You step up to the tee pad. Same backhand. Same aim. Same frustration. Your disc hits the first tree. Again.
Sound familiar? It's not that your throw is bad. It's just too predictable.
Sticking to one or two shots might be enough for casual rounds. But it won’t help when you're deep in the woods. Or when the hole curves hard to the right. Or when there’s no clear line at all.
You might have had those moments. The backhand won’t work. You panic. You flick something quick, hoping for the best. The disc barely clears the rough.
That’s the wall your game keeps hitting. You’re not alone. Many players hit that same wall.
But there’s a way around it.
Learning different disc golf throws gives you more control. It helps you adjust to the course. It gives you confidence in tough situations.
Let’s break down the 9 disc golf throws you need to master to handle every challenge a course throws your way.
1. Backhand Throw
This is your foundation.
Most players start with the backhand, and for good reason. It offers solid distance and good control.
Perfecting your grip, angle, and follow-through matters. A clean release makes your discs fly straighter and farther. Use it for long, open fairways or when you want to shape a shot with subtle curves.
Still struggling with consistency? Try recording your throw technique. A small change in wrist angle can change your entire throw.
The Innova Halo Roc3 is a reliable midrange disc perfect for controlled backhand throws and pinpoint accuracy.
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2. Forehand (Flick) Throw
Still relying only on your backhand? That limits your options.
The forehand throw, also called the flick, gives you a quick and powerful sidearm release. It's perfect for doglegs and sharp turns.
Need more control in windy conditions? The flick handles wind better than most backhands.
It also works great on tight fairways where there’s no room for a full run-up. Start slow and focus on wrist snap. This throw depends more on clean mechanics than raw strength.
The MVP Cosmic Neutron Photon is a stable-to-overstable driver ideal for powerful forehand throws and long, controlled flights.
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3. Hyzerflip
Forget plain old hyzers. The hyzerflip is what adds style and precision.
You will release the disc on a hyzer angle and let it flip up to flat mid-flight. Great for tunnel shots or straight fairways with a little fade at the end.
To get this shot right, use a slightly understable disc. Let the disc’s natural turn do the work.
Knowing how to throw a hyzerflip gives you an edge in wooded courses where accuracy matters more than brute distance.
4. Turnover Throw
Sometimes you need your disc to keep turning right (RHBH). That is when the turnover throw shines.
This shot is all about releasing on an anhyzer angle and letting the disc hold that curve through the flight.
It’s especially helpful when there’s no room to flex out or when you’re shaping shots around obstacles.
The right disc makes a difference. Use something understable that won’t fight back too soon.
The Innova Champion Dart is an understable putter. It is great for smooth turnover shots and straight, glidey approaches.
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5. Overhand Shots – Tomahawk and Thumber Magic
You’re stuck in the rough, nothing but trees in every direction.
Pull out the tomahawk disc golf shot or a thumber. These overhand throws send your disc over the top and crash down near the target.
The tomahawk spins like a football and flips horizontally mid-air. The thumber does the opposite, flipping and fading to the opposite side.
They’re not everyday shots, but when you need them, they’re game savers. Learn them now, thank yourself later.
6. Rollers
Need max distance with a low ceiling? Use a disc golf roller.
This throw sends your disc rolling on the ground, covering big ground without needing sky clearance.
Forehand rollers also work as get-out-of-jail shots in tight spots. A short, controlled roll can move you forward when nothing else is available.
Experiment with release angles and discs until you find what works. Overstable discs cut fast rolls, while understable ones stretch the distance.
7. Skip Shots
Skip shots are sneaky.
Throw low, with a strong hyzer angle, and let your disc hit the ground and slide around a corner.
Skip shots in disc golf are clutch on dry courses or when the basket is hidden behind trees.
Choose a firm plastic disc with a flat edge for more predictable skips.
Practice controlling where the disc lands. It’s all about the bounce and finish.
The Innova Champion Firebird is a flat, overstable driver designed for hard hyzer skips and tight ground control.
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8. Flex Shot
This is one of the best disc golf throws for wooded courses and tight fairways.
The flex shot uses an overstable disc thrown on an anhyzer angle. It turns, then fades back, creating a long S-curve.
It’s especially useful for staying in bounds or getting around distant bends.
You’ll need power, but the real trick is angle control. Too much anhyzer and it won’t come back. Too little and it will cut short.
Use this when you need both distance and a tight finish.
9. Grenade Throw
This one’s strange but powerful. The grenade is thrown vertically, thumb under the rim, sending the disc straight up and crashing down near the target.
When to use the grenade throw in disc golf? When trees block all forward shots and you only have room above.
It’s not about distance. It’s about placement.
Practice grip strength and release timing to land it clean. Great for short approach shots where you need a dead stop.
Why Mastering These Disc Golf Throws Matters
More Control
You stop forcing the wrong shot in tough spots. Instead of hoping your backhand can magically curve the other way, you will have the right shot ready. That means cleaner lines and fewer bad kicks.
Better Scores
Cleaner throws lead to better positioning. Better positioning means easier putts and fewer strokes. Learning more throwing techniques directly cuts your mistakes and your score.
Stronger Confidence
When you trust your throw, you throw it better. No second-guessing. No panic flicks. Just the right shot at the right time. That kind of confidence builds round after round.
Smarter Strategy
With different disc golf throwing techniques in your pocket, you stop reacting. You start planning. That’s what separates casual players from competitive ones.
Key Takeaways
Mastering different disc golf throws gives you more control. It gives you options when the course throws something unexpected your way.
Each throw has a purpose. Some help you bend around trees. Others cut through wind. Some squeeze through tight gaps. Others stretch your distance down long fairways.
You don’t need to master all of them today. But learning just one or two new shots can already change your game.
The more throws you have, the more confident you will feel stepping onto any tee pad. You will stop second-guessing and start choosing your shots with intention.
So, take time to learn. Practice with purpose. Try something outside your comfort zone. That is how you stop playing it safe and start playing smart.
