This isn't Volume 2 of "Should I take a girl disc golfing on a first date?" is it?
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...although I played a high level of ultimate back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The disc golf throw isn't the Frisbee play catch throw, so starting out right matters. I like the comments about introducing an understable mid like a DX Stingray and a putter like an Aviar.
I taught my 26 year old athletic daughter (with no Frisbee experience) the backhand pull using a Foxbat (similar enough flight to the Stingray, and small rim). She got it on the third attempt; level flight with glide out to ~125 feet, straight. That's where you start.
I disagree with the "hand them a disc and let 'er rip" approach, unless the new player is already an accomplished athlete. Throw an understable mid from the tee, and putt/approach with a basic putter.
That'd be my $.02.
^^^I don't know how you read all that in philgretz's post, when he simply disagreed with giving novices a Boss and telling them to throw it, with the inevitability of telling them why they can't throw it.
If you were going to teach someone to read, would you give them "War and Peace", or "Fun With Dick and Jane"?
...although I played a high level of ultimate back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The disc golf throw isn't the Frisbee play catch throw...
asro-
Because if anyone's telling others how to do things, its you.
As someone who also threw ultimates for many years, I can tell you my disc golf approach shots inside 200' are exactly like my ultimate throws -- I even fan grip approaches the same way I grip ultimates. That part of disc golf was pretty seamless for me -- mids and putters were very easy to throw well right away. Drivers required learning how to grip wide rim discs, and of course learning the release angles to make them fly properly based on their characteristics, wind conditions, etc.
I just hit my first full year of playing and have introduced 3-4 of my friends to the game during that time, so I have been on both sides of this scenario in the last year
As others have said, just focus on making it fun. Give them some very basic pointers and then let them do their thing. You may need to read the person a bit though. If you can see they're getting frustrated and are asking you questions, then sure, give them some more simple advice. However, if they're throwing 50 foot noob hyzers but seem to be having the time of their life, let them do that and don't try to coach them into being a pro.
As far as disc selection, I doubt it will make a difference what they throw, so imo, give them a driver and tell them it's a driver. All my friends that I introduced were at least familiar with ball golf so they seemed a lot more excited to throw a driver than a putter. Sure, it goes against all conventional wisdom for their skill level and they probably won't throw it any further than they would a putter, but they don't know that, and it's exciting for them to think they're throwing a powerful disc.
Also, make sure you are staying positive even if you're having a bad round (not calling out OP specifically). Blowing up because you missed a 20 foot putt is not going to leave a good impression when they are missing a 10 footer by 5 feet, it will just make them feel terrible
Once they show up for their 4th or 5th round and they start asking about improvement, you can start setting them up with proper discs and delve more into strategy
Good luck and remember your only goal for his first round is to make it fun enough so that they want to come back!
Disc down yourself and consider a putter only round as to not discourage the newer player.
Disc down yourself and consider a putter only round as to not discourage the newer player.
They put three discs in starter packs for a reason.