Complaining.
Disc golfers do it best.
When play takes a nosedive, the excuses begin:
- “I can’t catch a break today.”
- “This wind is all over the place.”
- “My shoulder’s just not having it.”
- “If I could putt, I’d be well under par.”
My personal favorite?
“I keep losing my grip on the disc.”
I’m not sure if it’s an excuse if it’s actually happening, but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable – it might be more damning. Because if I lose my grip on the disc and then keep losing my grip on the disc, but fail to make any adjustment to prevent it from happening …
The real problem?
I’m an idiot.
More specifically, the issue I run into with grip has to do with my pointer finger. I’m a fan-grip guy. If it’s over 300 feet, I’ll opt for a power grip. Everything else, however, is a variant of this:
If I’m not paying attention or making a mental note to commit to my grip, mid-throw, it’s not at all uncommon for that pointer finger to become dislodged, resulting in a pathetic, inaccurate attempt at advancing the disc to the pin or up the fairway. Tragically, while my arm snaps forward, THIS is what I’m working with on the underside of the frisbee – no es bueno:
Though not as common, this can happen on the putting green, too.
Usually when putting from distance.
Perhaps worst of all, it’s something a chalk bag can’t solve.
Focus is key.
Well, kind of – it’s a double-edged sword. Not enough of it, and that pointer finger refuses to participate. Too much, and the other already-poor parts of my game suffer more than normal.
For me, during the course of a round, finger slippage is an all-or-nothing thing. If I don’t think about it, it doesn’t happen. But if it happens once, it’s as if Moses himself plants a plague in my brain, because it’ll happen at least four or five more times before 18 holes are in the books.
To err is human.
My pointer finger is proof of it.
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Slippage is a real problem for me in the summer. Atlanta temperatures are routinely in the 90s and many times above 95. Humidity is also high and I sweat a bunch. I’ve bought every chalk bag, wax pucks and absorbent towels under the sun and the results are mixed at best. During the worst of it it is very difficult for me to hold on to the disc on full power throws. One of the things I find that works pretty well is isopropyl alcohol. A small spray bottle and a spritz or two to the palm will improve grip temporarily. Although it will also dry out your skin. I also find routinely washing my discs with soapy water also improves grip temporarily. During those really hot days though it’s impossible to escape the sweaty slippage and early release
Dang, man …
That sounds miserable.
I’ve thrown in Florida before a few times, and it’s the same thing …
M.U.G.G.Y.
Not so bad here in Utah, though!
(grateful + blessed)
Pointer finger can’t slip if it’s on top of the disc. Bonaparte for the win!
But under 300′ my pointer finger is along the outside edge of my disc. No idea what the grip is called it’s just always felt comfortable and accurate on touch shots.
Never had it slip. Also, if our humidity is over 30% we are complaining about how muggy it is. So never played in humidity
Oh, man …
Walked right into that one:
The Bonapane.
ALWAYS the Bonapane. Haha.
Is there an official name for the grip where your pointer finger is on the outer edge of the disc rim?
Good question …
This’ll be a sucky answer, but I’m sure it’s just called a “modified fan grip.”
That tends to be the catch-all name for most grips wit the fingers spread out – even with the pointer on the outside of the rim.
It’s most commonly used on the putting green.
I use it there, as well.
And many use it for short approaches – I do the same, too.
Ezra Aderhold does it to drive with putters, though.
And he can stretch those babies out over 400 feet …
ALL with the pointer finger on the outside.
Wild stuff.
Thanks. I’m shocked there’s not a unique name for that grip because it seems so common … And so useful for every touch shot.
Also, of course i can’t ever grip a disc with something mainstream.
It’s just the “Fletch” experience. Haha.