This tips and technique video covers driving and features Dan Beto. Dan works us back from the hit and explains how he shifts his weight and generates the power needed for a 500 ft drive. Enjoy! Videographer: Lucas Weide
Hey, this is Dan Beto, thank you guys so much for the support and watching this video! I did this 7 years ago based on the work I have gone through to better my game through the hard work my mentor went through, and to simplify the physical throwing technique of the disc. It warms my heart to know this video has helped just 1 person in this world, let alone many! Thank you!
+Dan Beto Would be lovely to see you contributing again now DGR forums are back up and running again :) Or even joining the dark side over st DGCR.... ;)
+Dan Beto I watch this video several times every spring then go practice it. I also send this to all newbies. I've watched SO many disc golf instructional video's and this is the only one I come back to over and over. Clean, simple instruction for setting the core moves. It's timeless. Thanks for taking the time to give it to the world.
Great video. You really simplify the learning process in a way that is easy to understand but very effective. I was turned on to this by a Reddit forum and have gotten a lot out of it. Thanks.
I am actually starting to think about making a DVD and re-making these little videos and put it all on one DVD and sell it. The reason for making these videos was to help others through their hard times and hopefully everyone can learn this game properly and get better. I never thought about the money when i was shooting these videos. Thanks for your support everyone!
Watching this video added 100 feet to my throw, probably more. I went from 3-400 foot potential incorporating his tips, the biggest of which is to crank your elbow out in front of your throw first during your run up before snapping your arm power while you brace then turn your front leg. People just struggle so much to understand it but if you just imagine slamming your elbow out during your run up, and only really rip your arm through once your elbow hits the power pocket, you will finally have that aha moment on the timing and body involvement. You don’t rip your elbow through by swinging your arm, you do it by turning your hips and your torso (like you are trying to elbow someone as hard as you can in the face attacking from the back right if you are a right hander, you wouldn’t fling your arm at them from the shoulder, you’d put your whole body into it, which is what you want to do when you throw right up until the disc is in the sweet spot.) You don’t want to power up your throw with your arm until it’s under your chest, it’s mostly torso and hips up to that point, you just have to let your elbow straighten and bend during your run up. Your arm is supposed to come in as powerfully as possible right in the moment Dan describes, slamming your arm across your body and your elbow from bent to full extension, allowing your wrist to snap threw as well. If you do it right and turn on your front foot properly your throwing arm will probably wind up almost 180 degrees away from your intended target. This video is literally RU-vid gold, one of those things you stumble across that changes your game forever. Thank you Dan for somehow explaining so simply what 1000 other videos failed to describe.
Almost 6 years and this is still the best I've seen. If there is one thing to tell beginners thru early advanced players, it would be: Shorten-Simplify-Smooth out your swing. Watch Dan's follow thru....so easy. He's not falling off the tee-pad. He's not running. Watching the more familiar vids of world-class athletes, I just want to scream "Yes but we are NOT world class athletes". Dan is showing you a step-by-step approach, starting with the end and working backwards, that most average players can learn. NICE!
Make that 7 years! This is the single best basic driving instructional video of all time. No one has bettered it, and it is the No.1 video in my "Best Disc Golf Training Videos" playlist - which is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nED7gcXobEo.html
This is the most practical step by step video on how to drive that I have ever seen. Why couldn't Discraft with all their professionally done videos have done a PRACTICAL driving video like this????
This is by far the best driving tutorial on RU-vid. Dan breaks it down for us like a guru, and shows us correct form. This really cleaned up my driving, and extended it by 20+ metres.
Phenomenal video. This is hands down the best disc golf driving vid I've seen in terms of proper form and technique. The simple break down of how and what to work on during field practice is what EVERY beginner (and most intermediates) needs to see and work on. Can't wait for the more specific vid from these guys that focuses on wrist extension, etc.
Thanks for posting this video and thanks to Dan for instructing it. I'm looking forward to trying this technique on the course this weekend. Wish me luck!
This is the most helpful video I have seen. Dan is very thorough, collective, and easy to follow. I've been playing for 5 years and I feel this video will really help me fill in some gaps. I will win the coming Ice Bowl in adv. Thanks!
Thank you for your reply! I teach people the same drills and they have always worked before and I am confident that it will work for you as well, that is why I made this video to share with everyone. These technique drills I teach are from what I have been taught and have gathered from the forms of the best players in the world such as Steve Brinster and Walter Haney as well as many other pros like Climo and Feldberg. Good luck! -Masterbeato
Great Video. I did these drills for about 90 minutes, starting with the "hit" and working back as you suggest. Then going progressively with the footwork. The next round I played after doing the drills, my distance and accuracy were already improved (if only by about 30-50 feet - but still great for one day!). I even got two birdies in a row thanks to some great drives (I am a bogey player at my local course so that's pretty good for me). Thanks again and keep them coming!
I have been flick/forehand dominant for years and have been so uncomfortable with low confidence on backhand throws. Watching this video has helped me learn some basics to think about and practice. Thanks for the help Dan!
this video is the best video on youtube to learn how to throw your disc...i watched this video probably like a month and a half ago and now i can throw 400 feet...thanks beto!
Just wanted to drop my 2 cents in. Thanks for posting this video. I needed something that would help me with my technique and power and this is exactly what I was looking for, 5 stars :)
This video was very useful. Because before, my throws would go really high, and look good, but then they would hook bad at the end. I picked up all the discs you recomended, now I have to try them out.
Thanks for the video. Say what you will but I'm a beginner and I was throwing over 200ft with just the reach back and no step. Lots of things are best learned backwards.
I'm still pretty new to DG. Been playing for about a month but I'm hitting ~330 pretty consistently with my 174 leopard. Best advice I've been given is to pretend I'm backhanding a midget. I guess its like punching through your target but it explains the elbow extension. Thanks for the video, super helpful.
This is the first video I have any new player watch. It’s the only video I want them to watch before their first round. I just came here to send it to a new player now. Money.
This approach is something I've gone back to from time to time since it was first uploaded here and the first thing I noticed was an insane amount of energy and spin on the disc even after it hit the ground. It really gets you thinking about the timing and balance involved when initiating the most powerful part of the throw. This year, after a long layoff, I've been methodically working on my drive using this approach, patiently progressing through each type of discs. I've done a day or two with putters and a day or two with mids. I haven't touched a driver since October or November. One modification I made was after throwing a few shots with the one-step, I'd do it from an x-step position as mentioned in the video, but the difference is I severely exaggerated the crossover with my left foot. It felt really weird to do it that way but I think it's helped me force my hips farther around during reach-back.
Watch his other videos. He can crank them out there. This video taught me how to drive and after a couple weeks of mimicing him I added 80 feet then 100 ft or more to my drives. Great video step by step for someone wanting to develop a strong drive.
Believe it or not, there are people (like me) that can't work out the finer steps involved in form. A video like this really helps the noobs like me that could never put this together on their own.
Thank you so much for posting this. I putt fine, but my driving sucks. I am 6'3 and I can only throw 270ft on a good day. After watching this video, I see I have alot to learn. I hope to break the 300ft mark this year.
I can't wait to try out these tips tomorrow. On sunday I found a sun-faded Champion Eagle at my local course (unmarked) and the next day I found a brand new Champion Beast (also unmarked) on the same hole. I've only been playing 6 weeks so I really need the technique to handle those monsters :]
With practice, there's an increase in strength... I started my lawn mower like that... reached the end of the rope and threw the mower through the neighbors window... an ACE
which disc would someone recomend for a beginning driver? I just started and i realized i suck at the initial throw, so i am looking for a good driver, but i need a good one.
Thank you for posting this vid. I hit a plateau of a little over 300 feet a couple of years ago. Hopefully with this vid and some pracice i can get past that. It would be great if you put a vid about sidearm technique up. Do you throw sidearm at all?
@joeveenpresents thanks, that actually helped me. I got a firebird and valkrie. Waitin on the t-bird. There is one hole at my local that demands a straight long throw followed by a sharp fade, the firebird fits the bill perfectly. Also, the valkyrie is consitently my longest disk when throwing in the field. When I switch to side arm, it often ends in a roll for even more distance.
awesome work dan. i still can't translate anything i've seen here into tips i can use to help my game (i still max under 325'), but at least i have a good direction to follow. please keep helping limp noodles like me out by posting more videos. cheers. Mike
cant wait to go tomorrow. i have been struggling ever since i started playing with high and to the left (im a righty). i have gotten way better but still thats the biggest flaw in my swing. if you look at 3:46 thats what i do to some extent. need to put weight forward!! thanks
"Stay away from the fast stuff! Trust me - I learned this the hard way." Wow! I found this hobby about an month ago, and have trained since few times in a week. I have been struggling with my drive. I can hammer a ~80 meter throw with my 175g Beast, but the accuracy is bad. With your tip I started to train my drive with 172g Leopard, and as result, today I managed to hammer my first ACE in Siltamäki/Helsinki/Finland track #17 (par3|50m). Disc retired, and going to get a new one. Thanks man!!
Good video. I still have trouble, it all happens so fast. I need more practice. When I try to grip the darn thing right, I launch it to 2'o'clock sometimes, and I've noticed, since I started gripping right, my disks take an entirely different flight path, and that takes some getting used to.
I know this video has slowed down a bit, but its still great for newer players. One question, though: how much distance should you lose with each step? For example, if you through 400' with reach-back and an x-step, what should you throw from the pec with an x-step? how about with no step? I'm re-building my drive, and I want to make sure I'm getting this close to correct before I move on.
I've always had trouble keeping it level (consistently, anyway) and my distance suffers for it. Always costs me a stroke. I've never thought of guiding it with my elbow like that. I'm always thinking about my wrist and I wind up overcompensating. I'm going to try this stuff out when I get on the course today.
@burdette899 that looked like it was just a starting position to practice the technique keeping it close to your chest, so your arm will be used to being that close to the chest through the pull through from the reach back
@Dynikus Don't know about those particular discs, not going to pretend that they're good or bad for a beginner because honestly I've never used them. When I started out though I really liked the Innova champion Roadrunner. Not the furthest driving disc but it has excellent control, after a while you'll throw some gorgeous looking S curves. Highly recommend it for a beginner.
i recently showed this video to a deaf disc golfer, to help him out. i quickly realized the closed captioning option is way off. "Extend the syringe" nope, i never heard him say that. is there anyway we can fix the captioning?
Haha. Yeah, I started with the leopard, and I just can't handle the curve yet. I only started three days ago. So I want a decent beginning disc, but i did not want to just buy one. So thanks for the recomendation!
Yes, we will shoot more video on wrist extension and explain that more. Wrist extension seems to be the hardest thing to grasp for most people. I will be glad to explain this in the next video.
Well I hope this video helps you get out of the 380' plateau into the 430'+ =) Thank you for watching and we will make more videos to come soon! -Masterbeato
just got done trying to copy your form and I accidentally released my disc from my hand and it went banging off the wall hella hard haha lol no damage at least
@ticonderoga8000 I own a few Wraiths and they are by far the best distance driver I've thrown. It took me a while to figure out how to throw it and they require a little more power if you want them to really fly. After you learn to throw them properly it becomes very fun. I don't think they are the best disc for beginners, tho. I also use a Valkyrie which is perfect for beginners just starting to play and looking for max distance. If you guys haven't picked up a putter, definitely do so.
Good video but hard to do. I have been playing disc golf for about two years and my drives still go no further than about 220' if I am lucky. I just can not seem to figure this drive thing out.Only thing I end up with is sore knees,sore ankles,a sore hip,and a sore elbow. Other than that I do pretty good.
Thanks Dan for the video , ignore the idiot comments below, they just don't get what your trying to get across. One of the best videos for people just starting out for sure.
As a beginner, the Archangel has really come together for me compared to my other discs, but it's characteristics are very fickle. It has a strange, long, curving flight path and goes berserk in wind. If you can get the Valk to fly straight for you, eventually it will give you more distance than the Archangel. If you're still having trouble, consider a Dragon, as it is much more consistant, not as demanding as a Valk, and seems to do better in wind.
this video makes way more sense when taken along with other explanations of the "hit." it's really a great practice tool to help your muscle memory the way he shows the progression- working backwards from the release. I used this technique today for the first time (I've played for 2.5 years) and added significant distance to my drives- on one hole I threw past the basket- which I've never done (uphill over 330ish). I'm definitely going to throw multiple practice shots like this every day unt
I meant for a beginner it does. If you don't have the weight and muscle to throw far naturally, then you're going to have to work at it. If he's a beginner, and small, that may explain why he can't throw far. That's why i told him he has to get some momentum going. He can't just stand there and expect the disc to take off by itself.
Just wondering if anyone has some commentary on discs. My friends and I went and bought discs today and played for the first time ever. We based our discs mostly on looks and price. I bought a Starfire Distance Driver - $8.99 My second friend got a Wraith Distance Driver - $8.99 and my last friend bought a Leopard Fairway Driver - $8.99 We didn't find out until later that his leopard was a fairway driver and ours were both distance. Any kind of input is welcome.
@joeveenpresents - I have to disagree on the Firebird. That's a hard disc for beginners. I would stick to the Valk and the Leopard starting out. AND STICK TO THOSE TWO! Don't run out and buy a bunch of discs. That was a lesson I learned... Use the Teebird for windy days.
Great tutorial Dan. Thanks for the clear and extremely helpful breakdown. Funny how certain people can't help but talk shit in the comments below, all the while completely missing the initial purpose of the video. I guess there's clowns in every town.
he talks about punching the elbow but if you watch the slow motion throws in slow motion (0.25) you'll see when he releases his arm is 90 degrees to his body (where it needs to be).
Just wanted to say that by holding the disc to your chest then releasing, you are loosing a lot of speed that you COULD have, just some advice, extend your arm all the way out and pull all the way across ( shoulder to shoulder) until your arm is once again, fully extended. Im not saying your Technique is wrong im just suggesting you may get more oomph this way. Nice video though.
@forever1634 You ask if he wins PDGA tourneys... yes. He played in the AM worlds last month and did well, just moved up to pro. According to PDGA.com, he has now played 4 pro tourneys and got his first win July 3rd.
