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NAME: |
Gregg 'Buzzby' Barsby |
| TEAM: |
Elite Z |
| HOMETOWN: |
Grass Valley, CA |
| PDGA #: |
15857 |
| 2007 PDGA RATING: |
1009 |
| BORN: |
1987 |
| STARTED IN DISC GOLF: |
1993 |
| day gig: |
Pro Disc Golfer |
| HOT SHOTS: |
2nd, 2006 Players Cup2006 Nor-Cal series player of the year2004, 2005 San Francisco Safari ChampLake Tahoe Pro-Am Champ (twice in same year) |
| Memorable Disc Golf Moment: |
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I made a 60 foot putt looking at the water three feet behind the basket in the Final Nine of the Mach 1 Amateur in 2002. There were 100 people watching, and I ended up storming back and winning the tournament. For a long time I have wanted to beat Steve Rico, I finally beat him at the 2006 Players Cup. We had tied previously, and I even got into the final in 2006 in Santa Maria (he had to leave for personal reasons, and there was a three way tie for 3rd), but I didn't really beat him in my mind. He is a player who I have looked up to, who has helped improve my game, but is also a great friend who has helped me with personal issues as well.
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| Buzzby's Disc Golf Tips |
Easy there, Tex: Some beginners simply try to throw too hard. You need to get the technique down first, then the power. I had to learn this way, because when I was six years old I couldn't throw too far. So dial in your technique, then bring the heat.
Tournament jitters: Every golfer has had jitters. When they strike, your feelings will get the best of you, so try to relax and throw YOUR shot. I think it's a negative if you don't ever get the jitters. In my young life experiences, if you're not nervous, then you may not really care about what happens. If you want to do well in tournaments you've got to CARE about it. I practice a lot because it frustrates me when I don't play well. I care about how I play, you should too.
Flat's where it's at: I see a lot of players 'swooping' their arms. Every new player has to learn to keep their arm flat and pull it across their chest to keep the disc flying flat. If you 'swoop' then the disc won't fly as far. Instead it goes up in the air, and falls left or right hard, depending on which hand they throw with.
Learn to read the wind: Course conditions will not always be pristine. Learning the wind will take knowledge of YOUR OWN PUTT. I practice putting and driving in the field on windy days too, as practice for tournament situations.
Alignment assignment: If you are uncomfortable on the green, or throwing an upshot, it could be related to your line-up. Adapt while you're on the course practicing, and your scores will drop in a couple weeks. You will FEEL the difference right away!
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COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY: |
After Gregg Barsby won both events at the Lake Tahoe Pro-Am in the same year, event organizers established an extra cash prize for any other player to equal the achievement. The prize is called 'The Barsby.' Off the course, Gregg handles vocals for the band Nonelect |
| Course |
Comments |
Squirrel Creek/Hanging oak
Grass/Penn Valley, CA |
My home courses! Designed (to my knowledge) by Mike Travers, Geoff Lissaman, and Johnny Lissaman. They have produced many incredible golfers. |
Moraine State Park
Pittsburgh, PA |
A unique course, which is challenging and rewarding to play, a test to all good disc golfers. Hole 15 is EPIC! |
Upper DeLaveaga DGC
Santa Cruz, CA |
You'll just have to play it to understand... |
Winthrop Gold
Rock Hill, SC |
This course tamed me for sure, hated it the first time I played. Taught me to play within the boundaries I set for myself, not what I 'thought' I could do. |
Kensington Toboggan
Milford, MI |
Awesome course. I first played it in 2000 when I was 13. |
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z and ESP Avenger
(172 - 174)
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The Avenger is my go-to driver in almost any situation. The Avenger is less stable than my Preds so it'll go a bit further, but still be stable. I throw the Avenger backhand and sidearm. This could be the best driver ever made.
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Z and ESP Predator
(170 - 174) |
The Z-Predator is probably my favorite disc of all time. I carry four of them to have a Predator for all situations. I throw it backhand and sidearm. I have an older first run Z-Predator, to which I will throw helixes and long distance rollers with. I have a beat-in Pred that flies dead straight for about 350 feet, and then falls off left. This is my long range sidearm disc, and I also use this one for longer right to left holes. I have a slightly beat-in Predator for lots of hyzer shots; it's my go-to disc on an open field shot. I carry a new Predator in my bag for super hyzer holes, and blade hyzer shots as well. I just keep cycling them through the bag... |
Z and X XL
(172 - 174) |
The XL is my extra long range roller. Disc feels so comfortable in my hand, I'll throw it for a touch turnover at around 330 feet. Super predictable. |
Z Crush
(173 - 174) |
I throw this disc mostly sidearm, occasionally backhand. It's controllable with a sidearm, to where I can squeeze it around corners with a bursting skip that adds some D that I need to get onto the green. When I throw this disc backhand, its for 'spike' hyzers or large 'blade' hyzers where I need distance before falling off hard at the end. |
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z and D Buzzz
(174 - 178) |
My straight to understable midrange, great for those touch shot straight holes. Very controllable, good for stall shots and cut rollers as well. This disc gave me my nickname in Stockton in 2005. Although the ratings don't show it, I was throwing the Buzzz perfectly on every shot I took it out the whole weekend. I won by two, and the Buzzz was the only reason I was in or even close to the lead.
I have three Buzzz's in my bag. One does exactly what I want it to; if I throw it there, its going there. My other is a dead straight disc with a little left fade at the end, thrown at average to higher speeds. My overstable Buzzz flies more like a beat Wasp: when I throw it really hard, it goes straight for a long time.
Once you beat a Buzzz in just a little, it turns into a gem, providing some incredibly accuracy and control. Learn to throw this disc and you will love it! All discs will age, and the Buzzz will manage to stay in your bag for a long time... it's really worth every penny! I'm not going to the course if I don't have my Buzzz. |
Z and ESP Wasp
(177 - 178) |
The overstable Wasp is my go-to for short holes. This disc flies perfect when thrown correctly, flat to hyzer. It definitely loves to park holes! I carry three Wasps, each one straighter than the next, and cycle them in and out of the bag as they wear. Give it a hyzer angle and it will go exactly where you want it to. |
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach |
| Disc |
Comments |
D Magnet
(174 - 178) |
The Magnet is an incredibly controllable putter. I have putted with most every putter on the market, and this is the best one in my opinion. Try it out! I also throw upshots and drives with Magnets, this disc can do it all! I won't putt with it if it isn't a Magnet. I carry two: main, and backup. I love to play disc golf because of this disc, since I love putting.
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X Challenger
(max weight) |
I throw this disc for approach shots from 140 feet and in. Flies straight with a little fall at the end. Perfect approach disc. |
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