What do you think are the 5 steps one must do in order to become the best disc golfer in their community, state, region, nation, world?

Here are the rules: You're not allowed to repeat steps...even via tricky word usage (i.e. no practice, more practice, even more practice....mostly because we've all already heard that, it's redundant, and cliche'), extra points for creativity, extra points for brutal honesty, and they must be listed in priority of importance. Feel free to break it down by region, if you wish...as I'm sure it requires different steps to become the best in your community than the best in the world.

Here are my top 5 (in general):

1. Dedicated and focused practice every day.
2 Regular competition to hone pressure situation performance.
3. Divorce wife (not worth it...but true)..
4. Spend less time with child (not worth it....but true).
5. Weekly sessions with sports psychologist.

And yours?

1. Go Tonya Harding on all the disc golfers who are better than you in your community.
2. Go Tonya Harding on all the disc golfers who are better than you in your state.
3. Go Tonya Harding on all the disc golfers who are better than you in your region.
4. Go Tonya Harding on all the disc golfers who are better than you in your nation.
5. Go Tonya Harding on all the disc golfers who are better than you in your world.

Rinse and repeat.

:D

No control over the first one which is get lucky in the DNA lottery.

The second step is pretty hit and miss as well.

You have to wander into the sport you are genetically suited to dominate.

What if Kenny had not been introduced to disc golf at the right time to give it a try and get hooked?

Not sure anyone would have coached kids with body types like Hammock, Monroe, Duvall, Wisecup and King that they would stack up favorably in their time with those like Ken, Oates, Des and Juliana. That's what's cool about disc golf.

To be the best:

#1 - Make the mental commitment to do all you can to be the best;
#2 - Research the history of the sport as well as the best players to date that have reached the top (try to learn from their successes and failures);
#3 - Rules~learn them, know them, follow them;
#4 - Practice as diligently as possible, good practice makes good habits;
#5 - Seek out the best competition you can, play as many quality events as possible.

That's a good point Chuck. I have seen very talented golfers of all types: short people, tall people, overweight people, skinny people, relatively-weak people, and strong people. Not unlike ball golf.

IMO, the genetics involved for successful DG have more to do with muscle memory than other things (body type, fast- vs slow-twitch muscle, etc).

Technique that matches your body type and that minimizes repeatability error is also key.

I have seen very talented golfers of all types: short people, tall people, overweight people, skinny people, relatively-weak people, and strong people. Not unlike ball golf.




I remember watching the Final 9 of Climo, Greenwell, Slasor and Hammock at the Florida Triple Crown in 1996 and thinking what a great indication that many body types can do well in this sport.

1a. Have a father that was a major league pitcher that still throws hard even though he's 75 years old (being genetically predisposed really helps).
1. Read books on golf or learn to play ball golf. You'll understand the importance of damage control.
2. Practice shots, not rounds. How many casual rounds of golf do you think Tiger Woods plays in a year? I'd bet very few.
3. Learn something about yourself, your discs or your game every time you play or practice. Even when things are going badly.
4. Look in your bag, if you have favorite discs go buy 5 or 6 of each of them.
5. When you are not playing a tournament, play in the weeklies or monthlies in your area. It's a way to play a meaningful round of golf that only costs you $5.

I couldn't agree more with numbers 2 and 3. These are things that will make you a better PLAYER, not just a better THROWER. I've seen lots of guys that look good during practice and on the range, but then fall apart on the course. If you can figure out what is ruining your round on any given day, you can probably avoid the same meltdown in the future, when it counts. And by focusing more on shot execution than total score for any given round, you'll probably leave the course in a better frame of mind on most days. 2c.

Either these ideas have not yet been posted, or I missed them;

1. Avoid intoxication by drugs or alcohol for at least 48 hours prior to any important event.

2. Improved physical conditioning by running, bicycling, swimming, vigorous walking, etc.

3. 'Walk away' from your last throw, regardless of whether it was an ace or a Bunyan.

4. Give up cigarettes.

5. Learn to breathe.

Try to get into your opponents head. So they fold under pressure. :D Like some people I know.

1. Throw a bunch of sub 900 rounds. It's all about the mechanics, anyway, not the actual performance.
2. Claim to be "under rated" You're great except for when it comes time to play those pesky tournaments. Those mechanics are sure to come through, soon.
3. Diagnose others' mechanical issues, without ever having met them, simply based on what discs they throw. They obviously have something going wrong at the snap if they don't drive with putters.
4. Write long posts on your ideal practice routine that you go through about once per year. Quality, not quantity, young grasshopper.
5. Spend the rest of your time reading articles about mechanics. The more you surround yourself with advice, the less you have to be out in the cold/hot tiring out your arm.

Some might look at this post and disregard it because of my rating, but you should really get a look at my mechanics.

Nice, I rate your post 1032.

1. Throw a bunch of sub 900 rounds. It's all about the mechanics, anyway, not the actual performance.
2. Claim to be "under rated" You're great except for when it comes time to play those pesky tournaments. Those mechanics are sure to come through, soon.
3. Diagnose others' mechanical issues, without ever having met them, simply based on what discs they throw. They obviously have something going wrong at the snap if they don't drive with putters.
4. Write long posts on your ideal practice routine that you go through about once per year. Quality, not quantity, young grasshopper.
5. Spend the rest of your time reading articles about mechanics. The more you surround yourself with advice, the less you have to be out in the cold/hot tiring out your arm.

Some might look at this post and disregard it because of my rating, but you should really get a look at my mechanics.



LOL - Obviously not a fan of Scott Stokely or Dave Dunipace. I predict two years of donating in the Pro division followed by a fast get away.

One thing that all the top guys seem to have is time spent with much better players/tutors. Stokely did this, Kenny did this, Barry, Nate etc. When you talk to these guys they all comment that they learned a bunch from being exposed to the very experienced top players who went before them.

1. Love to watch the disc fly.
2. Have fun practicing.
3. Have fun playing.
4. Copy good players.
5. Have fun.

LOL - Obviously not a fan of Scott Stokely or Dave Dunipace. I predict two years of donating in the Pro division followed by a fast get away.

One thing that all the top guys seem to have is time spent with much better players/tutors. Stokely did this, Kenny did this, Barry, Nate etc. When you talk to these guys they all comment that they learned a bunch from being exposed to the very experienced top players who went before them.



Ha ha... Actually, it was a jab at myself, too. I think I've read more internet advice than anyone I know. I'm always amazed, however, at how hard it is to translate some of that advice into abilities, whereas, spending a few minutes with even a modestly talented friend can do wonders (provided you ask for a critique).

While I can't speak much to being great... I can say that I've played a few open events recently, and can say that i've learned more in those 8 rounds than in all of the advanced tournaments prior to that. There is something about watching a 1000 rated player on your card that seems to make things click. All that internet advice starts to make sense, and it gives some really tangible goals to work on in the practice field.

NOT to encourage thread drift, or anything... but what are some of the ways (for those of who have learned from great players) that you've met and attracted the ear of great players (not just a pro, but a really good one). Is it when they recognize your innate talent, or do you just have to be aggressive?

Always be inquisitive and judicious. I've learned that honestly asking for advice usually did the trick. I've also found that a lot of more talented players are not that helpful: they are great at what they do but don't know how they do it, much less how you should do it, or how to communicate it to you. I think the route that you described is the best: read and ask people, watch people, and try new things for yourself to see how they work.

A side note about watching others, it's not necessarily what they are doing right that you should notice, but also note what they are doing wrong that is keeping them from being even better.

I need a personal trainer.

NOT to encourage thread drift, or anything... but what are some of the ways (for those of who have learned from great players) that you've met and attracted the ear of great players (not just a pro, but a really good one). Is it when they recognize your innate talent, or do you just have to be aggressive?



You have to be cool, man. :cool: It also helps to offer up something for the pro's services. Many great disc golfers have vices you can take advantage of... :eek: ;) :p

1a. Have a father that was a major league pitcher that still throws hard even though he's 75 years old (being genetically predisposed really helps).
1. Read books on golf or learn to play ball golf. You'll understand the importance of damage control.
2. Practice shots, not rounds. How many casual rounds of golf do you think Tiger Woods plays in a year? I'd bet very few.
3. Learn something about yourself, your discs or your game every time you play or practice. Even when things are going badly.
4. Look in your bag, if you have favorite discs go buy 5 or 6 of each of them.
5. When you are not playing a tournament, play in the weeklies or monthlies in your area. It's a way to play a meaningful round of golf that only costs you $5.


Concerning your Tiger Woods comment, completely wrong. The guy plays practically daily with John Smoltz all spring and you have to know he does the same with others all year long. The guy plays tons of casual rounds (even if he does usually put some money on them, with Smoltz he gives him a handicap on the 18th hole of every round and plays for money, and Smoltz never wins).

On the week of a tournament, players play Thursday through Sunday, with practice rounds on Tues. and Wed. That, plus travel doesn't leave any time for casual fun. Since Tiger doesn't play every week anymore he may play more casual rounds, but my point is that a player of his ability spends more time by far practicing off of the course than playing rounds.

YOu guys just ruined this thread!! :mad::DNow stop bickering.

By the way, what's "far practicing"? :confused:

"more time, by far, practicing" - better Kenny? John Smoltz spends all his days DURING SPRING TRAINING playing golf with Tiger? And as far as ruining the thread, I was trying to add something positive not just criticize another post. I'm not talking about you Kenny.

"more time, by far, practicing" - better Kenny? John Smoltz spends all his days DURING SPRING TRAINING playing golf with Tiger? And as far as ruining the thread, I was trying to add something positive not just criticize another post. I'm not talking about you Kenny.


We're talking about John Smoltz here. This is somebody that cares more about his NCAA Bracket every spring than he does his pitching stats during spring training. The guy gets in his hours early at the ballpark (ask any major league pitcher, for them it is an embarassingly short day during spring training if they get up early) and then hits the course. Its highly amusing to listen to him on the radio, he almost purposely changes the subject constantly away from baseball to either golf or NCAA basketball.


-Chris.

Nice edit job, Rich. I'll give you a 70% on your redo.

And the boy from Toledo knows what he's talking about. Smoltzy misses his old pitchers that he used to take money off of like Maddux.

Ha ha! Rich got a 'C'.

Maybe we should see what 5 steps it takes the boy from Toledo to become a 915 rated player. I bet he doesn't like being told to stop playing so many casual rounds and start practicing shots instead. Maybe this is what I get for trying to be helpful. My new 5 should be....

1.Drink heavily
2.Don't practice, play 3 half-drunk doubles rounds a day with your homies.
3.Throw the newest most stable disc you can get your hands on.
4.Thumbers ONLY!
5.Don't ever warm up.

Seems a little harsh to call him out on his rating like that. He's not saying that he has the answers, he is just participating in the discussion. Ratings snobbery runs rampant in the PDGA.

I think you just described 75% of the people that play. (91% of the people at your park!)

Seems a little harsh to call him out on his rating like that. He's not saying that he has the answers, he is just participating in the discussion. Ratings snobbery runs rampant in the PDGA.



PDGA Board... snobbery runs rampant on this board.

I am not sure about the PDGA.

Well said. I just meant that it seems if someone on the board doesn't agree with someone, they bring up their rating as though it is a measure of the persons value.

Maybe we should see what 5 steps it takes the boy from Toledo to become a 915 rated player. I bet he doesn't like being told to stop playing so many casual rounds and start practicing shots instead. Maybe this is what I get for trying to be helpful. My new 5 should be....

1.Drink heavily
2.Don't practice, play 3 half-drunk doubles rounds a day with your homies.
3.Throw the newest most stable disc you can get your hands on.
4.Thumbers ONLY!
5.Don't ever warm up.



Shouldn't this method include 12 steps?

OK, Rich, time for an apology to our brother in Toledo.

Apologize? This message board is getting to be as bad as any other. I read complaints about players not sharing their knowledge with others. I take the time to post the 5 things that have helped me raise my player rating 50 points in 3 years and all someone can do is bring up some crap about John Smoltz. TOTALLY MISSING THE POINT OF THE MESSAGE. Tiger will probably play 20 events this year. That's nearly 5 months of only tournament or practice rounds. Not only that but he has commercials to shoot and public appearances to make. John Smoltz spends 3 months of the year on the road. So we are supposed to believe that they are getting together to play $100 skins every week? Come on. This board is full of trolls. Not as bad as the IMDB but it's pretty bad. I'll only apologize for even trying in the first place.

So, Rich, you learned nothing from your past dealings with Frisbee? Sometimes it's not worth the trouble!

Oh yeah! My five steps:
1. Buy the newest discs as soon as they come out. "Speed 11!!!!!"
2. Only concentrate on throwing far. "No long putts when I park it!"
3. Read every "What is the best....?" post, then buy that disc, those shoes, socks, jockstrap, etc.
4. Make friends with a pro. "Yeah, ------ and me play together all the time!"
5. Share your knowledge on the boards. "Never mind my rating....trust me!" ;)

1. Learn how to putt well
2. Solid mental game
3. Learn how to putt well
4. Learn how to putt well
5. Learn how to putt well

Apologize? This message board is getting to be as bad as any other. I read complaints about players not sharing their knowledge with others. I take the time to post the 5 things that have helped me raise my player rating 50 points in 3 years and all someone can do is bring up some crap about John Smoltz. TOTALLY MISSING THE POINT OF THE MESSAGE. Tiger will probably play 20 events this year. That's nearly 5 months of only tournament or practice rounds. Not only that but he has commercials to shoot and public appearances to make. John Smoltz spends 3 months of the year on the road. So we are supposed to believe that they are getting together to play $100 skins every week? Come on. This board is full of trolls. Not as bad as the IMDB but it's pretty bad. I'll only apologize for even trying in the first place.



Then make your point and keep the rating comments out of it...

The rating comment was a SHOT, that's all it was... there was nothing positive to come out of it.

One thing i can be sure of is that Tiger would not TAKE SHOTS when someone questions him (and people do all the time, even though he is the best player in the world by far).

He has too much class...and self esteem.

C'mon, his name is Richard. You should expect him to be a Dick.

1. practice
2. practice
3. practice
4.practice
5.practice

1. practice
2. practice
3. practice
4.practice
5.practice



and stay in shape mentally as well as physically...