How Much Does Distance Really Matter in Disc Golf?

I can throw a backhand about 280 feet. A forehand about 240. That’s not very far in disc golf terms. But those are my "consistent" distances.

I’m realistic. I just want a repeatable drive. Something that will end up safely down the fairway.

If you read a lot of disc golf commentary, however, those are considered shorter distances.

But I have some thoughts on the subject…

A lot of people say they throw 325 feet, or 425 feet. But that’s only on their best throw. The rest of the time, they’re throwing 275…

There are also people who can really boom a throw. They have a 450-foot backhand. But it’s unpredictable. All too often, their monster throw hooks way off into the woods.

There’s a saying in traditional golf: “Straight is worth 20 yards.” Meaning, it's better to hit a shot safely down the fairway than try to smash it—and end up in the trees.

People come in all shapes and sizes. I’m not a big person, I’m not tall. And I’m 54 years old. I’ve had injuries—including a few tears in my rotator cuff. At this point, I’m glad to be mobile and active. I want to preserve what’s left of my shoulder. I’m trying to throw smartly.

If I’m playing a 400-foot par three, it’s going to take me two shots to reach the green. I want to string together a solid backhand drive and then a good forehand approach. I know my limits; I try to work within them.

The thing is, if I can throw a fairly accurate 250-foot backhand, and then a fairly accurate 200-foot forehand, I can generally place the disc where I want. So for me, distance matters less than consistency and accuracy.

Something else about disc golf. A lot of people love the game, but simply don’t throw very far. Disc golf blogs and commentary shouldn't diminish or belittle the shorter throwing distances of avid weekend players. Again—it’s better to have some consistency than random power.

Keep throwing. Play your own game.