Andy, I throw anything over 100' RHFH. I'm slowly working on getting a decent BH. You could be right about captain jack referring to beginners, but I would be cautious in recommending ultra-fast/overstable discs to beginners. I've been throwing about a year and a half. The first year was nothing but ultra-fast/overstable discs. It was great that I got excellent (beginner) distance but quickly plateaued ~300'. It wasn't until I started learning how to throw stable-understable discs that my distance started to increase. While this in-and-of itself is ok (progression-wise), it was harder (and took longer) to learn how to throw less stable and lighter weight plastic. I still have to rely on heavier weights because I am still trying to minimize and control OAT. I really wish I wouldn't have given away my Avenger SS two months into playing because "I couldn't throw it". I realize now I could have been doing the exact same things I'm doing now, 10 months ago (learning how to throw with decent form).
The discs I would recommend for a beginner would be the same for BH although not 150 class/baseline plastics. While these discs are forgiving enough to learn BH, I feel they are not forgiving enough for FH. A heavier, premium plastic disc in the same molds (Leopards, Teebirds, Eagles, etc.) should be more overstable for a beginner than their lighter weight/base plastic counterparts. At least this has been my experience. It really depends on the individual; everyone has a different "natural" ability. If someone doesn't have a natural wrist snap and are likely to strong-arm, there is going to be a steep learning curve no matter what disc they throw. To me, learning how to throw "the disc that is in my hand" is more important than "what disc can I buy that will give me instant gratification". My old-style of throwing FH was strong-arming ultra-fast/overstable discs; the style I'm working on now is "let the disc fly the intended route and distance without feeling like I threw it".
Also, I'm not a huge believer in strict, by-the-book form either. Everyone has a different form that one must work within. The trick is to find the place where you are not damaging your body and being able to throw smoothly with a clean release. To me the most important part of the throw is the hit and the moment just after release. How you get to the hit and the follow through isn't as important (although these two things are key to not damaging your body) as having a quick open-to-closed wrist motion and your hand/palm in the same plane (without wrist-roll) as just before the hit->release->split second after the disc has completely left your hand.
This is only what I know through my own experience though and is intended for those that truly want to learn how to throw FH when they want to and not for when they need to.
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And if you ever make it down to the state that borders yours to the southeast, let me know and we can arrange a round. I still have a lot to work on in my game but I'm thoroughly enjoying this sport.
