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Disc Golf Dictionary


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Ace Completing the hole in a single throw a.k.a. hole-in-one. Also the name of a disc manufactured by Innova.
Aerobie A flat flying ring. The Aerobie Pro Ring holds the world distance record for a flying object at 1,333 feet (1/4 Mile!). Also, a manufacturer or flying toys and disc golf products.
Anhyzer A shot that has a large movement from left to right (for right-handed player throwing backhand or RHBH). This shot is thrown by launching the disc with the right edge of the disc tilted up.
Approach Usually the second throw, meant to position yourself for the best putt possible.
Approach Disc A slower-speed, stable disc designed for second drives, approach shots and long putts. These discs are also commonly referred to as “Mid-Range” or “Multi-purpose” discs.
Approximate Lie A lie established by the player's group in order to resume play following a rain or hazardous conditions delay, a lost disc, a lost mini marker disc, or to correct a misplay from out-of-bound.
Away Player The player whose lie is farthest from the hole. The “away Player” always throws next.
Backhand Throw When a player throws a disc across his body. This is how 95% of all Frisbees are thrown. The opposite of this is the forehand throw.
Bead The bead of the disc is found on the underside of the rim. A bigger or more pronounced bead will be easily noticeable compared to a beadless disc. A beaded disc will be more stable than its beadless counterpart. Beads are usually more common on mid ranges and putters.
Birdie Finishing a hole with one throw less than par (1 under Par, or “One Down”). Also the name of a disc manufactured by Innova.
 
Bogie Finishing a hole with one throw more than par (1 over Par, or “One Up”).
Bottom Stamp (BS) A disc that has a blank topside (dome) and a hotstamp on the underside (bottom) of the disc.
Burn When a stable disc becomes worn, it will lose its stability and may turn into an unwanted anhyzer. "Turn and Burn" is when a shot turns over unexpectedly and hits the ground mid-flight.
Candy Plastic Another name for golf discs made from translucent plastic, like the Innova Champion, Discraft Elite-Z, and Millennium Quantum lines of discs. These discs sometimes look like hard candy so "Candy" became this plastic's nickname.
Casual An area on the course that is a hazard, but not designed to be a hazard. An example would be a rain puddle; this can also refer to a recreational player.
Casual Water Bodies of water other than those that have been specifically designated by the director prior to the start of the round as out-of-bounds or those that have been specifically designated by the director prior to the start of the round as not being casual water.
Chainstar A brand name disc golfing target, or basket. Other brands include Pole Hole and DISCatcher.
Ching A manufacturer of discs, and the sound that is made when a disc slams into the chains. 
Completion of a Round The round has been officially completed for all competitors when, in the director's opinion, the last group on the course has completed their final hole and has had reasonable time to walk from their final hole to tournament headquarters.
Deuce Completing a hole in 2 throws.
DGA (Disc Golf Association) This company was founded by “Steady” Ed Headrick, inventory of the Frisbee ® and Disc Golf. DGA Manufacturers discs, baskets, and accessories. Click here to see DGA Products.
Disc The saucer shaped object thrown in disc golf.
Disc Entrapment Device A target used to complete the hole, usually consisting of an upper entrapping section of chains, cables, tubes, etc. and a lower entrapping section of a basket or tray. Also known as a Basket, target, or pole hole.
Disk Golf Common misspelling of Disc Golf.
Discraft A manufacturer of discs, bags, and accessories.
Drive The first shot that is thrown on a hole. This shot is thrown from the officially designated tee area for the hole.
Driver A disc designed for fast, long-distance flight.
Eagle Completing a hole in 2 strokes under par. Also the name of a disc from Innova.
Fade The slower portion of flight when the disc flies to the left.
Fairway The in-bounds path or field over which a player throws while advancing from the teeing area to the hole.
Falling Putt When a disc golfer is within 10 meters, he/she must not fall forward after the putt is released. Losing one’s control/balance after release is known as a Falling Putt and results in a one stroke penalty.
Flex Shot A shot where an over stable disc is thrown with an anhyzer. When the disc reaches it’s apex, it will return or “flex” back the opposite direction. Also known as an “s-curve.”
Forehand A throw whereby arm motion first extends away from the body, then pulls the disc across the body to release and follow through. A.k.a. side-arm, the opposite of the Backhand throw.
Folf Short for Frisbee ® Golf.
Frisbee ® A trademark name for a product made by Wham-O. It is often confused for the generic word, disc.
Frisbee ® Golf An alternate term for Disc Golf. Disc Golf is the more popular name for the sport, as Frisbee® is a registered trademark of the Wham-o Corp.
Frolf Another short name for Frisbee ® Golf. This term was popularized on the TV Show Seinfeld, during the “Summer of George” episode.
Green The area immediately around the disc golf basket. Putts are officially considered any shot within 10 Meters of the basket, however the Green may be larger (or smaller) than this area. Greens on disc golf courses are generally less well defined and less manicured than greens on ball golf courses.
Group The competitors who are assigned to play a round together for the purpose of verifying scores and proper play in accordance with the rules.
Hole The target that must be reached in order to complete that segment of the course. The term "hole" also refers to the numbered segments of the course that are separate units for scoring.
Holed-Out A term used to signify completion of a hole. A player has "holed-out" after removing his or her at rest disc from the chains or entrapment area of a disc entrapment device or after successfully striking the marked area of an object target.
Hork (or Horkin) An angle of flight and/or release which is a dramatically exaggerated hyzer or anhyzer.
Hotstamp The process whereby a graphic is stamped to the top (dome) of a disc. The resulting image is known as the disc’s hotstamp.
Hyzer A disc's arc when thrown (for a right handed player throwing backhand or RHBH) will cause the disc to curve right to left.
Innova A manufacturer of discs, bags, and accessories.
Lay Up To get close to the hole to prepare for a putt.
Lie The place your disc stops and where you must take your next shot from.
Line of Play The imaginary line on the playing surface extending from the center of the target through the center of the mini marker disc and beyond.
Lightning A manufacturer of discs, bags, and accessories. 
Mandatory An area that your disc must travel in order to complete a hole.
Marker See Mini Marker Disc.
Mid-Range A shot used to Lay-up or get close to the hole. Also the type of disc that is used to perform a high-accuracy shot such as approaching the basket.
Millennium A manufacturer of discs, bags, and accessories.
Mini An abbreviation for a mini marker disc. Also the common name for a one round tournament.
Mini Marker Disc A disc used to mark the location of the lie.
Nose-Down Throwing a disc with the front end (nose) tilted slightly downward, used for throwing into the wind and for straight shots.
Nose-Up Throwing the disc with the front end (nose) tilted slightly upward, usually allowing a higher flight and strengthened hyzer.
Obstacle Any feature of the course that may impede any aspect of play.
Official A person who is authorized to make judgments regarding the proper application of the rules during play.
Out-of-bounds (O.B.) An area designated by the director prior to the start of play from which a disc may not be played. The out-of-bounds line extends a plane vertically upward and downward. The out-of-bounds line is itself in-bounds. Any area designated as unplayable; one stoke is assessed as penalty.
Overhand A throwing technique similar to a baseball pitch. The disc is released at a vertical angle. Also known as a tomahawk throw.
Overstable A disc when thrown right handed backhand will curve from the right to the left. Players who throw with more force (spin) require discs with more stability to achieve straight throws.
Pancake An overhand shot that flattens out upside down.
Par The average number of throws for an experienced player to complete a hole. Amateur par varies; pro par is generally three on any given hole. This tradition started mostly out of convenience; it makes scorekeeping much more simple. Note: Many disc golfers play every hole as a Par 3, regardless of the stated par, so you should always check the local scorekeeping customs when playing a new course.
Penalty Throw A throw added to a player's score for violating a rule, or for relocation of a lie, as called for by a rule.
Pole Hole Another term for a disc golf basket. DGA, the company that invented disc golf, coined this term.
Power Grip A method of gripping the disc where all 4 fingers are curled under the rim, and the thumb is placed on top. Primarily used for backhand throws, this grip can add 20% + to a player’s distance.
Putt The final throw(s) of the hole aimed at getting your disc to come to rest in the basket.
Putter The type of disc used for short shots into the basket, or the person who is putting the disc into the hole.
Relief A change made to the player's lie or surrounding area, such that an obstacle is removed from the vicinity, or when that is impractical, the lie is relocated away from the obstacle.
Roller A specialty shot where the disc that is thrown flies 100-200 feet, lands on its edge, then rolls several hundred more feet. This shot is best thrown when the hole is open, thus allowing for more roll without obstacles. Rollers are generally thrown with understable and/or well-worn (seasoned) discs. A “Roller” can also refer to the disc used, rather than the shot itself.
Rough Areas outside of the fairway and green on a disc golf hole. In Disc Golf, this is often areas with think vegetation or that are heavily wooded.
Sandbagger A player who plays in a catagory below his/her level in order to beat the easier competition.
Scissor Step A term used for the final 3 steps of the run-up for backhand throws. This technique results in a high degree of consistency and increased power. A.k.a. X-Step step.
Sidearm A throw whereby arm motion first extends away from the body, then pulls the disc across the body to release and follow through. A.k.a. Forehand, this is also the opposite of the Backhand throw.
Snap The quick-release employed by experienced players, much like snapping a wet towel in which the wrist is loose and acts like a rubber band.
Spin The speed of the disc's rotation (given to the disc during release).
Stable A term used to describe a disc that flies generally straight.
Supporting Point Any part of a player's body that is in contact with the playing surface or some other object capable of providing support, at the time of release.
Taco A warped disc, generally the result of hitting a hard object (like a rock or tree) at full-speed.
T.D. An abbreviation for Tournament Director. The Tournament Director is in charge of all aspects of a given tournament and has say on any rules or play-related issues.
Tee Box The place where each hole begins.
Teeing Area The area bounded by the edges of a tee pad (if provided); otherwise, the area extending three meters perpendicularly behind the designated tee line.
Throw The propulsion of a disc that causes it to change its position from the teeing area or the lie.
Thrower The player who has made, or is about to make, a throw that is the aspect of play being considered by a particular rule.
Thumber A type of throw in which you throw the disc over handed - more like a baseball by gripping the edge of the disc with your thumb inside the rim and releasing it vertically, throwing high and hard. Note: When this disc is thrown with the index finger thumb inside the rim, it is known as the “Tomahawk”.
Tomahawk A type of throw in which you throw the disc overhand - more like a baseball by gripping the edge of the disc with your index finger inside the rim and releasing it vertically, throwing high and hard. Note: When this disc is thrown with the thumb inside the rim, it is known as the “Thumber”.
Turnover The fast portion of flight when the disc flies to the right.
Understable A disc when thrown right handed backhand will curve from the left to the right. Understable discs are more apt to turnover.
Unsafe Lie A player may declare a lie 'unsafe', take a one stoke penalty, and place the disc no closer to the hole and within 5 meters of where the disc was. The player may also take a 2 stoke penalty, and move the disc into the fairway but still not closer to the hole.
Velocity The speed a disc is traveling through the air. Also the name of a driver from Ching.
Warning Where prescribed by a rule, the initial advisement a player is given for violating that rule, making him or her vulnerable to receiving a penalty throw for subsequent violations of that rule or set of rules within the same round.
X-Step A term used for the final 3 steps of the run-up for backhand throws. This technique results in a high degree of consistency and increased power. A.k.a. scissor step. 

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