This is going to be a little touchy

[Midnightbiker]

I have a neighbor who is going to go with me to the disc golf course for the first time tomorrow. He wants to learn how to the play, but I am a little worried, because he is missing half his index finger on his right hand. I am wondering if anyone can guess how this might affect his throwing? How should I tell him to grip the disc in a putt? I want to be tactful about this and not say anything that might hurt his feelings.

 

[treethacker]

I am certainly no expert on drives but would there be a problem with him using his middle finger and his ring finger on top of it for support?
Could he try his left hand for putting? As many people as there are taking up the sport there is bound to be someone out there who has been in the same situation and found an answer. Sure someone else may have better ideas or maybe they know or are in a situation like that themselves.
You might want to warn him though once he starts he may get addicted and there is no known cure!

 

[Roc1Time]

If he uses the power grip I dont think there is an issue. He has probably learned how to overcome the finger thing anyways. But the grip wouldnt be affected that much I wouldnt think except one less finger to griplock with

 

[milow369]

My putt consists mainly of three fingers under the flight plane with my index curling around the outside of the disc, or lately, I've been using about 1/2 of my index finger on the outside rim of the disc for a little support. I don't see too much impact with a putt.

As far as the drive goes, his power grip may be modified slightly but I am sure he'll be able to adapt and come up with a suitable grip. There's always the flick.

This guy is probably used to adapting to situations when it comes to his right hand. I say keep it real simple. Get to the first tee, recommend a disc, and show him how it's done, then say "ok, now you do it". Humans are pretty amazing creatures. I think that the impact of missing 1/2 an index finger will be minimal.

 

[Midnightbiker]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't think he is going to be doing a lot of playing. We are going to a course that I have never been to, but I have heard its not beginer friendly. I am going out there to practice for an upcoming tournament, and he wants to tag along. (I think he really wants to get away from the wife for the day). I was thinking about letting him watch the first round, and then on the second round, let him shoot from the fairway since most of the holes are between 350-600ft long.

 

[DSCJNKY]

I know a guy who puts his index finger on the top of the disc and pinches it with his thumb when he drives. This isn't a fluke thing either... this is an actual grip used by a lot of people (well, maybe not a lot... but I've seen a few people use it). I'm sure if he could figure this out, it would work for him. It's kinda weird, but it gets a lot of snap.
DSCJNKY

 

[zud00]

If I were introducing the game to someone, I'm not sure I would take them to a long course for their first time out. It might get frustrating for them to take 5-6 throws just to get to the basket. I would probably try to take them to a shorter or more open course.
As far as his finger goes, I'm sure he'll figure out a way to throw the disc comfortably. That's just what people do when they have a handicap, they figure out another way to go about it.

 

[Adam Schneider]

I have a friend who always puts his index finger along the edge of the disc, and he can throw it 350'. So having only the middle and ring fingers underneath shouldn't be a huge issue.

 

[Donovan]

To be honest, just tell him up front you are going to explain how to do it and he can make the adjustments as he sees fit. He has dealt with this a long time, so being blunt is probably what he would like, rather than making him feel awkward with you treating it as an awkward thing. Just say it and go with it. Good luck!

 

[Neophyte]

Like the others who have posted I don't think it will be a problem. I don't know about others but I always have my index finger along the outside of the disc when putting anyway.

 

[DWill]

To be honest, just tell him up front you are going to explain how to do it and he can make the adjustments as he sees fit. He has dealt with this a long time, so being blunt is probably what he would like, rather than making him feel awkward with you treating it as an awkward thing. Just say it and go with it. Good luck!

I agree with this. He's had to deal with this, and probably doesn't think of it as a disadvantage. I would show him how I gripped it, and he should do something similar that feels comfortable and gets results.

 

[norcaldisc]

If your friend ends up liking disc and wanting to play more I would definately recomment the soft Banger GT for putting. Drive forehand and putt with a GT. In my opinion everyone should use this putter, it is quite sweet, but in particular in you friends situation. You grip it with you thumb in the top groove and your middle and ring finger on the bottom of the groove. Not alot of need for your index finger. You never know he may have an advantage driving forehand, his middle finger could possess more dexterity and strength than someone who has their whole index finger.

 

[BENFTS]

have your buddy use a fan grip and tuck only the middle ring and pinkey finger.

 

[A.Mutt]

My wife, the PT, suggests you hand him a disc and have him throw it first before trying to figure out grip and technique. That way you can work on what needs improvement instead of risking overwhelming him with a bunch of info. His body will know how to adapt to missing that part of his hand better than we can.

 

[Lewis]

Don't try to tell him how to adjust for his missing body part. it sounds like a pretty negligible disability anyway, and remember there have been pro baseball pitchers who made a living off their damaged fingers. It could happen to give him some kind of unexpected advantage. Stay general, especially on his first trip, and as others have said, let him figure it out. I think it could be a mistake, though, to bring him to a long course for his first experience. He may not care, but he may get frustrated enough to never play again So much depends on personality and attitude.

 

[Midnightbiker]

Well, all this was in vain, because I knocked on his door this morning before I left, and he never came to the door. I guess he changed his mind.

 

[craigd]

Disc golf probably sound really fun to him the night before, while he was drunk! Then as he woke up to you banging on the door he thought to himself, "He wants to do what, is he kidding?"

Keep on em though, he'll come around. Then he will have a profile on DGCR, stumble upon this thread and say, "What's up my man, even with this finger I'm still out driving you!"

What? It could happen...

 

[swellerdiscgolf]

I know a guy who puts his index finger on the top of the disc and pinches it with his thumb when he drives. This isn't a fluke thing either... this is an actual grip used by a lot of people (well, maybe not a lot... but I've seen a few people use it). I'm sure if he could figure this out, it would work for him. It's kinda weird, but it gets a lot of snap.
DSCJNKY

I'm trying to picture this grip in my head and just can't do it. Are there any videos anybody knows about? I am trying to get more snap on my throws and just can't seem to get the hang of it. My hands are too small to properly use the power grip.

 

[A.Mutt]

https://www.dgcoursereview.com/dgr/resources/articles/gripittoripit.shtml

It is called a bonapane grip and the photo for it is near the bottom along with another version with the thumb on the flight plate and the index finger on top of it.

 

[Midnightbiker]

Disc golf probably sound really fun to him the night before, while he was drunk! Then as he woke up to you banging on the door he thought to himself, "He wants to do what, is he kidding?"

Keep on em though, he'll come around. Then he will have a profile on DGCR, stumble upon this thread and say, "What's up my man, even with this finger I'm still out driving you!"

What? It could happen...

He really didn't know what disc golf was, I think he just wanted to get out of the house and away from the wife. I don't think he could have handled today. I played two rounds back to back on a very long course. It was hot, lots of bugs, and not many breaks. I am in decent shape, and I was pooped when I was done. This guy weights about 300lbs, and looks like he hasn't seen the inside of a gym in a while.