For many players, throwing a round of disc golf in a substantial wind is not something to look forward to. Here in Oklahoma it is more common to play in the wind than to have a still day. As a result, disc golfers in central plains states have become accustomed to throwing in the wind. Instead of viewing wind as a problem, the successful disc golfer tries to see it as a benefit. The wind really is your friend, if you know how to work it.

First, assess the hole. Be observant and run down a mental checklist, then ask yourself about the hole. What does the lay of the land look like? Is it an uphill or downhill shot? Are there any obstacles or gaps that might alter wind currents? Look further into the hole for variations or tendencies in the wind. Pick the disc you want for the hole and imagine the complete flight and then factor in wind effects. Pick a spot where you anticipate your disc landing and consider what it will do after hitting the ground. Does it need to land short? Find the aiming point.

Ron Convers lives and plays disc golf in the windy state of Oklahoma.

Throw with control. The throw is the only part of the flight you can control. Be smooth; throw it as perfectly as you can. If you get the opportunity to watch a previous throw, watch the release angle and the flight path. See if it does what you expected. ADJUST your drive accordingly. I don't know how many times I have seen a whole card make the same bad read with no corrections . after THREE throws.

Remember to throw each hole individually. Although it may look like the same shot, take the time to evaluate every hole. A good read will be the difference between a 2 and a 5. Watch for waves or gusts. Often you will be able to see a wave coming at you and have time to wait it out. Don't try to rush a shot. If necessary, throw during the wave, but reassess the new conditions. Even experts will still get fooled, but the really great ones limit how much a mistake will hurt them.

Disc Selection: When most people think of throwing in the wind they think of grabbing the most overstable disc in their bag and using it exclusively. This is not always a good idea, in fact at least 50% of the time it's dead wrong.

As you play, typically you will start and finish your round at approximately the same place. To do that, you will throw into, away from, and across the wind. The greater variety of angles you are forced to play, the more discs with different flight characteristics you will need. OK, you don't need them, but if you can tailor the normal flight of your disc to each shot, you will be much more effective.

Try to plan each shot to minimize the chances of unwanted air. This works differently, and is dependent upon, which of the four main directions the wind is coming from (keep in mind that these tips are written by a right-hander, so you lefties will need to switch the right to left and left to right instructions.) Let's start with the easier directions; tailwinds and headwinds. A tailwind will help carry a disc forward. It will also make a disc behave as if it were more overstable. This is because the stability of a disc is directly related to the speed of the air passing across it. In other words, the disc thinks it's going slower in a tailwind than it really is. The only drawback to a tailwind is the loss of lift (not to be confused with forward progress). With a little higher release point, exceptionally long throws are possible.

A headwind plays exactly the opposite. A headwind will make a disc less stable, and will create less carry by pushing against your disc. A headwind also tends to lift the disc, so a lower point of release is necessary.

Right to left crosswinds: Anhyzers drop hard and can catch an edge and roll. Hyzers lift and carry more than expected. Use the flight pattern of your disc to counteract the unwanted effects while watching out for the changes that occur as your throw nears completion. For example, throw an overstable disc with an anhyzer that turns right and stays low, then ends up with a hard left turn, which will rise. An understable disc thrown with a hyzer turns left and rises until it turns over (if it turns over), then drops and tails right. The disc will want to go left with the wind and spin unless forced to go otherwise. For distance, try a slightly less stable disc with a slight hyzer.

Left to right crosswinds: Hyzers drop while anhyzers lift. Because of the spin a righty generates, it becomes easier to skip as the front edge will be rising into the wind after being driven into the ground by the wind moving across the top of the disc.

An unstable disc with an anhyzer release will be lifted up and carried right. Find the correct combination of stability and release angle for good distance drives.

Quartering wind directions offer some of the best and worst combinations. Here is a guide to help sort out what will happen relative to wind direction.

Picture yourself in the middle of a compass [FIG 1], where A is downwind, B is left to right wind, C is upwind, and D is right to left. To use this guide, pick the direction your disc has to go to avoid obstacles. Remember that as your disc travels through the different stages of its flight, the wind will affect your disc differently depending on the angle of the disc in relation to the ground (hyzer, anhyzer, or flat) and the direction of flight. Pick a direction of flight (A, B, C, or D). Use the chart to see what will happen to the disc. Combine the directions on the chart for alternate winds (e.g. AB, AD, CB, etc.). If the direction is more A than B, the wind will be more A than B. Let's pick a simple hole and apply the chart:

The wind is AD and more A than D [FIG 2]. Throwing an overstable disc with anhyzer allows a straighter and higher flight path to be taken. This is because the anhyzer tilt of the disc at release will prevent the crosswind from lifting it. Because a less stable disc will be thrown with a hyzer angle, the crosswind effects (D) will push and lift, making it necessary to start the disc wider and play (guess) how much push it will receive. Because of the tailwind, lessen the stability from what you would normally throw on a calm day.

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