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Disc Golf Resources: Feature Articles

Mastering the Wind, conclusion (page 1 | 2 | 3)

Wind hits the face of the obstacle and explodes outward

Buildings, hills and all other wind blocking objects create currents in the wind like rocks in a stream. The wind hits these obstacles and moves right, left, and over to clear the obstacles before continuing its true direction.

Wind hits the face of the obstacle and explodes outward [FIG 9].

Behind these objects (in their shadow), a dead spot occurs. It's important when passing through these dead spots to make sure the angle of the disc is right when it reaches the end of the dead spot. If the disc is not flat to the wind when it exits, it will rise, fall, hyzer, or anhyzer commensurate to the force of the wind [FIG 10].

a dead spot

The opposite of a dead spot is an opening or funnel. Natural funnels, whether caused by breaks in a row of trees or by cuts in the hills formed by a dry creek, speed up the air flow in a relatively small area. This change in air speed causes a stream of air that will really impact your discs. If you are fortunate enough to have played the shot before (in the same conditions) or lucky enough to be second on your card (and observant), you can benefit from seeing what your disc will do when it enters the stream. Most of these features are hard for a beginner to spot but with practice and experience it will become easier.

Now don't get me wrong. No matter how long you play in the wind, it will still fool you occasionally. Reading how much wind is out there and just how much it will affect your flight is not a hard science. There are, however, things you can do to limit the negative effects and strengthen the positive effects. Hopefully, by being observant of the conditions throughout the planned flight of the disc, having a basic knowledge of how those conditions will affect your disc, and by practicing in all weather conditions, you can strengthen you game considerably. There is still no substitute for practice.

As you can see, wind does complicate disc golf. Wind in disc golf is like the current in a river. Used correctly it can greatly improve your game . don't pay attention to it and it can hurt you. Practice in the wind, apply these tips, and learn your discs. With a little experience, you'll be looking forward to the next windy day. Practice hard, play smart, play well.


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