Getting started with a putter and a midrange

Why not start with a driver?

Drivers are built for distance, so they look like the obvious first disc. Innova, the company behind the flight numbers printed on most discs, explains that faster discs need more throwing power to fly as intended. Most new players do not have that arm speed yet. A fast driver thrown too slowly never reaches its speed, so it fades out early and hooks left on a right-handed backhand. Innova's tips also recommend building throwing form with putters and midranges before moving to faster drivers.

Speed is the first of the four flight numbers. Putters usually carry a speed of 2 or 3 and midranges 4 or 5, while distance drivers go as high as 14 on Innova's scale.

The putter

A putter has a deep, blunt rim and flies slowly. Besides finishing holes, it works for short approaches and for tee shots on short holes.

1. Hold it in a relaxed fan grip, with your fingers spread under the disc and your thumb on top. Any grip that feels secure is fine.
2. Stand behind your marker with your throwing-side foot in front (the right foot for a right-hander) and the other foot behind it.
3. Aim at one chain link instead of the whole basket. Innova suggests this because a smaller target sharpens your focus.
4. Swing the disc back a short way and bring it forward smoothly. On longer putts, get the extra power by shifting your weight forward and keep the arm motion the same.
5. Follow through toward your chain link and keep your eyes on it until the disc gets there.

One rule is worth knowing before a first league night. On a putt from inside 10 meters (about 33 feet) of the basket, you have to show that you are balanced behind your marker before you walk toward the basket, so jump putts and falling forward past the marker are not allowed from that distance.

The midrange

A midrange is a little faster than a putter and has a sharper rim. For a new player it can be the main throwing disc, both off the tee and on approaches.

Learn the backhand with it from a standstill, without a run-up:

1. Grip the disc with your thumb on top and four fingers curled under the rim.
2. Stand side-on, with your throwing shoulder toward the target.
3. Reach straight back at chest height, along the line you want to throw. Reaching around your body is the usual reason a disc leaves on the wrong line.
4. Turn your hips toward the target first, then let your arm pull the disc across your chest.
5. Release the disc flat or slightly nose down. A nose-up release makes the disc climb, stall and drop out to the left for a right-hander.
6. Keep your arm moving along the line of the throw after the disc leaves your hand.

Innova recommends getting smooth, well-timed throws before adding power. If a relaxed throw leaves on your line, you can see what your form is doing, which is hard to tell from a hard throw that wobbles.

A first practice session

These distances are suggestions, so adjust them to the group.

• Putting: ten putts each from 10, 15 and 20 feet. Innova's advice is to get comfortable from 20 feet before worrying about longer putts.
• Throwing: in an open field, ten standstill throws with the midrange toward a tree or flag within reach. Walk out, collect the discs and throw back.
• Then play a few holes with only the two discs, using the midrange from the tee and on approaches and the putter near the basket.
• If you are running an introduction, give each new player one putter and one midrange and pair them with an experienced player for the first holes. Left-handers can mirror every left and right in these instructions.

When to add a third disc

Once the midrange flies fairly straight and a player keeps wanting more distance on open holes, try a fairway driver before a distance driver. It sits just above a midrange in speed, so it adds reach without needing a much faster arm.