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Game tips — Approaches and other throws
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Approach shots
The approach shot is made from the fairway to reach as close to the basket as possible. For this type of throw, a slow-flying disc (like Aviar for example) will be a good choice because of its ability to hold most kinds of lines at slow speed. Plan your throw so that the upcoming putt will be as easy as possible. Remember that the disc often bounces or slides a bit after landing.
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| Side arm approach
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Backhand approach |
Fairway shots
A throw that you make from the fairway without aiming all the way to the green is a fairway throw. Those are commonly used on very long holes. For the fairway throw, use the same technique as when you are teeing off. The discs used for fairway throws are usually drivers and midrange discs.
Rough shots
The rough shot is performed by making a throw from the rough to the fairway, commonly by making an upside-down throw or a short roller. The rough approach shot is basically the same thing, but is made from the rough to the green.
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| Rough shot with sidearm |
Rough shot with a "Hammerthrow" |
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Longer approach, Eric M. on hole 6 in Haninge
Photo: Jonas Rudholm |
/Jonas Löf, translated by Jonas Lindberg
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Hints and tips
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Larsa’s analysis:
"Important aspects during approach shots are the balance and the stance. I would recommend trying to make the technique as simple and mechanical as possible.
I try to focus on the pin of the basket and never take my eyes off it when I’m within 40 meters (130 ft) from the basket. Turning away from where you’re aiming, like you would do when driving, is not recommended in the short game. If you look in the direction you’re throwing at, there will be a “half throw” since your head will obstruct the longer drag of the typical drive. This in turn enables you to achieve better balance and more control over your throwing arm.
Trying to keep the nose of the disc a bit upwards during approach shots will be a good thing because it will be easier to control the length of the throw if the disc “surfs” a little. Another thing worth considering is what the ground looks like around the landing area. Does it lean in a direction that would make the landing difficult? Is it worn out and hard. making the disc slide away?, etc.
Therefore I often choose a throw that starts in a slight anhyzer, then levels out and lands flat beside the basket. This is done in order to avoid having the disc landing on its side and then roll away. You will often see approach shots thrown in sharp hyzer angles, which could be an easy throw to make, but just as often you will see those shots skip or roll away from the landing area around the basket.
Try to work out a technique where you use relatively much shoulder rotation and less arm/wrist flick. The more rapid moves you make, the less controlled the moves will become. At approaches you would want continuity and a stable and reliable throw, rather than a throw that bounces with more or less random results. A certain amount of weight transfer is also required for that soft and smooth approach shot.
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| Tomas
"Larsa" Ekström |
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