Just a few days ago, Green Splatter ran a 2,000-word interview with Andrew Marwede. During the interview, Marwede spoke a bit about his one-finger sidearm grip. I knew beforehand he was a one-finger guy. Naturally, thinking it was somewhat strange, I planned to ask him about it.
You see, I started flirting with the one-finger stuff two or three months ago. In the end, as far as my forehand is concerned, the two-finger power grip won out. But man, if your forehand game is struggling, if you feel like you’ve tried just about everything with zero success to show for it, I’d seriously consider giving this whole one-finger thing a whirl. For the right golfer, it’s money.
Besides …
What do you have to lose?
Here’s how to make it happen:
- Similar to a handshake, separate the thumb and four fingers.
- With the flight plate facing the thumb, place the disc between them.
- Pinch the rim of the disc firmly between your thumb and pointer finger.
- Stack and curl the remaining three fingers directly below the pointer finger.
That’s all there is to it.
So as to show you a Pro Tour-level example of this, I texted Marwede for an image. Here’s what the one-finger grip looks like for unquestionably one of the best forehands in ALL of disc golf:
Initially, this’ll feel weird.
Experiment with it for a few rounds, though.
Almost instantly, you’ll discover a number of benefits you likely didn’t expect. For starters, you’ll find it easier to finesse the disc with a power forehand. This is a direct byproduct of the second benefit I saw: It’s easier to throw hyzers. Hyzer-flips and finesse go hand-in-hand. More comfortable with a hyzer release, you’ll also notice yourself rolling your wrist less. And perhaps best of all, with a one-finger flick grip, you’ll have less of an issue keeping the disc’s nose down.
That last one’s the main selling point, as far as I’m concerned, as it feeds into the others. Here’s a fun little experiment to see what I’m talking about in real-time and with your own two eyes:
- Face a mirror with the disc being held flat with a normal, two-finger flick grip.
- Then, slowly remove your middle finger from the insider rim and slide it down.
It’s subtle, but pay attention …
The nose of the disc will drop.
If your forehands flutter and fly far too high, THIS will help fix that.
* Note: Does your backhand have nose-angle issues? Click here to try a three-finger grip.
For me, the two-finger sidearm is still my bread and butter. It’s comfortable. I feel I’m able to put more power into my flicks with it. Also, I like the ease with which I’m able to inject a little more force-over into my forehands, as well. One finger didn’t work for me, but seriously …
I get it.
And though the one-finger’s numbers are small, Marwede’s not the only one …
Silver Lätt is pretty good with his, too.
This line is absolutely ridiculous! 🤯
— Gatekeeper Media (@GatekeeperMedia) July 27, 2022
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@silver.latt #discgolf #sports #highlights #dgpt #discraft #frisbeegolf #gatekeepermedia pic.twitter.com/8KDxEXGBSZ
If all else has failed your forehand game, try this …
It’s weird, but it just might work.
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I’m a one finger forehander with a baseball background. I get better spin (and distance) by keeping it looser in my hand. My pointer finger is straighter than the pic without being tight, my middle finger is out a little (9 o’clock compared to a noon pointer) to add a little stability. The disc gets a little extra rotation by spinning off the last knuckle. It’s hard to describe.
Nice for a true one-finger-er to chime in!
Thanks for the tip, Mike!
Maybe it’s the baseball background that makes that so comfortable, because what you described sounds exactly how I throw it too. Tried and tried to fix it with more conventional grips, but haven’t been able to generate the same power or have the same control with them
I’m a one finger thrower as well and this technique that Michael describes is basically what I use – I don’t have the speed and distance of younger players, but I can consistently hit 350’/360’ with my Crank on a straight path using this technique (baseball background as well)!
Thats awesome, Ross – congrats, man!
As a tall/big guy, I have XL hands and struggle with grips because my fingers overcrowd the rim and just mush all over the flight plate. On backhand I settled on the two finger like Gossage and it works total money for me. On my forehand approach shots I do one finger and it works great. Unfortunately I cannot do forehand drives with one finger because I cannot get any real distance… Maybe I just need more practice?
I think for me it’s all about consistency and what feels good in the hand. The only thing that feels natural to me is keeping fingers off the disc.
Two-finger power grip …
That’s what Gossage uses on a backhand?
THIS I need to investigate.
(thanks for the tip)
I’ve naturally thrown forehand with the one-finger grip. I started getting more thoughtful about my disc golf playing a few years ago and was like “shoot” every time I saw people saying how you should grip for a forehand (two fingers). I’ve been dreading making the change to how I’m “supposed” to throw forehand. Now I feel like I can just keep going.
One question though: do you get a stronger/faster flick with one over the other? Or is it the same?
Troy, that’s a good question …
I’m far from a “forehand specialist,” but Andrew Marwede is …
In the interview I conducted with him, HE says that he gets more spin from it.
Take that as you will 🙂
(sounds like a personal-preference thing, at the end of the day)
Yeah, that makes sense! I’ll stick with the one finger and see how it goes. Thanks for all the great content!
No problem, Troy!
Best of luck out on the course 🙂
I’ve been using this 1 finger forehand grip EXACTLY like his for 20 years. Im 6’6″ so its just been comfortable in my hand. Throw 450′ this way. I tell people its like throwing a Dennis Eckersley fastball.
Boy, there’s a name I haven’t heard in a LONG time …
BTW, great last name – they don’t make many of ’em like us. Haha.
1 finger dirty flicker checking in. Also kinda tall, 6’4″. But I feel like i can get way more spin which helps keep the dirty wobbles down. I’ve tried the 2 finger a handful (see what i did there?) of times and it just dives hard left straight into the ground. Dirty.
So for now, I’m sticking with the 1 finger.
Keep at it, man!
More people are chiming in that they use it than I would’ve thought …
Nothing wrong with that 🙂
I just like some of the other guys on here am tall 6’5″ but I’m not sure that’s why I’ve always thrown the Ole 1 finger flick for 20+ years, I’ve tried multiple finger flicks but it never felt right or had no control!
Glad it works, Boone!
There are more of you “one-finger” guys out there than I would’ve thought …
Very cool.