Driving & Distance

Utility Drives

Shape flex, hyzer-flip and spike-hyzer shots on demand.

Why it matters

Three shaped drives cover most of the holes that a straight throw cannot: the flex for distance on an open hole, the hyzer flip for a long straight line, and the spike hyzer for landing hard on a tight target. Having these means you stop trying to force your standard throw into holes it does not fit.

How to do it

Flex shot: take an overstable disc and throw it on an anhyzer. It flexes back to flat and then fades, giving a long S-line and a predictable finish.
Hyzer flip: take an understable disc and throw it on a hyzer. It flips up to flat and runs straight for a long way. This is the longest straight shot most players have.
Spike hyzer: throw an overstable disc on a steep hyzer. It comes down hard and stops, which is what you want over or around an obstacle onto a tight pin.
Each one is a disc choice plus an angle. Neither alone gives you the shot.
Pick the shot for the shape the hole needs, then the disc that produces it at your arm speed — not the other way round.

Common mistakes

Throwing a flex shot with a disc that is not overstable enough, so it turns over and stays there.The flex needs a disc that genuinely wants to come back. If it does not return to flat, it is too understable for your arm.

Attempting a hyzer flip with a disc that is too stable, so it never flips.Hyzer flips need an understable or well-worn disc. A fresh stable disc just flies a hyzer.

Learning all three at once on the course.Learn each in a field until it is repeatable. A utility shot you are unsure of is worse than the standard throw you are sure of.

Key points

Flex: overstable disc on anhyzer flexes back for distance.
Spike hyzer drops steeply to stop on tight targets.

The drill

Drill · One shape per session — 25 throws of one shape, in an open field. Pick one shape and throw twenty-five of them with the right disc, adjusting the angle until it works repeatably. Do not move on until you can call it before you throw it. Three sessions gives you all three shapes, which is more new ground than most players cover in a season.

Watch: Disc Golf Tips On Hyzer Flips, Turnovers, Flex Shots — Christine Kiyomi Jennings