by Bibi .W Kaudur

Created on: April 20, 2010

Disc golf is an enjoyable sport of blending the popular fun activities of throwing flying discs with the classic rules of golf. Eighteen holes must be completed in a few strokes, by throwing flying discs towards the holes, which are normally metal baskets with hanging chains standing on four feet tall steel poles.

When throwing the discs towards the target, that is, the holes, different throws create different results. Tossing a flying disc is not only a 'grip it and rip it' movement, but balance, angle and touch must be considered before letting the disc to go. For this purpose, forehand and backhand throws are the two most common throwing techniques, where the backhand style is more familiar to new players.

However, throwing techniques vary largely on each individual player, the use of mechanism and the proper body position.  Consequently, some more advanced throwing techniques include Hungarian, flamingo, dragon wing, windmill, waffle, Hibernia, biscuit, hammer styles among many others.

For instance, the hammer throw  starts behind the head of the player and ends over the top of the head, by giving a high and arcing trajectory to the throw and releasing the disc with high speed and rotation in a vertical angle. The arcing motion causes the disc to ‘barrel roll’ while keeping it in a nearly straight line course and hence, causing the disc to land relatively flat in the catching basket. This type of shot is frequently used to control a disc over tall obstacles like trees, bushes or out of dense foliage.

The release of the flying disc from a vertical angle with the thumb on the inner edge causes the disc to fly very high and return to the ground in an upside-down position. Hence, the term ‘overhand’ for which the hammer throw is also known.  The throwing motion of the hammer throw is similar to the motion of throwing an ax; hence it is also referred to as ‘tomahawk’.

The hammer throw is generally characterized as a mid-range, high and arching throw where in the grip the extended middle finger is laid along the edge of the disk and the index finger is placed against the middle finger for power or pressed on the bottom of the disc for stability, whereas , the thumb is pressed against the disc’s top. The arm is extended out from the body and the wrist is raised back.

Hence, this type of throw is not going to be used in every round of play, unless the course has many short holes or when a player is not confident with his short game. Hammer throw offers accurate shot with different angles of attack and gets the player easily out of trouble.

References:

 http://www.ehow.com/video_2358569_understand-benefit s-disc-golf.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_disc_techniques

http://www.disclife.com/whatis.shtml

http://www.il09.org/terms.htm

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