Here are my basic thoughts:
- Spin is a variable that can be consciously manipulated during most types of throws.
- Being able to manipulate spin in different ways can enable the thrower to achieve different flights out of the same disc.
- In general, high degrees of spin tend to stabilize the disc and lock it in to the given release angle. You can experiment with this idea using a top, yo-yo, bicycle wheel etc. The faster they spin the more stable they become.
Here are some situations where I might use increased spin for a specific type of flight:
- Being near the limit of my jump putt range, putting extra spin on the putt helps it hold a straight line longer before it fades.
- Hyzer flipping my understable putters and mids on longer holes, adding extra spin delays the turn, letting it travel straight down the fairway further before bending right.
- Headwind fighting. Hyzer release + high degrees of spin make a disc much more difficult to flip over compared to low spin and / or flat releases.
- Fast greens. Intentionally using minimal spin on an approach shot where I want the disc to sit as soon as it hits the ground increases my odds of success.
- Rollers. Obviously more spin = more distance here, not that it isn't usually the case for air shots as well.
So what you're wondering now might be how do I manipulate spin? And how do I know it works?
For putts its a combination of finger spring and wrist movement. Most spin comes from using my wrist like a hinge, but a small amount comes from springing my fingers forward as I release the disc. (FWIW most pros seem to advocate against spin putts, and using your wrist like a hinge adds another degree of movement you have to control, so I don't recommend other people try my putting style.)
For backhand drives and approach shots it comes through grip manipulation, wrist movement, and overall mechanics.
As far as grip is concerned, for me, more fingers curled under the rim = more spin. This is one of the main reasons you see me use a four finger power grip even on 150' approach shots. I like using lots of spin on my approach throws for two reasons. First is it helps them lock on to the flight I want them to keep, second is I use the small roll at the end to curl it towards my target, just like players utilize skips on shots with drivers. I try to land the approach shot so the disc is spinning away from the basket, so that when it lands it will curve towards it. I can link to numerous examples of this if anyone is curious to watch it.
For backhand approach shots I want to throw with less spin, I use a different grip (Its rare you see this as I use FH for touch approaches more often). I'm not sure what the grip is I think I saw it on DGR ages ago, but I grip the disc in a four finger power grip, then fan out my middle and ring finger. Using this grip I don't throw as far or with as much spin.
There are two mechanics that took me a long time to implement into my backhand throw. Wrist hinge movement and angling my wrist down, similar to a handshake. Ironically both are things that I intentionally stop doing at times these days. Removing the wrist angle for stall shots is another topic, but wrist hinge movement is definitely relevant here. Actively moving your hand outwards right at the end of the throw, letting your wrist work like a hinge, will noticeably increase spin (and distance) on your throw. It's tough to see because its the quickest part of the throwing motion, but you can see the active wrist extension here.
Lastly I mention overall mechanics for adding spin to the throw. This is part of the reason why good form = longer throws. Its not all about velocity. Its a combination of things. Spin, velocity, nose angle, height, stability, disc speed etc. Anyways sound mechanics will inherently allow the player to add more spin. Late pull through will give more spin than an early pull through. Proper leverage of the disc through the hit adds spin. Pull in close to the chest rather than swinging around the body increases spin. All of these things add up to not only increase distance, but help your disc hold the line. Why is it a new player can turn over a putter trying to drive it 150' but an experienced player can throw it dead straight for 300'? This is one of the reasons.
How do I know the rate of spin is being affected, and the changes in flight I'm seeing are not due to another variable?
Well, its impossible for me to 100% isolate one variable from others using my limited equipment, but I have been able to verify these things affect the rate of spin. Using multiple high speed cameras setup me and my friends experimented with these things. Run-up VS no run-up, different grips, full rewach back vs stunted approach throw reach back. Going back over the footage and figuring out the rates of spin for the throws, what we observed matched everything I just wrote. Unfortunately I don't have that footage anymore, along with a lot of older disc golf footage I put together, but maybe if the discussion that follows is interesting enough I'd feel inclined to setup another experiment.
Additionally there are a wealth of resources on the physics of discs, flying objects, spinning objects etc. anyone can refer to in regards to the changes in flight I've observed in my discs, thought to be the result of different rates of spin. All the material I've gone over matches my observations.
Now, like I mentioned with my putting style, I did not write any of this to claim it is good form or the best way to do any particular thing in disc golf. It is merely an explanation of a subset of techniques I use that some DGCR'ers feel do not exist. Well, just like the earth being round, you can choose to not believe in something and still be affected by it
- Spin is a variable that can be consciously manipulated during most types of throws.
- Being able to manipulate spin in different ways can enable the thrower to achieve different flights out of the same disc.
- In general, high degrees of spin tend to stabilize the disc and lock it in to the given release angle. You can experiment with this idea using a top, yo-yo, bicycle wheel etc. The faster they spin the more stable they become.
Here are some situations where I might use increased spin for a specific type of flight:
- Being near the limit of my jump putt range, putting extra spin on the putt helps it hold a straight line longer before it fades.
- Hyzer flipping my understable putters and mids on longer holes, adding extra spin delays the turn, letting it travel straight down the fairway further before bending right.
- Headwind fighting. Hyzer release + high degrees of spin make a disc much more difficult to flip over compared to low spin and / or flat releases.
- Fast greens. Intentionally using minimal spin on an approach shot where I want the disc to sit as soon as it hits the ground increases my odds of success.
- Rollers. Obviously more spin = more distance here, not that it isn't usually the case for air shots as well.
So what you're wondering now might be how do I manipulate spin? And how do I know it works?
For putts its a combination of finger spring and wrist movement. Most spin comes from using my wrist like a hinge, but a small amount comes from springing my fingers forward as I release the disc. (FWIW most pros seem to advocate against spin putts, and using your wrist like a hinge adds another degree of movement you have to control, so I don't recommend other people try my putting style.)
For backhand drives and approach shots it comes through grip manipulation, wrist movement, and overall mechanics.
As far as grip is concerned, for me, more fingers curled under the rim = more spin. This is one of the main reasons you see me use a four finger power grip even on 150' approach shots. I like using lots of spin on my approach throws for two reasons. First is it helps them lock on to the flight I want them to keep, second is I use the small roll at the end to curl it towards my target, just like players utilize skips on shots with drivers. I try to land the approach shot so the disc is spinning away from the basket, so that when it lands it will curve towards it. I can link to numerous examples of this if anyone is curious to watch it.
For backhand approach shots I want to throw with less spin, I use a different grip (Its rare you see this as I use FH for touch approaches more often). I'm not sure what the grip is I think I saw it on DGR ages ago, but I grip the disc in a four finger power grip, then fan out my middle and ring finger. Using this grip I don't throw as far or with as much spin.
There are two mechanics that took me a long time to implement into my backhand throw. Wrist hinge movement and angling my wrist down, similar to a handshake. Ironically both are things that I intentionally stop doing at times these days. Removing the wrist angle for stall shots is another topic, but wrist hinge movement is definitely relevant here. Actively moving your hand outwards right at the end of the throw, letting your wrist work like a hinge, will noticeably increase spin (and distance) on your throw. It's tough to see because its the quickest part of the throwing motion, but you can see the active wrist extension here.
Lastly I mention overall mechanics for adding spin to the throw. This is part of the reason why good form = longer throws. Its not all about velocity. Its a combination of things. Spin, velocity, nose angle, height, stability, disc speed etc. Anyways sound mechanics will inherently allow the player to add more spin. Late pull through will give more spin than an early pull through. Proper leverage of the disc through the hit adds spin. Pull in close to the chest rather than swinging around the body increases spin. All of these things add up to not only increase distance, but help your disc hold the line. Why is it a new player can turn over a putter trying to drive it 150' but an experienced player can throw it dead straight for 300'? This is one of the reasons.
How do I know the rate of spin is being affected, and the changes in flight I'm seeing are not due to another variable?
Well, its impossible for me to 100% isolate one variable from others using my limited equipment, but I have been able to verify these things affect the rate of spin. Using multiple high speed cameras setup me and my friends experimented with these things. Run-up VS no run-up, different grips, full rewach back vs stunted approach throw reach back. Going back over the footage and figuring out the rates of spin for the throws, what we observed matched everything I just wrote. Unfortunately I don't have that footage anymore, along with a lot of older disc golf footage I put together, but maybe if the discussion that follows is interesting enough I'd feel inclined to setup another experiment.
Additionally there are a wealth of resources on the physics of discs, flying objects, spinning objects etc. anyone can refer to in regards to the changes in flight I've observed in my discs, thought to be the result of different rates of spin. All the material I've gone over matches my observations.
Now, like I mentioned with my putting style, I did not write any of this to claim it is good form or the best way to do any particular thing in disc golf. It is merely an explanation of a subset of techniques I use that some DGCR'ers feel do not exist. Well, just like the earth being round, you can choose to not believe in something and still be affected by it
