The number of discs you own doesn’t correlate with how good you are at disc golf. If that were the case, I’d be 1050-rated by now. So, rather than trying to convince my wife that “this next disc will solve all my problems,” I now leave my bag at home and carry three discs to the course …
* Note: I’m still (mildly) convinced the SockiBomb Slammer could get my game right.
Here are four reasons you should do the same:
1. You’ll keep your options simple
Too many options can make choosing the right disc for a situation complicated. When you only have three discs, the choice is easy: Disc No. 1, Disc No. 2 or Disc No. 3 – then throw it. Not only will this help you learn to play more intuitively, but it will help you play faster …
Subtlety at its finest.
2. You’ll create muscle memory
Whenever you practice, you create neural pathways (science and stuff) between your brain and body. The more you activate a certain pathway, the quicker and more solidified it becomes. All this nerd talk boils down to what is commonly referred to as “muscle memory.”
Split 1,000 throws between 20 discs: That’s 50 throws per disc or 5% of your practice throws.
Split 1,000 throws between 3 discs: That’s 333 throws per disc or 33% of your practice throws. Come crunch time, wouldn’t you prefer a disc with 33% muscle memory over one with 5% of it?
Duh.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” pic.twitter.com/DmWc9OTICj
— Bruce Lee (@brucelee) September 11, 2020
Bruce Lee said he didn’t fear the man who practiced 10,000 different kicks, but the man who practiced one kick 10,000 times. Simple enough: Practice those “kicks,” peeps – it’ll pay off.
3. You’ll build a better bag
Most amateurs (yours truly) play the same courses over and over again. And while they get good at them, it gets a bit monotonous – before you step up to a hole, you already know what discs are needed to get the job done. Not only does this lead to lulls, but plateaus in your game, as well.
Unless you’re intentional about using every disc in your bag, a number of them end up collecting dust and adding extra weight. When you only bring three discs with you, you’re forced to spend some quality time getting reacquainted with forgotten molds. This will either reignite the spark that put a disc in your bag in the first place or cause you to see that you’ve grown apart …
Looking to effectively build (or deconstruct) your bag?
Either result is a win.
4. You’ll push your limits
Get creative with this ish:
- Is your new Halo Polecat good for literally anything?
- How does your practice putter play as a forehand roller?
- Can you actually scoober your go-to distance driver effectively?
- What does your backup Buzzz look like trying to handle a tomahawk line?
- When can you throw a grenade with any disc without ripping your thumb off?
Both mentally and physically, tinkering with new “challenges” like these stimulates your game. You’re forced to think in creative ways – the same old holes become new, exciting obstacles.
BTW, there’s no rule forcing you to ONLY use three discs …
Practice with five, two or even one disc – including your buddies in this madness is fun, as well. Trust me: The three-disc round will teach you to learn (and love) the discs you have …
The Sockibomb Slammer can wait for another day.
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: 5 of the best low-profile driving putters
- Mold minimalism: Why it’s a terrible idea (and why you should still do it)
- Disc golf: What’s the ‘two-meter’ rule? (and why the complaints should stop)
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