find yourself leaning over to accomplish this, as a clean, nose-down throw is a stable throw – balance is crucial.

Though your reachback should be just underneath your chest, your point of release should be around the height of your chest. This might seem counterintuitive, as starting lower and ending higher seems as if it would lead to a nose-up throw. Even in a tight, wooded course, however, rarely are you trying to throw a shot perfectly parallel to the ground – some height is required.

Remember, the ground is NOT the plane relative to which your nose-up issues are occurring. Instead, it’s the plane on which you’ve set your disc. This is why it’s possible to throw a nose-down shot, while throwing an uphill drive or spike-hyzer – remain on the plane.

Don’t overthink this …

One or any combination of the above three tips should help you nip any lingering nose-up issues in the bud. As is the case with anything, though, getting things to where they need to be will take time – that’s part of the fun. Empty soccer fields and “pitch-and-putt” courses are great for this.

Also, ONE MORE quick thing …

If you’ve been out of the game for longer than you’d like and are just coming back, you might notice some nose-up tendencies. When my wife and I had twins, naturally, I was unable to play much for a few consecutive months. I experienced this first-hand. I stressed over my lack of distance and newfound form issues, only for them to self-correct the more I was able to play …

The fix you’re looking for might merely be a matter of getting more rounds under your belt.

More disc golf: That’s never a bad solution.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Disc golf: What’s ‘stroke and distance’ mean?
• Nokia: Nikko Locastro crossed a line (and big time)
• There are many ways to (successfully) play disc golf

Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.