When Zachary Lindsay, a physicist at Georgia’s Berry College, decided to conduct an experiment on how to get the best speed and torque when playing disc golf (also known as Frisbee golf), he decided to use science-based evidence. We had no trouble attracting 24 enthusiastic participants who were eager to find out. Tips to improve your game. Lindsey and his team determined the optimal distance of the thumb from the center of the disc to improve launch velocity and distance. new paper Published in AIP Advances magazine.
Disc golf first appeared in the 1960s, but “Steady” Ed Hendrick, the inventor of the modern Frisbee, coined and trademarked the name “disc golf” in 1975, making him the “father” of the sport. It is widely believed that. His son founded his own company to manufacture equipment used in the game. As of 2023, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has more than 107,000 registered members worldwide, with players originating from 40 countries.
Disc golf courses typically have 9 or 18 holes or targets called “baskets.” To begin play, there is a tee position, and just as a golfer sinks a golf ball into the hole, players take turns throwing the disc until it catches the basket. The expected number of pitches required for an experienced player to get into the basket is considered “par.”
There are basically three different disc types: drivers, midrangers, and putters. The driver disc has thin, sharp edges and is designed to reduce drag when casting long distances. Powerful throws can cover distances of as much as 500 feet, so they are typically used for tee-offs and other long-distance throws. Putter discs, as their name suggests, are thicker and offer more resistance in flight, making them better suited for playing closer to the basket. Midrange discs have elements of both a driver and a putter and are designed for the 200 to 300 foot distances where players want to optimize distance and accuracy, or closer to the basket.
