Here's a link to some good online reading. But it's always better to playing with someone who can watch you throw and give you tips.
discgolfreview.com/Here are a couple of my tips (NOTE: because I don't know how [powerful) your throw is, these are general tips for all beginners).
Understand disc flight Stability!
If you are a Right Hand Backhand Thrower (RHBH) and you throw a stable to overstable disc, it will turn and "fade" (fade is the end of the discs flight when it starts to loose spin) to the LEFT. The more stable the disc, the more left it will go. (NOTE: the opposite is true if you are a Left Hand Backhand Thrower or if you throw Sidearm/Forehand)
Looking straight at your target, stability looks like this
(left turning) Overstable ..... Stable (straight=target).....Understable (right turning)
A disc that flies "straight" will often still have some fade at the end of it's flight. You need to learn to compensate for the amount of fade the disc you are throwing has. (NOTE: the turn and fade of a disc will change as it gets broken in.)
Discs:
Don't buy too many discs while you're starting to learn. Keep it simple, don't buy expensive discs, and stick with a few molds to start with.
One putter mold (get a few putters (4-10) that are all the same mold and weight, the putter you choose should fit your hand well. There are shallow rim and deep rim discs ... get a putter that fits your hand comfortably). There are a lot of putters to choose from, go to a disc shop if you can to see what fits your hand best. You can never practice putting too much. Try to start with a putter that is not to stable, ask a dealer about this.
Lighter discs tend to be less stable than heavier discs and harder to control once you develop power and technique. However, light discs can often fly further than heavier discs. Professional disc golfers often throw the heaviest weight discs because they are more predictable. If you develop good power control, spin control, technique and "touch" you can throw light or heavy discs.
One mid-range mold (I throw the Innova Roc, but the Roc IMO is a little too stable for a beginner unless it's very light DX plastic). Try an Innova Coyote, Goblin, Skeeter, Stingray, or Discraft Stratus, Breeze or Comet and stick with lighter weights to start with.
One driver, again, something a little more understable to start with, like a light weight Innova Roadrunner, or Discraft EliteX Express. Lighter weights and understable discs will make getting your disc to fly straighter, further, and easier when you're a beginner. Then, once you start "flipping" your understable discs over, you will want to try heavier weights or more stable discs (so don't get rid of the discs you've bought so far, you might want them later!). Stay away from premium plastic like Z, ESP, Champion or Star. Less expensive plastics like DX, D, EliteX discs are LESS STABLE when new and will be easier to learn, control and get further. The higher quality plastics are generally more stable-overstable when new, and after much use will become more like their less expensive counterparts. Go cheap until you learn what molds you like best ... then get them in better plastic. But don't expect them to fly the same, they will require break-in time, but will last much, much longer.
If you have enough willpower to resist buying drivers ... You can often learn better technique and how to develop a longer throw by just using putters and midrange discs to learn with. I know ... it's very hard to resist those flat FAST discs. However, if you can learn to throw a midrange 200-300 feet before you learn a driver, you'll be BOMBING drivers when you get them ... WITH control and power.
With good technique a putter can fly pretty darn far. Find out how far you can throw each disc mold and then use the disc that "fits" the distance you are trying to achieve. Learn to control the discs you choose!
Far is not always best in disc golf. Control, and placement are far more important and will shave strokes off your game. The most important shot in your disc golf game will be your PUTT. Practice putting half of the time you play, and you'll be ahead of the game.
I'm just guessing, but you might be throwing discs that are too stable, not getting enough spin or "snap" on the disc when you release it. This will allow the disc to fade early in the flight. Throwing less stable discs will help you get the disc up flat, and maybe flip a little to get more glide and distance.
If you want to see someone instruct you how to throw a disc correctly, you might want to check out Scott Stokely's videos or DVD's. Scott has some very good tips that help you develop basic technique. Learning a simple version of the X-step will get you going.
) I have had the opportunity to test them out at Two Rivers where it is quite windy (and hilly).
) I have had the opportunity to test them out at Two Rivers where it is quite windy (and hilly).
