Advanced Disc Golf Grips
Jun 01, 2009 // All Blogs, Pro Tips //

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Backhand Grips

Mid-ranges/Putters – Modified Fan Grip

The Modified Fan Grip is mainly used on Mid-Range Drivers and Putters due to the increased depth and rim height on the under side of these discs. This grip provides a firm and more secure handling of the disc as compared to the Power Grip because it allows your fingers to spread out along the bottom side of the flight plate. The Power Grip is rarely used on deep-dish Mid-Range discs or Putters because it creates a loose grip on the disc in the hand, greatly reducing accuracy and control on throws.

I use the Modified Fan Grip because it allows me to have more of my hand on the disc at all times while providing more control with the fingers on the underside of the flight plate. At the same time, this grip produces a cleaner release out of the hand with less wobble and finger drag due to the fingers not being curled up underneath on the rim. With the fingers not putting pressure directly on the rim, the disc is able to release out of the hand without the timing issue of uncurling the fingers before the throw.

The Modified Fan Grip is very basic, I place the disc on the mid-line palm of my hand, wrapping the fingers around the underside of the disc and positioning my thumb on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the top flight plate of the disc. The heel of my palm is raised off the top of the disc to reduce drag and to increase the speed of release. This time, instead of curling the fingers around the rim, I just slide the fingers back allowing them to spread across the under side of the flight plate providing more stability in the handling the disc before release. Remember, when throwing those approaches or short drives with Mid-Range discs or Putters, accuracy becomes critical and this grip will help immensely.

See photos for grip examples:

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Drivers– Power Grip

The grip that is used to start almost every hole in golf is the grip you use with your driver to get maximum distance with control. The standard grip used by many of the World’s best players is the “Power Grip”. Using the Power Grip on a driver allows the thrower to generate more rotational spin when compared to the variety of other grips used. This grip provides a more secure handling of the disc that really keeps the disc firmly in the palm of your hand. The benefit of this is that it does not allow the disc to slip out of your hand, greatly reducing the chance of ERS (Early Release Syndrome) and mis-throws.

I first started using the Power Grip when throwing rollers because it allowed me to produce a more powerful ripping of the disc while pulling the driver down to a roller angle. It made sense to do this since I was gripping the disc harder and that allowed me to be able to throw the disc harder as well. This grip was then transitioned to all my backhand driver shots due to the increased velocity that was generated which then translated to more distance off the tee.

The mechanics of the Power Grip are simple. I place the disc on the mid-line palm of my hand, wrapping fingers around the under side of the disc and positioning my thumb on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the top flight plate of the disc. The heel of my palm is raised off the top of the disc to reduce drag and to increase the speed of release. The fingers are then tucked and curled on the bottom rim, the index finger (first) and the little finger (fourth) pads of the fingers lay flat against the rim with the middle finger (second) and ring (third) fingers being slightly curled so that the tips of the fingers are touching the inside rim of the disc. The reason the middle two fingers are curled is that they are slightly longer then the others.

See photos for grip examples:

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Forehand/Sidearm Grips

Midrange/Putters – Standard Sidearm grip

The Standard/Traditional Sidearm Grip is used by many of the games top Pros for short upshots or save shots around obstacles on the course. This grip allows the player to produce a shot with fine touch and accurate upshots that finish with the opposite fade as compared to the backhand. So if the player is right-handed, their sidearm shot will finish to the right. I say fine touch or accurate upshots because it takes a smooth, controllable release of these discs to produce a successful shot.

I started shorter range forehand shots with Mid-Range and Putter Discs well before progressively stepping up a level throwing sidearm for Driver shots. It is important to learn the angles of release and timing of the shot to get the feel on how you want to release the disc and how you intend the disc to fly. This grip is a must know for players wanting to take their game to the next level.

The grip is unique for the fact that the disc is resting in the throwing hand to that same side of your body with the index and middle finger placed on the underside of the disc with the thumb positioned on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the flight plate. The disc is tucked back in the hand and fitted into the webbing of the hand between the thumb and index finger. The index and middle fingers are extended and positioned to where the pad of the middle finger rests against the inside rim. The index finger lies next to the middle finger and is used to support the angle of the disc from the underside of the disc. The Ring and Little finger are extended and rest on the front edge of the disc, they remain there for support and are bent out of the way right before the disc is released.

See photos for grip examples:

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Drivers – Sidearm Power Grip

The Forehand/Sidearm Power Grip is a modification of the traditional sidearm grip but offers a more firm and secure handling of the disc. The major difference is the positioning of the index (pointer) finger placed behind the middle finger instead of in front of it on the underside of the disc with the pad of the middle finger placed on the inside rim. The middle finger is the major component in this grip as the disc will push off and release only from that finger during the throw.

I started to use this Forehand Power Grip after watching the best forehand thrower in the game, Scott Stokley, just throwing some sidearm bombs on the course. I mainly use this grip because it allows me to throw the disc farther and with more control due to this tighter grip on the disc while throwing forehand shots. As with the backhand Power Grip, I am able to grip the disc a lot harder, therefore being able to throw it harder as well.

The grip closely resembles the traditional forehand grip as the disc is held in the throwing hand to the same side of the body with the index and middle finger placed on the underside of the disc with the thumb positioned on the top of the ridge where the rim meets the flight plate. The disc is tucked back in the hand and fitted into the webbing of the hand between the thumb and index finger. The Middle finger is extended and positioned to where the pad of the finger rests against the inside rim. The index finger is bent and placed behind the middle finger, and positioned to where the pad of the finger rests against the rim as well. The index finger provides a more secure grip and helps add more rotation to the disc when thrown. The Ring and Little finger are extended and rest on the front edge of the disc, they remain there for support and are bent out of the way right before the disc is released.

See photos for grip examples:

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5 Comments on "Advanced Disc Golf Grips"

  1. Cody Lee says:

    Hey Avery,

    This article really re-affirms my own conclusions on grips. I always felt that leaving the palm of your hand off the disc’s flight plane allowed for maximum transfer of inertia and kenetic energy to the disc as well as allow for a much more accurate angle of release on the intended hyzer/ anhyzer angle.

    One thing I would love to see is a few multi-angle slow motion video shots of your backhand and sidearm.

    Good luck this season,

    Cody Lee

    P.S. Hope to see you out at the Cloud 9 Disc Golf store sometime if you make it out to Nashville!

  2. Jeremy Bilyeu says:

    This was a very usefull source of information for a variety of grips. However I must dissagree with your views on the power grip. For most people the index and middle finger are longer fingers, not the ring finger. In my opinion a one or two finger grip, all be it harder to control, will always generate longer shots when performed correctly. Less contact with the disc leads to less finger drag and a greater potential for higher speed rotation. I used the original concept of the power grip when I first started disc golf and hit a cap on my distance at 350ft. Changing to the two finger grip I regularly throw over 400ft and am rising steadily towards 500ft. I would love to see an example of this grip displayed as well, and I greatly appreciate all the tips!

    Thanks, Jeremy

  3. Bill says:

    I found that I have to pull the ring finger out of the way entirely and cannot rest the edge of the disc on it if I want an effective, accurate forehand. If it does stray against the rim I most often don’t get a clean release as it rotates off my hand against the backhand side of the finger. Then again, there are almost as many tweaks to grips as there are disc golfers.

    Break a leg at Worlds and see you in Rock Hill!

  4. Carole says:

    Hey Avery:

    Do you do interviews for writers like me who are trying to further promote the sport of Disc Golf? I am contracted to write an e-book if you are interested in contributing.

  5. Robert Arzate says:

    Hey Avery:
    I was trying to get a little input on putting I’m 6’2″ and always either miss high or tuck down low and hit rim. I have watched your style at many tournaments what can you suggest for us tall people any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks