Your forehand doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective

I didn’t play baseball in high school. My elbow and shoulder joints aren’t made of Slinkies, either. It sure took some time, but I’ve finally come to grips with the fact that I’ll never have a forehand cannon like Albert Tamm, Ricky Wysocki, Anthony Barela or Eagle McMahon …

I’m at peace with it.

I DO have a sidearm, though …

And if you made me come up with a word to best describe it, I’d go with “serviceable.” It’s nothing to write home about. Nobody’s seeing me flick a flat-top Firebird and immediately pulling out a smartphone to capture video footage. It does, however, get the job done.

Here’s what it’s (realistically) capable of:

• Shot No. 1 – I can forehand a Rhyno approach: hyzer, straight or anhyzer.
• Shot No. 2 – I can forehand a Gator approach or drive: hyzer, straight or anhyzer.
• Shot No. 3 – I can forehand a Firebird approach or drive: hyzer, straight or anhyzer.
• Shot No. 4 – I can forehand a Scorpius drive: hyzer, straight or anhyzer up to 325 feet.

* Note: I’m working on a hyzer-flip forehand with my Exodus, but it’s still a work in progress.

And for me, that “325 feet” is MAX distance …

I’m far more confident with something in the 275-foot range, as I can get there easily.

If you find yourself 1) with no semblance of a flick, or 2) hoping to discover some kind of reliability with the sorry excuse for a sidearm you currently have, here’s some FREE advice:

Watch Ohn Scoggins’ forehand game.

It’s not pretty. It’s not impressive. It’s not got much distance, either. If you’ve not paid much attention, the nicest way to describe it would be that she “likes to come over the top of the disc.”

The more accurate description, however, would be that she – like those of us who have no idea what we’re doing – “throws mega-overstable discs to account for her built-in roll of the wrist.” That sounds harsh, but it’s true: Watch her off-the-tee sidearm work, and see for yourself …

You know what it ALSO is, though?

EFFECTIVE.

Ohn Scoggins is out here running EVERYTHING! pic.twitter.com/fCjtaseyM7

— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) July 2, 2022

What I’m NOT saying is that you should learn poor forehand form, stick with it and develop serious joint issues in the coming years – not even close. What I AM saying, however, is that even the mildest of forehands can completely transform your disc golf game – it’s a big deal.

Hitting tight gaps, penetrating narrow fairways and just generally approaching the basket all become infinitely easier when you don’t have to take your eyes off of where you’re throwing.

Amateurs: Improve your PDGA rating, compete for league-night cash or bump up a division. Whatever your disc golf goals might look like, no matter how pedestrian, incorporating SOME kind of flick into your game will make them that much easier to accomplish – that’s a fact.

If a middle-aged woman with braces can do it, you can, too …

It doesn’t need to look pretty.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

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• Disc golf: 5 understable (and overlooked) discs for beginners

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