Disc Golf — Glossary

Every Disc Golf term explained in plain language: technique, equipment, rules and slang – with tips on avoiding the classic mistakes.

Ace (Slang)

A throw from the tee straight into the basket — a hole in one. The single biggest moment a round can produce, and the loudest word on any course.

Birdie & Bogey (Rule)

Score names relative to a hole's par: a birdie is one under par, a bogey one over, an eagle two under. Golf almost never states a score in absolute strokes.

Hyzer & Anhyzer (Movement)

The two release angles: for a right-handed backhand the disc tilts left on a hyzer (towards your weak-hand side) and right on an anhyzer. That is how you throw curves instead of straight lines.

Power Pocket (Movement)

The tight position just before release: disc close to the chest, elbow leading as the lever. This is where the disc gets its speed, not from an extended arm.

S-Curve (Turn and Fade) (Movement)

The flight shape where the disc first banks towards your strong-hand side and then fades back to the weak side — for a right-handed backhand, right first, then left. That sequence is what produces maximum distance.

Standstill Throw (Cheat code)

A throw with no run-up at all, driven only by stance and upper body. The fastest route to straight throws, and the stage that has to work before the X-step.

General

Terms from training theory that apply in every sport.

1RM (One-Repetition Maximum) (Rule)

The maximum weight you can move for exactly one clean repetition. The reference value behind almost every training plan.

BMR & TDEE (Rule)

BMR is your basal metabolic rate at complete rest; TDEE is total daily expenditure including everyday movement and training. Nutrition targets always work off TDEE.

Cadence (Movement)

Steps per minute when running, or pedal revolutions when cycling. For most runners, 170–180 steps per minute sits in the sweet spot.

Core Tension (Movement)

Active stabilisation of abdomen, back and pelvis — the bridge that lets force travel between legs and arms at all.

Deload (Cheat code)

A deliberately lighter week with volume or intensity clearly reduced, so adaptation can catch up.

DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) (Cheat code)

Delayed muscle soreness 12–72 hours after unfamiliar load. Not a measure of training quality.

Knee Valgus (Movement)

The knees collapsing inward during squats, jumps and landings. One of the key risk markers in technique analysis.

Progressive Overload (Cheat code)

The one principle no training works without long-term: the stimulus has to grow over time, otherwise adaptation stops.

RIR (Reps in Reserve) (Rule)

How many clean reps you had left at the end of a set. RIR 2 means two more were available.

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) (Rule)

A scale for perceived effort. In strength training it usually runs 1–10, where RPE 8 means you had two more reps in the tank.

Zone 2 (Aerobic Base) (Cheat code)

The easy endurance zone where you can still hold a conversation in full sentences. The base of almost every endurance plan.