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Support Disc Golf Innovation: Preorder Idio’s V2 Footwear

by frisbeebrain, posted in DaLearning Curve, DeLaBlahg, disc golf, disc golf gifts, disc golf product reviews, frisbee golf, Jack Tupp, product reviews

What’s up, disc golf people! Today you have the opportunity to directly influence the future of our gear. I’m talking about shoes; about Idio Sports and their mission of pushing the boundaries of what disc golf footwear can be (thanks, Craig Kitchens!)

I’d like you to consider pre-ordering the next generation of their specialized footwear, the Syncrasy V2 and the Brawler V2 (Hi-Top) right now. Here’s why:

Idio is the only company making shoes truly from the ground up for our sport. And right now, they need the kind of community, grassroots support that the disc golf world has always been known for as they recently suffered factory theft and tariffs cut into their funding.

This isn’t an outside brand trying to buy your loyalty by paying Paul McBeth big bucks to endorse a generic “athletic shoe”. (By the way, don’t succumb to that age-old form of marketing favored by companies that can’t win on the merits of their products!)

Idio is a company that launched in 2020 and fought through the pandemic; a company that has listened to disc golfers and improved its products 3 times since then. I should know, as I’ve been reviewing them since the beginning.

By participating in Idio’s pre-order, you accomplish two crucial things: you lock in a pair of game-changing shoes, and you invest in a company that truly deserves our backing.

Ok, enough about the cause. Let’s talk about the shoes!

A person demonstrating a dynamic pose while playing disc golf, wearing colorful shoes designed for the sport, with an enthusiastic expression and surrounded by onlookers.
Ohn Scoggins. 2025 FPO World Champion and Idio Ambassador

Invest in the Bleeding Edge

I know firsthand the hurdles Idio faces as a “bleeding edge” innovator. Back in 2010, when School of Disc Golf was launching tailored, in-person instruction, we had no predecessors to imitate or follow in the niche field of disc golf instruction. Idio is doing the same thing with disc golf footwear.

Numerous companies have marketed shoes to disc golfers in the past. Idio designs and builds them.

They are tackling complex engineering problems that major outside brands would never touch. For instance, Idio figured out how to separate the mold—a technique usually used for cosmetic color changes (a “color dam”)—to implement a dual-hardness rubber compound in the outsole. This means the material in the front of the shoe (including the toe cap) is a harder compound than the back of the shoe. Why? Because while you pivot on the heel (the power plant zone), you use the front of the shoe to slow your speed, and all that spin and torque gets transferred into the front lugs. This targeted hardening ensures the shoe wears more evenly and gives you more lifespan. That is specialized performance functionality that only a company run from disc golf, for disc golf would implement.

Infographic detailing key features of shoes designed for disc golf performance, including waterproofing, drag-on toe design, power plant functionality, lightweight construction, X flex zone, and low drop.
The V2 Generation: Syncrasy V2 (EVO) and Brawler V2

Idio has taken their flagship product and the highly requested Hi-Top model and improved them across the board, focusing on durability, waterproofing, and style. By supporting this pre-order initiative (especially for the highly requested Brawler), you’re guaranteeing the success of these key product lines.

The Idio Syncrasy V2 (EVO)

The Syncrasy EVO is the newest model of Idio’s flagship product. They’ve really cleared the hurdle of making the shoe look fantastic, calling them “absolutely sweet” looking. But the performance is still king:

• Dig Toe Protection: The V2 features a completely overbuilt curl around the toe (the Dig Toe, or prominent Dragon toe cap). This feature means you won’t have to toss shoes just because the material wore through in one tiny place.

• Solid Foundation: The outsole is molded from one piece and cups upwards, creating a solid foundation.

• Proven Performance: Customers already rave about the traction and quality of waterproofing in the Syncrasy line.

Black disc golf shoe labeled Syncrasy V2 with waterproof feature and orange sole.
The Idio Brawler V2 (Syncrasy Hi-Top)

The Brawler V2 (code name “Syncrasy Hi-Top”) has been the most requested item of Idio since their start. It is designed to be the ultra-supportive, go anywhere, play any condition shoe. I was honestly surprised that I’d like high-tops disc golf, but after nearly a year and probably 100 rounds in mine, they are my disc golf shoe now!

• Adapt-A-Brace Compression Collar: This feature, which is patent pending, is a brace for the ankle that provides nice compression. It uses unique cutouts on the back to allow the ankle to flex naturally (fore and aft), while still providing very good support when flexing side-to-side.

• Ultimate Protection: The Brawler is made with the new, more breathable Sympatex waterproof liner. This membrane works using a physicochemical principle, utilizing water-attracting (hydrophilic) molecular chains to absorb moisture and emit it outward by evaporation. I tested them repeatedly—walking and standing in puddles—and they remained completely waterproof. The high-top collar also provides an unexpected benefit: keeping out dirt, rocks, little sticks, and thorns.

• Reinforced Construction: The Brawler is a duty-driven shoe featuring thicker, more reinforced TPU welding, which provides increased protection and waterproofing from the elements.

Black and gray disc golf shoe featuring a high-top design, labeled 'Brawler', with waterproof construction and a unique ankle support feature.
A Call to Action

Disc golfers, these V2 shoes represent huge value and specialized engineering built specifically for our athletic movements. Furthermore, Idio is a true disc golf pioneer that deserves our support. Being on the “bleeding edge” of innovation often refers to groundbreaking companies that pay a price for breaking new ground. Idio has put in the work. They’ve paid their dues. Let’s help them to keep pushing forward. After all, legitimate specialized footwear is a sign of a legitimate sport.

The Brawler and Syncrasy are currently available for pre-order. When you pre-order, you’re not just buying a great pair of shoes; you are helping an independent, highly innovative company continue to thrive and push the envelope for disc golf footwear. Give them a try—support the shoe brand that is truly from disc golf, for disc golf.

harness neuroscience to improve disc golf performance.

Neuroscience backed Tips: Motivation, Consistency & Growth

by frisbeebrain, posted in DeLaBlahg, disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf form, disc golf instruction, disc golf psychology, The Science of Disc Golf

This post is the 5th in a 5-part series applying widely accepted principles of neuroscience to disc golf training and execution. We have presented 18 separate suggestions in total spanning 4 categories, explained how each works, and specified the brain systems involved. The first post in the series covered Aiming, Focus, and Execution, and the second post and third post both covered Skill Learning & Efficient Practice. The 4th post covered Emotional Regulation & Mental Recovery.

What’s up, everyday disc golfers!

If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, congrats! Hopefully a few of the tips have had a positive impact on your game, and your enjoyment of the game. If you haven’t, links to the previous 4 posts are all listed above.

This final category, Motivation, Consistency, and Growth, includes only one tip. Trust, me, though, it’s a powerful one. School of Disc Golf’s guiding philosophy, Disc Golf in a Vacuum, is all about seeking gratification through perfecting all elements of the process (primarily decision-making and execution) rather than the results. This tip ties in nicely.

A collage of four images showing disc golfers in mid-throw on a tee pad, with a crowd of spectators watching in the background under a clear blue sky and pine trees.
A big part of consistency is learning to value process over results.

Many athletes rely on external factors—wins, personal bests, or accolades—to fuel their motivation. But what if the greatest, most sustainable reward came directly from the work itself? (Hint: It does.) Effort-based dopamine training offers a neuroscience-backed pathway to building intrinsic motivation, turning tough practice sessions into fulfilling experiences. Even if most of your practice is in rounds on the course, read on. You don’t have to be a fieldwork rat to learn from this.

What is Effort-Based Dopamine Training?

Effort-based dopamine training is a strategy in sports that focuses on training your brain to associate effort with positive feelings.

Instead of relying solely on external achievements or rewards, this method uses mental shifts—such as reframing difficulty—to make the effort itself the reward. It is fundamentally about changing how you perceive the hard work necessary for athletic success.

The Science Behind How It Works

This training is rooted in understanding the critical function of dopamine in decision-making and motivation. It’s explained below, but a simple example is the phrase “Feel the Burn!” The idea is that you learn to associate what were until then seen as negative physical sensations, like pain, discomfort, and fatigue, as positives because you know they lead to the gains you seek. Doing this eventually provides a dopamine release, providing an immediate reward of sorts and motivation to push on.

Keep reading past the science part to learn how this ties into disc golf in a much more direct way.

Illustration depicting the brain with labeled neurotransmitters: endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine, highlighting their functions.
Dopamine’s role as a brain chemical. Image courtesy of Dispate & Cleverini
Dopamine’s Role in Effort

Dopamine plays a crucial role in effort-based decision-making, directly influencing your willingness to exert physical effort in pursuit of a reward. When the brain anticipates a reward, dopamine surges, driving action.

The Reinforcing Cycle

By deliberately training your brain to find satisfaction in the effort itself, you create a powerful reinforcing cycle. In this cycle, the physical exertion and effort itself triggers a dopamine release. This process builds intrinsic motivation, making the drive to train self-sustaining.

Physiological Benefits

Furthermore, the body aids this process: regular exercise naturally boosts baseline dopamine levels. These higher baseline levels are strongly associated with increased motivation and the capacity to push through challenges. Over time, this mental shift works to strengthen the brain’s motivation circuitry, resulting in physical exertion becoming more intrinsically rewarding.

ohn scoggins

Benefits During Training and Competitive Play

Adopting a mindset that prioritizes “process over outcome” and uses effort as the primary reward provides two distinct sets of benefits—one for practice and one for competition.

Benefit 1: Training, Strength, and Consistency

During practice or fieldwork, effort-based training helps athletes move past plateaus and avoid burnout that result from only chasing external rewards.

Instead of focusing on an outcome goal (like reaching a certain distance or achieving a specific shot shape), the focus shifts to learning what it feels like to produce a great throw and knowing the mechanics required to produce that feeling.

This focus on the process during practice sessions yields tangible physical results:

  • It helps build a close association between results and their specific physical requirements.
  • Over time, this deliberate focus on mechanics and effort helps build action-specific strength and endurance.
Benefit 2: Performance and Execution in Competitive Play

The habit of focusing on effort and mechanics during training naturally carries over into competitive rounds and “big moments”.

In high-pressure situations, this training pays off in two major ways:

  1. Physical Ease: The focused reps from training have made the necessary actions physically easier to execute during competition.
  2. Mental Focus: The athlete learns that achieving the best, most consistent results means focusing intensely on the THROW (what their body must do on the teepad) rather than the FLIGHT (the results they want). This is often taught as the first lesson in Sports Psychology: “Focus on what you intend to do, not what you hope to accomplish”.

Ultimately, this healthier and more fulfilling approach to motivation allows athletes to concentrate on execution when it matters most. At School of Disc Golf we take a holistic approach to teaching disc golf. For the vast majority of disc golfers, this is recreation. We believe that it’s not enough to help you lower your scores. We’re committed to helping you increase your enjoyment of the game as well.

beacon disc golf

Lost Disc Anxiety No More: A Review of the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf product reviews, product review

Every disc golfer knows the frustration: You throw a perfect shot only to watch your favorite driver disappear into the woods or tall grass. Fifteen minutes later, you give up the search, your great round disrupted, and your bank account slightly lighter. Fortunately, The Beacon Disc Golf Tracker is here to solve that problem, as long as your round isn’t in a PDGA-sanctioned event. But don’t let that major caveat immediately write of the Beacon.

Based on my testing, I can confirm that the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker works exactly as its creator 2014 – a seasoned product designer, engineer, and avid disc golfer – claims. It has two essential functions that it performs well.

A close-up view of the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker, featuring a black circular body with a red button and the word 'BEACON' embossed on the top.

Once the button is pressed, it emits a clear beep every 10 seconds until it is pressed and silenced again. Furthermore, the attachment process is secure; once affixed to a disc using the supplied adhesive ring, no impact or scrape is going to knock or pry it off. And the device won’t turn on if the battery is too low, so assuming you remembered to turn it on before throwing, you’ll find that disc.

This product very effectively solves a universal disc golf problem: the inability to retrieve a disc you can’t see. If that disc has a Beacon tracker attached, simply walking within the vicinity should allow you to hear it.

Key Features and Functionality

  • A Clear Signal: The tracker emits a clear beep every 10 seconds.
  • Range: You can easily hear your Beacon up to approximately 100 feet away.
  • Universal Fit: It attaches to any disc or plastic type.
  • Durability: The device is Water-Resistant, capable of handling rain, wet grass, and brief dunks in water.
  • Customization: It features four unique sound settings to match your preference.
  • Battery Life: The easily replaceable CR2016 battery lasts up to 100 rounds.

Technical Specifications

  • Weight: Approximately 7 grams (~7g).
  • Size: 1.41 inches (36mm) diameter and 0.28 inches (7mm) height.
  • Attachment: The Beacon uses 3M VHB double-sided tape specifically designed to attach to disc plastics.
An exploded view of the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker, detailing its components including the intuitive UI, replaceable CR2016 battery, two screws for battery access, and ultra high bond 3M VHB tape.

Who Needs Beacon? My Verdict on Utility

I believe the Beacon tracker will be a huge addition for casual disc golfers. For recreational players who hit the course regularly, the $15 price point (or less when bought in packages of 3 or 6) makes a lot of sense. These players might consider attaching trackers to most of their discs, reasoning that this will dramatically reduce their lost disc rate. This results in savings of time spent searching, money spent replacing discs, and a reduction in FDSA (favorite disc separation anxiety).

During testing, I quickly discovered a new experience while watching a disc I just launched soar into thick, overgrown brush and trees: Calm. I knew I wouldn’t be losing a disc, taking a lost disc penalty stroke, or spending time fruitlessly peering into dark spaces, armed with nothing but hope. This elimination of anxiety, even if it is only mild anxiety, kind of defines the word priceless. Recreational players (who, by the way account for the majority of all players) are out there to relax and have fun, after all!

A hand holding an orange disc golf disc with a small black tracker attached to its base, in front of a backdrop featuring a disc golf poster.
A person holding an orange disc golf disc with the name 'JACKT' written on it and a sticker on the top, in front of a promotional poster for disc golf.

(Top and bottom pics of my tester disc)

I can see some rec players sticking Beacons to all or most of their discs and eliminating one of the only detractions of this glorious, accessible sport. But for players who like to compete in PDGA events it’s a little more complicated, as PDGA rules prohibit anything being attached to a disc.

Also, while I believe the creator’s claim that the small device doesn’t noticeably alter a disc’s flight for most, it seems mostly directed at concerns about the device messing with the balance of the disc. In that he’s correct; I didn’t notice anything that looked weird or off axis about the disc’s flight. If a sophisticated player is used to throwing a technical shot with a 173 gram disc, though, and now that disc weighs 180, the formula for that technical shot is going to change. That hyzer flip will require a bit more speed or a slight angle or release point change, for instance.

The large majority of regular players don’t execute on that level and won’t notice the weight difference much, and this product is still quite useful in certain circumstances for all disc golfers (Golfers who DO notice a difference should be able to adjust):

  1. Exploring New Courses: They are ideal for road trips where you are playing courses for the first time and won’t be able to return later to possibly retrieve lost discs.
  2. Practice Rounds: They are paramount during practice rounds before a tournament, allowing players to efficiently learn the holes without losing key discs.
  3. Local Trouble Spots: They can be used on those holes on your local course that always pose a high risk for losing a disc.
  4. Snow rounds and glow rounds: Get rid of the ribbons and experience night rounds in a whole new way!

Get Yours Early: Kickstarter Campaign Details

The company website is http://beacondiscgolf.com/, but Beacons won’t be for sale anywhere except Kickstarter, and only until November 22nd. After that you’ll have to wait until early next year to get one. Don’t wait! $15 isn’t much to support a disc golf entrepreneur and check out a potentially (disc golf) life-changing product.

If you’re still on the fence, the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker was engineered by Kevin Glennon, a product designer, engineer, and avid disc golfer who previously spent eight years developing outdoor grills and electronics at Weber. And I noticed Kickstarter gave the campaign a “Project We Love” endorsement seal. So I think your investment is safe!

If you want to be among the first to feel that new, wonderful sense of calm when a drive goes rogue, the Kickstarter Campaign is open now.

Please come back and comment if you give it a try. Let us know what you think!

harness neuroscience to improve disc golf performance.

Neuroscience-Backed Tips for Disc Golf, Part 3: Emotional Regulation & Mental Recovery

by frisbeebrain, posted in DaLearning Curve, disc golf, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, disc golf psychology, The Science of Disc Golf

This post is the 4th in a 5-part series applying widely accepted principles of neuroscience to disc golf training and execution. We will present 18 separate suggestions in total spanning 4 categories, explain how each works, and specify the brain systems involved. The first post in the series covered Aiming, Focus, and Execution, and the second post and third post both covered Skill Learning & Efficient Practice.

One characteristic, more than any other, sets tournament disc golf (and ball golf) apart from all other sports. Come to think of it, maybe compound would be a better word than characteristic, since I’m talking about a combination of things that produces one unique result. Here are the things:

  • Most of the time, golfers are alone (as opposed to being part of a team, or having a coach that is supposedly wiser in the game)
  • Decision-making is as crucial and as frequent as execution
  • There is usually too much time to think; until suddenly there is not enough

Know what the three things have in common? None of them are even “things” in the real world, the physical world. They all exist only in what Bobby Jones referred to as “the five-and-a-half-inch space between the ears.”

Heart rate monitors are a common training tool for professional golfers, and for good reason. We make the best decisions when our heartrate remains normal and steady. Our bodies perform better when they are lose and relaxed.

This series on neuroscience-backed tips for disc golf includes several sections, with multiple tips for each section. This post only includes three. They may end up being important ones, though, if regulating your emotions or getting past bad decisions and bad breaks is a challenge for you.

Saccadic Eye Movement Reset

What it is: Rapid side-to-side eye movement after mistakes. Don’t move your head; just roll your eyes from side-to-side, back and forth, a few times.

Why it works: Calms the amygdala, clears emotional overload. This is one of those tips that is pure measurable science. We know for a fact that a chemical change occurs, so keep this fact in your mini pocket for the next time your amygdala needs calming on the course.

I also like the fact that it gives players a distinct physical constructive reaction to adversity. Use it to replace your patented groan, expletive, or defeated body language.

Brain system involved: The brain systems involved here are more important to performance in disc golf than any other sport: The limbic system, which regulates emotion, memory, and motivation; and the thalamus. Ol’ Thally does lots of things, but most crucial here is probably the vital role it plays in relaying motor commands.

If you’ve ever had a putt barely reach the cage when your sincere plan was to go for it, the cause might’ve been an overloaded thalamus.

Cognitive Defusion (Label & Let Go)

What it is: Mentally name negative thoughts or feelings — then move on. To make this more understandable, imagine a childhood that really did include monsters under the bed and in the closet. But these monsters disappear the second they named and recognized as real.

In disc golf this amounts to recognizing when your thoughts and feelings begin to slip into the quicksand of negativity and self doubt. Fail to do this and the bad thoughts and feelings (which everyone experiences) become you, at least for that round.

To stop this happening, see the negative brain things as outside invaders that are trying to get in. See them as yet another variable challenge to overcome, like wind, and terrain, and playing partners. They are not you.

Why it works: This short, simple process separates thought from identity. It clears mental space. I sometimes suggest to clients to accompany this trick with some accompanying imagery. “When you have ANY distracting thought,” I tell them, “see it as a smudge that prevents you from seeing clearly through the window of your mind. Reach out with your squeegee and just wipe it clean.”

Brain system involved: The Default Mode Network and prefrontal cortex are both connected and affected here, and that makes sense DMN is all about our inward thinking mind, and the prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in numerous cognitive functions, including planning, decision making, problem solving and emotional regulation.

Gratitude Rewiring

What it is: Gratitude rewiring is a method of purposefully “course correcting” ones own emotions. The secret ingredient is true heartfelt gratitude.

Stress and anxiety can trigger a chemical reaction that causes disruptions to and even disabling of your ability to score close to your abilities in disc golf. Like rats gnawing at the wires of a house.

By simply noting to yourself something you’re genuinely grateful for, you’ll enable the wires to magically repair themselves. Don’t doubt what was known before neuroscience as the Power of Positive Thinking. Gratitude in particular just seems to “re-set the mind-set” like nothing else. Suddenly the current situation is brought back into perspective, and the basket gets closer. The gap you need to hit to reach the green seems much wider.

The tough part about this tip is that, if you just file it away, you probably won’t remember it when you need it most. Even if you do, you won’t be in the mood to try anything new right then.

Realistically, your best chance of benefitting from this very simple exercise is to make it a daily practice, off and on the course. The same magic will happen no matter where you are or what you’re doing. If it changes your entire life, it’ll probably help your disc golf game, too. It’ll for sure make the time spent playing more enjoyable, and that’s what it should be about.

The best example I can think of in disc golf in terms of a known personality is Ohn Skoggins, who happens to be on top of the disc golf world right now.

A smiling woman holding a trophy, wearing sunglasses and a patterned shirt, stands in front of a colorful championship sign.

Ohn is like a walking poster for joie de vivre, which, translated from French to English, means “exuberant enjoyment of life.” She looks for things to celebrate during her rounds and easily finds them. Many have nothing to do with her throws or results, or her at all.

Perhaps Ohn was born with this disposition and perspective, but it is just as likely that she trained herself. Anyone can, and that is what makes this scientific tip so great.

Why it works: Gratitude rewiring shifts mood chemistry; Focus on the latter of those two words- chemistry. Feelings of gratitude cause a chemical reaction that in turn shifts mood from bad to good, from heavy to light. It also lowers cortisol, which is maybe even more important.

When I asked AI why cortisol was bad in a decision-making environment, this is what it it sourced from the NIH:

“Cortisol impairs cognitive function, increases risky or fear-based decisions, and biases a person toward habitual or reactive thinking rather than a deliberate, analytical approach.”

Whoa. I don’t know about you, but I can think of numerous ways this plays out during a round of disc golf.

Brain system involved: Gratitude rewiring produces serotonin, which in many ways is the antidote to the ill effects of unintended and unwanted cortisol production. The battleground, if you will, is the frontal lobe. So what exactly does serotonin do to help in this case? Gemini cites a few relative sources to say:

“Serotonin primarily helps disc golf performance by improving mood, emotional regulation, and stress management. It promotes a state of well-being that supports the sustained concentration needed in disc golf.”

Of all the tips I’ve explored in this series, this one is not only the potentially most impactful, as I already mentioned. To me it is also the most clear science-wise in terms of how it works, and the fact that through countless studies we know for sure that it does work. So give it a try. Hunt for things to be grateful about the way Pokémon Go people hunt for whatever they hunt for. If you seek, you will find, and things will change.

To see our videos as they’re shared, please subscribe to School of Disc Golf on YouTube and Instagram.

harness neuroscience to improve disc golf performance.

Neuroscience-Backed Tips for Disc Golf, Part 2.5: More on Skill Learning and Efficient Practice

by frisbeebrain, posted in DaLearning Curve, disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf gifts, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, frisbee golf, The Science of Disc Golf

This post is the 3rd in a 4.5-part series applying widely accepted principles of neuroscience to disc golf training and execution. We will present 18 separate suggestions in total spanning 3 categories, explain how each works, and specify the brain systems involved. The first post in the series covered Aiming, Focus, and Execution, and the second post was the first half of this one, on Skill Learning & Efficient Practice. Got it? Hahaha. OK, here we go!

To realize your own full potential in disc golf, intelligent practice is as crucial as natural talent. “Getting reps in” in the field or with your stack of putters can’t be the only goal. We need to be more purpose-driven, and work as smart as we do hard.

Neuroscience offers a range of techniques that can make your practice sessions more effective, leading to faster skill acquisition and better retention.

My suggestion is to first try the ones that call out to you, or address an issue that you know has proven particularly costly to your game. In other words don’t bother tackling them in order as they are not listed in any particular order.

Silent or No-Feedback Reps

What it is: Practice throwing without watching the results of your shot. Throwing into a net is a great way to put this tip into practice as the disc hits the net before before any results-oriented feedback can spring into your mind.

Even better is throwing into a net with a TECHDISC. By first judging the results of a throw based on how it felt you tap into the all important internal feedback system. TECHDISC will capture the data for each throw, so you can compare your “by feel” impressions to actual throw metrics within seconds, or after your session.

Why it works: This technique develops your internal feedback system and refines your “feel” for the throw, making you less reliant on external cues.

Brain system involved: This practice enhances the function of the somatosensory and kinesthetic areas of the brain, which are responsible for processing body sensations and movement awareness.

TECHDISC training, disc golf tips
Combining TECHDISC with a net lets players focus on form first, and review metrics later.

Spacing Effect (Short, Frequent Sessions)

What it is: Opt for shorter practice sessions (15–20 minutes) but engage in them more often.

I tell clients all the time that quality is much more important than quantity. This post about putting improvement mentions early on that “getting in reps” may be good for physical conditioning, but not so much for thoughtfully working on form and technique.

By employing the spacing technique each session is shorter, making it easier to stay focused on more than “How many putts can I make?”

Why it works: Research shows that spaced repetition significantly improves long-term memory consolidation of learned skills.

Brain system involved: This effect is strongly linked to the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory formation, and its process of long-term potentiation, which strengthens synaptic connections.

Error Amplification Practice

What it is: Intentionally exaggerate your flaws during practice to better understand and learn how to correct them.

I use this technique sometimes during private lessons, but until now my employment of it has been limited to a lone scenario: A client is tasked with learning a specific new skill. For instance, backhand turnover/anyhyzer shots.

Causing a disc to turn against the direction of its natural spin requires a very specific combination of disc, hyzer/anhyzer angle, launch angle, and speed/spin ratio (TECHDISC calls the last one Advanced Ratio).

So they can discover the keys to understanding how the elements relate to each other, and which turnover shots are possible in a given situation and which are not, I may ask the client to exaggerate an element that is repeatedly an issue.

I will have them change the launch angle, for instance, to help them approach the equation from the other side. Too much launch angle and the disc will lose speed and spin too early in the flight and fade away from the target. Not enough will cause the disc to hit the ground way too early.

By exaggerating a change we accomplish two things: We prove that the necessary change is possible, and we present a different – and hopefully, for that client – more digestible challenge.

Two individuals practicing disc golf on a wooded course, with one preparing to throw a disc while the other observes.

Why it works: By deliberately overdoing a mistake, you build heightened awareness of subtle motor details associated with that flaw, making it easier to identify and fix in real-time.

Brain system involved: This technique directly engages your sensory-motor feedback loop, enhancing your brain’s ability to process and respond to movement errors.

After-Throw Reflection (One-Word Coaching)

What it is: Immediately after each throw, label the rep with a single keyword, such as “smooth,” “late,” or “off-balance.”

I could have sworn I published a post related to this tip in the past, but it seems not. Or I just couldn’t find it! Maybe you can by searching the blog as I did (unsuccessfully). In a nutshell:

A common tip I give competitive clients that serves to both keep a player in the moment during rounds and leverage current experiences for future growth is to create a POST-throw routine where you give yourself 5-10 seconds immediately after your throw to observe and assess the results in a neutral, detached way (not just how the disc flew, but how your body felt during and after release).

Good, or not good? Why or why not? What change would make a positive difference, or what aspect of the throw was the key to success?

Believe it or not, when limited to quick impressions this really can be done in 5-10 seconds, and the benefits are twofold:

  • It provides a process to properly compartmentalize thoughts and emotions. Once a throw is done, unless it’s a made putt on your last hole, your full focus should quickly shift to the next shot; Assessment, Decision, and Execution. This routine allows for a specific and short window to think about the last throw before focusing on the next one.
  • Taking 5-10 seconds to observe and evaluate a throw with a neutral, curious, but NOT a self-critical mindset (this part is very important) is like jotting down notes to be reviewed later. You’ll be amazed at how fully you are able to recall each decision and throw in detail, when you have the time and emotional distance to put new insights to good use.

In only 10 seconds or less you’ll be forced to limit reflections to first impressions, and when done without self-criticism (Thinking “I suck!” is not helpful in any way) the insights can be quite powerful.

Why it works: This simple act of labeling helps to build awareness of what occurred during the throw and fosters corrective instincts for future attempts.

Brain system involved: This practice utilizes your executive function (for critical thinking and self-assessment) and working memory (for temporary storage and manipulation of information).

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Occasional Distraction-Free Practice

What it is: Set aside practice time where you eliminate all distractions like music, chatter, or media.

This is good advice for me personally, and probably most others with ADHD. Unless I make a point to NOT do it, I’m usually juggling multiple sensory inputs like music, a screen or two, and my Kindle. It wouldn’t seem strange to me to try to listen to a podcast while practice putting, but doing so obviously limits the amount of attention and focus available for putting practice.

Why it works: Practicing in a quiet environment sharpens your attention and significantly improves your internal focus on the task at hand.

Brain system involved: This technique trains your reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem that plays a key role in regulating attention, arousal, and sleep-wake cycles.

Next up in this 4.5-part series will be a collection of 4 tips and drills to assist with emotional regulation and mental recovery. If you’ve experienced anything during a round of disc golf that you later thought of as melting down or freezing up, all of them are worth trying.

To read the first two posts in this series, go to the blog and search “neuroscience,” or just click these links for the first one and the second.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram (@SchoolOfDiscGolf) to see accompanying videos, disc golf interviews, product reviews, and much more.

2025 Syncrasy Evo: The Best Shoe for Disc Golf Performance and Wear

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf gifts, disc golf product reviews, Jack Tupp

What’s up, disc golf people! Read on for a comprehensive review of the 2025 Syncrasy Evo, the newest model of Idio Shoes’ flagship product designed for disc golf.

Coming from a tech background, I am all too familiar with the term “Bleeding Edge,” which refers to an innovation that is entirely legit but suffers initially from being a true first-of-its-kind.

There’s leading edge, and then there’s bleeding edge. Get it?

Close-up view of the Idio Syncrasy Evo disc golf shoe showcasing the sleek design and dragon toe cap against a natural outdoor background.

In Idio’s case, they are tasked not only with marketing a disc golf shoe but also marketing the logic of owning a new piece of specialized equipment for the sport.

History, of course, repeats itself, and it’s amusing to think that at one time in the past this very discussion took place when baseball players started wearing gloves!

In the case of disc golf, we know specialized footwear isn’t required to play, just as baseball players in 1860 figured they didn’t need gloves. In their case, though, a few innovative players who were tired of bruised and broken bones began wearing makeshift protection. That evolved over the next 100 years into gloves that also helped players catch the ball, with different design types for different positions.

But it started with a desire to protect hands from injury, a very compelling proposition to players at the time.

So, in the case of Idio Sports and disc golf, what is the compelling reason for players to adopt this totally new thing?

Actually, there are two: performance, and durability. No other shoes (yet) are specifically designed to withstand the unique repetitive actions in disc golf, and no other shoes include features that enhance the performance of those same actions. The history of sports – disc golf included – is filled with stories about the impact of equipment advances. In those stories, the early adopters enjoy a clear advantage- at least for awhile.

On the performance side the shoes include numerous design features that sensibly address a specific physical action unique to disc golf, like the pivoting of feet on the teepad. You can read all the details below.

Close-up view of the outsole of a disc golf shoe, featuring a unique tread pattern designed for traction and stability, with a prominent orange logo and a combination of soft and hard rubber sections.

On the durability side Idio also included features like an overbuilt toe cap and outsole that target disc golf-specific wear that leads to premature shoe demise.

That, I think, is the benefit that will eventually compel everyday disc golfers to wear specialized footwear. Shoes designed to withstand the griding and dragging of driving will hold up better AND they will preserve your other favorite shoes that would otherwise be torn up.

Then, once players try them, the performance features will be noticeable and switching back will be like going from HD back to standard definition. Or playing baseball without a glove!

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Aesthetics That Turn Heads

I personally think it’s silly to choose footwear for a competitive sport based on looks. Give me five pairs of shoes to choose from, and my decision will be based on a number of things: support, value, comfort, suitability for disc golf, and yes, appearance. But how the shoe looks is the last consideration. (And which professional player endorses each shoe has absolutely no bearing.)

Nevertheless, if how your feet look on the course matters more to you, the Evos really are pretty sharp.

• Sweet Looking Design: Idio managed to turn a functional feature – the toe cap over molding – into a big part of the shoe’s visual appeal.

• Gumsole and Black Combination: This combo reminded me of a very popular model of old school Adidas.

• Crisp White Option: The white version is super sharp, and they clean up pretty easily.

• Overmold: The shoe features a beefy overmold that combines form and function, contributing to its sleek appearance.

Idio has truly the visual appeal of their shoes, moving from eye-catching in a curious to now a covetous way.

A side view of the Idio Sports 2025 Syncrasy Evo disc golf shoe, featuring a sleek white design with a black toe cap and logo, set against a background of green grass and trees.

Engineered for the Course: Disc Golf Specific Features

Beyond their upgraded appearance, Syncrasy Evos are packed with thoughtful engineering tailored specifically for disc golf. It’s like, “Idio 15, All Other Shoe Brands Zero.”

• Dual-Zone Hardness: This is a groundbreaking feature! The shoe incorporates a dual-zone hardness in its sole.

    ◦ The front of the shoe (from the flex point forward, including the toe cap) uses a harder compound.

    ◦ The back of the shoe uses a softer compound.

    ◦ This is achieved using a technology called a “color dam,” typically used for cosmetic separation of colors in molds. Idio ingeniously repurposed this to blend two different compounds, creating a functional advantage unique to disc golf. Specialized footwear for disc golf!

• Prominent Drag-on Toe Cap: The material, shape, and thickness combine to strongly resist wear from gaining a foothold, so to speak.

• Robust Outsole and Tread: The outsole is impressively molded from one piece and cups upwards. The tread pattern is designed to hold up to the specific demands of pivoting on both the toe and heel during throws.

• X-Flex Zone & Power Plant Features: The design includes an “X-Flex Zone” and a “power plant feature in the heel area,” further showcasing the specific thought put into disc golf movements.

Close-up view of a person's feet wearing the 2025 Syncrasy Evo disc golf shoes alongside another person's footwear.
Sharpest shoe under the table!

• Waterproof Ripstop Material: The shoe features a ripstop waterproof material branded SympaTex. In testing, no moisture got into the shoe even walking through deep puddles, a requirement in many parts of the world.

• Comfort and Fit: These shoes are noted to fit true to size and feel nice and snug when laced and tied properly. The toe area is roomy. They feel light yet rugged with no break-in time required. The-low-to-the-ground feeling may take some getting used to, but I learned that that is by design as well. The minimal-drop heel keeps players lower and in better contact with the teepad.

At $135, the 2025 Syncrasy Evo cost about $25 less than the waterproof Sauconys and Solomons I had been buying. Whether you play on concrete or rubber tee pads, this shoe is built to perform. Be an early adopter!

Ultimately, the decision to support Idio Sports rests with the disc golf community. But I want to do my part to make sure the community knows about them, so spread the word!

Close-up view of the 2025 Idio Syncrasy Evo shoe showcasing its waterproof feature and sleek design.

Just as there was a time that athletes played professional baseball without gloves, there was a time when track athletes didn’t run in spikes, and tennis players wore loafers, and . . . you get the point. Disc golf is a real sport, right? So try on a real disc golf shoe.

Please subscribe to our channel, @schoolofdiscgolf, on YouTube. Thanks!

disc golf teambuilding outdoor group activity

Tech Founders Hit the Fairway: A Pop-Up Disc Golf Teambuilding Success!

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf apps, disc golf book, disc golf courses, Jack Tupp, Teambuilding, techdisc

The School of Disc Golf recently hosted an unusual and exciting teambuilding event for a group of tech leaders from startup accelerator YCombinator. While we typically use our private venue in Santa Cruz, or an established disc golf course elsewhere in the Bay Area, this particular outing presented a unique set of circumstances that required us to pivot.

A group of participants engaged in a disc golf activity in a grassy area of Golden Gate Park, with a disc golf basket visible. The setting features several trees and onlookers in the background.
The putting contest in Golden Gate Park revealed some true natural talent.

Navigating the Grateful Dead and Golden Gate Park

YCombinator requested that the event take place in Golden Gate Park, which normally wouldn’t be an issue as the park has a great course. However, on the scheduled day, the usual course was closed due to a Grateful Dead festival. With such a big show also taking place in San Francisco all weekend, the park was buzzing.

To accommodate, we enlisted the help of Bill’s Flying Discs and set up a short, pop-up disc golf course in a less-populated section of Golden Gate Park, in the Panhandle. Despite the unpredictable circumstances, strong winds, and an increasing stream of “Deadheads”, the event was a resounding success.

The YCombinator Effect

A major reason for the event’s triumph was the exceptional group of participants: Founders with YCombinator. They all displayed the common traits found in tech entrepreneurs: a mix of curiosity, engagement, and charisma. All 13 individuals present truly embraced the experience. The video below shows several of them doing an excellent job mimicking the technique demonstrated moments before.

tech leaders embrace TECHDISC’s smart disc & App

A highlight for the group, particularly the engineers, was the integration of TECHDISC into the experience. They were highly engaged, asking great questions about disc flight. We even referred them to Chapter 11 of “The Disc Golf Revolution,” where Dr. John Hernlund, PhD explains that a flying disc has six degrees of freedom, significantly more than a sphere (ball), which only has two!

Participants then had their throws measured and mapped in the TECHDISC app, allowing them to see how different metrics acted as “knobs and levers” for controlling disc flight.

Even with a very tight schedule, the group’s enthusiasm was evident as they insisted on staying 10 minutes past their deadline. The competition had been switched from focusing on the fastest throw as measured by TECHDISC to the furthest throw, and they were quickly trying to adjust their technique to achieve flatter releases.

The event was a resounding success, proving that even with unexpected challenges, a great group and a passion for learning (and disc golf!) can make for an unforgettable teambuilding experience.

harness neuroscience to improve disc golf performance.

Effective Disc Golf Training: Neuroscience Tips Explained

by frisbeebrain, posted in DGPT, disc golf, Disc Golf Pro Tour, Disc Golf Technique, Jack Tupp, The Science of Disc Golf

This post is the 2nd in a 4.5-part series applying widely accepted principles of neuroscience to disc golf training and execution. We will present 18 separate suggestions in total, explain why each works, and specify the brain systems involved. To read past posts go to The Blog. To get future posts, go to the blog and hit FOLLOW.

To realize your own full potential in disc golf, intelligent practice is as crucial as natural talent. “Getting reps in” in the field or with your stack of putters can’t be the only goal. We need to be more purpose-driven, and work as smart as we do hard.

Neuroscience offers a range of techniques that can make your practice sessions more effective, leading to faster skill acquisition and better retention. This section includes 10 total and therefore shall be broken into two posts (hence the “4.5 part series”)

My suggestion is to first try the ones that call out to you or address an issue that you know has proven particularly costly to your game. In other words don’t bother tackling them in order as they are not listed in any particular order.

This is one tip from the first installment of this series, boiled down to less than 60 seconds.

Mirror Neuron Training (Live Observation)

What it is: Watch players with excellent form in person, paying close attention to their movements, and then mimic them.

I’ve had clients who grasped a concept quickly after seeing me demonstrate. It probably helps that I am left-handed, so it’s a true mirror effect!

Why it works: This method taps into your mirror neurons, specialized brain cells that fire both when you perform an action and when you observe someone else performing the same action. This activation helps you to internalize proper technique simply by watching.

(I’m reminded of flinching along with Rocky every time he punched Clubber Lang.)

Brain system involved: The premotor cortex and parietal lobe are key brain regions where mirror neurons are found and activated during this type of observational learning.

A collage of four images capturing different angles of disc golfers in action, showcasing their throwing motion during a game, with spectators watching in the background.
If you don’t have any world class top pros handy, pick someone at your local course who throws with smooth balance and timing, whose discs carry further than you think they will based on the effort.

Shadow Throwing Immediately After Observation

What it is: Right after watching a player, mimic their throwing motion without a disc.

Why it works: This immediate, disc-free repetition reinforces the movement patterns you just observed, helping to solidify them in your motor memory.

Eliezra Midtlyng, a young pro with elite power who burst onto the DGPT scene at age 16 a couple of years ago, has mentioned in interviews that she learned disc golf by watching it on YouTube during the Pandemic and then mimicking what she saw, before even buying her first disc!

Brain system involved: This practice engages your motor cortex (for executing the movement) and proprioceptive circuits (which give you a sense of your body’s position and movement).

Open-Loop Practice (Feel Over Outcome)

What it is: Practice throwing without tracking the results of each shot. Instead, focus entirely on your form and the physical “feel” of the throw.

Of all the tips listed in this series on neuroscience and disc golf performance, this one strikes closest to School of Disc Golf’s guiding philosophy of Disc Golf in a Vacuum. I believe we can and should extend this practice into our rounds. Take your satisfaction from how well you assess and execute each shot rather than the results as measured by score.

Learning by Feel has also been covered here, and the two concepts are definitely connected.

Infographic explaining the concept of 'Disc Golf in a Vacuum', focusing on planning and executing the flight path of a disc without distractions such as scores or rounds.
Disc Golf In a Vacuum is School of Disc Golf’s primary philosophy.

Why it works: By removing the pressure of outcome, you can strengthen your kinesthetic memory—your body’s ability to recall movements and positions—without becoming dependent on immediate success or failure. In competition, this tip can help proactively. If the moment gets too big, bring your focus back to what proper execution feels like.

Brain system involved: This technique primarily engages the sensorimotor cortex and the cerebellum, both critical for processing sensory information from movement and coordinating motor actions.

disc golf book, disc golf lessons
To learn more about Disc Golf in a Vacuum, check out the book! Signed copies are available on our website.

Variable Repetition (Contextual Interference)

What it is: During practice, frequently mix up various aspects of your throws, such as lies, distances, and even the discs you choose.

Disc golf is not like darts, or bowling, or (egad) cornhole. No shot (unless it’s a re-throw) is the same as the shot before. Fieldwork should always include some type of variety.

Why it works: This variability forces your brain to constantly adapt to new situations, which in turn builds real-world flexibility and problem-solving skills on the course. This seemingly minor type might be the difference between you seeing or not seeing the best option for that tricky lie in the woods.

Brain system involved: The prefrontal cortex (for planning and adaptation) and the cerebellum (for coordinating complex movements) are heavily engaged in this adaptive learning.

Interleaved Practice (Rotating Skills)

What it is: Instead of practicing one skill for a long block, rotate between different skills like putting, driving, and upshots in alternating sets. You can also alternate discs and shot types while throwing from one spot to another, taking the time to think through the adjustments for each disc, disc type, shot shape, and/or throw type.

Why it works: This approach disrupts “autopilot” mode, requiring your brain to constantly retrieve different motor programs. This leads to deeper neural encoding and better long-term retention of skills.

Brain system involved: This method primarily strengthens procedural learning pathways, which are responsible for learning and automating complex motor skills.

In part 2.5 of this 4.5-part series we will cover the rest of the section on Neuroscience-Based Skill Learning and Efficient Practice in Disc Golf. After that we will cover emotional learning and mental recovery, and then conclude the series with Motivation, Consistency, and Growth.

Be sure to hit the FOLLOW button on our blog so you don’t miss them when they drop, and also please Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see the same concepts explained on video.

Stay tuned for much more, and as always feel free to comment and ask questions!

harness neuroscience to improve disc golf performance.

Enhance Your Disc Golf Game with these Neuroscience-backed Tips

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, The Science of Disc Golf

I teach and coach all aspects of disc golf, and my favorite clients are the ones who will leave no stone unturned in their quest to reach their full disc golf potential. Although they all eagerly absorb and attempt to follow my instruction, part of leaving no stone unturned is a burning desire to know why, in addition to what.

Any type of scientific or mathematic corroboration that supports a theory I present or results I claim to see are treated like an unmistakable trail of breadcrumbs on the road to progress.

For example, when I started using TECHDISC to work with my clients.

It’s one thing to announce a breakthrough based on my observation, and quite another to show them that their RPM just jumped from 750 to 950 after a suggested tweak.

My clients trust me, but that doesn’t stop the hungry and inquisitive ones from seeking out, let’s say, confirming sources. This led Brett – perhaps the hungriest among them – to seek out more info on my teachings about the mental side of the game, the importance of eye contact, visualization, and other less talked-about aspects of competitive disc golf.

Brett put his faith in me, and he’s gotten great results. He’s very happy. But it was not quite enough for him to see that something worked; he wanted to know why, reasoning that a better understanding will result in better implementation.

I agree! That’s why I’m excited to share with you results of some research he did into disc golf and neuroscience, with the help of AI. I will also add my own corroborating thoughts, and link to past posts and videos where I introduced the same concepts, minus the neuroscience, over the past 18 years. Brett’s data was broken into four sections, so I am going to write 4 blog posts – starting with this one – covering each of the 18 nuggets he unearthed. Thanks Brett!

Part 1: Sharpening Your Aim, Focus, and Execution in Disc Golf

In disc golf, every throw counts, and the difference between success and failure on any given throw often comes down to mental preparation and execution. Drawing on neuroscience, here are four powerful techniques to enhance your aiming, focus, and overall shot execution.

Target Lock (Motor Priming)

What to do: Before putting, stare intently at a single chain link or a tiny spot on the pole itself. Then keep staring at that link until the disc is well out of your hand. Keeping your head stationary helps with this as well, like a camera on a tripod.

The same applies to all throws. If you have trouble gauging how far an upshot is and how hard to throw, try keeping your eyes locked on the whole time, if possible. Same with drives. Your eyes should be on the target except for the fraction of a second it takes to get your torso loaded for the throw, and even then they should be straining to reconnect with the target.

A sequence of seven images showcasing a disc golfer's throwing form in various stages, illustrating the mechanics of a successful throw.
In this seven-part sequence of Paul McBeth driving, you’ll see that on in image 4 do his eyes leave the target, and even then they are as close as his neck will allow.

Why it works: This technique effectively primes your motor cortex, preparing your body for the precise movement required. It helps to subconsciously align your body towards your intended target. You can definitely notice this during a putt, where your eye contact will sometimes cause a steering or power adjustment at the very last millisecond.

I’ve been talking about this one a lot lately, so having bigger words to sound more convincing should speed things up. It seems I did involve science in this post back in 2023, but I’d since forgotten all the details!

Brain system involved: This process engages the visual-motor loop and the premotor cortex, which is crucial for planning and executing voluntary movements.

Breath Control (4–6 Breathing)

What to do: Prior to making key throws, practice a specific breathing pattern: inhale for 4 seconds, then exhale for 6 seconds. Or inhale for six, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. Try both!

When we say “key throws,” we really mean high pressure throws, and this exercise is proven to help when the moment threatens to be too big for us. We may not know we’re tightening up until it’s too late, so think of this as a worthwhile, quick, and simple preventative measure. Use your own competitive history as a guide, like the guy who takes a pill to prevent heartburn before he eats three chili dogs with extra onions. He lived and learned, and can we.

I touched on this subject, sort of, back in 2016, in this post about dealing with pressure putts. I didn’t mention the breathing technique or any other physiological solution, but my technique of removing all context and thinking of only the physical action likely produces a similar calming effect. But this breathing technique is certainly easier to implement.

Why it works: This controlled breathing technique is designed to activate your Vagus nerve, which plays a significant role in regulating internal organ functions. This activation helps to lower your heart rate and, in turn, stabilize your mechanics for a smoother throw.

In other words, it can help you get out of your own way and putt the same with the match on the line as you do in your back yard.

Brain system involved: The effectiveness of this method lies in its ability to influence the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” functions, promoting a calm state.

Time Dilation via Intentional Slowdown

What to do: Consciously slow down your movements both immediately before (but mind that 30-second rule) and after taking your shots.

Have you ever reflected after a disastrous hole that things seemed to move at a faster speed as they unraveled, or said to someone “I don’t know what I was thinking!”

A scenic view of a disc golf tee area, featuring a grassy patch and a backdrop of trees and rolling hills under a sunset sky.
If it helps you slow down, do like Happy Gilmour and go to your Happy Place.

Why it works: By deliberately slowing your pace, you create an opportunity for your brain to engage more deeply in decision-making. This prevents rushed or reactive movements.

Brain system involved: This technique leverages the prefrontal cortex’s ability to override limbic reactivity. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions like planning and decision-making, while the limbic system is associated with emotional responses.

I’m pretty sure this is what I was thinking when I posted Mind Control in Disc Golf back in 2021. I didn’t know prefrontal cortex trumps limbic reactivity back then, but from experience I knew we have the ability to anticipate and prepare for emotional spikes

Visualization + Execution (Mental Rehearsal)

What to do: Before physically throwing, vividly picture your entire throw in your mind with as much detail as possible.

This can work using your normal viewpoint (through your own eyes), and also by viewing yourself from an outside-the-body perspective. For instance, I currently first visualize the path want the disc to take, then visualize my body displaying the appropriate mix of balance, power, and timing during the throw, complete with the full follow-through.

I found one blog post from back in 2009 with visualization in the title, and it gives a short first-person (me) account of how powerful this technique can be. Here’s another personal testimony: My biggest margin of victory in a PDGA event (7 strokes, 10 strokes? I forget) was in 1998 at the San Francisco Safari. I used deep visualization on every throw, and I’ve never been so mentally spent after a round.

Why it works: Mental rehearsal is incredibly powerful because it activates the very same neural pathways in your brain that would be used during the actual physical action. This helps to pre-program your body for success.

Brain system involved: Key brain regions involved in this process are the motor cortex (responsible for planning, control, and execution of voluntary movements) and the cerebellum (which plays a role in motor control, coordination, and precision).

Give these tips some thought, and let me know if they help. Part 2 in this series will focus on Skill Learning and Efficient Practice.

disc golf shoes made by idio sports

Discover Idio Sport’s Unique Specialized Features for Disc Golf

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, Disc Golf Pro Tour, disc golf product reviews, product reviews

As disc golfer diehards, you and I have a pretty good idea of what makes a good disc golf shoe: For some durability in one particular place is essential. Others insist on good waterproofing, or all-day comfort, or good tread.

Idio Sports founder Craig Kitchens is a diehard disc golfer, too, but his background in design and time spent in Portland, Oregon (aka Shoe City) enabled his thoughts and eventually actions to go to an entirely different level.

For Kitchens, it wasn’t about determining which existing shoe type or brand was ideally suited to the sport of disc golf. In addition to the common “must-haves” that include those listed above, he began creating a list of disc golf-specific features that a shoe designed and built for disc golf should include— and it wasn’t a short list!

Image showcasing a stylish shoe designed specifically for disc golf, highlighting features such as waterproofing, lightweight design, drag-on toe, power-plant pivot zone, low profile, and x-flex outsole.

The Drag-On Toe, X-Flex Outsole, and Power-plant Pivot Zone are the three most obvious examples, but there are more with the 2024 model of Idio Syncrasy, and the just-released Syncrasy EVO advances the reality of a disc golf shoe even further.

Note: The remaining stock of 2024 Syncrasys are 50 percent off right now and the new model is in, making this an excellent time to try a pair yourself

I connected with Kitchens at the Champions Cup in Stockton for a great discussion about his journey designing and marketing the world’s only disc golf shoe from scratch. I encourage you to watch the video below so you get a feel for his passion and dedication. I think it’s clear that he is the right person to be taking on a task that will benefit all of us.

In addition to sharing Idio’s origin story, Kitchens went a bit deeper in explaining the unique challenge of being the first to create a type of specialized footwear.

“There was really no shoe or ideology around what made a good disc golf shoe,” said Kitchens in explaining the challenge of designing a purpose-built shoe from scratch.

After a couple of years of seeing his creation perform in the wild and listening to feedback from other disc golfers, he learned that while the disc golf-specific features were well-received, parts of the outsole wore too quickly for some players.

The reason for that quick wear was the use of a softer compound to achieve a grippy-ness valued by disc golfers, and Kitchens didn’t want to sacrifice that entirely. His solution? Creatively co-opt a manufacturing process that is normally used for cosmetic purposes to create an outsole with zones of harder (for durability) and softer (for grip) material. Brilliant! Watch the video for details— and please subscribe to the channel while you’re there. I’m trying to create meaningful content and new subscribers are the best encouragement.

great shoes, big challenges

I see two primary challenges Idio Sports faces on its road to making disc golf shoes a regular part of every competitive player’s equipment, and I personally find them both plain silly. They are the idea that to some, even with athletic shoes, the fashion/status statement made is as important as their function; and the enduring power of celebrity endorsement.

I initially tried out Idios because I was excited about the potential of a shoe designed for disc golf. I wasn’t crazy about how the very first model looked but that would never factor much into a buying decision for me, anyway. With the new model of Syncrasy EVO, looks should help the shoe sell, if anything. But for some, even good looks ain’t enough. It’s all about the brand or logo.

A side view of the Syncrasy EVO disc golf shoe, featuring a black upper, a white logo, and an orange outsole designed for traction and grip.
The new Syncrasy EVO by Idio Sports.

When it comes to shoes I’m afraid most of us are extremely brand-conscious, or, brand-self-conscious, I should say. Maybe we’re worried about dropping money on something new and unknown, or maybe we’re more concerned about someone thinking “What’s he wearing on his feet? ‘Off-brand’ shoes?!”

Either way, I’d like to think disc golfers as a group are at least a little stronger than the norm when it comes to independent thinking, and I KNOW we are serious enough about our sport to want every advantage and comfort technology can provide.

As for celebrity endorsements, what can I say? It has been one of the most reliable marketing tools for centuries now. People buy stuff that other people who they admire tell them to buy. In disc golf, this method accounts for the lion’s share of nearly every disc and bag manufacturer’s marketing budget. These are all products designed for disc golf, though.

Don’t buy a shoe just because a top disc golf pro endorses it and tells you it is a disc golf shoe (it isn’t). Do a little digging and see if the brand is associated with disc golf in any way outside of an Instagram or DGN ad.

The sport of disc golf has specialized footwear now, thanks to Craig Kitchens. Try a pair. You might really, really like them.