# Disc Golf Mentor

> Real advice from someone still figuring it out


## Posts

- [The 15-Minute Putting Routine I Hate But Do Anyway](https://discgolfmentor.com/15-minute-putting-routine/): I need to start with an admission: I don’t practice putting enough. I know I should. I tell other people to practice putting all the time. I’ve written about how putting is the highest-ROI skill improvement for most amateurs. And then I go home and throw drivers in my backyard because it’s more fun, and the basket sits there looking at me judgmentally. When I DO practice putting \u2014 which is not as often as it should be \u2014 I use a specific routine. It’s short enough that I can talk myself into doing it even when I don’t want […]
- [Off-Season Training: What to Do When You Can't Play (Or Won't)](https://discgolfmentor.com/off-season-training/): I live in Oregon. It rains here from roughly October through June. Not constantly, but enough that there are long stretches where going to the course sounds miserable. Cold, wet, muddy, discs slip out of your hand weird, shoes get destroyed. Some people play through all of it. I admire those people. I am not always one of those people. The problem is that not playing for weeks or months means losing progress. Your timing gets rusty, your putting goes cold, your muscle memory fades. Every spring I used to feel like I was starting over, spending the first month […]
- [Why Your Disc Nose-Dives (And How to Fix It in Like 10 Minutes)](https://discgolfmentor.com/why-your-disc-nose-dives/): So your drives keep doing this thing where they shoot up, hang in the air for a second, and then just… dump. Fade hard left way earlier than they should. Die about 200 feet out when you felt like you threw it pretty well. And you’re thinking maybe the disc is too overstable. Or maybe you need more arm speed. Or maybe you’re just bad at this, who knows. I’m gonna save you like six months of frustration: it’s almost definitely your nose angle. Wait What’s Nose Angle Okay so \u2014 the “nose” of the disc is the front edge. […]
- [The X-Step Explained Without Making It Weird](https://discgolfmentor.com/x-step-explained/): The x-step is the footwork pattern that builds momentum before a backhand throw. It’s how you turn a standstill drive into a full-power drive. It’s also one of those things that looks complicated when you watch it, feels awkward when you first try it, and then eventually becomes automatic. Getting there takes practice, but the concept isn’t actually that hard. Let me break it down without making it weirder than it needs to be. First: Do You Even Need It Yet? Honest question. If your standstill throw isn’t solid \u2014 consistent release, good nose angle, reasonable distance \u2014 adding an […]
- [Forehand 101: A Guide From Someone Whose Forehand Is Mediocre](https://discgolfmentor.com/forehand-101/): I need to be upfront about something: my forehand is not great. It’s functional. It exists. I can throw one when I need to and it usually goes in the general direction I intended. But it’s probably the weakest part of my game and I’ve accepted that I might never be a forehand-dominant player. This is relevant because I’m about to give you forehand advice, and you should know it’s coming from someone who understands the struggle rather than someone who’s mastered it. My husband Brendan, hilariously, throws forehand ONLY \u2014 like, he refuses to learn a backhand, it’s a […]
- [Flight Numbers Explained: What Those Four Numbers Actually Mean](https://discgolfmentor.com/flight-numbers-explained/): I remember staring at my first disc \u2014 an Innova something, I forget what \u2014 trying to make sense of the numbers printed on it. 9/5/-1/2. What did that mean? The guy at the shop explained it but I retained maybe 20% of what he said. Something about speed and fade and turn and I nodded politely while understanding nothing. It took me probably six months to really internalize what flight numbers meant. And then another year to realize they matter less than I thought they did. The numbers are useful as a starting point, but they’re not gospel \u2014 […]
- [Fieldwork Drills That Actually Improve Your Game](https://discgolfmentor.com/fieldwork-drills/): I should do more fieldwork. I don’t. Do as I say, not as I do. But when I do get out to a field and actually practice with intention, it makes a noticeable difference. The problem is that most people’s “fieldwork” is just throwing discs randomly for an hour without any structure. That’s fun, but it’s not practice. Here are drills that actually work \u2014 specific, timed, with clear goals. Pick a few that address your weaknesses and do them consistently. The Rules of Good Fieldwork Before we get to the drills, some principles: Quality over quantity. 30 focused throws […]
- [Backhand Basics: The Reach-Back Isn't What You Think](https://discgolfmentor.com/backhand-basics/): I played ultimate frisbee in college. Four years at Oregon State, starting handler by junior year, before I blew out my shoulder and had to quit. So when I picked up disc golf during physical therapy, I figured the throwing part would transfer over. Same basic motion, right? Just smaller discs at metal baskets instead of to people. I was wrong about almost everything. Ultimate throws and disc golf throws look similar but they’re mechanically different in ways that took me probably two years to fully understand. The grip is different. The release is different. The power source is completely […]
- [Your First Round: What to Actually Expect](https://discgolfmentor.com/first-round-what-to-expect/): My first real round of disc golf was at Pier Park in Portland and I almost didn’t go through with it. I sat in my car for probably fifteen minutes beforehand just kind of psyching myself out. What if I throw it into someone? What if I can’t find hole 1? What if everyone stares at me because I obviously don’t know what I’m doing? I had convinced myself this was going to be embarrassing somehow. It wasn’t. It was fine. Actually it was great. I threw some bad shots and nobody cared, I got lost between holes twice and […]
- [What Is Disc Golf? A No-Jargon Introduction](https://discgolfmentor.com/what-is-disc-golf/): The first time someone tried to explain disc golf to me I think they made it sound way more complicated than it needed to be. This was my physical therapist, guy named Rob, who I was seeing three times a week for a shoulder thing after I blew it out playing ultimate. He kept talking about disc golf as this thing I should try because it was “lower impact” and “good for rehab” and then he started going on about flight numbers and stability ratings and hyzer angles and my eyes glazed over completely. I nodded politely and figured I’d […]
- [The Only 3 Discs You Need to Start (I'm Serious, Just 3)](https://discgolfmentor.com/only-three-discs-you-need/): Every beginner does the same thing. They walk into a disc golf shop \u2014 or worse, start browsing online \u2014 see 47 different discs with flight numbers that don’t mean anything yet, panic, and either buy way too much or ask some guy at the counter who sells them a 15-disc starter set they absolutely do not need. Or someone tells them to get a Destroyer because pros throw it and then they spend six months wondering why all their drives hook left and die in the bushes. I’m gonna make this real simple. You need three discs. Total cost […]
- [How Disc Golf Ratings Work (And Why I Wish I Didn't Know)](https://discgolfmentor.com/how-ratings-work/): I check my PDGA rating probably once a week. Sometimes more. I’m not proud of this. It’s not a healthy habit. Brendan has caught me doing it on my phone and made fun of me about it multiple times. “Your number go up?” he’ll ask, which is annoyingly accurate as a summary of what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. The thing is, I tell people not to worry about ratings. Beginners especially \u2014 I tell them to ignore the number, focus on improvement, don’t let a three-digit score define your relationship with the sport. And I genuinely believe […]
- [Disc Golf Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules Nobody Tells You](https://discgolfmentor.com/disc-golf-etiquette/): There’s this guy at Milo McIver \u2014 I’ve seen him probably six or seven times over the years \u2014 and every time I see him he’s doing something that makes me want to scream. Last time he was playing music out loud from his phone speaker. Not headphones, not a quiet bluetooth speaker, just his phone at max volume playing what I can only describe as aggressively mediocre EDM. And he’s just strolling along, oblivious, like this is his personal soundtrack and everyone else on the course should be grateful for the ambiance. I didn’t say anything to him because […]
- [Course Management for Mortals: When to Stop Being a Hero](https://discgolfmentor.com/course-management-for-mortals/): There’s a hole at Milo McIver \u2014 hole 5 on the East course \u2014 where water guards the right side on the approach. The smart play is obvious: stay left, have a longer approach, take your par. The hero play is threading a line that cuts closer to the water, saving maybe 30 feet on your approach shot. The hero play looks cool when it works. I’ve played Milo probably 200 times. I know this hole intimately. I know the smart play. And at least once every few rounds, I still go for the hero line. And sometimes I find […]
- [Why You Don't Need a Destroyer \u2014 An Intervention](https://discgolfmentor.com/why-you-dont-need-a-destroyer/): Okay. We need to talk. Sit down. This is an intervention. I’m not even kidding \u2014 I’ve had this conversation so many times at this point that I’m just gonna write it all out so I can send people a link instead of repeating myself at Milo every other Tuesday. You bought a Destroyer. I know you did. Everyone buys a Destroyer. McBeth throws one, the guy at the shop said it was good, your buddy who’s been playing six months longer than you swears by his. So you bought one. And now you’re wondering why all your drives fade […]
- [Understanding Understable Discs (And Why I Wish I'd Started With Them)](https://discgolfmentor.com/understanding-understable-discs/): For my first year of disc golf, I avoided understable discs like they were defective. Someone at a shop told me they were “flippy” \u2014 said it like it was a bad thing \u2014 and I internalized that. Flippy sounded unreliable. Flippy sounded like a disc that wouldn’t do what I wanted. I wanted stable, overstable, discs that fought back and finished hard. Those felt serious. Professional. This was completely backwards and it cost me probably a year of development. The thing nobody explained to me \u2014 or maybe they did and I wasn’t listening \u2014 is that understable discs […]
- [Understable Discs: Your Secret Weapon (Seriously)](https://discgolfmentor.com/understable-discs-secret-weapon/): Most beginners make the same mistake: they go overstable too fast. They hear “stable” and think “good.” They see overstable discs fighting the wind and think “powerful.” They buy a bag full of meat hooks and then wonder why everything fades into the same spot. Meanwhile, understable discs sit on the shelf, ignored. Dismissed as “beginner discs” that you’re supposed to graduate from. This is backwards. Understable discs aren’t training wheels \u2014 they’re weapons. Some of the most useful shots in disc golf require understable plastic. Let me explain why you need them. What “Understable” Means Flight numbers have four […]
- [Best Midranges for Beginners (The Buzzz Is Perfect, I'm Not Taking Questions)](https://discgolfmentor.com/best-midranges-beginners/): If you only owned one disc \u2014 like, desert island scenario, one disc forever \u2014 it should be a midrange. I will die on this hill. Drivers are fun but inconsistent. Putters don’t go far enough. Midranges do everything. And if you’re asking me which midrange, I already know my answer because I’ve had this conversation probably 200 times and my answer is always the same and I’m not changing it. It’s the Buzzz The Discraft Buzzz is the perfect disc. I know that’s a big statement. I’m making it anyway. Here’s why: the Buzzz goes exactly where you throw […]
- [Playing in the Rain: A PNW Survival Guide](https://discgolfmentor.com/playing-in-the-rain-pnw/): I live in Oregon. It rains here approximately 200 days a year. If I only played disc golf on dry days, I’d play maybe twice a month from November to April. So I play in the rain. A lot. I’ve developed systems. Some of them even work. Here’s everything I know about disc golf in wet conditions \u2014 gear, technique, mindset, and survival strategies. The Gear Towels (Plural) One towel isn’t enough. You need: A dry towel \u2014 kept inside your bag, protected from rain, used only for drying your disc right before you throw A wet towel \u2014 clips […]
- [Pier Park: Portland's Best Free Course (And Where I Learned to Play)](https://discgolfmentor.com/pier-park-course-guide/): Pier Park is where I first saw disc golf being played. I didn’t know what it was at the time \u2014 this was maybe 2015, before I’d started playing \u2014 I was just walking my dog through the park and saw people throwing frisbees at metal baskets. Thought it looked weird. Interesting, but weird. A year later, post-shoulder surgery, deep in physical therapy, a friend suggested I try disc golf as a low-impact way to throw again. We went to Pier Park. I was terrible. I hit trees constantly. I lost a disc in bushes on hole 3 and spent […]
- [Milo McIver State Park: My Home Course, My Nemesis](https://discgolfmentor.com/milo-mciver-course-guide/): Milo McIver is where I learned to actually play disc golf. Not just throw discs \u2014 play. Read lines, manage risk, recover from mistakes, handle pressure. I’ve had my best rounds there and my most humiliating disasters. It’s the course that dropped my rating from 941 to where it is now after a tournament I’d rather not discuss in detail. It’s my home course and also the place where I’ve left the most discs in hazards. I’ve probably played Milo 200+ times over the years. Definitely more than any other course. And I still find ways to screw up holes […]
- [LGBTQ+ in Disc Golf: Finding Your People in a Growing Sport](https://discgolfmentor.com/lgbtq-disc-golf/): I’ve been openly gay in disc golf spaces since I started playing in 2016. Brendan comes to tournaments sometimes \u2014 he’s my husband, he throws forehand-only like a maniac \u2014 and we’re not subtle about being married. Rainbow mini in my bag. Casual mentions in conversation. Just existing as a gay couple at disc golf events, which shouldn’t be remarkable but sometimes is. My experience has been mostly positive. Oregon in general, Portland specifically, is a pretty welcoming place. The local scene here doesn’t bat an eye. But I’ve also been to tournaments in other areas where I felt less […]
- [Finding Your Local League (And Why You Should Play One)](https://discgolfmentor.com/finding-your-local-league/): For my first two years of disc golf, I played almost entirely solo. Show up at a course, play my round alone, go home. It was fine. Good exercise, time outside, gradual improvement. But I didn’t know anyone in the local scene, didn’t understand where I stood relative to other players, didn’t have anyone to learn from or compete against. Just me and the baskets. Then someone at Pier Park mentioned there was a Tuesday league at Milo. Twenty bucks for the season, show up when you can, play a casual round with random people. I almost didn’t go because […]
- [Finding Leagues Near You (And Why You Should Join One)](https://discgolfmentor.com/finding-leagues/): I played disc golf solo for my first year. I’d show up at the course, throw my round, leave. Maybe nod at someone on the fairway. That was it. Then I joined a league. Within a month I’d made more disc golf friends than I had in the entire previous year. Within six months my game had improved more than it had playing alone. Leagues are the secret shortcut. Here’s why they matter and how to find one. What a League Actually Is A disc golf league is a recurring event \u2014 usually weekly \u2014 where the same group of […]

## Pages

- [Contact](https://discgolfmentor.com/contact/): Get in Touch I’m one person running this site, so I can’t promise instant responses. But I do read everything that comes through, and I try to reply within a few days when I can. What I Can Help With Questions about disc golf u2014 technique, gear, courses, whatever Feedback on articles or videos (including “hey, you got this wrong”) Topic suggestions for future content Coaching inquiries (check the coaching page first) Collaboration or partnership ideas What I Can’t Help With Sponsorship requests u2014 I’m not famous enough for that Promoting your product for free u2014 sorry PDGA rules disputes u2014 I’m […]
- [Guides](https://discgolfmentor.com/guides/)
- [About](https://discgolfmentor.com/about/): About Hey, I’m Jake I’m the person behind Disc Golf Mentor. The one writing all this stuff, filming the videos, probably overthinking my disc selection at Milo McIver right now while you’re reading this. Quick stats: 38 years old, based in Tigard, Oregon. PDGA #87412, currently rated 932 (peaked at 941, still bitter about a bad tournament in Estacada that dropped me). I throw predominantly backhand u2014 my forehand is a work in progress, we don’t need to talk about it. How I Got Here I played ultimate frisbee at Oregon State until I blew out my shoulder junior year. […]
- [Home](https://discgolfmentor.com/): With Jake • Disc Golf Mentor Practical Disc Golf Coaching Clear, no-nonsense advice to help you throw farther, putt more confidently, and actually understand why your discs do what they do. No touring-pro fluff. No physics lectures. Just actionable coaching from someone who’s been stuck, frustrated, and muddy in the fairway too. Start Learning Read, watch, and practice Smart course strategy Simple practice drills Honest disc advice The Story Behind Disc Golf Mentor. Disc Golf Mentor started because most disc golf advice felt either overcomplicated or uselessly vague. I wanted a place that felt like real coaching — clear explanations, […]
- [Recommended Gear: Discs, Bags & Accessories I Actually Use](https://discgolfmentor.com/recommended-gear/): Gear Advice Without the BS Look \u2014 I make money when you click these links and buy stuff. That’s how affiliate marketing works, and I’m not gonna pretend otherwise. But here’s my promise: I never recommend anything I haven’t personally thrown, and I’ll tell you when something isn’t worth the money. Gear matters less than people think. A $12 DX Leopard will teach you more than a $25 premium plastic disc you’re not ready for. I’d rather you spend money on rounds than on discs you’ll lose in a pond. (I’ve donated enough discs to Milo’s pond to know.) That […]
- [Privacy Policy](https://discgolfmentor.com/privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy Last updated: December 2024 This is the part where I tell you what data we collect and what we do with it. I’ll keep it readable. Who We Are Disc Golf Mentor is operated by Jake Mercer as a sole proprietorship based in Tigard, Oregon. When I say “we” in this policy, I mostly mean “me” \u2014 I’m a one-person operation. Website: discgolfmentor.com/ What Data We Collect Contact form submissions: If you fill out the contact form, I get your name, email, and message. I use this to respond to you. I don’t add you to any email […]
- [Privacy Policy | Disc Golf Mentor](https://discgolfmentor.com/privacy/): Last updated: January 2024 The Short Version I collect minimal data, don’t sell your information to anyone, and use cookies only for basic site functionality and analytics. If you email me, I keep that to respond to you. If you buy coaching, I keep your payment info as long as legally required. That’s basically it. But here’s the longer version because lawyers exist. What I Collect Analytics Data I use Google Analytics to understand how people use the site \u2014 which pages get traffic, how long people stay, what devices they use. This is anonymized and aggregated. I can’t identify […]
- [Free Resources](https://discgolfmentor.com/free-resources/): Free Resources Stuff I’ve made that might help your game. All free, no email signup required, just click and download. I figure if it’s helpful you’ll come back anyway. Practice Guides 15-Minute Putting Routine (PDF) The exact routine I use, formatted for easy reference at the basket. Warm-up, money distance, ladder drill, pressure putts. Print it out or save it to your phone. Download PDF \u2192 Fieldwork Session Template (PDF) A structured template for productive field sessions. What to throw, how many reps, what to focus on. Beats standing in a field chucking discs randomly. Download PDF \u2192 Checklists Form […]
- [Start Here](https://discgolfmentor.com/start-here/): New to Disc Golf? Start Here. Welcome. You’ve found a sport that’s cheap to start, easy to learn, and weirdly addictive. I’m going to help you get playing without drowning you in information you don’t need yet. Here’s the path I’d recommend. Read these in order, or jump to whatever you need. Step 1: Understand the Game What Is Disc Golf? A No-Jargon Introduction The basics explained simply. What you’re trying to do, how courses work, why people get into this. Five minutes to read, and you’ll know enough to start playing. Step 2: Get Some Discs The Only 3 […]
- [Disc Golf Resources: Links, Tools & Community](https://discgolfmentor.com/resources/): The Good Stuff, All in One Place There’s a lot of disc golf content out there. Some of it’s great, some of it’s… not. Here are the resources I actually use and recommend \u2014 course finders, rules references, community organizations, and tools that make the sport better. This page will grow over time. If there’s something useful missing, let me know. Essential Tools UDisc The app everyone uses. Course directory, scorekeeping, stats tracking, course maps. Free version does everything you need; paid version adds detailed stats and some other features. I track every round in UDisc \u2014 probably have 800+ […]
- [Coaching](https://discgolfmentor.com/coaching/): Coaching Services I’ve been coaching disc golf since 2019, first as a side thing while teaching PE, now full-time. I work with players from complete beginners to intermediate competitors \u2014 basically anyone who wants to improve and is willing to do the work. Here’s what I offer: Video Form Review $45 per review You send me video of your throw (instructions provided after purchase). I send back a detailed breakdown: what you’re doing well, what’s costing you distance or accuracy, and specific drills to fix the issues I identify. Most useful for: players who know something’s wrong but can’t figure […]


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