When you start playing disc golf, you realize that there are several different components and aspects to the game. Understanding the different types of throws is one of them.
In disc golf, hyzer and anhyzer throws are very confusing terms, especially to beginner disc golfers.
Hyzer and anhyzer throws are referring to the angle of the golf disc upon release from the hand. If learning at a vast level, these throws can prove to be an invaluable asset for the advanced players.
In this post, we will discuss Hyzer vs Anhyzer golf disc throws – their main differences and how they are executed.
Hyzer vs Anhyzer golf disc throws – The difference
The primary difference between hyzer and anhyzer throw is the angle at which the golf disc is thrown. Hyzer throw is when the top of the golf disc is facing downward, whereas, the anhyzer throw is when the top of the golf disc is facing inward. These are the two angles at which a golf disc can be thrown.
In Ultimate Frisbee, the terms outside-in (anhyzer) and inside-out (hyzer) are used for describing the angle of disc release.
When discs are thrown without any angle, that throw is known as flat or level.
Let’s dive deep into each of the throws and understand hyzer and anhyzer in detaili.
The Hyzer Disc Golf Throw
The inside-out throws are referred to as hyzer throws in disc golf. A hyzer throw is the most consistent throw in disc golf as a disc released on a hyzer angle has only one way to go. Unless a disc is ridiculously understable, for right handed players on backhand throws, a hyzer release will curve to and always finish left. A forehand throw at a hyzer release will always curve to and always finish to the right.
This type of throw is used on occasions when there is an obstacle like a tree blocking your approach to the basket. A hyzer throw can be used to angle the golf disc further down to create a harder angled turn to get around your obstacle.
For example: suppose you are a left-handed thrower, then you will angle the right side of the disc downward. When you release the golf disc, it will move toward the right.
How to throw a hyzer?
If you are a novice disc golfer and looking to expand your disc shot selection, then knowing how to throw a hyzer can help.
To perform a hyzer throw:
- Hold the golf disc with its top facing away from you
- You may want to adjust your wrist accordingly as the disc can be thrown at any variation of these angles
- To get started, you are advised to hold the disc at 45 degrees
- Release the disc with the bottom at an angle lower than the top
The Anhyzer Disc Golf Throw
If you want to move the golf disc the opposite way. Anhyzer type of throw can help. The outside-in throws are referred to as anhyzer, which are used when there is an obstacle in front of the basket. It is a type of throw where the golf disc comes flying inwards when thrown in the opposite direction.
For example: suppose you are a left-handed thrower, then you will angle the right side of the disc upward. When you release the golf disc, it will move toward the left, in contradiction of the natural angle of the disc.
How to throw an anhyzer?
Throwing an anhyzer is pretty much the same as throwing a hyzer. The only difference is the angle at which the disc is held. You need to hold the golf disc in such a way that its top is facing you. You will have to adjust your wrist accordingly.
Because of the nature of disc golf discs to naturally fade, you will want to use an understable disc so that it will maintain the anhyzer angle. An understable disc is a disc with a large negative turn rating. Understable midrange and putter discs perform best for holding the anhyzer angle all the way until the end of the flight. As a golf disc slows down in speed, it tends to “fade out” and curve the opposite direction.
To perform an anhyzer throw:
- Hold the golf disc with its top facing at you
- You may want to adjust your wrist accordingly as the disc can be thrown at any variation of these angles
- Release the disc with the outside angle above the inside angle where your hand is
Hyzer vs Anhyzer golf disc throws – why these throws are used
1 Sharp course angles
Golf courses having sharp angles are tough to play on. Dogleg right and dogleg left baskets can make reaching the basket even more difficult. Using one of these throws can help you basket even with weird angle baskets.
2 Obstacles
In case, if there are obstacles in your way on a basket, hyzer throw or an anhyzer throw can be used in this situation to your advantage. Suppose there is a tree straight in front of the basket, with right wrist adjustments, you can throw the disc hyzered or anhyzered to make it reach the basket.
3. Max Distance
Newer players can maximize their disc golf distance by achieving a flex shot or “S-Curve” flight path. An overstable disc can acheive max distance with an anhyzer release. With a right hand backhand throw the disc will turn to the right during the first part of the flight and then fade back to the left at the end achieving maximum distance.
An understable disc best achieves a flex shot when thrown at a hyzer angle with enough power and snap. If you have enough power, the disc will release at the hyzer angle but then flip up to flat and then slightly to the right to an anhyzer angle before fading back slightly at the end of the flight for max distance.
Conclusion
After reading this post, we hope that you understand the Hyzer vs. Anhyzer difference. They are all about at what angle the disc was released. If you have any queries regarding hyzer and anhyzer throws, feel free to ask in the comments below.
I wonder: if I drink two or three Anheuser-Bush beers, will it help my anhyzer throws ?
It will make you more likely to throw your anhyzer into a bush.
I think its absolute genius to provide examples that apply to left-handed people when a much greater percentage of the population is right handed!! Brilliant!
One of the nice things about disc golf is that the same spinning motion is achieved by both right and left handed players.
A right handed player throwing forehand achieves the same flight path as a left handed player throwing backhand.
So a hyzer throw has top of the disc away from you, but your picture shows the opposite?
With a Hyzer Throw, the outside edge of the disc furthest from your hand points downward. The distance away from you isn’t really relevant, as it is the angle of the disc at release that matters.
Great post. FYI in Ultimate, an outside-in (anhyzer) backhand is also called a “bender.”