The other day, I was having a conversation with a buddy about the coolest thing I’d ever seen on a disc golf course. I once saw Ricky Wysocki forehand a Harp 350-plus feet – from a standstill.
That was my answer.
This is a 713-word article. By the time you’re done reading it, in no way, shape or form will you be able to do the same thing. There is, however, something Ricky does with complete ease when sidearming a “putt and approach” disc that MANY disc golfers can’t seem to master …
Even more maddening, talent-wise, it’s well within their reach:
Flick an approach putter without flutter.
Having Wysocki’s DNA injected directly into your body will help, but you have to know a guy. Also, actually bagging a Slammer or Harp is another good idea, if you’re to take my headline literally. Any overstable, torque-resistant putter will do the trick, though – dealer’s choice.
Grab a fat stack of approach putters. Head out to a nearby field. Get to work.
Here’s what you need to make it happen:
1. Experiment with a fork grip for touch forehands
The fork grip is to the forehand what the fan grip is to the backhand – it helps with control.
Not everybody loves the fan grip, but the idea is that – with fingers fanned out across a disc’s flight plate – it’s much easier to control the angle at which it’s released. When backhanding approach putters, a traditional power grip can make the disc feel “flimsy” in the hand …
If you’ve struggled with this, that description will make sense.
The fork grip – or “split grip,” as it’s sometimes known – accomplishes the EXACT same thing. Only, instead of lending stability to the backhand, it gets the job done for sidearm approaches.
In the below YouTube clip, Avery Jenkins demonstrates how this grip is achieved:
Two things to keep in mind with the fork grip:
- The fork grip isn’t for distance. That’s not to say you can’t cover impressive ground with it, but it’s most effective for short- to medium-range approaches with a putter.
- The fork grip isn’t for everybody. I’ll spend my last dying breath preaching the value of fan and fork grips, but what works for me won’t work for everybody. Play around with it, but if you can’t seem to make it work, the “touch forehand” is still very doable …
If this is you, stick with your power grip – Joel Freeman power grips 100% of his sidearms.
You’ll need the next tip (keep reading) to account for the extra torque you’ll put on your putter.
2. Keep your palm upright throughout your follow-through
Getting a new grip down is one thing …
You just keep at it until it feels comfortable or you move onto something else.
This tip, however, will require that you put in some practice hours. Even today, though I’m at least somewhat competent (maybe a stretch) at this, before flicking my Champion Rhyno, I’ll often repeat in my head: “Keep your palm up. Keep your palm up. Keep your palm up.”
Therein lies the trick: Keep your palm up throughout your follow-through.
When you fail to do this, the disc – remember, you’re throwing a putter – will immediately turn over. If you’ve heard people talking about “rolling the wrist,” this is what they’re getting on about. No, your putter isn’t understandable – your forehand form just hardcore sucks.
Don’t take my word for it, though – watch Rick’s palm during this follow-through:
And that was with a high-speed distance driver – not a Slammer or Harp.
If you’re feeling discouraged, I’ve got some REALLY good news for you:
- It’s worth your while to practice the forehand approach with a putter.
- Your elbow ligaments don’t need to be made of Silly Putty.
- Literally, 75 to 150 feet of distance is enough for this.
Let the Sextons, Wysockis and McMahons of the world “go big” with their flicks. Physically, you might not be capable of doing what they do, but this simple shot will make getting up and down that much easier for you. It’ll quickly shave strokes off your game, too – work on it.
No flutter necessary.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
