Disc golf: Why you should play more catch

It’s time I come clean about something …

I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of hours bashing on a few molds:

• Sham No. 1 – The Berg
• Sham No. 2 – The Sonic
• Sham No. 3 – The Polecat

It’s speed-one putters more than anything, really.

Of course, there are others worthy of my editorial fury. Their followings aren’t quite as strong or inexplicably cult-like, though. The Nova is useful, but weird-looking. The Condor’s another golf disc that comes to mind. Also, anything a dog plays catch with, too – the Bite, for example.

Today, however, I’m going to switch things up a bit …

Here’s why the above aren’t total garbage:

They’re GREAT for playing catch.

Now I know a simple fastback frisbee will get the job done. But if you can get in the habit of playing catch with a legit, PDGA-approved disc, there’s a seamless transition from field to course. And you can expect more from the activity than getting loose before a tourney …

For starters, golf discs are both dense and deadly – they’re not made for catching. So, unless you feel like taking a buddy’s head off, you’ll need your disc to die the moment it gets to him.

Furthermore, doing things this way, you’ll learn to get your slow-flying approach putter to not only slow down, but to land flat. The idea is that it falls out of the air, makes contact with the ground and sticks. It’s amazing how many guys are blown away when their Z-Line Raptors flair-skip away from the basket. Yeah, that’ll sometimes work, but it’s hardly consistent.

Why else do you think Innova made the Toro for Calvin Heimburg?

That flat-top Firebird approach grew old REAL quick.

And lastly, with a flick, there’s no tougher shot for non-forehand disc golfers than the gentle putter approach. Putters are tall and deep. With a painfully slow disc, resorting to a throwing style that’s not forgiving of off-axis torque is a recipe for disaster. Even from close range, exclusively with the sidearm, playing regular games of catch with a putter will help.

So maybe I was (kind of) wrong …

Listen, if you’re somehow able to trick your brain into loving flimsy, feather-flight plastic, and miraculously, nobody sneezes during your backswing, I’m a big enough man to concede that your DX Polecat might have some kind of “baggable” value. But not TOO much, though …

Remember: This is catch we’re talking about.

Amongst others, the Colt, Ruby, Swan, Fierce and Blowly are all awesome options for front-yard catch. And if you must bust out the Sonic to do it, be my mother-freaking guest …

An on-the-record fan of catch himself, it certainly seems to work for Garrett Gurthie.

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Editor’s Suggestions:

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