Team Dynamic Discs Interview with Chris Clemons

Chris Clemons had played many sports before discovering disc golf. Although Chris has been playing since 2005 it was not until 2011 that he registered with PDGA so that he could start playing in sanctioned events. His love for competition and exploring the country led him to decide to play full-time. Listen to learn more about this leftie's motivation for playing and how he adjusts to playing on right-hand favored courses.

Chris is working on a disc golf book and his question to you is what topics would you like to see covered in the book. Leave your question in the comments below.

How Do You Handle A Lost Disc?

We often enact some pretty funny situations in our Disc Golf Is Life videos, but more than likely you’ve experienced the same things we portray on camera. In our latest clip, we see Robert lose one of his trusted discs off the tee pad. After a long and sad day, he prints up and distributes “Lost Disc” signs throughout his community in the hopes that his beloved plastic will come back to him.

While you can get a laugh by watching the full video here, it touches on an important topic within the disc golf community. Nearly every player out there has lost their favorite disc at one point in time, and people seem to be pretty split into two camps: search for half an hour no matter what in an attempt to recover your disc, or let it go and simply do without.

Ultimately it depends on your level of play and how seasoned your disc was. If you finally have something dialed in and then instantly lose it, you may want to make every effort to recover it. However, if you’re a pro player and have nearly unlimited access to plastic, saving your time and buying a new one may be a smarter option.

How do you handle losing a disc? Do your friends hate you for always making them look with you through tall grass and thorny bushes? Or, do you let your disc go and hope someone will find it and call you? Share your lost disc philosophy with us below!

The DD Women's Series - Part 3: Andyke's Secret To Staying Healthy On The Road

Whether you’re a touring pro who spends months away from home or you’re teaching disc golf clinics in your home state, or if you’re Zoe Andyke you do both, it can be a challenge to keep your mind and body ready to perform at all times. In this installment of our DD Women’s Series, we’re going to be let in on the secrets for success when it comes to staying fit, eating right, and how to balance the pressure of it all.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far from Zoe in our first two blog posts, it’s just how dedicated she is to growing disc golf. Her efforts to teach women and children across the nation no doubt take a toll from time to time, because after all, she’s only human. Let’s find out about Zoe’s perspective on maintaining your health.

Health Is Hard

There are no two ways about it - staying healthy is tough for anyone, and just because Zoe is a top-level athlete who travels each year, it doesn’t mean she’s above getting sick. Her mindset around the foods she eats and the exercise she gets in aside from disc golf is perhaps one of the more important facets of her overall success:

“It’s harder [when you’re on tour] to get into a healthy eating routine. [It’s] hard period whether it’s food or exercise just because a regular schedule doesn’t exist. You need to be flexible to change it or to give yourself the grace to put it to the next meal or save the activity for later. The way that you win or actually get something crossed off the list is not having negative pressure or feeling bad about not getting something done the way you wanted it.”

Does that mean you can make excuses left and right and put off your health for another day? No way! Andyke makes sure she eats right and engages in cardio five days a week regardless of her disc golf schedule.

A Positive Mindset

Anyone who has met Zoe can instantly see what a ray of sunshine she is. You’d be hard-pressed to see her in a bad mood and this positive energy carries over to her performance on the disc golf course. What’s her secret?

“Golf is life - life is golf. It helps me in a spiritual way of keeping the pressures light and positive and not having a negative reaction when things don’t go my way. It’s really important - every morning I say my 4 thank you’s before I even get out of bed. In my life routine, being gracious in the morning starts me off optimistic and ready for any opportunity. In golf, I try to bring that over into my game - trying to be thankful or point out what I liked about every shot.”

The aspect of having a strong mental game is so commonly talked about that sometimes as players we forget to focus on all of the ways we can be positive, both on and off the course. This element is a huge part of who Zoe is, not only as a professional disc golfer but as a friend and teacher.

Want to know more about how Andyke’s routines fit into the life of a touring pro? Check out our fourth and final part of this series to learn what Zoe eats, drinks, and how she sets herself up for success each tour season!

Excitement Builds In Emporia For The 2018 PDGA Junior Worlds

It’s a busy year for disc golf lovers in Emporia, as we’ve just barely wrapped up the 2018 Glass Blown Open and are instantly met with our next big event - the 2018 PDGA Junior Worlds. Taking place July 11th through the 14th, young players from across the globe will compete on a handful of different courses to see who is the best in their division.

Not much different than other major PDGA events, Junior Worlds boasts fun events leading up to and during the tournament including a large flymart and local Emporia attractions that are great for the whole family. Let’s get a snapshot of what it takes to participate in this prestigious event!

Invitation Only

Junior players aren’t cut any slack just because they're younger, as the PDGA sets out specific requirements that define who is eligible to participate in the Worlds competition. Individuals must maintain an amateur status by accepting merchandise instead of cash at any event they compete in, and must also be 18 or under. Anyone turning 19 during 2018 is not eligible to compete in this junior event.

If you want to play in Junior Worlds then there’s a good chance that you’ve been honing your skills all season long and have acquired enough points to qualify. Depending on the division you play in, you’ll have to earn anywhere from 2 to 200 points in order to receive an invite. After those who have been invited have registered to play, the PDGA will open up registration to any junior player who meets the above criteria.

A Look At The Event

Emporia is a great place to host large disc golf tournaments as the sheer number and quality of courses in the area offer players a variety of challenges. Depending on the division, participants will find themselves competing at Jones East and Jones West, as well as Emporia Country Club, Peter Pan Park, Hammond Park, and Flint Hills Technical College.

If you think that champions aren’t made at the PDGA Junior Worlds, think again, as the event has traveled throughout the country over the last handful of years and has produced some amazing winners. Nate Sexton, Ricky Wysocki, Nate Doss, Paige Bjerkaas, and Valarie Jenkins have all taken home their titles as former World Champions to go on and do some pretty amazing things in their disc golf careers.

There’s still time to make your plans to visit Emporia this year with your young players, but be sure to make arrangements soon before accommodations are sold out. For a handy map showing you the lay of the land, click here. Stay tuned for our announcements letting you know when registration opens up for various players, and encourage your kids to play in one of the most anticipated events of the season!

A Disc Golf Journey In The Making - We Get To Know DD Team Member Danny Lindahl

You may have seen Danny Lindahl’s face on your computer screen or heard his voice on a YouTube video, but did you know that he’s now a full-fledged member of the Dynamic Discs team? Signing on with us in 2017, Danny has made a name for himself with his instructional videos offering tips to pro and beginning players alike.

In this installment of our look at the DD team, we wanted to give you a glimpse into Danny’s background in disc golf and what he’s focusing on in 2018.

Playing On A Local Level

Danny first started playing disc golf a handful of years ago and didn’t compete in his first tournament until 2014. Since then he’s carded 6 career wins and states that he’s completely hooked on the sport. His addition to the DD team last year was just the icing on the cake: “Everyone always says it’s like being part of a family, and they’re 100% correct. Being on the team means I have access to the knowledge that the more experienced players have and are happy to share. We all work together to make sure everyone is the best they can be,” he said.

While he travels to tournaments and works diligently to create a plethora of videos in conjunction with DD, Lindahl also plays regularly with his local friends. His advice if you are looking to get more involved with your local disc golf community? “Facebook is huge in the disc golf community. Find the local clubs page and post whenever you’re heading out. I’ll get off work at 2, post that I’ll be at the course at 3, and 3-4 people will meet me there. Lots of people work weird hours and are just looking for someone to throw with.”

Improving His Game

It’s one thing to help others with their game, but for Danny, he’s equally looking forward to working on his own set of skills. Some things, however, he has dialed in, including his ability to play on wooded layouts. His favorite shot to throw? “EMAC Truth - dead straight.  I play in the woods a lot and anything from 300-350’ I am confident I can hit with that disc.  It’s so easy to get it to fly straight and it goes so far once I’ve set it on its line.”

Noting that he’s always been “too skinny” to play other sports, Danny relies on his incredible endurance to get through long rounds of golf. His goal for this season is to work on his “consistency putting and controlling my angles better off the tee. I’m doing better hitting lines lately but controlling my release angle has been a struggle.”

Here’s a fun fact if you see Lindahl on the course this year - he’s nearly fluent in Spanish, so be sure to give him a warm “hola” when you see him! The team at Dynamic Discs is so thrilled to have Danny on our team this year and we are excited to see how the rest of his season shapes up!

Disc Series: Putters For Newer Players

Knowing which discs to throw is one of the more common challenges that newer disc golfers encounter. Rather than going through the trial and error of buying new plastic and seeing if you like it, we’ve put together a guide that clues you into the best discs for those with developing skill sets.

Our first post in this series focused on the fairway drivers that will best suit players with a slower arm speed or those who are still refining their form. Next, we tackled midrange options and discovered the best discs for executing a straight shot at your target. In this final post, putters are the name of the game.

For most players, their putter selection can be a little more flexible unless they have a trusted disc or two that’s been in rotation for years. Let’s check out three different putters to see which one might best suit your game!

Dynamic Discs Warden

A popular option among pro and casual players alike, the Warden offers an easy release design and will fly dead straight into the heart of the chains. After the success of the Judge, DD created the Warden as a beadless option that offers a ton of glide and a very comfortable fit in nearly anyone’s hand.

Try using a few Wardens in your bag and see how they work for you with varying levels of wear. You might find that this disc becomes a trusted approach tool as well as your go-to putter.

Westside Crown

If you prefer a beaded putter and the Warden just isn’t your cup of tea, try the Crown by Westside Discs. Crafted to bring consistency to your putting routine, you’ll find that this disc holds whatever line you put it on during even the most challenging approach shots. Another putter with a good amount of glide, you can depend on the Crown to help you sink putts with ease.

Latitude 64 Ruby

Our third featured putter is one that’s specifically designed for beginners, children, and players who haven’t quite broken the 300’ mark off the tee box just yet. The Ruby comes in lightweight versions as low as 150g, so even if it’s your first time on the course you’ll be able to find success.

The Ruby allows players with smaller hands to grip the disc with ease and has a neutral flight that lets you experiment with different lines. This disc is also offered as part of a beginner set and will be a welcome addition to anyone’s bag.

Now that you’ve learned about some of the best options for newer players, it’s time to go shopping! Experiment with all three of our recommendations for drivers, midrange discs, and putters to see which combination of discs best suits your game. As you grow in your skills and confidence, you will find that these discs will still hold a place in your bag, yet they just might be used for other types of shots.

Which putter discs are your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!

Improve Your Golf Game In 2 Minutes

We aren’t making major promises here, but we can tell you that the more time you spend learning about how to improve your form, the better your chances of executing on the course. Whether you prefer to practice in a field or on your favorite 18 hole layout, these videos will still come in handy.

First, Danny talks to us a bit about the difference between strength training and focusing more on your technique and skills. With the increased involvement of personal trainers in the disc golf world, it makes sense that this would come up for players. Obviously being in shape makes a huge difference when it comes to your success on the course, but engaging in physical fitness activities can look different depending on what you like to do. Check out his full explanation here.

Next, we uncover some secrets about angle control during the release of your disc. Think about the type of shot you want to execute and the disc you’re using. Depending on those variables, the angle you opt for could play a huge role or not quite as much of one as you may think. Danny explains it all in this video.

Ok, perhaps you aren’t throwing 1050-rated rounds after those two videos, but at least you have a bit more knowledge when it comes to your game.

The DD Women's Series - Part 2: Where Zoe Spreads The Love To Disc Golfing Women

When you think of women who are making a difference in the sport of disc golf, several prominent names come to mind, including Zoe Andyke. In Part 1 of our DD Women’s Series, we discovered how Zoe got started teaching disc golf and how she’s been able to educate and empower women in the sport.

The truth of the matter is, Andyke is so involved in numerous groups and organizations across the US that we couldn’t fit it all into one blog post! Part 2 is here to further explore where Zoe has made an impact on the growth of women’s disc golf and what may be in store for the future!

Born To Teach

Even before Zoe was laser-focused on teaching women about the sport of disc golf, she found that her own growth as a player naturally drew attention from others. “It started happening early in my professional career where amateur women wanted help with attitude, with sportsmanlike conduct, and just [asking to be] educated about the real rules of the game,” she said. Zoe found that this attraction to helping other ladies in the sport naturally unfolded into some of the activities she’s been hosting for many years.

One such instance is the putting leagues that she runs in Oregon. While they aren’t dedicated to women only, she consistently sees between 5 and 15 women each week. 2018 marks her fifth season of running multiple leagues in both Albany and Eugene, OR along with the help of her touring partner and fellow DD team member Dustin Keegan.

Creating Effective Clinics

The ability to be a touring player not only serves Zoe well regarding her own personal game, but it allows her the chance to teach other women outside of Oregon. This year marks her sixth annual visit to the Daisy Chains Women’s Global Event held in Watsonville, CA. Taking place the weekend before the Masters Cup, it fits in nicely with her schedule and allows her the chance to host a women’s clinic.

“Each year I change up who my co-clinicians are for the clinic, and this year Dustin and I are on Team Disc Golf Strong. I’m one-upping my game, and Seth [Munsey] is going to come and will do a demonstration of our standard performance,” Andyke said excitedly. The Daisy Chains group of ladies are known for being incredibly active in the sport and it’s a natural fit for Zoe to be involved.

She’s also planning on executing her 4th annual clinic just before the Beaver State Fling in June. Working with the Women of DGOD in Portland, she’s had over 70 women attend in past years. “One of the best ways I can locally service players is through my national outreach and friendships in the pro division. I learned so quickly and got so good due to watching others that were better than me, so for me to bring the highest level of female disc golf to the ladies of Oregon is one of my biggest gifts,” Zoe said.

It sounds like Andyke has some exciting events on the horizon outside of her standard touring schedule, so be sure to attend one of her clinics if you’re in the area. Check back with us for Part 3 of this series, where we explore some of the mind-body elements that have helped Zoe to find success.

Disc Series: Fairway Drivers For Newer Players

Zoe Andyke teaching at a disc golf clinic

One of the biggest challenges when first starting to play disc golf is knowing what discs to throw. More often than not, you got into the sport because a friend, co-worker, or family member encouraged you to do so (or dragged you on the course against your will!). After a round or two, you fell in love, but knowing what discs will best suit your new skill set can leave players at a loss.

Thankfully, there are a ton of options within the our line-up. Between Dynamic Discs, Westside, and Latitude 64 molds, there is literally something for everyone. Today we’re going to take a look at fairway drivers - one of the essential tools for any budding player. When you first start disc golfing, there’s a good chance that you don’t have a ton of arm speed or power, and it can take some time to master your form as well.

Which discs work best in this scenario? Let’s take a look!

Latitude 64 River Pro

One of the slowest fairway drivers we have to offer, the River is a great choice for players who have less power. Rather than depending on your disc to launch itself down the fairway, the River offers an immense amount of glide, allowing you to put your full power into your drive and letting the disc do the rest.

The River Pro brings a ton of control as well, so you don’t have to worry about not knowing what your disc is about to do. Add to that its ability to stand up to windier weather and you have yourself a versatile choice all around.

Westside Discs Underworld

Literally designed for new players to find success on the tee box, the Underworld by Westside is the perfect option when you’re just starting out. We highly recommend it to be your very first fairway driver - it’s just that easy to use. Many times a beginning disc golfer will find frustration as their disc hyzers out to the left well before they want it to, but with the Underworld you won’t have that issue.

Dynamic Discs Witness

You don’t have to be athletic at all to enjoy disc golf, but sometimes this lack of experience can result in a lower arm speed. While it’s something you can learn to improve upon over time, it can sometimes frustrate players when they first start out.

If this sounds like you, the DD Witness will change your game. Like the River, the Witness offers a great deal of glide to help you get maximum distance off the box, and with an understable flight path you can depend on your disc to do the work for you.

The last time you took a new player out to the course, which discs did you hand them? Was it one of the three we’ve listed above or did you find that another mold was more successful? Let us know in the comments below what you think is the best fairway driver for someone who is just learning the game.

Don't Miss Your Chance To Win In This Year's Match Play

Registration has just opened up for the 2018 Match Play World Championships presented by OGIO, and we couldn’t be more excited to run this awesome event over the next few months. New to match play but want to get in on the fun? Here’s a quick run-down:

Divided into 4 rounds plus a semi-final and final match, up to 64 players across the nation will compete for huge prizes as well as some sweet bragging rights. We’re looking to see the sport’s top players take part in this event as they integrate it into their current tour schedule.

We’ve partnered with UDisc to bring you a bracketed system that allows you to see who’s coming out on top after each round, and players themselves just might use social media to promote and live broadcast their match.

Payouts in this year’s match play are enormous, with first place receiving $15,000. In total, $37,000 will be handed out among the top 8 players, ensuring that these extra competitions are well worth it!

For more info, visit the Match Play World Championships website here and check out our recent broadcast with Bobby and Doug highlighting some important updates.

The DD Women's Series - Part 1: How Zoe Andyke Promotes Women's Disc Golf

Take one look at Zoe Andyke and you’d think disc golf was in her blood. She’s earned 27 career wins to date and tours the country spreading her enthusiasm about the sport while performing at an impressive level. When she’s not on the road, she’s working on the non-profit she founded, Universal Play Disc Golf, which teaches school-aged children the essential skills needed to play disc golf.

But even beyond this long list of accomplishments, Andyke is well-known for her efforts in promoting disc golf to women. Let’s take a brief look at how she’s made an impact for women across the country.

In A State Far, Far Away....

A native Oregonian with a passion for physical education, Zoe didn’t necessarily have her sights set on teaching women disc golf across the country when she first started out. Working with teen girls at a boarding school, however, gave her insight into how she could relate the knowledge she has to a group of women:

“It was a treatment based academy, so not only did I have control of their PE curriculum, but I had to fill their weekend and evening time with outdoor activities and education. We completed wilderness survival, built shelters outdoors, and on the side, I was an Oregon disc golfer on the weekends,” said Andyke.

Eventually, she moved to Alaska to pursue other opportunities, but disc golf came with her. Just before leaving in 2011, she taught her first women’s clinic. With 32 ladies in attendance in Anchorage, she told the group that she didn’t know where her teaching was going, but she knew she was on to something good.

Getting Involved Everywhere

When you talk to Zoe about all the places she’s involved in teaching disc golf to women, it can make your head spin. 2013 saw the development of Portland-based club Women of Disc Golf or Die (Women of DGOD), and together with the founders Zoe offered merchandise, training, and offered to be the club pro. During that year she also went on tour and continued to teach. “At each stop, I wanted to teach a clinic during the event and had about a 70% success rate with that. They were donation based and I was always advertising and aiming at women,” Andyke explained.

Continuing her momentum, she partnered with Huk Lab the following year to create Flight School. The idea took off with the intention of hosting women-only disc golf classes, and as Zoe continued to see success the branding also took off with Nate Sexton providing a male-oriented version. From joining clubs across the nation to becoming involved in classes held during well-known tournaments, Zoe is a teaching force to be reckoned with!

She has a huge mission on her mind, explaining: “The 92% men to 8% female PDGA stats seem to stay stagnant, even with women’s tournaments popping up everywhere. When you look at the rate of the men’s growth - we just can’t keep up with that.” Yet with Zoe’s skills and natural talent for teaching, she’s hoping to change that.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our DD Women’s Series where we explore more about how Zoe is impacting the sport of disc golf and encouraging women worldwide.

Fix Your Off Axis Torque With Tips From Danny Lindahl

We’ve all done it a time or two, and for some players, it becomes a major issue that costs them distance on their drives. That’s right, we’re talking about off axis torque and how this wobble can be corrected with a few simple tips.

• Focus on getting a lot of spin on your disc, as this is the number one reason why you tend to see discs wobble in mid-flight. Adjusting where you place your hand and how you pull through on your drive will help quite a bit.
• Forehand players who are troubled with their torque might be rolling their wrist too much when they release their disc. By adjusting your grip and keeping your thumb on the top of the disc for your entire drive, you’ll find that you can execute a much more stable shot.
• As you’ve heard countless times, your follow through is crucial to your game. It also helps to eliminate off axis torque as well, assuming you stay in line with the type of shot you’re throwing.

For helpful demonstrations of these tips, watch Danny’s full video here. If you have questions that you want answered, head over to discgolfanswerman.com today!

Foot Faults And The 2018 PDGA Rule Change

What comes to mind when you hear the words “foot fault”? For those of you who watched coverage from this year’s Memorial, you were probably instantly taken back to hole 11 at Vista del Camino. After his tee shot, Ricky Wysocki stepped up to his lie and threw a smooth forehand line that appeared to be fairly routine.

Yet moments after his release, fellow cardmate Nikko Locastro insisted that Wysocki did not stand within the regulated lie area and called a foot fault on him. None of the other players on the card could confirm or deny the allegation, so the group continued to play as normal.

Why did Nikko think Ricky was out of line and how does the new PDGA rule change play into this event? Let’s look at foot faults in general and then perhaps you can decide for yourself what actually happened in Arizona.

A Flexible Zone

In years past, the PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf stated that you must have at least one of your supporting points both in contact with and behind your lie when throwing a disc. The exact verbiage, taken from the 2013 booklet, is as follows:

“When the disc is released, a player must: (1) Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the lie; and, (2) Have no supporting point in contact with the marker disc or any object (including the playing surface) closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc.”

This means that until 2018, all shots thrown behind a mini marker ended with a player’s foot directly behind the lie - not six inches behind, and obviously not in front.

How It’s Changed

Unless you live in a cave, you’ve heard that the PDGA changed the rules regarding your lie in 2018. Instead of having your foot in contact with the lie, you now have a zone to utilize. Measuring 20cm by 30cm, basically a standard size of printing paper, this area is considered to be the legal place where your supporting point must be.

What does that mean? It gives players more wiggle room in all directions when setting up their shot. As long as a portion of your foot is within that zone when you release your disc, you’re good to go. While this rule change makes it easier for players who are learning how to judge their footwork appropriately, it has the potential to create more confusion.

Now that you’re fully aware of the new rule change, apply it to the situation in Arizona. Wysocki was exercising his right to use any part of his 20cm by 30cm zone, and it’s clear that his foot was not directly behind his lie upon release. Yet from where Locastro was standing, he judged that Ricky’s foot was more than 30cm behind his lie and thus called the foot fault. See the issue? Giving more room to throw may actually make it harder to judge whether a player was using the correct footing.

Do you think Wysocki foot faulted on hole 11 or was he within his designated area? How do you feel about the rule change as a whole? We’d love to know your thoughts!

Is Your Child Reluctant To Disc Golf? Here's 3 Ways To Get Them On The Course

If you’re a parent then you know that trying to get your child to do anything is nearly impossible without the use of some sort of bribe. Whether they’re 6 and want candy as a reward for everything they do or they’re a bit older and treat video game time as a bargaining tool, the struggle is real.

Disc golfers with children often have a difficult time getting their children to come out to the course with them, let alone play an entire round. However, as we’ve seen time and time again, getting youth involved in the game is a crucial element to growing the sport as a whole. So how can you encourage your kids to take up disc golf without a negotiation?

Set A Good Example

This lesson may be lost on little ones, but if your children are at least of elementary school age, you can show them how incredible the disc golf community is in your local area. The next time you play a tournament, bring your child along to caddy for you and be sure to demonstrate how to compete with confidence and sportsman-like behavior.

Point out to them during the round how disc golf is a way for you to be competitive without being aggressive, a great lesson for pre-teen boys in particular, and highlight how many friendships have come from your involvement in the game.

Buy Them Some Gear

You don’t have to spend a fortune, but making sure your kids feel 100% included in disc golf is a key element to their desire to play. If you hand them a few of your old discs and expect them to carry them for all 18 holes while you wear a sweet bag full of new plastic, it might send a frustrating message.

In reality, any parent could purchase a handful of brand new base plastic discs and a basic bag for under $100. Imagine the surprise you’ll have in store when you suggest going disc golfing and you give your kids their very own disc golf stuff!

Invite The Whole Crew

If you’ve been gifted with an immense amount of patience, this option may be for you. Kids who don’t want to be pulled away from their usual activities to try something new may be more inclined to give it a go if their friends are involved. The vision of five 10-year-olds flinging discs every which way may be enough to create a sense of panic, but if it sounds more fun than frustrating, it may be worth suggesting.

Above all else, the best way to get your child to the disc golf course is to take it slowly and not force them into it. We can all think back to the activity that our parents made us do when we were kids and how much we hated it, so the last thing you want is to do the same thing with your own child. They have to want to play, but a little encouragement from you won’t hurt.

What are some of the ways you’ve been able to get your kids (or grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc) out to the course? Share with us in the comments below!

Have Trouble With Your X-Step? Here's Why

Depending on your level of athleticism when you started playing disc golf, you may have jumped straight to using an x-step or perhaps you fine-tuned your skills while using a standstill shot. If the latter rings true for you, but you’re ready to start integrating some more movement into your drives, how do you make the transition?

Often times adding extra footwork can over complicate your mental process and where you once had success with a standstill throw, your x-step isn’t quite on the same level. We’ve asked Danny Lindahl to break down some key tips to consider:

• Make sure your first few steps are smaller rather than trying to cover a lot of ground on the tee pad
• Keeping your feet sideways up until your reach back will help keep your body in proper alignment
• Don’t reach back prematurely - your side should be in line with your target until you start to completely rotate your upper body 

Take your time learning the x-step and don’t expect that you’ll get maximum distance with it right away. As we’ve all heard time and time again, a huge element in making this movement successful has to do with timing, so the more you practice the easier it will come to you. If you’d like to see Danny demonstrate the best ways to execute the x-step, check out his video here.

Considering RV Life? Take A Peek At What It's Really Like

It’s a dream for many disc golf players out there: buy an RV, put a sweet wrap on it, and drive around the nation on tour completely kicking butt and shredding the course. Let’s say you’re able to finance this operation and you’re considering who to take with you on tour and what kind of RV might be right for you.

Before you go out making a big decision, we want to clue you in to some of the realities of RV life that you may not know about. Granted, these won’t happen to everyone, but they certainly could change the way you think about traveling. Thanks to Tina Stanaitis and Eric Oakley, our resident RVers, we found out some surprising things about life on the road!

Surviving Small Spaces

It’s a given that when you live full-time in an RV, you have to downsize your belongings pretty extensively. While these homes on wheels are built with a ton of nooks and crannies to help you maximize storage and stay organized, they don’t always have the desired effect. Tina explains, “Despite having a small space, and less belongings, we lose stuff constantly, either in small crevices between cabinets or tucked into our storage areas.”

Not only will you possibly spend more time looking for things than you used to, but you’ll acquire your fair share of bumps and bruises along the way. Imagine being an awkward teen who constantly hits their hip on the countertop and you’ll fit right in. Even though you will eventually learn the lay of the land, be prepared for injuries during the first few months.

What Personal Space?

Small living takes on a whole new meaning if you’re touring with someone, and even if it’s a best friend or romantic partner, things can get a bit too close for comfort. First of all, think about the various aromas that could come out of a bathroom and how often those smells are created. Now, look at your RV and explore where they could travel. You get the idea.

“When Eric and I aren’t getting along, we have to work it out immediately because we can’t go to the other room to get some space,” Stanaitis confided. Being in such close quarters perhaps can make or break relationships, but obviously in this case, Tina and Eric are handling things like champs.

Inviting friends over can pose some interesting challenges too, and privacy may be limited at times. Without going into too much detail, if you ever visit the Whalepants RV you may hear a certain body part being yelled out, advising you not to turn and look.

Equipment Trouble

Breaking down on the road is stressful and can mean large unexpected bills, but when your home breaks down it can complicate things even further. Not only do you have to worry about the engine, but your overall size can also contribute to some higher than average stress levels. “While driving in New York two years ago, we accidentally ended up on a highway with extremely low bridges. We white-knuckled for about a half hour just hoping one of the low bridges didn’t take out our air conditioner,” said Tina.

Does RV life still sound awesome? Yeah, it does to us too! Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever encountered a funny or downright weird situation as a result of RV living.

Photo: Camping image created by Welcomia - Freepik.com

Why Mental Etiquette Matters Just As Much As Your Mental Game

Anyone who has competed in disc golf tournaments knows the importance of having a strong mental game. Not letting errant shots or spit putts get the better of you can help to keep you focused and on track to improve your skills. However, there’s another mental element to consider when talking about disc golf as a whole.

Just like we have course etiquette when we play a round, there is such a thing as mental etiquette as well. Let’s review some things to avoid when on the course and ways to strengthen this side of your game.

What Not To Do

You’ve been playing disc golf for over a decade and in that time, you’ve perfectly dialed in your bag, you are capable of shooting 1000-rated rounds, and you follow disc golf news closer than anyone you know. During one of your weekend rounds, you stroll over to hole 1 after parking your car and getting your bag together.

At the tee are 7 people who all appear to be friends and who very obviously haven’t played a round of disc golf before in their life. They are each carrying one disc, aren’t dressed appropriately, and are taking their sweet time throwing. Sound familiar?

It’s happened to nearly all of us at least once before, and it’s normal to have a slew of thoughts running through your head. You look at these “carriers” in their flip-flops and wish you would have arrived at the course 15 minutes earlier. Here’s where your mental etiquette game comes into play - you nicely ask the group if you can play through and you’re equally as polite whether they say yes or no.

Flexing The Mental Muscle

This idea of being on your best behavior is really what we all talk about when we discuss what it looks like to represent the sport of disc golf. Take the above scenario one step further - if you weren’t in a rush and really wanted to show the group how awesome disc golfers can be, you could demonstrate to them how to execute a proper drive. While 7 people is a big group, the next time you run into a new player who is alone, why not give them a disc and help to grow their collection?

Individuals outside of the sport can also benefit from your efforts to represent disc golf in a positive light. The next time you travel to a tournament and you see that a local business is a sponsor, go into that establishment in your collared dri-fit shirt and thank them for their support. Showing others that we truly care about the growth of disc golf encourages outside entities to become more involved.

We’d love to know how you see mental etiquette playing a part in the growth of a disc golfer. Whether you’re a pro on tour or you only play casually at your home course, there’s always room to represent the sport well. Share with us in the comments below the ways that you help to work your mental etiquette game!