Disc golf: Obsessing over form is overrated

Yes, I know Kaleb wrote about the “reachback” only two days ago – it was a fine piece.

It’s actually his article that got me thinking about today’s topic …

Please don’t take the headline and run rampant with it: I’m not saying an emphasis on form is dumb, useless or a complete waste of time – that couldn’t be further from the truth. If your goal is to claim the Pro Tour as your own, there’s a dang good chance you’ll need impeccable form.

Or will you?

Try these cats on for size:

• Player No. 1 – Matt Bell looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when tugging.
• Player No. 2 – Eric Oakley has no X-step. Seriously, take a look – it’s gonzo.
• Player No. 3 – Dana Vicich is the epitome of the “walking backwards” huck.
• Player No. 4 – Joel Freeman 100% faces the complete opposite direction, too.
• Player No. 5 – Colten Montgomery reaches straight back and down – every time.

* Note: All of the above are backhands. Want a weird forehand? Sarah. Freaking. Hokom.

On their worst days, even with bat-crap crazy form, these guys are ALL 1,000-rated golfers. You know it, I know it and they know it: Inebriated, blindfolded or exclusively with their off-hand, they’d whoop our sorry butts up and down any course in the country – that’s a guarantee.

Form is not the be-all and end-all of your disc golf existence.

Yes, each of the above athletes (likely) has more disc golf talent in their big toe than you do in your entire body. Still, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that you succeed with the slightest imperfection in your walk-up, X-step, reachback, power pocket or pull-through.

I’ve mentioned five examples of dudes with quirky stuff …

There are more.

Here’s my unsolicited, not-worth-your time advice:

• Step No. 1 – Learn the basics.
• Step No. 2 – Cling to them like crazy.
• Step No. 3 – Put in the work to make ‘em stick.

But then, get out and play – and ENJOY YOURSELF while you do it.

If you happen to inject some “flavor” of your own into things, so be it.

We can’t all look like Drew Gibson off the tee. Put the recording device away. Let your wife go back inside. Remember what you’ve learned and practiced. Then, let the game come to you.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Disc golf: Why your backhand ‘reachback’ isn’t a big deal
• Green Splatter spotlight: Jeff Panis talks all things Innova
• Disc golf: What’s a huckface? (and how to improve yours)

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