Choosing Your Disc Golf Grip

If you’re new to disc golf, the very first thing you might be wondering is how to grip the disc.  You may have thrown a frisbee for fun in the park with your friends, but gripping a disc golf disc requires an approach that optimizes power, spin, and comfort.

And if you’ve been playing disc golf for a while, you might be curious about some grips you haven’t yet tried, or alternate versions of the ones you are already using to see if you can optimize your throw.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of disc golf grips, demonstrate how to do them, and suggest which ones tend to work best in different situations.

In order to provide you with the most accurate information, we consulted the videos of a number of notable disc golf professionals, including current world #1 Gannon Buhr.

Please see our sources list at the end of this article.

Types of Different Disc Golf Grips

Before we get into too much detail, it’s important to note that there are three main types of disc golf grips:

1. The backhand disc golf grip

2. The forehand disc golf grip

3. The putting disc golf grip

As you might have guessed, each of these grips is used with its respective throw. A backhand grip is used for a backhand throw and a forehand grip is used for a forehand throw.

With a backhand throw, the back of your hand is the leading edge when throwing the disc. With a forehand throw, you guessed it, the front (palm) of your hand is leading the throw.  This sounds simple to anyone who has played disc golf before, but it might not be so obvious to somebody who hasn’t even gripped a disc yet.

The putting grip is used when “putting” the disc, which refers to a throw made from a relatively short distance, typically within 10 meters (about 33 feet) of the basket, with the goal of getting the disc into the basket or chains. It's the final, more precise shot that ends a hole, and involves minimal rotation of the body or arm joints.

There are also a few other less commonly used grips, as well as different ways to throw a disc using one of the standard grips, which we will discuss at the end of the article.

Backhand Disc Golf Grip

The backhand disc golf grip is the more commonly used disc golf grip, though in modern disc golf the majority of top players know how to throw both the backhand and the forehand.

There are two major subtypes of the backhand disc golf grip: the power grip and the fan grip. As we will learn over the course of this article, there is a standard approach to which grips you should use in various situations, but every person is different. So if something unconventional works better for you, go with that!

Let’s have a look at each of these.

Disc Golf Power Grip

The backhand power grip is generally used when players are prioritizing distance in their shot.  The key indicator of a power grip is that the pads of the fingers are pressed into the rim wall, rather than on the flight plate. Most players tend to use this grip when using higher speed discs, though some will still use this grip when throwing putters and midranges, particularly if distance is the goal.

Before we describe how to make this grip, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the parts of the disc so you’ll know how to follow the instructions properly:

To make a power grip:

1. Place the outside rim of the disc into the palm of your hand between your forefinger and middle finger, creating a line down to the heel of your hand. The top of the disc should face towards your thumb.

2. Wrap your fingers under the disc and push the pads of your fingers into the rim wall.

3. Place your thumb on top of the disc.  Avoid placing your thumb too far on the outside of the rim, or too far towards the center of the disc. 

Four-finger Power Grip

The more common version of the power grip is to use all four fingers on the rim.

Three-finger Power Grip

An alternate approach to the four-finger power grip is to only use three fingers on the inside of the rim. Your pinky finger remains off the disc and curled into the palm of your hand. Some players say this grip offers slightly more control without sacrificing too much distance. Other people simply find it more comfortable for their hand type.

Disc Golf Power Grip Summary

• Prioritizes distance

• Fingers (three or four) pressed into rim wall

• Generally used with higher speed discs (6+)

Disc Golf Fan Grip

For most people, the fan grip is a grip used when control and accuracy are the main objective.  Your fingers are fanned out on the underside of the disc, hence the name. 

To make a backhand fan grip:

1. Place the outside rim of the disc into the palm of your hand between your forefinger and middle finger, creating a line down to the heel. The top of the disc should face towards your thumb.

2. Wrap your fingers under the disc and place the pads of your fingers on to the flight plate.

3. Place your thumb on top of the disc.  Avoid placing your thumb too far on the outside of the rim, or too far towards the center of the disc.  Find a spot that is comfortable for your hand

There are two main types of fan grips: the standard fan grip and the modified fan grip.

Standard Fan Grip

In the standard version, all finger pads are on the flight plate, arranged in a fan shape.

Modified Fan Grip

The modified fan grip has been subject of much discussion, but to our knowledge this is simply any fan grip that doesn’t place ALL of the finger pads on the flight plate in a fan arrangement. In other words, it is modified. It could involve pressing one or two of the fingers into the rim wall like you would in a power grip, creating a type of hybrid grip.

Here’s just one example of how you could make a modified fan grip. This one features the pointer and pinky fingers pressed into the rim wall and the middle and ring fingers on the flight plate. Some people also do just the pointer finger on the rim wall or just the pinky finger on the rim wall.

Disc Golf Fan Grip Summary

• Prioritizes accuracy

• Fingers pressed into the flight plate instead of rim wall (unless modified)

• Generally used with lower speed discs (5 and under)

Disc Golf Forehand Grip

As we previously mentioned, the forehand grip is used when you are leading your throw with the front (palm) part of your hand.  This throw resembles a sidearm throw in baseball and is in fact sometimes called that –a sidearm.

There are quite a few variations of the disc golf forehand grip, often having different names depending on who you ask.  We’ll cover the most common ones here, though we may not call them the same thing you do.

Two-finger Stacked

(middle finger on rim)

The most common disc golf forehand grip is called the two-finger stacked grip.  

To make a two finger stacked forehand grip:

1. Place the edge of your disc in the crease between your thumb and forefinger with the top of the disc facing your thumb.

2. Push the pad of your middle finger into the rim wall, ensuring that it’s the front of your finger pad that is making contact and not the side.

3. Slide your forefinger down the underside of the disc so that it stacks on top of your middle finger.

4. Place your thumb on top of the disc, in slightly from the rim, so that you create a pinch point between your fingers under the disc and the thumb on top. 

Two-finger Stacked

(pointer finger on rim)

There is a variation of the two finger stacked grip where you place your forefinger into the inside rim of the disc and stack your middle finger on top. To create this grip, follow the directions above, and switch the position of your forefinger and middle finger.  This grip is used by six-time world champion Paul McBeth. Forehand expert Nate Sexton uses this grip as well, but he arches his fingers slightly. The grip shown in the photos has slightly arched fingers.

Two Fingers on Rim

Yet another version of the forehand grip, which doesn’t seem to have a proper name, is what we’re going to call the Two Fingers on Rim grip. This one is used by up-and-coming-star Anthony Barela, who has a massive forehand shot.

To make this grip:

1. Place the edge of your disc in the crease between your thumb and forefinger with the top of the disc facing your thumb.

2. Place the pad of your forefinger into the rim wall, depressing the first knuckle and arching the second.

3. Stretch your middle finger out straight and place the pad of your middle finger into the rim wall in front of your forefinger.

4. Place your thumb on top of the disc so that it creates a pinch point between your forefinger and your thumb.

Split Grip

The split forehand grip is exactly like it sounds.  Instead of stacking your two fingers on top of each other, you split them and spread them apart. This grip is used by European forehand expert Silver Lätt, who can throw 480ft+ forehands with ease. Some players also find this grip useful for controlled forehand shots, such as approach shots.

To make the forehand split grip:

1. Place the edge of your disc in the crease between your thumb and forefinger with the top of the disc facing your thumb.

2. Push the pad of your middle finger into the rim wall, ensuring that it’s the front of your finger pad that is making contact and not the side.

3. Place your forefinger on the flight plate, slightly away from, rather than on top of your middle finger.

4. Place your thumb on top of the disc to stabilize the grip.

Disc Golf Putting Grip

The putting grip is typically some variation of the fan grip, combined with a unique index finger placement.

There are four main ways to place the forefinger, varying the amount of spin and control. We’ll list them here in order from most spin + least control to least spin + most control.   Keep in mind that this is all in theory and the placement that is supposed to give the least spin for the majority of people, might give the most spin for you. 

The positions involve placing the forefinger in one of these locations:

1. on the rim wall (most spin + least control)

2. on the flight plate  (higher spin + lower control)

3. on the bottom of the rim (lower spin + higher control)

4. on the outside edge of the rim (least spin + most control)

If you’re new to the sport, it might be a good idea to try a grip in the middle of the spectrum, such as Grips 2 and 3, as they are a balance of spin and control. Gannon Buhr, for example, uses Option 3, placing the forefinger over the rim, with the bottom the rim in the crease of the first knuckle of his forefinger. 

Putting is about comfort, confidence, and consistency, so try each one out to see what works for you!

Utility disc golf grips 

This section features utility shot types, some with their own unique grip, and others that use one of the standard grips we already discussed.

Tomahawk

The Tomahawk is actually a shot variation, not a unique grip.  The Tomahawk can be thrown with any of the forehand grips we’ve already discussed, but it is thrown “overhead” instead of “sidearm”.  This throw can be useful when trying to go up over obstacles.

Tomahawk shots will begin by “panning” right, then flipping over and finishing left. (This is for a right-handed thrower. It’s the opposite for a left-handed thrower.)

Thumber

The Thumber, like the Tomahawk, is another overhead shot type.  Unlike the Tomahawk it DOES have its own unique grip.

To make a thumber grip:

1. Place the edge of the rim of the disc in the crease between your thumb and your forefinger with the bottom of the disc facing your thumb.

2. Push the pad of your thumb into the rim wall.

3. On the top of the disc either place your index finger straight out along the disc like a “hand gun” and pinch, or curve it into a slight arc and do the same thing.

The Thumber flies opposite to the Tomahawk. It will first pan to the left then flip over finish to the right. (This is for a right-handed thrower. It’s the opposite for a left-handed thrower.)

Grenade

The Grenade is similar to the Tomahawk and the Thumber in that it is useful for going up and over obstacles, but it differs in that it is thrown more like a vertical backhand shot.

The Grenade can be done with two different grips; we'll refer to these grips as Grenade A and Grenade B. Grenade A is the one used by Gannon Buhr and Kevin Jones, and Grenade B is used by Eagle McMahon.

To make the Grenade A grip:

1. Place the rim of the disc in the crease between your pointer finger and your middle finger, with the bottom of the disc facing your pointer finger.

2. Lay your pointer finger into the rim with the pad facing the rim wall. Have your finger be in contact with the rim wall from the pad all the way down to the second knuckle.

3. Wrap your thumb perpendicularly up over your pointer finger and push the thumb pad into the flight plate.

4. Rest your middle and ring fingers on top of the disc, parallel to your pointer finger. Pinch the disc between your thumb and the fingers on top of the disc.

To make the Grenade B grip:

1. Similarly to a regular backhand grip, place the edge of the rim of your disc into your palm lined up to the crease between your pointer finger and your middle finger, down to the heel of your hand, but this time, with the BOTTOM of the disc facing your thumb.

2. Place the pad of your thumb into the rim wall.

3. Wrap your other fingers over the top of the disc in a fanned arrangement.

   *Warning: Eagle McMahon admits that this grip may hurt your thumb when you first try to throw it. He says it can take some time to toughen the skin on the thumb.

Throwing a Grenade shot with a neutral (stable) disc will allow the disc to go straight up and down. If you want to see a difference in the flight pattern, use a very understable disc to have it finish to the right, and a very overstable disc to have it finish to the left. (For a right-handed thrower)

Trial and Error

We hope this overview of some of the common disc golf grips has been useful to you. Remember that the suggested uses of each are just that—suggestions. With so many different unique hand types, sizes, and levels of flexibility, not every grip is going to work for each person.

Get out on the course, or in a field, and give them a try for yourself to see which ones work best.

See you out there!

Sources:

Gannon Buhr’s Grips in Disc Golf (And When To Use Them)

Learn to Play Disc Golf with Nate Sexton - Throwing Forehand

Disc Golf Pro Tip: Paul McBeth Forehand

Throw Further Forehands After This Video | Disc Golf Basics (ft. Silver Latt)

Simon Lizotte Disc Golf School, Part 3 - Putting

HOW TO THROW A GRENADE!

Disc Golf Tips With Eric Oakley | Field Work | Thumbers/Tomahawks

If you liked this article, check out these other popular articles:
Best Disc Golf Drivers,
Best Disc Golf Carts,
Best Disc Golf Shoes,
Disc Golf Flight Numbers,
Best Disc Golf Discs,
Best Disc Golf Putters,
Best Disc Golf Bags
Best Disc Golf Starter Sets