Brodie Smith Forehand

Disc Golf Throwing Form

Disc golf form is one of the hardest sports techniques possible. On the backhand side, distance and control are determined by your ability to time your upper and lower body together while maintaining speed. Forehand form is much the same with the addition of the wrist being the tip of the whip, controlling your aim and power levels.  

Disc Golf Backhand Form: Quick Tips

  1. Start with your feet
  2. Rotate with your heel and engage your hips
  3. Time your reach back with your front foot
  4. Keep the disc away from your body
  5. Follow Through

Disc Golf Backhand Form

Proper disc golf throwing form involves great timing, a loose but reactive body and a good center of gravity. When throwing the backhand in disc golf, you essentially are becoming a mechanical object, using your body to maximize the amount of energy you put into the disc. 

  1. Start Slow
    1. Good disc golf backhand form is determined not by your walk-up speed but by your timing. Take a look at players like Ezra Aderhold and Albert Tamm. Their walk ups are controlled, not fast.
  2. Lower Body First
    1. The lower body is key for disc golf throwing form in both backhand and forehand. Consider the lower half of your body the energy source for your throw. The lower body helps turn and once your feet are planted, the upper body can whip and release.
  3. Keep the Upper Body Loose.
    1. Many players when starting to work on backhand form will try and force the disc to go far with their upper bodies. Good disc golf throwing form involves a loose upper body that whips through the throw and follows through. 

Disc Golf Forehand Form: Quick Tips

1. Move Slowly

2. Keep Your Weight on the Back Foot

3. Keep Your Wrist Cocked

4. Plant the Front Foot

5. Snap the Wrist and Follow Through

Disc Golf Forehand Form

Many players with backgrounds in sports like tennis or baseball gravitate to the forehand as it is easier to learn and feels a bit more natural. The forehand is often used by players as it is easier to line-up shots and there are less “moving parts” than in the backhand form. Good disc golf throwing form, especially in the forehand is about timing. Being able to utilize your lower body and upper body, placing all of your energy into the disc at the flick of the wrist is key to power and control in the disc golf forehand. 

  1. Keep the Weight on the Back 
    1. Walking up to the forehand requires balance. Many players when working on disc golf forehand form will be too fast in the lower body or the upper body. Keeping it slow on for both will equal better timing which will result in more control and more distance with less effort. 
  2. Less Moving Parts
    1. When watching, you’ll notice their disc golf throwing form on the forehand to be movement forward. Adam Hammes swings his arm and moves his knee. Paul Mcbeth and many others also swing their arms. A lot of this is natural and the more you practice your own form, the more your body will help you find a good rhythm for your own forehand timing. 
    2. Start slow and do as little movement as possible before you release the disc. Keep your wrist cocked back and avoid swinging your arm like the pros.
  3. Snap The Wrist
    1. Snapping the wrist in the forehand is voluntary unlike the disc golf backhand form. At the end of your swing, release the disc with your wrist to the target and make sure the palm stays flat, as if you’re serving a pizza. If your palm turns over, you risk rolling the disc and missing your line.