This is a gripe grounded firmly in jealousy …
I can throw a respectable thumber, but I’ve only got one or two in me per round. And to date, I haven’t wrapped my brain around throwing a tomahawk without requiring Tommy John surgery.
So I can’t speak to the tomahawk, but when I smash on a thumber just right, it’s awesome. Not much skill is required to throw one properly. If your elbow and shoulder can take the beating, form’s not a real concern. And assuming you’re working with a Draco, Felon, Hellfire, FAF Firebird or something else flat and beefy, they’re not really affected by the wind, either.
Furthermore, given the aforementioned perks, favorable results are SUPER easy to replicate. They hit and stick, too. So if you can put the disc close, there’s a good chance it stays close.
You don’t see many “overhand specialists” on tour, though. It’s within the amateur ranks these niche golfers make their presence known with the unique approach to the game …
I hate them.
I know they’re not cheating, but it feels like they’re cheating. And I’m not talking about the ones who flat-out suck at throwing frisbees, so going all-in on the overhand stuff is little more than a last-ditch effort to survive a C-tier. I’m talking about the guys who played baseball at a junior college 10 years back, and clearly still have an arm on them that puts others to shame.
More of what you’ll find:
- They’re freak athletes.
- Fairways simply don’t exist for them.
- They’re capable of rivaling your best backhand.
Worst of all, this guy usually picked up disc golf the weekend prior …
It’s infuriating.
So naturally, the best way to beat the “up-and-over” beast in question is on the putting green. But with your putt as reliable as one-ply toilet paper at a podunk gas station – that’s asking a lot.
There aren’t many overhand-only cats out there. But should you find one with some athleticism, confidence and a bag full of stoopid-overstable stuff, prepare to be humbled …
And to pop a Prozac.
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Lmao hit home here. I was this guy for a very long time, now it’s just a little trick on my bag that I whip out when needed
Mike, all that matters is that you’ve abandoned the Dark Side …
You now play disc golf like a normal human being, and there’s something to be said for that.
Welcome 🙂
This is something that I see from time to time. However, I don’t see the dominant performance referenced. I believe approach, where tree canopies come together with no opening, and low ceiling shots should be added to the list of places where overhand players suffer.
Yeah, there aren’t many of ’em …
In my experience, it’s been exclusively within the LOWER amateur ranks.
But like the article says, the guy’s usually been at disc golf for 15 minutes or so …
Annoying, to say the least.
Well,that is a pretty accurate statement. I throw a lot of thumbers and do well with them,but I have developed a backhand with a lot of work.but I used to be a one trick pony ( thumber) ,and some days when the backhand ain’t working I still am ..Ilove the game
Hey, lean on your strengths, right?
It’s not the worst thing in the world …
It’s interesting to me that disc golfers are usually exclusively able to throw thumbers or tomahawks, never both. Our arms are configured such that for each of us, one or the other works. I cannot throw a thumber. But …
I won an ace race…gasp…10 years ago… tomahawking the mantis. And my buddy came in 2nd throwing thumbers.
Not my primary shot tho. Just for scrambling mostly
Stew, that’s a REALLY good point …
Never thought of it that way, but you’re 110% right not that.
Weird.
This is great. The first time I ever saw a distance competition was at a local tournament. I saw a guy throw a thumber with an aerobie Epic 600’…. I’ve never been the same since
What the …
That’s insanity.
This is me but with rollers. There’s a legend at our home course who now only throws rollers. And not even using the disc to get the roll. Just overhead spikes it straight down. If i every become a roller, someone better take my discs from me. The whole beauty is watching and hopefully controlling aerodynamics and getting that sweet S flight.
Oh, gosh …
What an ugly way to play.
Never heard of that before, but if it works – it works!
(my guess would be that the rollers-only method doesn’t work …)