Did you know that there are over 10 different types of shots in disc golf?! Yep, and if you want to be an elite player, you’ve got to learn them all.
You may start out with a backhand, but over time, you’ll start improving your game and adding in different throws like the forehand, the hyzer, the anhyzer, the turnover, thumber, tomahawk, and the roller shot.
As you move into intermediate play, and master those shots listed above, you’ll soon enough want to know the advanced disc golf throws and techniques. Thus, we get to the flex shot, the s-shot, and the hyzer flip – 3 of the hardest types of throws in disc golf.
I’m this post, we’re going to look at a few things:
- The difference between the 3 shots in this post – the flex shot, the s-shot, and the hyzer flip.
- A few definitions to help you understand how each shot takes shape.
- What a flex shot, s-shot, and hyzer flip, actually is.
- When to throw each shot.
- The best discs for each type of shot and…
- 3 tips to help you learn all of these advanced disc golf shots.
So let’s get into it. Let’s learn about these shots and what makes them different!
What’s the difference between a flex shot, an S-shot, and a hyzer flip in disc golf?
The 3 shots on this list are all very advanced disc golf shots, with their own unique shot shape and pattern of flight. Perfect for certain situations out on the course. So let’s take a look -Flex shot vs sshot vs hyzer flip
The difference between a flex shot, an S-shot, and a hyzer flip is the angle of release (whether flat, hyzer, or anhyzer) and the type of disc used (stable, overstable, or understable).
So assuming a person is throwing right-handed backhand, here’s a short definition of each type of shot:
- Flex shot: using an overstable disc, with an anhyzer release, the disc will turn right with the anhyzer curve and then fade back hard due to the disc’s overstability.
- S-shot: using an understable disc, with a flat release, the disc will immediately start turning to the wide right due to the understability. Once the fade kicks in, the disc will fade back left and finish straight in front of you.
- Hyzer flip: using an understable disc, with a hyzer release, the disc will start out going left with the hyzer release, turn right due the understability, then finish straight in front.
Before we go any further, some other definitions
Real quick, I want to go over a few definitions that you might need if you’re newer to the sport. Because once you understand these terms, you’ll begin to understand how a person throws a certain advanced disc golf shot:
- Hyzer: since hyzer and anhyzer refer to the angle of the disc upon release from the thrower’s hand, a hyzer throw is when the top of the disc is facing away from the thrower. They actual hyzer itself, with a right-hand backhand thrower, will curve to the left after being released.
- Anhyzer: an anhyzer throw is when the top of the disc is facing toward the thrower. The anhyzer, again with a right-hand backhand thrower, will curve to the right after being released.
- Stable: since stability is a disc’s tendency to turn over to the right, stay straight, or fade to the left, during the beginning of flight, a stable disc will usually fly pretty straight when released flat (as a right-handed back hand thrower).
- Understable: an understable disc will usually turn over to the right when released flat (as a right-handed back hand thrower).
- Overstable: an overstable disc will usually fade more to the left, at the beginning of flight, when released flat (as a right-handed back hand thrower).
Pretty simple terms that I just wanted you to understand. So let’s move on!
What’s a flex shot?
So here’s a flex shot in full detail – a flex shot is an advanced disc golf throw in which the thrower uses an overstable disc golf disc and an anhyzer release. The flight pattern is shown in the picture above.
How to throw this shot
As you throw, the disc should be thrown with an anhyzer angle, or anhyzer release. The disc should be angled toward you as you throw. The key is to balance overstability, angle of the disc, and your overall arm speed. So use good throwing technique, an overstable disc you’re comfortable with, and throw the disc on a moderate anhyzer angle.
In the air, the disc will start off turning to the right immediately due to the anhyzer release. You’ll see the disc turn quite a bit before the overstability kicks in and starts to cause the disc to start fading hard to the left. After the flight, the disc will end up fairly straight in front of you.
The best flex shot ever thrown – “The Philobatross”
“The Philobatross” is probably one of the craziest shots in all of disc golf. It’s by far one of the most popular shots ever by a professional disc golfer. In the 2016 Beaver State Fling, Philo throws a sweeping flex shot around trees to nail a ludicrous second shot. Incredible throw and hailed by most as the “absolute best shot ever made in disc golf history.” Seriously awesome.
3 best discs for flex shots
1. Infinite Discs Pharaoh – distance driver
The Pharaoh is one of my favorite disc golf distance drivers overall and has the perfect stability for flex shots. Overstable but not too overstable. Grab yourself one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
2. Dynamic Discs Escape – fairway driver
The Escape is another really great disc for flex shots. I’m a huge fan of Dynamic and this disc is super fun. Grab yourself one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
3. Innova Roc – mid-range
The Roc is a really fun disc golf mid-range and one of the most popular mid-ranges of all time. With this disc, it’s easy to “Roc” flex shots. Grab a Roc here on Discgolfunited.com.
What’s an s-shot?
So here’s an s-shot in full detail – an s-shot is an advanced disc golf throw in which the thrower uses an understable disc and a flat release. The flight pattern is shown in the picture above.
How to throw this shot
As you throw, the disc should be thrown flat, or with a flat release. That means that there shouldn’t be any hyzer or anyhyzer angle on the disc when you go to throw. Throw it flat with the ground. The key is the flat release and using an appropriately understable disc. You’re going to want something with at least a -2 or -3 turn along with very low fade. So use good throwing technique, a very understable disc that you’re comfortable with, and throw the disc with a flat release.
In the air, the disc will start off turning to the right immediately due to the flat release and the heavy amount of understability. You’ll see the disc turn quite a bit before it starts slowing down and coming back just a bit to the left to finish off the shot. After the flight, your disc may end straight or off to the right just a bit.
3 best discs for s-shots
1. Prodigy D4 – distance driver
The D4 is an amazing understable distance driver and perfect for your S-Shot game. Here’s what Prodigy has to say about this driver: “The Prodigy Disc D4 is a very fast, understable driver. It is designed for all players and flies extremely far. The D4 will turn up when thrown hard and will then react similarly to the D3 with its long glide and gentle turning finish.” Grab a D4 here on InfiniteDiscs.com!
2. Westside Discs Underworld – fairway driver
The Underworld is a really interesting fairway driver. With a decent amount of understability, it can be the perfect disc for s-shots (or hyzer flips as well)! So far, I’ve liked the Underworld and plan on continuing to play with one. Grab yours here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
3. Discraft Buzzz – mid-range
I threw the Buzzz on this list because why not? The Buzzz is an absolutely amazing disc in almost any situation, including s-shots and hyzer flips. Grab a Buzzz here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
What’s a hyzer flip?
So here’s a hyzer flip in full detail – a hyzer flip is an advanced disc golf throw in which the thrower uses an understable disc and a hyzer release. The flight pattern is shown in the picture above.
How to throw this shot
A Hyzer Flip is thrown using an understable disc on a hyzer angle of release. During flight, the disc “flips up,” or turns up to flat, bringing it’s nose down in the process, and allowing for the disc to glide long and straight at the end toward the basket.
Remember to angle the disc accordingly on a hyzer, using your understable disc, along with proper technique. Once all of that is in order, throw the disc with some power and the angle and the disc should do all of the work for you.
For more, check out this post – How to Throw a Hyzer Flip in 3 Easy Steps: The Complete Guide
Check out Nikko Locastro throwing throwing an awesome hyzer flip
This simple tutorial shows professional disc golfer, Nikko Locastro, absolutely ripping a beautiful hyzer flip through some trees in front of him. This quick 1 minute 21 second video is the perfect glimpse of what your hyzer flip should look like.
3 best discs for hyzer flips
1. Discraft Hades – distance driver
The Hades is an awesome Hyzer Flip disc. It does require a bit of power to get up to speed but if you’ve got the arm it will turn over VERY nicely and will glide for a long time. BUT be prepared for a bit of ending fade. This disc will give you a nice long flight and won’t break until the last minute but that fade is a bit more than you would want for a tunnel or an extremely straight shot. This is a disc for wide open Hyzer Flips. Grab one here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
2. Innova Leopard – fairway driver
The Leopard is another fantastic disc golf disc for hyzer flips. It’s super easy to throw, doesn’t require much speed at all, and comes with a fairly decent amount of understability. Perfect for hyzer flipping with a fairway driver. Grab a Leopard here on Discgolfunited.com.
3. Latitude 64 Fuse – mid-range
The last disc on this list is definitely not the least bit capable of crushing a hyzer flip. Hailed by Infinite Discs as “one of the most dynamic mid-ranges on the market,” and by Latitude 64 as “the most versatile mid-range driver we have ever made. Period.” So definitely get yourself a Fuse here on InfiniteDiscs.com.
3 tips to learn all of these shots
1. Field work: one of the most important concepts toward developing distance and improving your throws is field work. I mean, literally getting out into an open field and getting to work. Do this often and make sure you always work on something when you do this. You’re not just randomly throwing in a field. You’re going out with a mission: practice a small part of your game each time.
Next time you do field work, grab your discs and only work on flex shots. Next time out, change up to s-shots. And the next time, hyzer flips. Or you could just focus on these advanced shots during your field work round. Then after that, work on improving your overall distance!
2. Consistency: another huge part of improving your disc golf game is to be consistent in your practice and improvement. By this, I’m saying that if you want to improve your ability to throw advanced disc golf shots, you need to continue trying to practice throwing them. Then try using them in your rounds! Stay consistent and you’ll see huge improvement in no time!
3. Patience: this may not be the tip you WANT to hear, but it’s the one you NEED to hear. They say patience is a virtue, but in disc golf, it’s a requirement. Because you will not master these shots in just a few field work sessions or disc golf rounds. Mastery of disc golf, especially when it comes to advanced disc golf shots, takes months and months at a time. And years to become an expert. So be patient and these skills will come.
Final thoughts
The flex shot, the s-shot, and the hyzer flip are all amazing disc golf shots. But they’re tough to throw. So if you want to become an elite disc golfer, you’ve got to master them all. Hopefully this post has helped you some with that.
However, if you’re still new, and you haven’t quite gotten these advanced shots down, that’s okay. You haven’t put the time in to master these shots just yet. Keep practicing, learning them, and being patient. And pretty soon, you’ll be throwing these advanced disc golf shots better than your backhand (and watching your scores improve as well)! So keep at it. I know you can do it.
Related content
The Complete Disc Golf Stability Guide
What’s the Difference Between a Hyzer and an Anhyzer?
How to Throw a Hyzer Flip in 3 Easy Steps: The Complete Guide
Check out the book!
If you’re looking for more tips and tricks on how to play disc golf, check out my book, “The Disc Golf Player’s Manual.” This ultimate beginner’s guide is loaded with over 200 pages of content, helping you to improve your game AND lower score on the disc golf course. Check it out here on my site.