Category: Disc Golf Lessons

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.

disc golf latvia latitude64, disc golf test, disc golf lessons

Improve Your Disc Golf Scores: Take the SAGA Test Now

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, Disc Golf Pro Tour, disc golf psychology, Jack Tupp

free for a limited time!

Are you looking to take your disc golf game to the next level? The School of Disc Golf is excited to announce a new tool designed to help you do just that: the SAGA Test!

DGPT player Sintija Klezberga took the SAGA test and learned that she was losing strokes by using a run-up when it wasn’t needed, among other things.

Here at School of Disc Golf, we believe in our motto: Discere Ludere Melius – Latin for “Learn to Play Better”. That’s why disc golf author and instructor Jack “Tupp” Trageser developed the Self-Administered Gap Analysis (SAGA) test. This innovative tool is designed to help disc golfers of all skill levels pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses. By identifying both the easiest and most impactful opportunities for improvement, the SAGA test can help you see real progress on the course.

decision making in disc golf is a learned skill.
Shown here are a few sample questions from the SAGA test, which covers all aspects of competitive disc golf including decision-making, throwing ability, and emotional control

The SAGA test was initially created to quickly cover all bases when coaching Latvian FPO player Sintija Klezberga remotely as she prepared for her first DGPT Elite events. It proved to be enormously helpful in establishing a foundation for her training, and since then, other School of Disc Golf clients have benefitted from it as well. Now, we’re excited to open it up to the public!

Keep in mind that the test and process for analyzing results are both still in Beta mode.

So, how can the SAGA test help you play better disc golf? By answering a wide-ranging list of questions about all aspects of your competitive disc golf play using a simple 1-5 rating system, you’ll gain clarity on the areas you need to address.

It’s not rocket science, just a simple Google Form.

But the SAGA test is more than just self-reflection. We encourage you to share the link with your playing buddies and ask them to complete the questionnaire about you. Their answers, especially the surprising ones, can reveal potential blind spots in your game that you might be overlooking. As we say, “If you give yourself a 4 on one question and your friends all give you 2’s and 1’s, that there is a red flag, my friend”.

Once you complete the test, your results will be e-mailed to you automatically, but to get a comparison of your self-assessment to your friends’ feedback — the potentially more impactful info — you’ll need to contact us and request it. We’re not that automated yet.

Ready to embrace the School of Disc Golf motto and learn to play better? Click here to complete the School of Disc Golf SAGA test and share the link with your friends!

TechDisc Talk, Episode 1: Unlocking Disc Golf Performance Metrics

by frisbeebrain, posted in DaLearning Curve, disc golf, disc golf driving, disc golf form, disc golf gifts, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, disc golf product reviews, Disc Golf Technique, frisbee golf, techdisc

Are you ready to take your pursuit of better disc golf to the next level? Yeah?

Keep reading!

This post provides additional information to pair with TechDisc Talk Episode #1, the 8-minute video below in which we explain how the mindblowing TechDisc platform changes your game by revolutionizing your understanding of your throws.

After working directly with dozens of clients using a TECHDISC, I don’t hesitate to recommend the product and platform to everyone, with one caveat: It isn’t like Invisalign, magically correcting your over-right (Get it? Over-right/overbite?) by being under your pillow while you sleep. The disc itself can’t help you at all, in fact. But you can’t use The Platform without it.

techdisc, smart disc golf disc, disc golf training
The TECHDISC Launch Monitor Pro measures speed, spin rate, angles, and much more!

If you’re not yet familiar, TechDisc is a hardware/software platform that includes a disc with sensors in the center of a disc that measure the forces and angles during a throw. The data is transmitted to a web app that determines the throw type and calculates six throw metrics and a simulated flight.

The Six Key Metrics: Unlocking the Secrets of Disc Flight

TechDisc tracks six crucial metrics that together with the simulated disc flight numbers mathematically describe a throw: Speed, Spin, Nose Angle, Hyzer Angle, Launch Angle, and Wobble. Understanding these metrics is essential for training and improving your disc golf game. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

Speed: Measured in MPH or KMH, speed indicates how fast the disc moves through the air. Generally, more speed equates to more distance, assuming identical throws. However, higher speed can also make a disc fly more understable.

Spin: Tracked in TechDisc as rotations-per-minute, spin helps the disc remain straighter by resisting turn and fade, potentially increasing distance. Higher spin stabilization creates a more stable flight.

Nose Angle: Also known as “Angle of Attack,” nose angle measures the back-to-front pitch of the disc relative to the oncoming air. A positive nose angle (nose-up) increases lift and drag, causing the disc to travel high and drop quickly. An ideal nose angle for flat distance throws is around -2° to -3°8.

Launch Angle: Launch angle is the angle of the disc’s flight compared to the ground. Ideal launch angles depend on the nose angle and speed of the disc. For instance, for a 60 MPH throw, an 8° to 10° launch angle combined with a -3° to -5° nose angle is optimal for distance. I’ll keep that in mind the next time I throw 60!

Hyzer Angle: Hyzer angle refers to the side-to-side angle of the disc from the thrower’s perspective. It’s the main metric that controls the right and left movement of the disc in flight. Maximum distance throws usually have a slight Anhyzer angle for most of the flight, fading to Hyzer towards the end.

Wobble: Wobble refers to the Off-Axis Torque applied to a disc during a throw. It introduces turbulence, inducing drag and creating a more chaotic, unpredictable flight. Wobble often correlates with low spin rate or low Advance Ratio. Consider how a spinning top’s wobble increases as its spin rate decreases.

The Advance Ratio

Advance Ratio is a calculated (spin times disc radius over speed) TechDisc metric that shows the relationship between spin and speed for a given throw and is a good measure of optimal spin rate. An Advance Ratio of 50% is a good target for a backhand throw, and 30% is a good target for a forehand throw. The body mechanics involved in proper backhand form create more spin than forehand throws, on average.

Utilizing TechDisc for Improvement

Understanding these metrics on a basic level is all that’s required at first. After that, TechDisc will deepen that understanding so you can ask and answer the right questions about your own game. The real power of TechDisc lies in its ability to help you translate this knowledge into tangible improvements on the course. Here’s how:

Identify areas for improvement: By analyzing your TechDisc data, you can pinpoint specific areas where your technique is lacking. For example, if you consistently have low spin rates, you can focus on drills to emphasize snap, like our Asynchronous Drill.

Experiment with different techniques: The TechDisc platform allows you to experiment with different throwing techniques and see how they affect your metrics. This can help you optimize your form for maximum distance and accuracy, and test new theories on how to throw flatter/faster/further.

Track your progress: Since the platform stores all your data, it also allows you to track your progress over time. This provides valuable feedback and motivation to keep you on track.

use both the Techdisc App and Website

The smart disc can connect via Bluetooth to the TechDisc app and an account logged into techdisc.com on a web browser, with captured data stored on the same servers. Both ways of capturing throws and accessing the data have their uses. The app offers portability and several bells and whistles, while the browser interface is device-neutral and houses the Flight Simulator.

The Flight Simulator

TechDisc offers a free Flight Simulator for anyone to use. With it, users can:

  • Create virtual disc profiles with flight numbers and weight, then simulate throws to see how they behave
  • Modify metrics (speed, spin, hyzer angle, etc.) to understand their impact on flight
  • Get concrete, actionable answers to questions like “How close am I to throwing 300 feet?” and “What changes are easiest to make or most impactful?”

As a disc golf instructor and writer, I’m probably more excited about TechDisc than most because it opens up an entirely new avenue for explaining and understanding disc flight.

Understanding disc flight, in and of itself, is half of the equation to achieving longer, straighter throws. Throwing mechanics account for the other half. This means that potentially half of your possible improvement right now can be achieved without getting any better. Only smarter!

Expect more posts that get into specific TechDisc features and uses, and please subscribe to our fledgling YouTube channel to see more of our rough and ready content!

If you’re ready to experience the difference that having a private disc golf coach can make, book your first lesson or sign up for remote coaching today!

DISCERE LUDERE MELIUS

School of Disc Golf Crib Notes, Episode #2: Ignore Your Score!

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, Disc Golf Lessons, disc golf psychology, School of Disc Golf Crib Notes

A Key to Success in Disc Golf and Beyond

What’s up, Disc Golf People?!

We’ve got another episode of the School of Disc Golf Crib Notes vlog series, where we share simple (sometimes easy, sometimes not) tips that can make a big difference in your disc golf game. Today’s topic is all about a radical concept that just might deliver your next Big Moment: Ignoring the score.

Have you ever felt the pressure mounting as you get closer to finishing a round with a personal best score? Maybe it’s beating your older brother for the first time after years of trying. Or the flip side, where early-round mistakes or bad breaks make you uber-aware of exactly how many birdies you need to get back to par.

These common experiences can be a major distraction, bad enough to turn some players off to competitive play for good.

Here’s the thing: when you start thinking about your overall score, you’re setting yourself up for potential failure. The mind must be fully focused on the task and nothing else. This isn’t just for disc golf. In all sports, or even in situations where precise execution is critical — like a bomb-defusing specialist, as an extreme example — focusing on the task at hand and not the potential outcome, is paramount. You can’t do that while also thinking about the ramifications of failure, or even what’s for lunch. And worst of all, you cannot do it while also thinking about the SCORE!

If you don’t want your round to blow up in your face, that is. Ha. Haha.

Moving on . . .

The core object of golf is to score the lowest you can on each individual hole. Tracking the total score over a certain number of holes is merely a construct created so we humans could scratch our competitive itch.

Therefore, except for rare exceptions, ignore the score!

This might seem counter-intuitive, but disc golf is no different than other endeavors in this regard. Think of a tightrope walker focusing on their next step, not the potential fall. Or a surgeon concentrating on the procedure, rather than the potential consequences. When it comes to performance, the mind needs to be singularly focused.

So, how do you train yourself to ignore the score? Just like you can teach your body to throw further, you can teach your mind not to dwell on your total score. It takes time and effort to change a habit.

I remember the day I became determined to accomplish this feat. At first, I noticed that I was thinking about the wrong thing only after the disc left my hand. The next step had me noticing this just before the disc left my hand, too late to stop the throw. After that, there was a stage where I realized in plenty of time that I was thinking about the wrong things but couldn’t stop myself from throwing anyway.

Finally, finally, I reached the point where I was not only better at thinking about the right things at the start of my routine; I was also better at identifying distracting thoughts and replacing them with the right ones. Sometimes a reset is required.

Just so you know, this is not like riding a bike— learn once and you’re good. Controlling these types of thoughts is like weight training. Slack off and you get weaker. I know this first-hand.

The mind needs to be fully focused on the task at hand, and nothing else.

Episode #001 of Crib Notes explains one of several methods I’ve used to help clients past the broader obstacle of thinking about anything but mechanics when it comes time to execute the shot. You can watch the short vid, but here’s the crux: When it comes to the ongoing cycle of assessment, planning, and execution during a round, divide yourself into two halves.

Player 1 does all the assessing and planning, while Player 2 focuses solely on execution, free from any second guesses or fear. But knowing the score does NEITHER OF THEM any good. Knowing the score easily leads to Player 2 tightening up; that much should be obvious by now.

The knowledge is just as dangerous to Player 1. They might make risky, pressing decisions based on the context of that moment in the round rather than characteristics of the hole, current weather conditions, and a carefully considered game plan. This reasoning even extends to not knowing the number of throws during a hole. How does knowing whether you’re lying 2 or 3 help you decide between the narrow gap straight or the wider opening 60 degrees left of the target? How can it help you execute the shot?

You can try our Player 1/Player 2 routine, or come up with one of your own. It’s just relatable packaging for the age-old challenge of being present and not tense in the moments that matter most. This will allow your mind to focus on your mechanics, which leads to better results.

There are exceptions to the policy, of course. If you’re playing an event that uses the match-play format, you need to know the score. If it’s down to the last hole or two and circumstances might dictate a different play than normal, you might want to know the score. Then again, like my buddy Assaf when he won his first PDGA event, you might stick with the “Ignorance is Bliss” mantra to the end.

However you choose to employ it, having the developed ability to “Ignore the Score” will help you to stay present, focus on each shot, and allow your training to shine through. It will prevent you from sabotaging a great round because you are too worried about getting a new personal best!

Ready to Get Better at Disc Golf, One Shiny Nugget at a Time?

Check out the ongoing School of Disc Golf Crib Notes video series on YouTube, and be sure to follow us on YouTube and Instagram for more great disc golf tips and inspiration!

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DISCERE LUDERE MELIUS!

Introducing School of Disc Golf Crib Notes

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, disc golf psychology, Disc Golf Technique, frisbee golf, Jack Tupp, School of Disc Golf Crib Notes

Quick video tips to help you pass the test out there on the disc golf course

At School of Disc Golf, our mission is to help you learn to play better disc golf— Discere Ludere Melius, baby!

We’re excited to introduce a brand-new video series: School of Disc Golf Crib Notes! These short, actionable videos will be available on YouTube, Instagram, and right here on our blog. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, these tips are designed to deliver new information that translates to lower scores in your disc golf game.

Why Crib notes?

The initial idea for these short video tips, or crib notes, came from our client sessions. We wanted to create short videos that reinforced key concepts and demonstrated drills covered during lessons. The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Students and alumni told us how helpful these videos were for reviewing techniques and staying motivated to practice. Now, we’re sharing them with the entire School of Disc Golf community— that means you!

Each video focuses on one specific tip or drill, breaking it down into key steps and understandable concepts without too much jargon. To maximize their impact, every video will be accompanied by a blog post, providing extra detail and context. You’ll not only see the technique in action but also understand why it works and how to apply it to your game. This post is the first of many, and we can’t wait to delve into all the nooks and crannies that account for strokes saved or lost.

Watch the First episode of disc golf Crib notes

This tip focuses on a method for improving confidence and commitment during disc golf throws by compartmentalizing mental processes.

The core idea is to split the thinking and execution of a shot into two distinct phases by imagining yourself as two different partners, each with their specific role.

Partner Number 1 is responsible for all the planning and decision-making: assessing risk, planning the shot, and selecting the disc. Once this is done, it’s Number 2’s turn.

Partner Number 2 is solely focused on the mechanics of executing the shot. They do not question the instructions, think about the possible outcome, or consider the broader context of the throw; they exist only to execute the plan in the present moment.

Once Number 2 completes their follow-through, the player transforms back into Number 1, and the cycle continues.

In short, the episode advises the use of a mental routine that separates planning from execution in order to promote focus and improve performance. By creating this mental separation, players can avoid the dangerous “blurring of lines” between planning and executing, a common problem in disc golf. This compartmentalization technique improves mental clarity and focus, leading to more confident and committed throws.

Stay Connected

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By subscribing and following, you’ll never miss a Crib Note—or any of the other great content we’re creating to help you master the art and science of disc golf.

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Jack Tupp’s disc golf takes for the week of May 5th, 2024

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf gifts, Disc Golf Lessons, FrisbeeGolf Friday

Happy FrisbeeGolf Friday to ya! Here in Santa Cruz, today kicks off the Amateur version of the Masters Cup, one of the longest-running tournaments in disc golf on one of the sport’s most storied courses.

Paul McBeth at the 2016 Masters Cup. Photo courtesy of Innova.

This event (the professional version, taking place next weekend) was part of every iteration of disc golf’s professional tour— PDGA Supertour, PDGA National Tour, and then the Disc Golf Pro Tour. After 2022, when tickets sold for $20+ and media passes were required, the DGPT eliminated the Masters Cup from its schedule, opting for venues better suited for spectator attendance and strong cell signals to accommodate a smooth live broadcast.

As I note in my book (written when the DGPT and now-defunct Disc Golf World Tour were brand new), we have a catch-22 quandary with disc golf as a spectator sport. The most exciting and interesting disc golf happens when players are required to navigate objects a good part of the time. DGPT CEO Jeff Spring must consider two sides of the equation, though: the product itself, and the packaging and presentation of that product.

Jack Tupp’s media pass for the 2022 Masters Cup.

Last weekend, disc golf’s first Major (with a capital “M”) event of 2024 took place in Morton, IL, on a very wooded course. One major point of discussion after it concluded thrillingly was the venue’s role in producing exciting action. Another was the fact that newly employed technology makes broadcasting in wooded locations much more doable than even last year.

My hope (and belief) is that improved tech and a demand to see top players take on technical courses get the Masters Cup back in the DGPT shuffle. We want more of this!

Disc Golf Tech

Have you tried using a rangefinder in disc golf yet? Bushnell is a leading optics company that first embraced the sport of disc golf around 10 years ago. They designed a rangefinder specifically for disc golf and are one of the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s most recognizable sponsors from outside the disc golf world.

If you know all about rangefinders and are considering buying one, Bushnell is having a sale on their website for the next couple of weeks. $154.99 is a good price for what the Edge Disc Golf Rangefinder delivers, and as I like to mention often, we’re fortunate to play a very inexpensive sport, leaving funds available for cool gadgets and tools like rangefinders, disc golf shoes, and smart disc training devices.

If you’re not yet familiar with rangefinders, watch the video on the Edge product page. I love it because it’s accurate, super easy to use, and displays distance in feet or meters, user’s choice. I can’t say how many times I’ve assumed I had 160 feet to the hole and threw the exact shot I wanted only to see it come up 40 feet short because, in reality, the target was 200 feet away. Now I check the distance with my Edge rangefinder and trust it rather than my faulty eyes.

The newest model also includes “Z-Mode,” enabling disc golfers to know the exact elevation change between their lie and the target. This feature is possibly an even bigger game-changer than knowing accurate distance. How many times have you failed to notice a subtle uphill slope that sneakily requires a 200-foot effort to execute a 140-foot upshot?

The Bushnell Edge will feed you accurate and useful data about the shot you’re facing in the moment, which is great, but there’s more! Regular use will also help you better understand your own capabilities (and limits). Knowing how far it is between here and there isn’t very useful for decision-making until you’re also familiar with how far you can throw each disc, in each situation. Train and play with a rangefinder, and that will happen!

In the News

Stuff Made Here is a YouTube channel with more than 4 million subscribers. They created what the host referred to as “Basically a Disc Golf Bazooka.” Obviously this thing isn’t ready for production and, haha, not PDGA legal. But as one commenter points out, maybe it or something like it can be used to assign disc flight numbers based on actual science.

In Australia, a similar story of grassroots disc golf growth unfolds. Good on ya, Dean O’Loughlin and the Horsham Rural City Council! Thanks to Innova, another new course will be unveiled at the upcoming FLoydFest in Check, VA.

Tip of the Week

I was working with a client yesterday on driving, and for a break and change of pace, we played a few holes. On the green I noted the lack of spin on his putts made it hard for him to achieve much range. I showed him a simple way to generate spin while still maintaining straight line discipline. I wrote this post 11 years ago, but it still holds up and at least one guy is going to be hitting more putts now because of it.

If you have a question, or comment, or whatever, hit me up! Until next time, remember: “Aim with your Body, Throw with your Body.”

Arm Brain: A Unique School of Disc Golf Term:

by frisbeebrain, posted in backhand, DeLaBlahg, disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf driving, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, Jack Tupp

This post is one of a series that explains terminology unique to — or at least originated by — School of Disc Golf. Each term in the series was created by me, many spontaneously during a private lesson as I searched for a new way to explain something to a client.

Think Different

For the first one in the series, I picked a biggie. Those who are familiar with Three Paths to Better Disc Golf know one of those paths involves having a predetermined philosophical approach to the game. Broad concepts a player can use to guide smaller decisions and lead to their best chance to score well.

When I wrote that book I was thinking mainly of strategic concepts, but with thousands more hours of hands-on disc golf instruction under my belt since then, I realize it applies to technique and mechanics as well. Perhaps more so.

“Arm Brain” is a term I use to describe an incorrect mechanical approach most people instinctively take to backhand driving in disc golf. In the same way that early science before Copernicus thought the earth was the center of the universe, most players treat their arm as the core of their drive.

It isn’t, of course. I use other terms in my lessons, like Nucleus, Center Pole Position. Asymmetric Timing, and 180-to-Zero to explain the difference between throwing with the entire body vs. throwing with arm only— why the literal throwing arm plays a relatively minor role in determining whether a player has a figurative Big Arm.

How arm brain came to be

One day during a 1-on-1 lesson, I noticed how my client was successfully achieving the timing and balance we wanted during drills, throwing with the right muscles from the right position, and achieving the results I promised would come. However, a trend developed where after a good throw he would often follow it up with one that were complete mis-throws.

The author with a client in Santa Cruz, CA.

After the pattern became clear, I asked him to describe his thoughts as he set up for the next throw after an especially successful effort. Each time, he described watching the good drive fly, feeling excited about the accomplishment, and wanting to see if he could throw the next drive even further.

Since Sports Psychology 101 is based on “Focus on what you’re trying to do, not what you’re wanting to accomplish” I figured his thoughts had triggered the muscle memory from thousands of Frisbee throws. To explain my thoughts, I mused that he had allowed Arm Brain to enter the realm, kind of like saying Beatlejuice one too many times.

The teaching point was this: It is always a good idea to focus on what’s right in front of you in sports, especially when you’re working on developing a new skill. Thinking about the new mechanics in particular helps prevent “Arm Brain” from jumping in and saying “I can do that!” when you think only of intended results.

Arm Brain can also rear his head at much later stages, as well, in times of mental and physical fatigue or wandering focus. Good driving form takes some work, and if you’re not focused on executing that work Arm Brain can jump in and say “Let me handle this one. It’ll be easier.”

predetermining factors of arm brain

Since that lesson when I made up the term, I broadened the use to describe a related group of reasons why some people have a hard time learning the unique mechanics that are key to throwing as far and accurately as one’s peers Here’s a quick run-down of those reasons:

  • Familiarity with tossing a Frisbee- Think of the stance you assume to play catch with a Frisbee. Your brain is likely very familiar with that stance and the action that follows, and comfortable with its ability to execute that action
  • The “Big Arm” label- This popular misnomer only reinforces the other reasons
  • Proximity to the hand- The hand is important because it holds the disc, right? Therefore focus should be on the thing connected to the hand— or so goes the logic.
  • Eyes on target- The same power-sapping position that is comfortable and familiar for a Frisbee toss is also the posture that provides a clear view of the target with both eyes before throwing— something that isn’t possible at the beginning of a proper full-power drive.
Frisbee tossing involves the hand, wrist, and arm. Driving in disc golf starts with the body’s largest muscles.

how to outsmart and outwit arm brain

You gotta know he’s lurking. You gotta know how to spot him. And you gotta know how to deflect and defeat him.

If you had to work to learn proper driving technique (or are still in the process) vs. it coming naturally right away (and sometimes even then), Arm Brain is lurking. Don’t doubt it.

If you catch yourself thinking about wants and needs rather than mechanics as you set up for shots, and your throws start to lack their normal explosiveness and carry, Arm Brain has likely infiltrated your camp. The best way to banish him is to purposefully focus on elements of your mechanics that most starkly contrast a Frisbee throw, things I focus on in sessions with my clients.

One of my favorite mantras to banish Arm Brain is “Aim with the Body, Throw with the Body,” another unique School of Disc Golf term phrase. Maybe we’ll cover that one next!

Our Curated Guide to Unique Disc Golf Gifts— and the Gift OF Disc Golf!

by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf gifts, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons

If you’re reading this, chances are you know someone who is obsessed with disc golf or love to play and share the sport yourself. In both cases we have you covered for unique gifts, and this guide makes it easy to get it exactly right!

Scroll down to see our options, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or requests for personalized book inscriptions.

gifts for new and excited disc golfers

The sport of disc golf grew steadily somewhat underground from the mid-70s until 2020— then it roughly doubled during the pandemic. If you know an excited new disc golfer they are likely eager to learn more and get better.

disc golf gifts, disc golf books
School of Disc Golf owner Jack Tupp has written two acclaimed books on disc golf.

why and how to give the gift of disc golf

The most rewarding part of my job is introducing new people to disc golf, and knowing that for some it will become a regular and very positive part of their lives from that day forward. If you love the game as I do, you know exactly what I mean.

Gift-giving occasions can be a great opportunity to turn someone on to disc golf. My book The Disc Golf Revolution is packed with info about disc golf’s past, present, and future, and a private introductory lesson is a great way to learn the essentials quickly.

techdisc, smart disc golf disc, disc golf training
TECHDISC measures speed, spin rate, angles, and much more!

gifts for experienced disc golfers

For those who don’t know, we disc golfers are VERY particular about our equipment. Discs are so specialized these days, forget about trying to pick one your friend will actually throw.

You can go the gift card route — if you do, you can’t do better than one from us or our partner Infinite Discs — but lots of folks enjoy the challenge of selecting perfect and unique gifts. In the world of disc golf, that’s where we come in!

disc golf shoes, disc golf gear
techdisc disc golf measure your throw

School of Disc Golf: now featuring the power of TECHDISC

by frisbeebrain, posted in backhand, disc golf, disc golf driving, disc golf form, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons, disc golf product reviews, frisbee golf, Jack Tupp, product reviews

Hello there, this is Jack Tupp, Owner and lead instructor at School of Disc Golf.

Part of my 2023 disc golf summer was spent familiarizing myself with an amazing piece of technology called TECHDISC. I’ve already used it with several clients and have now fully incorporated it into both types of lessons we offer; in-person and virtual.

Here is a brief summary of what TECHDISC is and what it does:

  • TECHDISC is the name of the company, as well as the company’s flagship (and only) product
  • The product, which sells for $299, is a piece of hardware; a small rubberized puck that is precisely and permanently attached to a disc at their factory. Customers can choose the disc type and weight.
  • The puck contains sensors that track the disc’s speed, spin rate, launch rate, hyzer angle, and wobble rate upon release
  • The data collected by the puck is transmitted via Bluetooth to the user’s phone, tablet, or laptop, where it is displayed numerically and graphically and also stored securely in the user’s account on TECHDISC servers
  • The software platform also enables users to label and sort throws to gain additional insights
  • So far, TECHDISC has been so popular they’ve gone through several cycles of preorders. In other words, they can’t make ’em fast enough!

I’m working on a more comprehensive review of TECHDISC to be posted soon, but after extensive use of the tool and platform over the last few months these are my impressions of how TECHDISC can be used to improve one’s disc golf game— and how we’ll be using it at School of Disc Golf moving forward.

techdisc in school of disc golf private lessons

Using TECHDISC with clients hasn’t changed what I teach in lessons, nor has it altered how I teach. At least not very much. But it has supercharged both in two ways I noticed right away.

A big part of my private lessons — especially with newer players — is explaining how to generate arm speed and spin, and how to control the direction and trajectory of the disc. In other words, how to throw further and “straighter.” Before TECHDISC, my methods produced consistent results, but quite often success is delayed, at least for a time, by the fact that adopting proper technique can feel strange.

I would explain mechanical changes and drills to a client, and together we’d assess their throws using my eyes and experience and the client’s feel. But trusting that new feel can take time. Having the quantification and scientific measurement of TECHDISC, however, is powerfully different. It provides an irrefutable level of confirmation — positive or negative — to both student and teacher. Numbers don’t lie, as they say.

Speaking of numbers, the other instant win using TECHDISC with new disc golfers involves explaining the differences between discs, flight numbers, and how to select the correct disc for each circumstance— and why that answer changes depending on a wide range of factors. TECHDISC includes a flight simulator that allows us to see how tweaking throw characteristics (and also disc characteristics) changes the flight of a disc.

The Flight Simulator lets users adjust both disc and throw characteristics, then use the 3D Throw Viewer to see how each change affects the flight of the disc.

Having a hands-on tool that lets someone change disc and throw numbers to create hyzer flip and forced flex shot lines that end up in the same place communicates important info in a much more memorable way.

using techdisc IN virtual lessons

We have developed an excellent methodology over the years to serve those who can’t make it to Santa Cruz, but as with everything else, communicating via Zoom and email and texts is a little less effective than being in the same location.

The most important thing for me in using it as a training tool is that it accurately reflects adjustments a client makes over the course of our work together. It does.

The concrete metrics of TECHDISC permit no message distortion— they are what they are. Clients know exactly where they stand in terms of speed and spin, and they gain a proper understanding of less intuitive factors like nose angle, hyzer angle, and launch angle. As an instructor, knowing the exact numbers for each throw I see on a video call makes an even bigger difference than when using it with an in-person client. I may misinterpret something I see, especially when it’s on a screen and the angle is bad, but I can trust the numbers.

I’ll go into more detail soon in a full review, but I’ve used my TECHDISC enough by now to know it is consistent from throw to throw. The most important thing for me in using it as a training tool is that it accurately reflects adjustments a client makes over the course of our work together. It does. When my clients own their own TECHDISC, they can share their throw data between sessions, and I can trust that data. It provides scientific data that confirms when they do X, the results are Y. Over time, even more patterns and trends will emerge, especially if they take full advantage of the tagging feature.

TECHDISC automatically sorts throws by type and release angle, and lets you manually label and sort in numerous other ways.

using techdisc on your own

You can of course use a TECHDISC on your own. At the very least you’ll have the coolest disc golf gadget around, one-upping the rangefinder crowd. If you expect the ability to capture and slice and dice all that data to translate into lower scores, though, that will largely depend on your ability to figure things out on your own. If you’ve had success in the past watching YouTube videos and implementing changes, and you understand technical disc golf terminology, TECHDISC should provide you with all the benefits described above.

If, however, you’re on the other end of the spectrum (many of my current clients tell me they found my website after trying and failing to watch videos and develop on their own), please remember that TECHDISC is a measurement tool combined with good database tools. It won’t tell you how to change those numbers. But, hey, that’s what me and my fellow disc golf instructors are for, right?

Contact us if you’d like to schedule a TECHDISC-powered lesson or have a question, or book online directly to reserve a date and time right now.