It can -- but so could a distance anhyzer line.
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/dgr/resources/articles/distancelines.shtml
Increasing throwing distance is one of the most sought after goals amongst players. From my experiences, most players do not reach their distance potential simply because they do not adequately explore the lines needed to throw for max D. From my experiences watching distance contests (and paying special attention to crowd reaction) I have come to realize that a good number of players do not know the concepts exercised by experienced distance throwers.
Throwing for distance is in fact a very different technique than throwing controlled golf shots, and while not as applicable due to limited use potential, it does serve its purpose in helping players understanding throwing and disc flight in general. Increasing raw distance also helps boost confidence by helping players feel like they can throw farther (when in actuality they are simply utilizing what they already have in a manner that yields greater distance). A player that throws a consistent 380' on low line drives should be able to consistently break 425' while throwing distance lines.
While I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the concepts behind distance technique, I had the chance to interview distance contest veterans and 1000+ rated pros Avery Jenkins and Jon Drummond to get their comments on various aspects of the technique.
While the basic flight path of distance throws involves an S-curve, there are two distinct techniques used to achieve this flight path and I will try to cover both of them in through the meat of this article.
The first style is the distance anhyzer, which dominated distance technique from the first official 600' throw performed in 1987 and held the distance record up until 1998. This distance anhyzer is thrown with overstable discs and the general consensus is that the strength of this technique is that it yields very good consistently long distance.
The second style is the hyzer-flip, which has been the preferred method of distance technique since 1998 and been used to set every distance record since then. The hyzer-flip distance technique is generally thrown with stable to understable discs and starting the disc on a hyzer angle, letting it rise, flatten, and turn over. The consensus on the hyzer-flip technique is that current distance drivers are better suited to this method of throwing (since they are much less overstable than earlier sharp-nosed drivers) and that when executed perfectly, yields greater distance potential than the distance anhyzer but is less consistent in its execution.
Avery's comments:
I prefer to throw the hyzer-flip because I can generate lots of power throwing across the chest with a high arm swing; it works well with high-speed, stable to understable drivers. It is easier to get a longer, fuller flight with these drivers because I can utilize their carrying angles in order to achieve maximum distance.
Jon's comments:
I prefer the distance anhyzer because it allows for faster rotation of the body and a stronger pull. Throwing hyzer requires a slight lean forward with the upper body, which widens the rotational axis. This slows you down and decreases your power and strength.
A distance anhyzer will have a very high trajectory and released with significant amounts of anhyzer. The orientation of the disc at the launch will appear to have much more anhyzer than you wish the disc to hold later in flight (this will correct naturally if there is enough height and power on the throw). This throw should be set up with your body aiming to the left, but you will actually pull through the shot slightly to the right of where your body is pointing you (this gets more nose down on the disc).
A hyzer-flip shot will usually have a trajectory that will much more closely resemble a slightly upward line drive. As the disc flattens from a hyzer it will naturally rise (the more hyzer angle at the start the more natural rise the disc will have). This throw again will be aimed to the left but there are multiple takes on the disc direction. Pulling it straight online with where your body is pointing will carry the most power through the throw but pushing it slightly to the left of where your body is aiming will give more nose down and make it easier to flatten the disc.
Seeing the Lines - Distance Technique
by Blake Takkunen--Additional Comments by Avery Jenkins and Jon Drummond