Disc Golf Dictionary, Volume VII: Summary & Obscurity

It’s time to wrap up our DGU Blog Disc Golf Dictionary series—or the “Disc Golf Disc-tionary,” if you prefer. Over the previous six volumes, we covered a lot of common disc golf terminology relating to a variety of categories. In case you missed the previous posts, here is a summary for you:

Volume I: Flight Basics

In this first volume, we highlight some of the most basic disc golf terms and phrases. If you want to know the differences between backhand vs. forehand, hyzer vs. anhyzer, or stable vs. understable, we suggest you start here. Read more.

Volume II: Rules & Scoring

Though many of the scoring terms in disc golf come from regular golf, our sport has a number of unique rules and special scoring terminology. As you improve your game and begin to play more competitive disc golf, these are some of the key concepts you need to know. Read more.

Volume III: Throws & Grips

Ever wondered what a “thumber” is or what the differences are between a fan grip and a power grip? In this volume, we break down all the different shot and grip types—from beginner to advanced! Read more.

Volume IV: Putting

A disc golf putt is its own little ecosystem with quite a few different terms and phrases you should understand. It is the most important part of the game. Knowing more about the core elements of putting can help you become a better disc golfer. Read more.

Volume V: Discs & Plastics

Innova is one of the leading disc golf manufacturers. They offer many different types of disc golf discs, available in a wide variety of plastics and special blend materials. This volume covers everything you need to know about our discs and our plastics. Read more.

Volume VI: Games & Formats

There are many different ways to play disc golf, whether it’s a casual round with friends, with your local club or in competitive tournament formats. Learn more about the different games, scoring formats and unique challenges you can try to help spice up your disc golf experience. Read more.

Fun & Obscure Disc Golf Terminology

But wait, there’s more! Though we covered a lot of ground in the first six volumes of the Disc Golf Dictionary series, there are still some other terms we didn’t get to. Below, we have put together a repository of some of the funnier and more obscure words and phrases you might hear out on the disc golf course.

Birdogey—When you have a good look at a birdie putt and end up three-putting for a bogey instead.

Black Ace—When you throw your drive off the tee and it goes into the basket of a different hole.

Chastity Belt—A common nickname for the metal band across the top of most disc golf baskets—like the signature yellow band of an Innova Discatcher. 

Chump Card—This is a reference to the “Champs vs. Chumps” video series from Central Coast Disc Golf that pits a bunch of amateur players against top pros. One can either gain or lose their chump card based on overall skill and course management.

Death Putt—When you are faced with a really scary putt, usually on a downhill green or with trouble (OB, water, thick bushes, steep drop-off, etc.) right behind the basket.

Early Release—When you let go of your drive just a little too early during your release, usually resulting in a shot that goes way left of your intended target on a right-hand/backhand throw.

Flippy—This basically refers to the understability of a disc. Some understable discs like a Mamba are naturally “flippy,” while others become flippier over time as they become beat in. When a once-overstable disc starts to become too flippy, that usually means it’s time to retire it.

Grip Lock—When you hold onto the disc a bit too long and release it much later than intended, usually resulting in a bad shank to the right for a right-handed backhand thrower. Usually resulting in distance but just in the wrong direction. The opposite of an early release.

Park Job or Parked—Short of throwing an ace, a park job is about as good as disc golf gets. This is when you throw your shot really close to the basket, or your throw having the perfect amount of distance; usually resulting in an easy birdie. You might even hear a shoutout to Park City, Utah when you park a disc next to the basket! This kind of shot will usually elude those intermediate level players; but when it happens it is an amazing day.

Sandbagger (or just “Bagger”)—This is a disc golfer who should be playing in a higher division because they are much better than the average player in that field. Unfortunately, PDGA rules allow players a lot of flexibility in choosing which division you play, and it takes a group effort (shouting “bagger” as the player picks up their trophy and/or payout) to guilt someone into moving up.

Shank—This is another term that comes straight from ball golf. A shank is when you throw a really bad drive or miss your intended line by a lot, usually with a grip lock or an early release. Your next throw would  be one that needs to get you out of the rough, some players tend to lean on an overhand shot to escape the danger they are facing.

Slomez—This is a term from Jomez Pro. When a player throws in a great putt during coverage, they will show a slo-mo replay known as a “Slomez.” Likewise, they sometimes include “Nomez” replays when the disc spits out or when the player acts a bit too confident during a missed putt.

Snowman—When you score an 8 on a hole, because it looks a little like a snowman!

Star Frame (All-Star Frame)—This is usually meant for a hole where all players get a birdie (or better). However, it is also sometimes used any time all players on the card get the same score of any kind (“star par,” for example).

Taco—When your disc gets stuck in a tree or in the side of the basket. It wedges in and often resembles a taco shell.

Throller—A throw that unintentionally turns into a roller. Sometimes, throllers can work out great leaving you in the middle of the fairway. Other times, not so much.

Tree Love—A fortunate kick off of a tree resulting in a great fairway kick.

Tree-jected or Tree-nied—The opposite of “tree love.” hen a good-looking throw or drive gets knocked down by a tree mid-flight.

Worm Burner—A throw that is super low. Sometimes you get away with it, as the disc glides close to the ground or gets a great skip. Sometimes, the ground just eats it up.