Form Breakdown

So it didn't take long for some tennis elbow to slow my disc golf to a crawl. I tried to play a round a couple days ago and drivers were impossible. More ice, more rest, more vitamin-I, more stretching. Less throwing.

I decided that instead of throwing rounds, I would work on my technique - or lack there of - and throw putters. Decided to grab the camera and take some of my own advice, and work on some better practice.

Upon first glance, I thought that I was doing most things right. I was able to hit 300' with my putter, sometimes out to even further. My consistency was pretty rough though, especially beyond 250'. Then I started comparing body mechanics to the guys who actually know what they're doing and some things started becoming much more clear... I was doing alot of things very wrong.

I was leaning back during the reach back, straight legged, not pulling tight enough, not bracing against the plant foot, pulling through a bit low, my stance was too closed. Lots of things to work on, and if you've ever tried to change the way you throw, you know how hard it is. Just BRUTAL.

For the last two days, I would record - throw - review and groan as I saw that I was still leaning back too far.

It took so much work to just get my upper body this straight - which did have some benefits, but felt completely wrong. I tried doing the leg bend that Will Schusterick and McBeth are doing in their reach back. If you haven't tried to do it... WOW, it's hard. My timing went to complete poop.

Slight improvement.

The good news is that I'm hitting my plant foot harder, pivoting on my heel, slowly getting my upper body more straight and the payoff is better precision, meaning my groupings are tighter on my putter drives. I'm not exactly parking them at 300' - but that will come with getting more comfortable and more practice.

The bad news is that doing it right feels wrong and what "feels" like I'm leaning forward is often just me tilting my head. Oh the joys of disc golf.