How to Throw a Roller in Disc Golf

In disc golf, the key to being truly successful is having a lot of different options so you can select the best shot for every lie and tee. One of the most versatile and useful shots that you can learn is a roller. Rollers can help you crush long downhill shots, as well as save you strokes by giving you more options when you land in the rough. However, throwing a roller requires practice and good technique. These instructions are intended for people who can already throw a backhand drive, and cover backhand roller shots for distance.

Things You'll Need

  • Understable golf discs, such as an Innova Roadrunner or Discraft Stratus
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Instructions

  1. Backhand Rollers

    • 1

      Decide first if you are in a good position to throw a roller. For this shot you need a wide open fairway without a lot of trees, preferably with a downhill slope. Roots, rocks, high grass and almost anything else can severely affect the path of these shots, so be sure the way is clear or an air shot might be a better idea.

    • 2

      Start with your body rotated farther to the left than normal, so that when you follow through, you'll end up more to the right (for right handed players; left handers should reverse all directions). Grip the disc with the power grip.

    • 3

      Execute your standard run-up or X-step, making special attention to pull the disc across your chest with the same motion you would use to start your lawn mower. However, instead of pulling straight across, start off slightly higher than you end finish.

    • 4

      Release the disc at an anhyzer angle, which means with the leading edge higher than the edge in your hand. How much of an angle you'll need depends heavily on the disc you're throwing, so be sure to experiment. When executed properly, the disc should fly to the right, stand up on edge and roll down the fairway.

    • 5

      Practice this over and over. The only way to learn to control these tricky shots is to throw them over and over. Don't get frustrated if it takes a while for your shots to start "listening" and going where you want them to. According to pro golfer Mark Ellis, rollers are the most difficult version of a difficult shot, so expect this to take a while to learn.