Tips and Favorites

Mark Ellis - 2/28/2009

On developing good form :

Watch great players and they use distinctively different throwing motions for hyzers, straight shots and anhyzers. The better your form on a shot the larger your margin of error is. So with good form you don’t have to throw it perfect to get it to work. It is not easy to learn new form. It takes time and practice and patience and trial and error. You will get worse before you get better. But the payoff is superb.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

If I had to pick one golfer who is 1000 rated and is a favorite then for sure I am going to pick a lefty because lefties have to compete in a righty world where the courses are designed against us. Since Scott Martin is retired, I guess I have to pick Joe Mela. Joe “The Technician” Mela is amazing. His is a lefty without exceptional power but plays right hyzer tunnel courses with superb control, putting and has some of the greatest trick shots in the game. He has perfect form. He has fun when he plays. His rollers are more accurate than my air shots. I have only played with Joe a couple times but I have seen enough to know that when I grow up I want to be Joe Mela. When I get old I want to be Peter Shive.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2009/02/interview-mark-ellis/

Ben Calhoun - 1/5/2009

Advice for those who wish to take a disc golfing trip:

…plan a general route, decide which courses you want to shoot for (read reviews and see pictures online ahead- I do that 2-3 days ahead online), and then make a list and route it but add a course beyond what you expect to play- just in case you encounter a problem. Plan for where you will stay at least a day ahead, don’t leave that up to the last minute. There could be a convention in town. Definitely do NOT use bottled water. Get a Nalgene type bottle (I had about 5) and re-fill those at the hotel/friend’s house/course when you can instead. Not just save you a lot over time, but the environment.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

Probably Feldberg for his accomplishment last year. After being so close several times, winning virtually every other major event and dominating on tour, it was time to win the Worlds, and he did so, at home. It was like a made for tv sports movie.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2009/01/interview-ben-calhoun/

Gregg ‘Miniac’ Hosfeld - 12/26/2008

Advice for course designers:

…you must be willing to go back and fix a problem. Every course evolves. You will find very few exceptions to that rule. Fixing one problem may create another one. If a course is established, take time to try out solutions before committing to them. Try temp tees with alt baskets without removing the permanent ones. If you didn’t originally design the course, call the designer and explain the problem. He may have had to roll the dice in a decision process and may have a solution. Let the trees and land tell you where the “natural” fairways are. This is not golf design. We shouldn’t try to clear-cut a forest to make a fairway. Use natural arches. Try to spare the healthy trees and look for ways to open up areas where there are already dead ones.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

Can I say ME? Frankly, I feel pretty lucky to still be rated over 1000. Actually, I never really put much thought into whom my favorite 1000 rated player would be. It’s hard to not side with Climo simply because he is just so tenacious and the best that ever lived. Feldberg is a very smart guy and he is doing some interesting things with teaching and learning within the game. Avery is a huge talent and Nate has shown that his talent is absolutely for real. I love the fact that these guys are getting involved in overall events. There is no question in my mind that over-all skills give a disc golfer more depth. Don’t believe me? Ask Climo, Doss, Jenkins, Feldberg…

I think John E McCray is possibly the most under-rated player in the game. Because he doesn’t travel extensively, he is not as high profile. But he pretty much rules the Florida tour. I know he is rapidly approaching his 100th open division win.

There are a lot of younger 1000 rated players that have impressed me over the last couple of seasons, like “Double G”. I would like to go on record as saying that I was very pleased to see Nikko relax and settle into his game this year. He has all the physical skills necessary to reel in the big events. If he can stay calm and focused he’ll be a force to contend with.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/12/interview-gregg-hosfeld/

Eric McCabe - 12/10/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Putting: What it really comes down to is practice, and repetition. Find yourself a basket, and a few putters, I use the D Challenger. Stand about 15 feet from the basket, putt until you feel comfortable from that range. Then move back a few steps. Continue this process at least three times a week. About an hour of putting practice will become routine in no time. The biggest things to remember while putting is to follow through, and remain balanced at all times. Do this and you will see your putt improve.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I’m going to have to go with Steve Rico on this one. I’ve played many rounds with Stevie this year and think he is one of the best players on tour, not to mention he has a great personally on and off the course. It sometimes seems like he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s been playing for a long time and is a very consistent player. His explosive power off the tee is always amazing to watch.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/12/spotlight-on-eric-mccabe/

Eric Tracy - 12/7/2008

Advice for younger players who are learning to play:

1. Watch the best before learning bad habits that will hurt your body and game.
2. Watch how the older players conduct themselves on and off the course.
3. Always watch with new eyes

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

Ken Climo - his name speaks for himself - he is a great person and a great friend. I don’t need to say any more.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/interviews/where-are-they-now/

Liz Lopez - 11/25/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

I would say that playing a variety of courses really helps you to raise your level of play. Try to stray away from your home course and play other courses that may be in your area. If it’s the only one then make up your own holes and play safari golf. This helps a lot with learning new shots. When you play the same course all the time you’re just conditioning yourself to throw the same shots over and over. It is also a good idea to play with people who are better than you. This helps you see what you can work on as far as technique and help tighten up all the loose ends. Most importantly is your mental game. Staying positive goes a long way. We have to be our biggest motivators. If you don’t believe you can do something then you can’t. It’s as simple as that.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I’m gonna have to go with the obvious choice on this one. Hands down Eric McCabe, I mean he is my favorite person period. He is a quiet spirit but has been able to make his presence known around the country with his many victories and great finishes. He has been flying under the radar for a few years now but with his first Major win at the Players Cup he is definitely going to be a force to reckon with in 2009. I admire his humility as a player and how down to Earth he is. He has been the most encouraging person in my life and I appreciate that more than he knows. Everything he has done and every piece of advice he has given has helped shape the person I am today.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/up-and-coming/liz-lopez/

Steve ‘Cup’ Wisecup - 11/14/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Slow down: First starting with footwork, next with your head. Slowing your footwork will allow you to feel more of whats happening and also helps you set up your body in the correct position to realize the most potential for the best shot (accuracy and distance) i.e. better rhythm. Slowing down your head will allow you to see - more shots - different routes - more imagination.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

…Over 30 years in the sport I have toooo many very good friends over the 1000 rating. Who do I pick? … Mitch McClellan my 2x Nationals Doubles partner …? Best bud forever!! Dan Ginnelly one of my best buds and mountain biking partner …? Deano Tannock one of my best friends and best attitudes on and off the course …? Maybe some of my Michigan buds like Mike Railey or Al Shack who I have known and loved forever. Or homeboys like Brad Schick from OHIO. These guys and a whole lot more are people with great attitudes that have common interests with me. So I cant choose just one…

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/11/interview-steve-wisecup/

Nate Doss - 10/23/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Go out and play tournaments with quality; to me it’s worth it to miss two small tournaments in order to travel a little bit further to a big NT in your region. Now please don’t get me wrong - playing in smaller tournament is great for your game, but getting the experience in the bigger events really pays off years down the road. At one point, years ago, I had played so many big events that when I went to play a B-Tier event it was like a practice round. Go outside your comfort zone once and a while and maybe you will just find your new comfort zone.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I have spent some time thinking about this one and I think it has to be Avery Jenkins. I mean many people may think that is a obvious answer but it’s more than just because he is my friend. Avery is a great player with amazing talent and unbelievable power. I mean the guy plays all year long so if you’re a fan you get to watch his play each and every weekend. Plus he has ups and downs just like everyone else does but he always plays through it. Avery works really hard on his disc golf game. Avery is a great role model for all players out there, young and old.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/10/interview-nate-doss/

David Wiggins Jr. - 10/9/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Never give up in a tournament. You never know what might happen. Every shot counts. Just because you make a bad shot does not mean your next shot can’t be a good one. Don’t push it though. Just keep playing your game.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

My favorite 1000 rated player is Ken Climo. Ever since I can remember, he has been the player most other players look up to. His accomplishments are amazing. He was sort of the first to make disc golf a serious professional career.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/up-and-coming/david-wiggins-jr/

Matthew Blakely - 9/19/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Remember you don’t always have to park the basket whether it be your drive or upshot. The key is to give yourself the opportunity to make the putt. I see people take riskier lines, nearly impossible shots, and things of the sort to park a basket instead of throwing a safer shot that will definitely give them an opportunity to putt. You will make more birdies and less bogies in the long run with this mentality.

Learn to throw the different shots, Backhand, Side Arm, Thumbers, Rollers and more will make you a better player.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

So many great players that are fun to play with - and so many that are not…
Cale Leiviska; always rooting you and the group on to bring the group to play it’s best. Kris Orrick; also a great guy to play with. They are fun to play with, laid back, and great competitors. Other Notables: Brian Schweberger, Eric McCabe, Brad Schick, Jay Reading

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/09/spotlight-on-matthew-blakely/

Ziggy Bierekoven - 9/10/2008

Advice for players trying to up their game:

A tip that I can give to new players is to always practice new shots. Learn every shot in the book. This makes getting out of trouble easier and you will notice that there is less questioning on the tee pad and you know what you will throw. You have all the shots so you don’t have to decide how you are going to throw your backhand. To develop these new shots, take a whole bunch of discs into a field and throw. Throw until your heart gives out. You will learn the new shots by muscle memory and you do that one way: throwing over and over again!

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

My favorite 1000 rated player is Mike Randolph. Not only is he a great player but a great ambassador for the sport. He is really cool to talk to and doesn’t really have an ego like other 1000 rated disc golfers. He is very social and he doesn’t act like he is better that anyone. He treats everyone like they’re humans and not lesser disc golfers. He’s not afraid to give advice if you ask either. Overall, he is a great golfer and an even better person.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/up-and-coming/ziggy-bierekoven/

Paul Ulibarri - 9/1/2008

Advice for players trying to up their game:

One thing that has helped me a lot is finding someone who is better than you are and to strive to learn as much as you can from them. It’s good to practice your throw out in an open field rather than playing on the same course all the time. It shows you what you can and cannot do as well - which shows you what you need to practice. When playing a new course look for different ways to get to the hole. Also, throw the harder shot so that you can get better at every part of your game, if you see a harder line, practice that line.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

Probably would have to say Dan Ginnelly. He has just been a great inspiration for me and always pushes me to get better. He is a perfect example of how someone should act on the course, always laid back and making jokes and having fun with it. Avery Jenkins and Dave Feldberg have also been a big help.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/up-and-coming/paul-ulibarri/

Dave Feldberg - 8/27/2008

Advice for players trying to raise their level of play:

Find a playing partner. For me it’s Avery Jenkins. Someone who is at your level or maybe better then you at the time. You push each other - you try and compete against each other - competition is what raises the level of play. So you push each other and maybe you get 5th the next weekend and he gets 6th - well then he’s pushing next weekend and he get’s 8th and you get 11th - now you’re thinking I’ve got to get him the next weekend. You’re both learning at the same time and when you go in as a team like that you go a lot further then you do when you try to do it all by yourself.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

Dave Greenwell, because he was one of the players early on that I haven’t mentioned, that really went out of his way to help me. He taught me some principles about life - like cleaning up after yourself and your things - how important it is to do a little extra work to make people feel better when you are staying with them. He just taught me some life lessons and stuff - and he’s always there supporting me, he’s always taking me out to dinners, he’s telling me that I’m going to have it in me. You know, “Just keep trying - you got it.”

He kind of reminds me of me - his name is Dave - he’s got dark hair. He’s got style, and people respect him. When he carries himself he’s never disrespectful in public - he’s a gentleman. My girlfriend, Melody King - who is going to be my wife - she loves him just from hanging out with him. She thinks he’s a great guy. He knows how to treat people, and man he’s a genuine guy. He’s the real Ken Climo before there was Ken Climo, and I hope we don’t forget him in the long run.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/08/spotlight-2008-dave-feldberg/

Val Jenkins - 8/20/2008

Advice for women:

Don’t give up! A lot of the time I encounter women that don’t play because they “can’t throw as far as the guys,” so they don’t even try. The guys they’re playing with didn’t quit after the first time they played, and neither should the women. Don’t be embarrassed in the first year, experiment and find a throw that you’re comfortable with. If this sport was easy it wouldn’t be as fun! I’m pretty confident with my game, but I still do a couple of mantras before each throw to get myself focused. I tell myself over and over again what I’m trying to do before I throw the shot, and that really helps me concentrate and throw the shots I intend to.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

It’s gotta be Nate. That kid is my second brother and makes me laugh harder than anyone. Such a great guy.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/08/interview-2008-val-jenkins/

John Houck - 8/17/2008

Advice for those interested in designing a disc golf course:

Out of all the players who dream about designing a course, only a few will get the chance. Some first-timers do a fine job, and others do less well. As for what I would recommend, the traditional path to get started is to find a piece of land and convince the owner of that land – be it a city, county, private interest, or whatever – to let you design a course there. I also think that we’re nearing the time when we’ll have course design classes people will be able to take, and that will obviously be a good first step for anyone interested in learning the art. Like any other endeavor, to be successful you have to love it, too. And not just love disc golf, love designing, because there will be pain-inducing plants, unpleasant weather, and occasional rattlesnakes.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

There are a lot of great people in disc golf, and I have a lot of old friends on that list. Who doesn’t love Stan McDaniel or Markus Kallstrom or Steve Wisecup? But I’d have to say that my favorite is Mike Olse. Mike is one of the most solid guys you’ll ever meet, and I’m very lucky to get to work with him so much. He’s extremely smart, hard-working, honest, open-minded, and insightful. He’s a very talented player with great design instincts and an eagerness to learn. He’s been very helpful to me on about a dozen projects already, and I’m thrilled to be able to call him HouckDesign’s first official associate designer.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/08/course-design-john-houck/

Larry LaBond - 8/7/2008

Advice for those who would like to bid on hosting the Disc Golf World Championships:

I would suggest to anyone else interested in bidding on [World's] to realize that they will be devoting 2-3 hours a day everyday for almost a year to work on this. I would also suggest to try and have as many courses at the same site as possible and to have a strong supporting staff that is behind having this event.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I would say me, but my rating has fallen lately, since I haven’t been playing too much. By this time next year though I’ll have it there again.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/08/interview-2008-larry-labonde/

Steven Dodge - 8/5/2008

Advice for TD’s:

Stay calm, ask for help when you need it, and have fun being a TD. If it’s not fun, you won’t be doing it for long - and I want you TDing for a long time.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

It changes from week to week. : - ) One fellow that I met at the Vibram Open that consistently impressed me with his laid back demeanor (even though he is clearly a fierce competitor) was Eric McCabe. I am currently reviewing the video footage for the 2008 Vibram Open DVD (hopefully out by Thanksgiving) and whether he has a good shot or a bad shot, his body language seems to be the same. His body language is saying to me, “wow, I am playing disc golf and this is wicked cool.”

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/08/interview-steven-dodge/

Mitch Sonderfan - 7/31/2008

Mental preperation and mindset:

I have a few mental tips to give out there which are ones I strive to achieve every time I step foot on the course (or a tournament.) If you throw a bad shot, deal with it and figure out how to make a good next shot. The next shot doesn’t necessarily have to be a ‘hero’ shot that gets you to the pin. Just play smart and accept that bogeys happen. Never play another players game. If the other 3 guys in your group can out-throw you by 100 feet, stick to your own game. Don’t try to throw as far as they can because you’ll most likely lose control if you do. You know what you’re capable of, so stick with that. The last piece of advice I’ll give is just go out there and have fun. After all, that’s why you started playing the game in the first place, isn’t it?

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I’d have to go with Cale Leiviska because he’s always been nothing but a pleasure to play with. He’s one of the nicest tour players you’ll ever meet and he seems to remember just about everyone he’s ever met, even the locals in every city he plays in. He has a great attitude all the time and a nice level head on the course. What might be the best part is he’s always at every players party which not many tour players do, and he’s likely to be the last man standing at all of them.

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/up-and-coming/mitch-sonderfan/

Brad Schick - 7/30/2008

Playing at a higher level:

Playing at a higher level comes with tournament/competetive experience and confidence. There are many players who play every day and can keep up with local pros casually, but during tournaments they find themselves 10+ strokes back. Competing and practicing are two different things and I would recommend when playing, try to keep it competetive with money, bag tags, or something to make it meaningful. You want those pressure putts, and tough upshots to mean something. This game is about 75% confidence, 20% skill and 5% luck from an advanced level player and up. Those 950 golfers have the skill usually, they just don’t have the confidence. One other thing that usually holds great Am players back is shot selection. You see them take a shot that they may make 10% of the time and the other 90% they are going to be in huge trouble. Take the higher percentage shot and take the bogie’s out of the game, your birdies will come.

Favorite 1000 rated player at the moment:

I can narrow it down to two…probably Nate Doss or Cale Leiviska. They both are always true champions on and off the course. You can never really tell if they are playing bad (which rarely happens) or if they are on course record pace. This keeps you on track as a player and most players who have played with them would certainly agree!

Read the entire interview at: http://www.1000rated.com/2008/07/2008-spotlight-brad-schick/