I've been playing for a year; my home course is wide open and my game has evolved accordingly. On that course I shoot at the better end of the advanced range. On closed courses, I shoot on the poor end of the intermediate players.
I know it has all to do with driving and upshot accuracy. My problem is powering down properly. I end up doing the same run-up that I would on my open course, slowing my arm speed and leaving my wrist completely collapsed (unsnapped) on the release. This makes all my discs extremely overstable to the point they can't hold a line even if I happen to hit it (which rarely happens). My upshot, which is accurate, is similar to this...it's almost as if I'm trying to do a longer version of my upshot off the tee. Also, I do a full body turn and take my eye off the target. So...should I open up my chest more to the target so I can see it before my release? Should I be snapping my wrist even in the woods?
I know my technique is completely wrong. Any pointers or pointing our threads or articles would be appreciated.
Do you? I'm a fairly good woods player being from NC and all, and I do a complete x-step, completely turn away from the target and always try to snap on my drives. To me, accuracy and success in the woods (in DG really) boils down to a few things:
Locate your hit (the disc ripping itself out of your hand). Once you can feel the hit and feel when the hit is coming you drastically narrow that range of spraying your drive to a much narrower, more in the middle range, i.e. not too early (disc slip) or too late (grip lock). Regardless of powering up or down, you need good timing to feel the hit so try to snap the disc on probably all but the most finesse-oriented shots. (even lids need a little zip to get going)
Visualize your line: Think about the most optimal flight path for getting past all the trouble spots (i.e. those pesky trees). A lot of this is disc selection as others have stated, as a slower and/or more neutral disc is easier to shape lines with and therefor better suited in the woods often. But the most important aspect is finding a window or gap to aim for off the tee. For example, on a gradually right-turning hole, find the most optimal window you can hit with an anny or turnover that will get you at best in putting range or at worst on the fairway and still playing for par.
Never throw through trees if you can throw around them: You'd be surprised how many holes can go from "sometimes birdie; usually bogey" to "usually par; sometimes birdie" if you can find a sneaky hyzer or anny route over or around the supposed fairway. Overhand and rollers fall into this category too. But you have to overcome your habit of thinking in strictly linear flight paths and be more comfortable with lines with big arcs.
Caveats: It shouldn't be written in stone to use mids and putters in the woods. Drivers can be a better choice on many holes with low ceilings, holes that require a good skip, and because they are usually smaller diameter (if your aim is a little too early or late, you need all the help you can get to "get skinny" and hit that window.) If you're playing strictly for placement, putters are vital. Mids are preferred b/c they're just a good middle ground for accuracy, control, and distance but be wary of using them but again the low ceilings can deter you from using them.
I love digging through the archives.
