Have you ever noticed professional disc golfers throw a LOT of hyzers?
Simon Lizotte has built a YouTube channel around this, but it’s hardly just him. Forehand or backhand, if there’s a hyzer line that can be taken, the majority of the Pro Tour is going for it.
Care to know why?
Keep reading.
1. It’s a natural angle
On a backhand, some throw flat most comfortably.
For others, an anhyzer is easiest.
But for most disc golfers, hitting a disc on a hyzer angle is what comes naturally. No joke, take a newbie disc golfer out for 18 holes and watch them spray frisbees all over the place on hyzer.
Instinctively, it’s what their bodies want to do. In fact, the hyzer line is SO natural, throwing a potentially elbow- and shoulder-shredding forehand is often preferred to keep the line in tact.
That’s impressive.
2. Hyzers are hard to mess up
Hyzers are stupid-proof.
Yes, there are varying degrees of hyzers – that’s where errors come into play. The flight produced by a slight hyzer will vary greatly from that of a spike hyzer. But you know what’s hard to do every time? Throw flat. Even tougher, throwing backhand anhyzers takes real skill to master.
An overstable Star Destroyer on a hyzer angle, though?
The beef of the disc eats up most user errors.
3. It’s easier to replicate one angle
This point feeds off the first one on this list …
Stick with me.
I know all the words to Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” because I sang it a million times in second grade. I’m now in my 30s, and though I haven’t sung the song in over 15 years, without shame, I’m still capable of busting it out during a heated karaoke battle without a teleprompter.
If you do something a lot, it’s easy to replicate. As the hyzer-angle release comes naturally to most disc golfers, it’s understandable they’d throw it the most – and see success with it, too.
Less is more.
4. The hyzer is capable of multiple lines
Here’s a disc golfer’s dream backhand huck:
- The disc first flips to flat.
- It then proceeds to soar straight.
- Unexpectedly, it turns gently right.
- Late in its flight, the disc hooks up.
You know what’s capable of making this a reality?
They hyzer-flip – and nothing else.
I’ve underlined “hyzer” for a reason …
With the right disc, it can do anything.
5. Distance (and power) control is minimized
I’ve saved the best for last …
Remember: Hyzers don’t just work for distance.
When I say most of the Pro Tour leans on hyzer lines above all else, I mean it – and for ALL shots. Hyzer-flipped Eagles and Nukes are great, but don’t forget about putters and midranges.
For example, assuming there’s nothing in the way and no ceiling to contend with on a 150- to 200-foot approach, unless it’s James Conrad, most professionals are opting for a high-hyzer line to nestle their discs near the pin – and that goes for forehands just as much as backhands, too.
Why?
Yes, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line: This is Mr. Conrad’s thinking. But when approaching the basket with a high hyzer, the angle and height of the disc minimize the need to control distance and power. Oftentimes, taking the longest route is the smartest route.
Distance and power: Two less things to worry about.
This is hyzer doctrine.
Here’s the good news …
As an amateur, YOU can do the same thing.
I get that it’s fun to mix up discs, angles and shot types. But more fun than all that stuff is winning. And wouldn’t you know it, going heavy on hyzers makes that more likely to happen.
Case in point: The Pro Tour.
There’s a Lizotte within all of us …
Set him free.
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