Having a hard time birdieing that one hole on your local course with the low ceiling? You already know your hyzer just skips off the grass, and your straight shot keeps getting knocked down by branches.
You have tried the big anhyzer, but it fades too early. You are stuck. You need a different move. That shot is the roller.
Rollers are not as easy as they look. Maybe you have seen the pros send discs hundreds of feet down the fairway, spinning like a wheel and weaving through every obstacle. But when you try, the disc just flops or cuts away and dies. It can be frustrating. Still, there is a way to get there.
The roller shot is not just for professionals. With the right disc, a simple grip adjustment, and a little practice, you can roll past your problems.Ā
You can unlock serious distance and escape tight spots. You will get through those tree lines and stretch your throws. Let us break it all down and get you rolling.
What is a Roller Shot and Why Should You Use It?
A roller is a throw where the disc turns over in the air, lands on its edge, and continues toward the target while rolling on the ground. You use this shot when the air is not your friend.
On wooded fairways, a roller can sneak under branches. When you need a longer shot but your arm speed holds you back, rollers can give you more distance than an air shot.Ā
They work on tight courses with low ceilings, and they can save you from thick rough or awkward lies.
It is not just about escape. With control and power, rollers can be your go-to distance shot, especially on dry, open holes.
Choosing the Right Disc for a Roller Shot
Your choice of disc matters more than anything when it comes to rollers in disc golf. Some discs flip and roll easier. Others fight to the ground and cut too early.
For beginners, understable discs are your best friends. These discs turn over naturally, which helps them land on their edge and roll forward. As you get more confident, you can try faster drivers that give longer rolls.
Lightweight discs are easier to get moving, which helps them roll smoother. Older, beat-in discs usually roll better than stiff new ones. They already have some natural turn built in.
The DX Innova Leopard is a great starting point. It rolls easily and does not require a powerful throw.
For players with a bit more experience, the Innova Mamba is a favorite. It is known for long, consistent rollers with a smooth release.
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Types of Roller Shots and When to Use Them
There is no one way to throw a roller. Depending on the hole, your position, and the obstacles in your way, you may need to switch it up.
Backhand Roller Shot
This is the most common type of roller shot. It feels closest to a regular backhand throw, so it is a good place to start.Ā
You will need to release the disc with a steep anhyzer angle, so it turns over in the air and hits the ground spinning.
Use this shot when you want a straight roller that keeps moving forward. It works well in woods and on open fairways alike.
Forehand Roller Shot
Forehand rollers are great when the backhand path is blocked. They do not usually go as far as backhand rollers, but they are accurate in tight spaces.Ā
The key here is the wrist flick. Keep it controlled and sharp.
This shot is helpful when you are stuck on the right side of a fairway and need the disc to break left.
Cut Roller Shot
Cut rollers turn sharply during the roll. They often happen by accident when a disc flips too hard. But with skill, you can use them to hit tricky corners.Ā
When you need to shape a sharp turn around a cluster of trees or avoid a hazard, the cut roller can help.
Use a more stable disc and a steep angle. Expect the disc to hook as it rolls. It is not always pretty, but it can save strokes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Throwing a Roller
Throwing rollers is about more than power. It takes touch, angle, and a lot of reps. Here is how to build your roller shot.
Grip It Right
Start with a power grip. You want the disc to leave your hand clean and fast. Keep your wrist firm to control the angle of the release. This gives you spin and direction.
Angle Your Release
The angle is everything. Your disc needs to flip all the way over in the air, then land on its edge. That means releasing with a strong anhyzer angle. Do not be afraid to tilt it hard.
Try different angles until you find one that makes the disc roll forward instead of fading out or cutting hard.
Generate Power and Follow Through
You do not need to throw as hard as you can. Focus on a strong, clean throw with a smooth follow-through. Your body movement should guide the disc, not force it.
A good follow-through keeps your roller straight and helps with control.
Practice on Different Terrains
Grass, dirt, gravel, and dry leaves all make discs roll differently. Practice on each surface to see how the disc behaves. You will learn how to adjust your angle and power to suit the ground.
Some surfaces, like thick grass or wet fields, will kill a roller fast. Know when to use the shot and when to try something else.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Rollers take time to learn. Many players get discouraged early because their discs do not behave the way they expect. If you find yourself struggling, you are not alone.Ā
Here are some of the most common mistakes people make with roller shots in disc golf, along with clear ways to fix them.
Accidental Cut Rollers
This happens when your disc flips too little in the air and hits the ground at a sharp angle. It ends up cutting hard to one side, to the left for a right-handed backhand throw, and does not go very far.
It can also roll in tight circles instead of moving forward. This usually means you are using a disc that is too overstable or you arenāt using enough anyhyzer.
To fix this, try a slightly less stable disc and increase the amount of anny just a little.Ā
Short rollers
You might be releasing your disc correctly, but still not getting distance. This usually comes from a lack of speed and spin.
A roller relies on strong forward momentum and rotation to stay upright and moving. Make sure you are throwing with enough arm speed and using a firm grip. Snap your wrist as you release and step through your follow-through for maximum energy transfer.
If your form feels fine but distance is lacking, switch to a faster driver or try a lighter-weight disc that requires less effort to roll.
Too much anhyzer
Many players think rollers need a huge angle. A steep release helps, but too much anhyzer can ruin the shot.
The disc may turn too early and slam into the ground. It can then cut hard to the side. This kills distance and makes your roller hard to control.
The better approach is to match your disc to your angle. Use an understable disc with a more moderate tilt.
This will help the disc flip over in the air and land in a natural rolling position. Let the disc do the work instead of forcing it.
Poor surface choice
The ground plays a big role in whether your roller works or fails. Throwing onto long grass, mud, gravel, or uneven terrain can stop your roller almost immediately. These surfaces absorb the spin and slow the disc down.
The best surfaces for rollers are dry, flat, and firm, like short grass or packed dirt. Avoid wet ground or slopes unless you have practiced those specific conditions.
Take a moment before each throw to assess the surface. If it is not roller-friendly, consider switching to a skip or air shot.
Wrong disc for the job
Not all discs are good for rollers. Many players try to force a shot with whatever they have in their bag.
An overstable disc resists turning and often fails to land on its edge. A disc that is too flippy can turn too fast and cut off early. Both make rollers hard to control.
Choose discs with a natural turn and enough glide. Look for high turn and low fade ratings. Beat-in fairway drivers are a great starting point.
You can experiment with different molds to see what matches your throwing style and arm speed.
Inconsistent release
Your form may look right one moment and feel wrong the next. If you are releasing too high or too low, your roller will behave unpredictably.Ā
A high release causes the disc to hit the ground vertically and bounce. Meanwhile, a low release may skip or dig into the ground. Work on a consistent release point just below shoulder height, with your eyes focused on a spot a few feet ahead of you on the ground.
Practice makes all the difference here. Set up cones or markers during field work to dial in your angles and release height.
Key Takeaways
Roller shots in disc golf can give you an edge. They help you escape tough lies, get extra distance, and cut through tight fairways. But they need the right disc and good form.
Choose understable or worn-in discs to make learning easier. Use strong release angles and follow through with control. Mix up your shots based on the course, and practice often.
You might struggle at first, but rollers will become one of your most useful tools. They help you shape your game and score lower on courses that punish air shots.
Now that you know how to throw rollers in disc golf, it is time to hit the field and start rolling. Grab your Leopard or Mamba, find a flat patch of grass, and put in the reps. Soon, you will be skipping past trees and saving strokes with confidence.
