11 Things I learned in ACC 255

This semester I learned a variety of useful online skills. I will list them below to ensure there are 11. 1) How to create and utilize my own blog 2) How different blog posts are more effective for different situations. For example when comparing products a review post is better than just describing two products. 3) I learned that you can almost log into everything through Google and that they have pretty efficient software 4) Pillar articles were a fun way to describe how to complete a task. 5) I learned that Cafepress makes product customization extremely easy. 6) Starting your own business sounds a lot scarier than it really is. 7) If you want to post HTML code the easiest way to do so is to pay 8) I have a lot more respect for bloggers, I used to think they were people just complaining or telling their life story. 9) I learned a lot more about disc golf by creating all these disc golf articles 10) E-business seem a lot easier to run than a brick and mortar store. Less maintenance and electronic payment systems. 11) Creating a business is fun when you do something you're passionate about.

CAFEPRESS BIB - you should really buy 2 or more and save 78% TWINS!!!!

Contact me:

Thomas Colatos

https://www.blogger.com/profile/12724717958608856660

tjcolat@gmail.com

How to Approach Things

As you continue playing, there will always be that distance of uncertainty from the basket. Do you putt or do you approach? This is not as simple as it is in ball golf. There is no specified green (usually) on a disc golf course. My general rule is that if the basket is over 80 feet away, I would approach. This will vary person to person based on how far one is willing to push their putting. MY putting range is 80 feet. This means that I am more confident standing in one spot and using just my body weight and snap to putt the disc towards the basket. I define an approach as a shot that you take with normal follow thru. Putting is not normal follow thru (for those players whom remain stationary when they drive, this excludes your form) because your motion is far more stationary when you throw. Think of putting as an aggressive toss. It is more likely to go in, but much less likely to achieve distance. If there is a massive curve or obstacle in the way of the basket, it is recommended not to putt. The reason being is that when trying to apply a large hook to a putt, the arm is likely to jerk more as you are trying to exert more force on your arm. When you apply too much force to your arm, you are likely to release later and higher causing your disc to pop up and lose distance. The approach discs that I use are the Drone and Super stingray mostly. The stingray can be used for any back hand straight shot and the drone can be used for and forehand shot especially a hook shot. They contrast each other heavily and offer an opportunity to escape from more obscure lies.

Old versus New

Recently I had purchased a newer model of a outter I have used over the last six years. My old Aviar Driver (a putter with the word driver in it yes) is worn in to say the least. Still in working condition, but I decided let's give the new one a shot. While I have not played them against each other yet I have noticed many things have not changed between the two models. The newer model is the same size and shape. I managed to get it in a heavier weight which I like, but the stability is the same (or at least the same compared to when the older version was new.) The speed flight pattern and fade are all the same. The newer model does not tend to turn as much which I tend to like for I do like using these putters as drivers. In fact my first hole in one was with the original putter. The hole was only 215 feet, however the disc works very well as a short range driver. Both models could be used for every function of the game. The new model is the new G star plastic. This makes the disc gummier and more flexible. Better for grip and holding onto chains when entering the basket. I do not like driving with gummier plastics but the feel is still something I am getting used too. Overall I have my old best friend in a new model and I could not be happier.

Cafe Press Product Review

Today I’m going to promote two of my own products. My first product is an Ultralight baby hat. This one-size fits all hat has a few different choices in color. These choices include soft Sky Blue, Petal Pink, Kiwi, and Cloud White. To add a little style, the hat is constructed like a beanie with a folded edge. This hat will surely keep your child’s head warm at the disc golf course. Say its windy, this hat keeps your child from getting cold and irritated. 90% of the heat in the body is lost through the head but this baby hat is 6.1oz and made of 100% ring spun cotton. This makes it nothing but warm, soft and comfortable for your child. My second product is a case for an iPhone 4/4S. This case has a clear exterior with a choice of grey or black bumpers and displays the word Disc Golf across the back. The case has a hard shell to protect the phone from any collisions. If you are a disc golfer and have an iPhone 4/4s this case is for you. With a slick finish this case is very appealing making it easy to flaunt off to your friends and fellow disc golfers. The case fits perfect around the phone, it cradles it keeping it tight so it wont fall out or be damaged. The case also fits so that both the headphone jack and the charging jack are still accessible.

(CLICKBANK) Review of Vert Shock and Secret Skill

Today I'm going to review Vert Shock and their psychology that they used in order to help promote their product more efficiently. They right away started their view out with a tall man dunking a ball, that continued for about a minute and a half of just constant impressive basketball moves. They impressed their audience right from the start. He was demonstrating what someone can accomplish with the shoes that he was wearing. They increase your vertical jump by 9 to 15 inches. It can improve your jump so much that you will be jumping so high that your head will reach the rim. At the end of the video they had the professional that was doing all the dunks talk about how his shoes helped his achieve his dream. If a shoe can improve your vertical jump by on average over a foot it could be the difference of winning the game or not. With the price of under $50, that price could not be beat for the positive outcomes that it will create.  
<a href="http://9e9e9fn5rrq95v8xh7p7zgs11t.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">Click Here!</a>
The second product that I've decided to promote was the secret soccer skill. Why be stuck goingvnowhere with your soccer experience? All you have to do is follow a few simple steps and you can be on your way to being a star! I mean the cartoon is a clincher.  Anyone who can draw that fast must know what they are doing.  This guy's secrets are next level I mean he is incredible.  He can draw at such rapid speeds and he knows a thing or two about collegiate soccer.

Donation Page

Stingray review

One of my favorite mid range discs is the super stingray and the regular stingray disc.  The stingray is an old model that Innova has produced for years.  Before the specific production of mid range drivers, the stingray was considered a mid range driver.  Both models have a lot of glide.  This disc will hold and line and continue on that path for a long time.  This means that a very straight throw will stay straight for a long time because of the glide and stability.  The disc is understable (the super model is slightly more stable) and will easily turn if enough angle is put on it. The low fade that each model has makes sure that when the disc slows down and is using glide to gain more distance, the disc will not finish or tail off very far to the right. This disc can be used to approach and I normally use mine as a second shot when my disc is further than 80 feet from the basket in reasonable wind conditions.  Due to the glide these models have in a tailwind I could throw one of these around 400 feet with solid form.  My favorite place to use this disc is one a tight wooded course with a short distance to the pin.  Throwing the stingray with a lot of spin will cause it to go in a very straight line. If your shot is online away from the trees, it is very likely to stay on that path.  I would rate these discs both five stars.  The best understable approach disc that can be used in a variety of situations even in moderate wind.

What Putter is right for you?

An important part of your game as you progress is to find a putter that fits your style of play.  Now I traditionally have put two different ways. Float putting and straight on putting.  Those are two opposites and there are different forms of putting in between that encompass a variety of both.  Putters like the Pole Cat and the Birdie are great for float putting.  The honestly look like oversized Pringle can lids.  They are very slow and straight putters. Ideal for float putting.  However, if too much speed is put on them, they have a tendency to turn.  If you putt with a lot of power, this may not be ideal for you.  A better putter would be an Avair or a Rhyno.  These are more overstable putters that require more power to be put on them for more accurate putting.  The Aero is an interesting putter.  It has a massive amount of glide and very little fade.  This is good for longer putts that require a straight on finish to the hole.  Beware: if you power this disc and miss the basket, it will keep going enough to frustrate the best of us.  The Avair Driver is my favorite putter.  This is like an Avair but can handle more power on a drive.  Also I got my first hole and one with one of these.  This disc is good for a float putt with a lot of spin and a moderate amount of power.  Good putts with this disc look like they bounce out of your hand and into the basket

Rattling Chains Blog review

The Rattling chains post I want to focus on is 5.5 reasons to improve your putting.  5.5 Reasons to improve your putting is a good article overall.  There are a few things I would change:  I do not care for the title very much. I get that the 5.5 title is unique and might be catchy but to me it doesn't really make sense.  Stress reduction is just as valid of a reason as the other five. The content is also very wordy and sometimes hard to follow.  Having said that, if you can understand the information, it is very valuable.  I agreed with every topic covered and enjoyed the visuals even though simple.  The pyramid will help visualize the thought process that disc golfers should embody.  Muscle memory also tends to something that is overlooked.  Repetition and practice not only help you learn your discs, it helps you find your form.  It is important though to practice good form from the start. Muscle memory can actually hurt if poor form is present.  Even at optimal poor form, a game is likely to be much more difficult than using a less refined good form. Rattling Chains Facebook Page Rattling Chains Twitter Page.Check these pages for upcoming news and events around the disc golf world as well as for more important blogs!

Top five Drivers for Sidearm Throwers

Sidearm or forehand throwing is my favorite style of throwing when I play disc golf.  I will be including my five favorite discs I have used for forehand throwing.  I have used about 40 different discs in total for forehanding and have gotten a good feel of what may work better than others.

5: Force (by Discraft)  I have used a force for quite some time on and off and it is a pretty clutch disc.  It has a decent amount of stability that helps it flip back and create S curves.  The good thing about this disc is that it is not too overstable, so it can be used for lighter throws and gain more distance by flipping back.

4: Max (Innova)  The max is a pretty uncommon disc.  I have only met a few people outside of the friends I convinced to get one that used one.  It is a very stable disc with a slightly lower speed.  It can be used for a good 300-400 foot forehand with a small S curve or just a straight shot and Fade.  I have gotten the Max to around 500 feet with a perfect S curve, but it is not as fast and will not go as far as some of the newer distance drivers.

3. Ape: (Innova)  The Ape is a great disc.  It can be used in a strong headwind for backhanding and a moderate headwind for forehanding.  It is stable enough to flip back from most turns, but is also understable enough to turn just enough for a great S curve.  This disc also flies.  It is very easy to put this disc 300 ft.  While it may be suited really only for longer holes, it sure eats up the distance in a hurry and will make approaches shorter.

2. Drone (Discraft)  This is the only mid range on the list but it deserves to be in your bag.  Seriously a great short range flick disc.  Will go around 300 ft with a straight shot and fade.  Maxes out around 400 with an s curve.  Extremely reliable and predictable.  Produces the most consistent lines for forehand and backhand throws.

1. Nuke OS (Discraft) The Nuke is a hard disc to use.  Very very overstable and hard to put on an s curve.  The good news is once you have enough arm power and can put spin on it, it will produce great s curves and fly out of you hand.  Also anyone who wants to forehand into  massive headwind, here it is finally!!!  Seriously though great disc, greed speed, great stability, great for windy days, great in general.

Flight Guide (Marshall Street)

Today I would like to go over the flight guide on Marshall Street Disc Golf.  Flight Guide.  The chart compares most of the disc made by all the major manufacturers of discs. The speed is rated from 3-14. The lower the speed, the slower the disc will go.  The speed 3 range is mostly putters and midranges.  Midranges continue up to speed five where they begin to blend with fairway drivers.  Fairway drives then go to speed 7 then get blended with distance drivers that go all the way up to speed 14.  The stability categories range from A-E or Overstable to Understable.  Overstable discs are more likely to fade and less likely to turn.  They represent A-B.  Stable discs have characteristics of both.  They range from low B to High D.  Understables are more likely to turn and less likely to fade they range all the way to E.  A combination of speed and stability is needed for the right throw.  The mapping makes it easy to find how each disc will fly relative to one another.

an important article

Today I would like to look at a blog from Subtraction By Subtraction.  Personally I like this article because it focuses more on the mental aspect of the game rather than just discs and physical attributes.  Training yourself on how to mental tackle the game is quite important.  As mentioned in the article, it is important to only focus on the upcoming shot.  It can become easy to question your game after making a poor shot or thinking too much about your score.  The best solution to this is to just have fun.  Relax yourself, focus on making one quality shot at a time, and make mental notes on how you can improve your game from your previous shot.  Another important part of your game is to not overcompensate correction of your throws.  As also mentioned in the article, we all have an idea of how our throw is suppose to go in our heads.  We may have the right idea but produce the wrong throw.  For example if I am trying to throw a short fade of about 200 ft on a drive and I expect a massive fade line so I release the disc early on a sharp angle to induce the fade. Guess what it did not fade enough and I end up feet to the right of the hole.  The correct course of action would be to put less angle on the disc, release the disc later, or a small combo of both.  However, you do not want to completely throw away the drive you just had.  While it may no have turned out well at all, the small change you make to your throw will make a big impact.  I would only try to change on variable (angle for example) at a single time.  This will help reduce the frustration of too many changing parts causing errant throws.  Disc golf is a game that requires a calm mind. Focus on one thing at a time whether it is throwing mechanics or the shot you just took.

Review of Ript Revenge Disc Golf Card Game

After playing countless rounds of disc golf at the same course, sometimes you just want to change things up.  Ript Revenge is a card game that challenges you to use different throws and strategies while you play.  Ript Revenge is played by dealing cards to each player before the game begins.  Each player can only play one card per hole and may use the card on themselves or their opponents.  The cards vary from directly affecting a players score, preventing them from using a certain type of disc(s) on a hole, or even making them carry another players bag.  While the scores may get a bit ridiculous and it will not be an accurate measure of your game, the practice of different techniques the game forces upon you are quite valuable.  At the very least the game prepares you to take different shots at different distances.  For example a card may require you to roll a drive.  While rolling may not be something players even use, it can come in handy when the tree lines are low or passages are scattered to the basket.  Practicing in a relaxed environment will help in more competitive situations.  What I wish the game included were more cards that last the duration of the game.  For example I wish there were a card that would require a player to focus on using only three discs of their choice.  This would help them learn how to use a select few discs in a greater variety of situations.  I would rate the game 4 out of 5 its pretty near perfect and quite affordable at $5.99 off of Marshall street.

The Forehand Throw

The Forehand throw or the sidearm throw is a common alternative to throwing a shot backhanded.  I am going to be teaching you today how I throw my sidearm shot. The first key to getting this shot down is learning how to snap or roll your wrist when you release in order to put more spin on the disc.  When throwing sidearm, spin is going to keep the disc flatter and straighter.  Both of these are crucial as it is slightly harder, in my opinion, to throw this shot. A good exercise to get used to snap your wrist is to practice a sidearm throwing motion (even if it is more of a baseball throw than a disc throw) and then stopping your arm when your forearm is lined up with the side of your body. Then rotate your wrist forward as if you could only throw using your hand. Keep these two motion separate at first and then gradually speed up these motions and then blend them together.  The finger position I use when I hold the disc is to tuck two fingers straight along the inner rim of the disc (pointer and middle). Then I place my thumb on the top of the disc at a near perpendicular angle to my pointer and middle fingers. If your disc is transparent or translucent you can see through the disc that the formation your fingers are in resemble making a gun with your three fingers.  I find that using two fingers puts an optimal amount of spin on the disc while maintaining good grip and work-ability out of the hand.  To put the whole throwing motion together I begin with my knees slightly bent facing the basket.  I keep my right and left hands on the disc with the right hand gripping the disc to throw.  I step forward with my left foot, turn my left shoulder towards the basket while bringing my elbow back on the right arm bringing the disc along the side of my head.  I step then with the right foot bringing the disc down to my side almost level with my elbow.  Then I step with my left and bring the disc forward while stepping and releasing as my foot is landing and the disc is passing my side.Depending on the stability of the disc, your release will be flat or on a slight turn or fade line.  Every arm slot my not feel the same for everyone so it is encouraged to experiment with your throwing routine.  The main factor is getting enough spin on the disc to keep in straighter and give it more distance. More overstable discs are recommended for throwing sidearm until enough finesse is learned to throw understables.  Understables have a much higher tendency to turn while throwing sidearm. Understables will require a fade line (having your fingers higher than the other end of the disc upon release) while overstables will require a turn line (having your fingers lower than the other end of the disc upon release).

Introduction to Disc Flight Characteristics

Out of the thousands of discs available for a person to use, many people find it hard to find what the correct disc for them is.  Personally I do not think there is a single disc for one person. I believe that there are perfect discs for perfect situations.  Today I want to go over the different flight characteristics of discs using the Innova flight characteristics scale.  Different disc manufacturers have different scales on which they base their discs off of.  Innova is simple enough to understand and divides the flight characteristics into four categories: Speed, Glide, Turn, Fade.

Speed: This is how the disc flies through the air.  With a higher speed, the disc will gain more distance through the air with the same amount of force than a lower speed disc.  For a beginner, I would recommend having a few discs with various speeds.  One driver with a high speed rating such as 10 or 11, a mid range disc with a speed of 4 or 5 (most mid range discs have a speed of 4 or 5 so speed is not the largest factor when it comes to shorter range discs.), and a putter with a low speed no higher than 2.  The reason for the low speed in putters is because as a beginner it will be hard to find a solid form for putting. Putting may be difficult at first, so a disc with less speed has less chance of blowing by the hole and adding frustrating strokes to a score. Innova speed range (1-14)

Glide: I like to look at glide as hangtime for the disc.  Faster disc DO NOT inherently have more glide than slower discs. A high amount of Glide is valuable you want to shoot over terrain that is undesirable.  Say you need to shoot over a 150 feet pond in length.  If the pond was 15 feet in front of you, a disc with a lot of speed would be the obvious choice.  However if the pond is 100 feet in front of you, you would want a disc that will hang up in the air long enough to carry over the pond.  Innova recommends discs with a lot of glide for beginners because the glide will add distance to your drives. Personally, I use discs with a lot of glide because I like the flight pattern and the straight line discs with high glide tend to hold.  As soon as you have a throwing rhythm you like, then I would recommend finding a disc with a good amount of glide that fits your playing style. Innova glide range (1-7)

Turn:  Conceptually I believe this concept is the hardest for beginners.  Turn is the tendency of the disc to go against its natural flight pattern.  There are high speed turn and low speed turn (the difference being high speed occurs right after the disc is thrown and low speed occurs after the disc has lost velocity and is attempting to land). For this post, we will not distinguish between the two.  The real question is what is the natural flight pattern of the disc you are using? there are two factors that determine this: How the disc is made and how you throw it.  Some discs are made to turn more than others. Just like some clubs in ball golf are made to put more spin on the ball than others.  How you throw the disc determines which way the disc will finish when it loses its spin and speed. For example, if you throw backhanded with your right hand (RHBH) or forehanded with your left hand (FHLH) the disc will naturally tail to the left when it is finished.  If you throw backhanded with your left hand (LHBH) or throw forehanded with your right hand (FHRH) the disc will finish to the right.  A lower turn score means the disc is more likely to turn.  This is better for beginners because it will help them gain distance while they are learning how to put more spin on the disc (spin will keep the disc straight).  Innova turn scale (-5 to +1)

Fade: This stat determines how hard the disc will finish in its natural direction.  Innova refers to fade as how hard the disc will hook when it begins to lose speed and starts to land.  Fade can be helpful if you have a dog leg on a hole and you need to curve your disc to get towards the hole.  A high amount of fade will balance out a high turn number (even though there are not many discs that are high in both stats).  For a beginner I would recommend a disc with as little fade as possible. It will be easier to learn to throw as well as gain more distance by staying straighter. Innova Fade range (0-5)

About Me

Hi, my name is Tom Colatos and I am a student at Illinois State University studying Economics and Accounting. Currently in my last semester trying to obtain my CPA as well as working for a local food pantry. I am 22 years old and currently reside in Normal Illinois.  I am originally from Chicago and moved out to the suburbs when I was four.  When I am not at school or working I am an avid disc golfer.  I usually get out and play at the various disc golf courses in the surrounding area at least three times a week. I created this blog to talk about disc golf and give general pointers to beginners to make their disc golfing experience more fun. When I first started playing, I had no idea of the various ways of throwing nor any of the techniques associated with them. My goal is to help people play a little bit better and for them to just get out and have fun.  The sport is free and family friendly. I have been playing disc golf for seven years now and have competed in various tournaments around the Great Lakes region.  Before I started playing disc golf I played baseball for fifteen years. I played on a team that went to the Little League World Series when I was fourteen.  I also played a year of collegiate Frisbee for Illinois State. A few good websites for information on disc golf and disc golf products visit Innova Website and Marshall Street Disc Golf Pro Shop. To contact me please email tjcolat@gmail.com.