After testing Idio’s new hi-top disc golf shoes for nearly a year, I can say I love them and recommend them. The video below explains exactly why.
As noted in the video below, I was pleasantly surprised by the Idio Syncrasy Brawler. Not because of the quality or waterproofness, as I expected as much based on my experience testing previous models, and I was right. The Brawlers remained completely waterproof even after exposure to rain and deep puddles. Nothing is wearing quickly or coming apart in the least.
The surprises I am referring to both stem from my preconceived notion that hi-top disc golf shoes would be heavier, and stiff, like hiking boots. I found them to be lighter than expected and responsive on both tee pads and uneven terrain.
The other surprise is more like a bonus, as it is the one benefit missing from the hi-top’s marketing material. But I noticed it and don’t mind sharing.
The high-top collar is comfortable but still very form-fitting, so it effectively keeps out not only water, but also dirt, rocks, sticks, and thorns that can get into low-top shoes and cause distractions and delays.
Please check out our review on YouTube and subscribe to the channel, @schoolofdiscgolf
Durability is another key thing to report as the shoes held up well after nearly a year due to harder composite materials.
Listed below are some key technical details:
Key Features and Technologies
Adapt-A-Brace: The Adapt-A-Brace compression collar provides ankle support without restricting movement. It features special cutouts in the back for flexibility. The laces go all the way to the top for a secure fit.
Waterproof Sympatex Liner: The Brawler utilizes a Sympatex waterproof liner, offering breathability and sustainability. This liner works through a physicochemical principle, transporting water vapor molecules to the outside via hydrophilic molecular chains. The membrane’s molecular structure swells with increasing humidity, dynamically adjusting the space for water vapor transport.
Improved Durability: Idio Sports has addressed wear issues in the front of the shoe by hardening the material and re-engineering the lugs. This enhancement ensures the shoe remains effective for disc golf.
Dig Toe: An overbuilt curl around the toe protects against wear and tear, eliminating the need for frequent repairs.
Lace Pocket: The shoe includes a stash pocket for the laces, keeping them out of the way.
Image captured from Idio’s website.
Sustainability
The Sympatex membrane is recyclable, contributing to sustainable outdoor clothing production. Sympatex aims to close the loop by producing recyclable membranes.
Final Thoughts
The Idio Syncrasy Brawler is a top-tier disc golf shoe that should develop a loyal following. A reasonable portion of disc golfers would prefer a hi-top design for various sensible reasons: The terrain where they play, the extra ankle support they provide, and wet and cold conditions. With their comfort, durability, and waterproofing on top of a handful of very real disc golf-specific design elements, the Idio Brawler should be a hit with competitive and recreational players alike.
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.
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!
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!
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
We’d love for you to join us on this exciting new adventure! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram.
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.
Thank you for being part of the School of Disc Golf community. We can’t wait to hear how these Quick Tips impact your game! Leave a comment below or on YouTube to let us know what topics you’d like us to cover next.
The holiday season is here, with it our curated gift guide. Find the perfect gift for the disc golfer in your life—or introduce someone new to the sport! From BIG gifts to stocking stuffers, we’ve got you covered with options for every skill level and budget.
TECHDISC measures speed, spin rate, angles, and much more!
Most products and experiences come with first-hand reviews, and our breakdown addresses a number of gift recipient categories. Plus, when you shop here you’re supporting our goal to help as many people as possible discover disc golf. So thanks from us, and them!
Whatever you do, don’t buy discs as a gift for disc golfers. We are very particular about our discs! Opening up our guide are some big ticket items and extravagant gestures.
BIG Gifts for Disc Golf Enthusiasts
Fully Immersive Disc Golf Simulator
Shop Now Let them experience disc golf like never before with a fully immersive simulator. Perfect for practicing during the off-season or hosting indoor competitions, this top-tier gift is a dream come true for any serious disc golfer.
X-Step Pro Turf Teepad
Shop Now Bring the feel of a professional course to your backyard or local practice area. This durable, high-quality turf teepad makes a great upgrade for any player serious about refining their form. When we built our course at Chaminade, we wanted the best teepad material for safety and durability. Turf is it, baby!
Disc Golf Group Event
Shop Now Imagine including a private disc golf event on a private course as part of a special birthday or engagement/wedding gathering. You can even include custom discs printed with your choice of image to use and keep.
Family Disc Golf Lesson
Shop Now Share the joy of learning and playing disc golf as a family! Tailored to all ages and skill levels, this private lesson offers a unique and memorable experience for everyone.
Gifts for Disc Golf Beginners
Disc Golf Gift Bundles
Shop Now Everything a beginner needs to get started! These curated bundles include essential discs and accessories to jumpstart their disc golf journey. A perfect introduction to the sport.
Private Disc Golf Lessons
Shop Now Give the gift of personalized coaching! Private lessons tailored to skill level and goals make an excellent introduction to disc golf for newcomers.
Author-Signed Disc Golf Books
Shop Now A thoughtful gift for both players and book lovers, these signed copies add a personal touch to any holiday gift exchange.
Gifts for Die Hard Disc Golfers
TECHDISC Smart Disc Golf Disc
Shop Now Upgrade their game with the TECHDISC smart disc, offering real-time data tracking to help players improve their form and performance. I use this personally as well as with clients on a nearly daily basis, and it can be a game changer. For two years now it has been the hands-down coolest disc golf gadget.
16×10 Visionary x DGPT Pro Disc Golf Net
Shop Now Perfect for at-home practice, this robust net is ideal for honing skills during the off-season or perfecting accuracy year-round. It’s also a great warm-up net for tourneys with tee times.
10×10 Visionary x DGPT Pro Disc Golf Net
Shop Now Compact and durable, this 10×10 practice net is still plenty big; a versatile addition to any die-hard disc golfer’s toolkit. I have an 8X8 from Visionary and it is lightweight, stable, and breaks down and goes up fast. Even better, the catching hole is placed for disc golf, not golf or baseball.
Hi-Top Disc Golf Shoes
Shop Now Engineered for maximum support and traction, these hi-top shoes are perfect for navigating even the toughest disc golf courses. As one of the advance testers I’ve been playing with these for six months now and I can attest to their comfort and support. Plus the lace stash is cool!
Disc Golf Shoes
Shop Now Designed with disc golfers in mind, these shoes combine durability, comfort, and grip to help players perform at their best. I’ve used these off and on since the first version came out several years ago, and they deliver on promises both general (water resistance and lightness) and disc golf specific.
bushnell Disc Golf Rangefinder
Shop Now Help them dial in their distance with pinpoint accuracy. This rangefinder is a must-have for players looking to improve their strategy and performance in all ways possible.
I play mostly on wooded courses, and when I visit a wide open course distances can be tough to judge. The Bushnell disc golf rangefinder solves that problem whether I’m in the U.S.(feet) or the rest of the disc golfing world (meters).
Author-Signed Disc Golf Books
Shop Now A thoughtful gift for both players and book lovers, these signed copies add a personal touch to any holiday gift exchange. I signed these as they are ordered, and am happy to include a custom inscription. Just ask!
School of Disc Golf owner Jack Tupp has written two acclaimed books on disc golf.
Stocking Stuffers for Disc Golfers
Idio Disc Golf Apparel and Accessories
Shop Now From hats to socks and 9 different t-shirt designs, Idio’s range of accessories offers something for every player. Perfect for adding a little flair to their gear collection.
disc golf in comfort and style
icemule coolers
Shop Now IceMule offers a wide range of styles, all built to handle the rigors that typical disc golf courses routinely dish out.
CEP Compression sportswear
Shop Now If you know a disc golfer who loves to play but is limited by a nagging injury, the right piece of compression wear may make a big difference. So, if you want ’em out of the house a little more often, this could be just the ticket!
ace pickleball
Shop Now If you ARE a disc golfer whose partner wants you to join them in exploring pickleball, resist the urge to get them discs! Instead, play the long game and get ’em some paddles and balls or whatever. They’ll be grateful, finally try disc golf, and Bam! They’re hooked.
Wrap It Up with a Gift Card!
Need one last thing, or something in e-gift format? A gift card to our shop or any of our partners above will show you cared enough to seek out and find a very special gift related to their number one passion (besides you).
High school students in Monterey, CA playing disc golf and learning applied physics at a STEM summer camp.
I am not writing to rebut the author’s valid safety concerns that exist whenever disc golf is placed in a multi-use public park, nor complain about your factually incorrect and inflammatory headline. The sport’s “Projectiles,” while plastic and not metal as the headline states, are indeed potentially dangerous, in the same way as baseballs, footballs, basketballs, and even softballs. You don’t want to be struck by any of them, especially as a non-participant. Park officials and the NYCDGA are likely already discussing remedies.
The bulk of author Sophie Golnick’s story after that identifies something else to be of even greater concern— gentrification. As she is an Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis at NYU and lives near the park in question, perhaps she couldn’t resist commenting publicly on the issue (and taking the position expected of her). Her “analysis,” however, lacks finesse and ignores facts.
A screen capture from the Indypendent story in question. Somewhat amusingly, the author admits that she herself is white and from elsewhere.
When you learn the truth about disc golf, her closing line — “I am not partial to the view that cities should be preserved in amber, but changes to the existing fabric . . .” — is revealed as a classic NIMBY line in sheep’s clothing.
The story has one large pull quote early on (see screenshot), and it sets the tone for everything that follows. She writes: “The disc golf players are overwhelmingly white, male, and from elsewhere.” A subhead further down reads “When the Colonizers Arrive.”
Jack Tupp and professional disc golfer Aviel Gomez pose with students of a recent CSUMB STEAM camp in Monterey, CA.
Sometimes absurdity must be called out as irresponsible, and that is what I am taking the time to do today.
To be clear: Efforts to introduce residents of New York City to the sport of disc golf are not part of an insidious plot to displace people from homes and businesses, one park district at a time. Quite the opposite.
Disc golf as a sport gives far, far more than it takes. It is golf, elevated above and beyond all the negatives normally associated with the word ‘golf’. Terms like exclusive and exclusionary, environmentally irresponsible, cost prohibitive, and insular are alien in the world of disc golf. What remains are the time in nature, the exercise, the camaraderie, the personal challenge, and the mental gymnastics. The blend of joy and anguish singular to golf.
Disc golf is a game for all ages and growing rapidly among seniors seeking affordable forms of recreation.
The cost/benefit breakdown is so compelling, in fact, and its courses so adaptable to available terrain and maintenance-free, that while disc golf is now embraced nearly everywhere it is presented, disc golf-related non-profits focus on areas where free and low cost wellness options can have the greatest impact.
New York City is a bit of an outlier for the Paul McBeth Foundation, the mission of which is to “develop and introduce sustainable disc golf experiences in underserved locations with limited or no access to the sport.” More typical locations are in Mexico, Colombia, Uraguay, Uganda, Kenya, and Bulgaria. Those places are ideal because, for many there, funds for any kind of leisure activity are nonexistent. Like futbol, very little is required to play the game at the most basic level. The population density of NYC offers the opportunity to reach a more diverse population in the U.S., which is also important, and the appeal of free or nearly so seems to be just as relevant to students, families, and many seniors in New York City.
Getting back to that pull quote. The White-Elsewhere-Males alluded to were likely there responding to a call from the parks department to come play the course and provide feedback. Undoubtedly they shared details about the sport with anyone who asked, and a few who didn’t.
An impressive percentage of those who play disc golf eagerly recruit others to the sport without hesitation precisely because it is supremely accessible and available to everyone. They have discovered a wonderful thing and feel obligated to share it. Sounds corny, but it’s true. They’re hoping you and your neighbors (especially those with kids) at least give it a try.
Both groups had a great time, and I know from experience that multiple individuals will play again soon. None of them will be shut out due the cost, or being made to feel unwelcome (unless they run into Ms. Golnick in Highland Park), or any other reason other than not having a course near enough. If they get hooked, they might even push their own local leaders to install a course. That is essentially how the sport has grown so steadily for the past 4 decades: A grassroots network unlike any other.
More than 10 years ago local disc golfers in Watsonville, CA installed a course in a community largely populated by Hispanic agriculture workers. They raised funds for the equipment and spent hundreds of hours clearing brush and hauling trash.
It took a little time, but the mix of people playing the course now looks like the community itself. Two young Hispanic players from the area who discovered disc golf there now play the sport professionally. One of them volunteered at the Helen Rucker Center event I just mentioned, teaching other teens disc golf.
Go ahead and raise the alarm if the disc golf course straddling Brooklyn and Queens endangers other park users or signage is insufficient. But complaining about a small area of your park being set aside for disc golf (between two larger areas already set aside only for softball), well that is just weak and transparently selfish, and frankly lazy for a supposed expert on social and cultural analysis.
To go further and insinuate that disc golf courses are some kind of Trojan horse designed to help outsiders breach the walls of “your” community? Well, that’s just absurd.
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.”
Hey there, it’s been a minute, but welcome back to FrisbeeGolf Friday!
Kristin Tattar, as usual, teed off in the final group in today’s DGPT event in Nashville. She isn’t in the lead after round 1, but that will probably change. Her events always have the feel of the fastest runner in a relay race who is behind when she is handed the baton and immediately begins steadily stalking the pack. A few moments of observation is enough to see the inevitability of it all.
I am a huge fan of Tattar because she focuses on playing disc golf at the highest level rather than the many ancillary opportunities that come with success on the course. Specifically, she is driven by the quest for lower scores rather than the need to constantly “produce content.”
Kristin Tattar’s eyes are on the prize. Photo: DGPT.
Our sport has a history of top players allowing these two elements to become imbalanced after achieving a level of success, along with others who use disc golf as a vehicle for their “platform” from the get-go. Brodie Smith leaps to mind as an example of the latter, but as I wrote back in 2020 to each their own. His sidekick Ezra actually came close to winning a week or two ago, so who says you can’t have it all, at least for a little while?
How cool is it, though, to watch an elite athlete practice their craft, dedicated to squeezing every drop from the massive reservoir of potential with which they were blessed?
Check out this recent interview of Tattar to see why I think she is unlikely to fall from her current level of play anytime soon. If her competitors want to see those steely eyes on the lead card less often they will need to come up to her. Barring injury, I see the Kristin Tattar disc golf machine continuing to roll along.
jack tupp disc photo
I love capturing disc golf in photos. This one of my pal A. seems to resemble a ball golf swing follow-through as he arcs his back to execute a technical turnover upshot using just the right mix of extra spin and angle.
DeLaveaga DGC, 7:45 a.m., Hole 2.
jack tupp disc golf terminology
In case you missed it, my most recent instructional post explains “Arm Brain,” a term used here at School of Disc Golf. I made it up one day in a lesson as I was attempting to explain an athlete’s tendency to revert to old, flawed mechanics— and specifically what things trigger that mistake.
Most of my clients come to me using primarily their arms to throw, and we change that by focusing on improved timing, balance, and use of the largest muscles to supply most of the power. Arm Brain becomes a named adversary for us to resist and overcome by focusing on the action and effort rather than the intended result.
disc golf stuff report
I received a couple pretty exciting packages in the mail this week. First was a copy of the board game Birdie Pro! from Steve Dodge. I am lining up a good group of testers that will include disc golfers, board game junkies, and hopefully a non-disc golfer, if I can find one!
Birdie Pro! by Boda Brothers
Expect a report on the experience soon.
Two days after receiving the box from New England, another arrived from thousands of miles away in the exact opposite direction— China. A new (to the U.S. market) company called X-Com sent me a selection of their lineup to try, in various plastic blends named for planetary bodies. Mars is premium and Earth is baseline, I believe, with more blends coming. I’m encouraged by the fact that their discs are quite affordable, and available in lighter weights, perfect for developing players. This starter set is a good example.
X-Com discs: Let’s see how they fly!
I’ll share some observations in a post soon, but you can already get your hands on ’em now at Infinite Discs. The molds seem to mostly be named for constellations and planets, but the stamp on this guy caught my eye. We’ll see how he flies!
In another recent post I shared pics of the new model of Idio Syncrasy disc golf shoes I’m testing right now. Yesterday’s round featured great weather, but the ground was still swollen with rainwater and it felt like walking on full sponges in many places. My feet remained completely dry again, which is great, but what I really noticed during this round was the traction and sure-footedness on a wild array of surfaces.
Wet teepads, wet, sloped rock, wet, turf . . . you get the idea. Like the first Idios I tried, these really do feel secure for the sport of disc golf. The difference is especially noticeable compared to a pair of shoes with worn outsoles, which was the case for me. If it’s that time for you, give these a try. They’re made for disc golf!
Two pairs of Idio disc golf shoes on a saturated course for two hours, zero wet feet!
Watch for the second part of our series on getting the most out of TECHDISC coming soon. We’ll be sharing a couple client testimonials and exploring best practices using the smart disc and app with a net.
in the news
The Disc Golf Pro Tour is eagerly jumping through the necessary hoops to enable sports wagering on professional disc golf. Will this result in our stars being less accessible to the fans— or should it?
Amboy, Illinois, is finally getting a disc golf course. At Amboy!
And I’ll wrap up this edition of FrisbeeGolf Friday by saying thank you to Brooklyn O’Kafka, a 13-year old Canadian who will be promoting disc golf to her classmates along with free discs from sponsor Latitude64. Keep up the great work, Brooklyn!
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!
About my first trial (mention the difference, and what I learned about waiting too long)
Update coming, not real soon.
Links to past posts
A few days ago I received a package in the mail from Idio Sports. It contained a pair of shoes. Specifically, disc golf shoes.
My heart leaped! Both pairs of my current disc golf shoes have warranted replacing for two months, and it has rained nearly every time I tried to play in that period. I even strained a muscle slipping on the wet rocky slopes of DeLaveaga, not fully appreciating what the used-up soles of my old shoes would cost me.
Also, like any other disc golf junkie, the opportunity to use a new piece of equipment for the sport gets me excited. Especially when the products are breaking new ground, like TECHDISC, or in this case shoes designed from scratch for playing disc golf. We’re talking about specialized equipment, similar to soccer cleats or ballet slippers.
That is exactly what Idio is all about. They released their first such product, the Syncrasy, more than three years ago, and they are still blazing a lone trail to what should in time become a thriving sub-category of the athletic shoe market.
A pair of all-black 2024 IDIO Syncrasy disc golf shoes, posed to show disc golf-specific features on the toe cap, heel, and sole.
If you are not yet familiar with the numerous ways Syncrasy is designed differently than other shoes to specifically support disc golf play, here is a quick run-down. Go to the Idio website for more details.
A thick rubber toe cap to prevent disc golf-specific wear
A “Pivot Zone” built into the heel to assist plant foot pivoting on backhand drives
Strategically flexible soles tailored to disc golf situations and stances
Waterproof!
Lighter than hiking shoes or boots, tougher than trail runners
Minimal heel drop for optimal balance on all shots
I found that the first version of the Syncrasy delivered on all of those features, and just as importantly, mine held up great. I’ve posted some images below and will give a quick update to my original review at the end of this post. First, let’s see how the 2024 Syncrasy is different from the original version, and why IDIO says it is already a success.
The first version of Idio’s flagship shoe was a hit, especially when you consider it was conceived and executed from scratch. But I remember the CEO of Idio Sports, Craig Kitchens, telling me then that he expected the shoes would evolve based on customer feedback.
With a new model available now, it was time to put his promise to the test. Mr. Kitchens was ready when I reached out with the following list, and all items were the result of direct or indirect customer feedback.
Updated heel counter material for better adhesion of the midsole to the upper
Improved buffing and texturing of all bonding surfaces.
Improved gluing pressure, heat, and time to ensure proper bonding of components
Hardened outsole rubber to improve lifespan while not sacrificing grip.
Improved tongue gusseting to keep water from slipping in around the tongue area.
Improved bonding of all TPU printed surfaces such as logo and mudguard.
“Revised tongue material for finer feel of quality. “Although nothing was wrong with it before”
Many of the details listed above have to do with parts of the shoe staying together, and I do remember hearing from some people that that was an issue with the first Syncrasy shoes. I asked Craig about this and his answer deserves to be quoted verbatim:
“We had a great start with our shoes and made improvements across the board in order to address some minor warranty issues that we saw the first year. We maintained a warranty return rate of 3% which is right in line with the major brands, but now with the updates we sit at below 1% for the year. Proving that we are listening to the community and growing as a brand to always provide the best possible product for disc golfers.”
Craig Kitchens, CEO Idio Sports
Kitchens said all of the shoe improvements listed in those bullets above were the result of warranty issues that didn’t even occur at a higher-than-normal rate. That tells me two things: Users clearly validated the design of the shoes — their utility for the sport of disc golf — so Idio focused their upgrades on increased durability, comfort, and quality. I like that.
As you can see in the pictures of my first Syncrasy’s alongside a pair of Saucony Peregrine GTX’s, the Idio shoes didn’t break down in the most common disc golf-related areas for me and most disc golfers. Both shoes’ kept my feet dry until the end, but the soles and sides of the Saucony’s ended up in tatters.
IDIO Syncrasy on the left, Saucony Peregrine GTX on the right. It’s hard to see, but the uppers on both Saucony’s developed holes.
The bottoms are even more telling. The lugs wore normally with use on both shoes, but the Saucony’s developed holes ultimately exposing the Goretex liner.
IDIO Syncrasy on the left, Saucony Peregrine GTX on the right.
Silver Lining to a Rainy Round
It didn’t take long for a chance to test my new black Syncrasy’s in the rain. This shot from the parking lot at DeLaveaga, past the Hole 27 basket to the Hole 1 teepad shows what most of the course looked like.
After that one round, here is what I can say for sure. They felt great, and despite the saturated ground with puddles everywhere and off and on rain and wind, no water got anywhere near my feet. I put it that way because on a day like that, even if the waterproof liner does its job moisture can get in from above. Not the case with these. The tongue looks like billboard vinyl! (I’m sure it’s not).
My other initial observation is, the difference in traction between that round, wet ground and all, and any round during the past two months, was shocking. The soles work great on and off the pad, but that’s not my point.
As mentioned at the start of this post, I recently sustained an injury that is going to sideline me for a while (playing, not coaching). It was an injury that didn’t have to happen!
I was waiting until my current disc golf shoes either fell apart or stopped being waterproof to replace them. I paid little heed to the worn-down lugs because, until the ground was wet enough to be dangerous, I didn’t feel the loss of traction. Even though it was there.
The author trusting his plant foot during the 2023 Enduro Bowl.
The moral of that little tangent is to check your disc golf shoes and make sure they are still adequate to safely play wherever and however you play. I play technical courses and tend to put myself in all kinds of weird throwing positions. The shoes make a huge difference.
Idio disc golf shoes seem made for every terrain except sand (and what shoe is?), and I suggest all disc golfers give them a try, but the main thing to remember is shoes are an important piece of disc golf equipment. Wear something that gives you good traction and support, and pay attention to signs that either is breaking down.
I’ll try to update this post down the road, but it’ll likely be awhile. We’re supposedly done with the rain for the most part here until after the summer. I’ll believe that when I see it!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
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