How common is power gripping approach shots?

[disc-golf-neil]

I've been testing out various modified power grips / fan grips for approach shots and so far a loose power grip doesn't feel any worse for me.

I've heard multiple pros mention that they "power grip everything" except for putting and I was wondering if anyone knows how common this is in general at a higher level? Is it a minority, closer to 50/50, or something else?

And for someone like me who feels comfortable with either, which would you recommend I focus on?

 

[Jwalker92]

I go back and forth between the two. Some seasons, my fan-grip putter approaches are so on, I wouldn't throw anything else. I'll tweak my form during the off season and it won't work as well next year, so I power grip my putter approaches. Last year, neither felt good and I threw a zone forehand for nearly every approach shot within 200'.

Whatever works well, you can practice, and throw consistently is the correct answer. Some pros throw three-finger power grip, some pros throw fan-grip drives 450'. There is no right answer.

 

[disc-golf-neil]

I go back and forth between the two. Some seasons, my fan-grip putter approaches are so on, I wouldn't throw anything else. I'll tweak my form during the off season and it won't work as well next year, so I power grip my putter approaches. Last year, neither felt good and I threw a zone forehand for nearly every approach shot within 200'.

Whatever works well, you can practice, and throw consistently is the correct answer. Some pros throw three-finger power grip, some pros throw fan-grip drives 450'. There is no right answer.

I agree you gotta use what's working when it matters (when you need to score) but I think it's better long term to practice to specialize for max consistency.

 

[ru4por]

Generally, any shot that pulls my putting putter out of my hand, gets a power grip. There are some exceptions for very touchy upshots...I will throw the index finger out to the rim. I do not use a fan grip on any disc golf throw.

 

[mostlynorwegian]

You are unique to the situation that is you. Work on that instead. Practice with what executes. For you, and what those advantages emphasize. That may work. It may not. At least you will fail, and have a chance to learn. What's important is muscle memory and execution.

 

[Sheep]

power fan everything.

It's really dependent on your skill level and play style though.

Some people just use a general grip for everything and adjust their game to that.

Other players are able to back load, front load, nose load, etc in many different ways to get more spin, less spin and such to control the disc differently.

This is why someone like Simon can do crazy stuff with such control, and while other golfers can keep up with him, they have to kind of brute force some of the things he does with ease, cause they are smashing that square peg in the round hole.

 

[Nick Pacific]

I fan grip all of my putter approach shots. I really get more touch and accuracy this way. I think it's probably up to at least 150ft and in?

Lately I've been going Kristin Tattar style and forehanding a lot of my approach shots inside 200, just pile drive a zone on a hyzer, you can't beat that kind of consistency if left side is wide open it's a forehand hyzer zone. If not I will run a soft rhyno on a fan grip hyzer or a soft banger straight at it.

 

[disc-golf-neil]

power fan everything.

It's really dependent on your skill level and play style though.

Some people just use a general grip for everything and adjust their game to that.

Other players are able to back load, front load, nose load, etc in many different ways to get more spin, less spin and such to control the disc differently.

This is why someone like Simon can do crazy stuff with such control, and while other golfers can keep up with him, they have to kind of brute force some of the things he does with ease, cause they are smashing that square peg in the round hole.

What exactly is power fan grip?

 

[RowingBoats]

What exactly is power fan grip?

I don't know if there is a definition that everyone agrees on, but I think I probably use what I'd call a 'power fan grip' too.

Strong hooked index finger, pad on rim of disc, but the rest of my fingers are pressed to the plate. Depending on how hard I'm tossing, the 'fan' goes more/less towards the center of the disc. Harder shots I notice my fingers are 'fanned' fairly close to the rim, but my finger pads are not pressed into the rim.

I have dabbled with a two finger power grip and this does seem to work for me, but it kind of lost it's alure over time. For a while it really helped me with nose-down issues though, but I figured out my real problems. I very likely have the smallest hands of anyone in this thread, so this might explain some of it.

I don't seem to be able to use the standard power grip very well, it just feels too rigid, but some people obviously get it to work!

 

[biscoe]

I power grip everything but putts.

 

[acrosley]

Fan grip never felt comfortable for me so I power grip everything. I do tend to focus my "pinch" more in my ring and pinky fingers more for putter shots for whatever reason.

On an unrelated note did you used play a rogue on Tichondrious back in BC? I think I lost many duels to someone by your username

 

[disc-golf-neil]

Fan grip never felt comfortable for me so I power grip everything. I do tend to focus my "pinch" more in my ring and pinky fingers more for putter shots for whatever reason.

On an unrelated note did you used play a rogue on Tichondrious back in BC? I think I lost many duels to someone by your username

Hah yeah

 

[GripEnemy]

JLS/Teebird are the smallest rims I can power grip. Years and years ago I used to power grip everything but I find a fork? grip much more comfortable (index and pinky on rim, middle/ring extended toward the center).

EDIT: I guess I power fan per Sheep

 

[Sheep]

What exactly is power fan grip?

Middle fingers in fan, pinky and pointer in power.

 

[RowingBoats]

Middle fingers in fan, pinky and pointer in power.

Whoops my bad if there is an actual definition. My pinky feels like I could cut it off and not notice a difference lol.

My grip is probably just a fan grip that tightens way up for power.

 

[RowingBoats]

JLS/Teebird are the smallest rims I can power grip. Years and years ago I used to power grip everything but I find a fork? grip much more comfortable (index and pinky on rim, middle/ring extended toward the center).

EDIT: I guess I power fan per Sheep

Username checks out!

 

[foxdawg10]

I power grip everything except putts

 

[Countchunkula]

JLS/Teebird are the smallest rims I can power grip. Years and years ago I used to power grip everything but I find a fork? grip much more comfortable (index and pinky on rim, middle/ring extended toward the center).

EDIT: I guess I power fan per Sheep

I'm pretty much the same way. Power grip is fine for fairways and faster, but just feels wrong on mids. I use a cross between Climo's fork grip and the birdie grip for mids and putters. Ten years ago, it was a true birdie grip, but over time the middle has gotten closer to the ring.

 

[Kennets]

Been playing for 3 years and still haven't found a grip, that doesn't feel like shit in the hand. I've got them long skinny piano type of fingers and nothing really feels comfortable.

Feel free to throw suggestions my way

 

[ChrisinFL]

Newer player here - 6 months…. I power grip fairway drivers and up, but for the life of me I can not power grip putters or mids. I fan grip every putter throw, and mids are still non existent in my bag. Hoping some day to improve my form so I can power grip anything I want, but for now, even just holding a mid or putter in my small hands with a power grip, they feel wobbly/loose - the outside edge of the disc moves up and down all over the place - so it sort of makes sense trying to throw them that way is a nightmare for me?