Forehand / Sidearm

Backhand vs Forehand

Know when to reach for each throw.

Why it matters

These are two different tools and the question is never which is better, it is which the hole wants. Having both means the course stops dictating to you. Having only one means every hole that bends the wrong way costs you something, every single round.

How to do it

1. For a right-handed player, the backhand naturally finishes left and the forehand naturally finishes right. Those two are your default shapes.
2. Reach for the forehand when the hole bends right, when you need a quick shot from an awkward stance, or when you cannot turn your back on the target for a backhand run-up.
3. Reach for the backhand for distance and for most open holes. For nearly everybody the backhand goes further and holds a line better.
4. In tight woods the forehand is often the safer shot simply because it needs less space to throw.
5. Build the backhand first if you are starting out. It is the higher ceiling and the more useful of the two.

Common mistakes

Key points

• Forehand shines on left-to-right (RHBH) shots and quick flicks.
• Backhand generally gives more distance and control.

The drill

Drill · Both, same target — 15 backhands and 15 forehands at the same target. Same day, same target, fifteen of each. Pace both groups and note the spread as well as the distance. You will end up with two honest numbers, and those numbers — not habit or preference — are what should decide which throw you reach for when a hole could take either.

Watch: Backhand vs. Forehand (Sidearm) Disc Selection : Advanced Guide — Best Disc Golf Discs

Further reading

• Disc Golf Throwing Styles — Infinite Discs
• Nate Sexton Disc Golf Clinic - Sidearm — Nate Sexton
• Paige Pierce and Jeremy Koling Disc Golf Clinic Part 1: Backhand/Forehand — Paige Pierce

Share this lesson