If the headline didn’t give it away, this will …
The “Pterodactyl claw” is a type of shot in disc golf.
It’s a unique shot, and a totally unnecessary one at that. Though a few professional disc golfers have it in their bags, it’s Jeremy Koling who’s become (mildly) famous for it in recent years.
The Pterodactyl claw is an inverted, over-the-shoulder throw with a backhand grip – and it’s pointless. It will save you zero strokes during a tournament. In fact, it’s probably not worth your time or energy to learn. It’s a parlor trick. If you want to impress a few people, this’ll do it.
Click here to see one smash chains from the tee.
Still interested?
First, grab a fairly understable fairway or distance driver from your stash – think something along the lines of a Champion Leopard3 or Star Roadrunner. A fast, glidey and understable disc will work best, as it won’t be coming out of your hand with much power behind it. Anything too overstable, and without an anhyzer release, it’ll instantly dump left (RHBH) when thrown.
Next, grip the disc with a normal three- or four-finger power grip. The only change you might make to your regular backhand grip is to bring your thumb closer to the center of the flight plate. Given the oddity of the Pterodactyl’s pull, you’ll be better able to keep the nose of the disc up.
This helps it bounce, turn and fly farther.
Enough with the prep work, though …
Let’s get into the throw itself:
- Face forward. This isn’t a backhand drive, so there’s no need to look away.
- Screw the X-step, too. Go for a baby, stutter-hop walk-up, if that makes sense.
- Bend at the waist, tilt your head to the side and bring the disc back over the shoulder.
It’ll look like this …
- Next, unfurl the arm forward, snap the wrist and fingers – all power is in the wrist.
- Lastly, keep your eyes looking down the fairway throughout the entirety of the throw.
Starting out, you’re going to huck nothing but rollers – this is par for the course for first-time throwers of the Pterodactyl claw. To rectify the issue, bend your back more to release the disc on a flatter plain. Also, no matter the stability of your disc, give it a bit more anny than feels natural.
* Note: If you’re more of a visual learner, click here for an online tutorial for additional help.
For a right-handed disc golfer, ideally the disc will bounce, turn slightly and fade back left.
To that end, this is BIG …
Start slow.
As things click, pick up the pace, feeling free to concern yourself with distance, flight path, etc. You won’t get this the first time, the second time or the third time, either – it will come, though.
And when it does, you’ll quickly find women throwing themselves at you. Either that or you’ll have a painless way to entertain your toddler-aged nieces and nephews for five or so minutes.
Hope for the former; count on the latter.
Enjoy your newfound trick.
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