Now that you know a little about the basic throw and choosing discs to get started with, it’s time to go back to school and learn some terminology.
As with most sports, occupations, or other activities, disc golf is loaded with its own particular jargon. Here I’ll introduce you to the most common terms you will run across and point you in the direction of some more comprehensive terminology lists.
Throw types
backhand – the most common and basic type of throw, disc flight ratings are based on this style
forehand/forearm/sidearm/flick – similar style to skipping a stone or sidearm in baseball
RHBH – Right hand backhand; backhand style thrown with the right hand
LHBH – Left hand backhand; backhand style thrown with the left hand
RHFH – Right hand forehand; forehand style thrown with the right hand
LHFH – Left hand forehand; forehand style thrown with the left hand
tomahawk/overhand – disc thrown overhand, with the disc vertical or near vertical
Disc characteristics
Speed – the rate at which the disc travels through the air. This is highly dependent on the players arm speed. Trying to throw a disc that is too “fast” will cause it to fade much sooner and not go as far.
Glide – the discs ability to stay in the air longer
Turn – for a RHBH thrower, the discs tendency to fly to the right, in the initial part of its flight
Fade – for a RHBH thrower, the discs tendency to fly left at the end of the flight
(A more detailed description of these can be found on Innova’s Flight Rating Guide)
Stable – disc tendency to fly straight through most of its flight
Overstable – for a RHBH thrower, disc will tend to fly to the left, or fade
Understable – for a RHBH thrower, disc will tend to fly to the right, or turn
Disc flight
Hyzer – for a RHBH thrower, release angle of the disc with the outside edge (wing) is tilted downward
Anhyzer – for a RHBH thrower, release angle of the disc with the outside edge (wing) is tilted upward
Hyzer-flip – when a disc thrown at a hyzer angle rotates back to level (flips) and flies flat
Roller – a disc thrown so that it lands on its edge and progresses forward on the ground
Flex (shot) – for a RHBH thrower, the disc will turn to the right before fading back to the left
Additional sources
Infinite Discs Disc Golf Dictionary
Innova Glossary of Disc Golf Terms
What do you think? Are there any that are just so common they should be added?
Kevin