|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
NAME: |
Ben Callaway |
| HOMETOWN: |
Davenport, IA |
| BORN: |
1987 |
| PDGA #: |
39015 |
| 2012 PDGA RATING: |
998 |
| STARTED IN DISC GOLF: |
2007 |
| CONNECT: |
 |
| day gig: |
Floor Crew: American TV & Appliances |
| HOT SHOTS: |
2011 US National Amateur Champion3 2011 Open wins |
| Ben's memorable disc golf moments |
I have two moments and both take place at the same event. USADGC 2010 final round... I had two rounds prior that were good enough to keep me in the top 15 with the stroke difference being 2 from top 10. Now if you've ever had the opportunity to play the Toboggan course in Milford MI, you know how tough it is with its huge elevation, demanding drives and the mentality to keep you going through each shot knowing how important each one is. I was having a great final round and with the last putt to end it, it was time to add up our scores. I wasn't keeping track of my own cause sometimes if I know the score it will mess with me mentally and throw me off my game, at the USADGC another player keeps your score anyway. As we were adding scores the player adding mine said I shot a 54 which is about 1030 rated round, hearing that number with the adrenaline pumping I doubled checked it but not good enough. As it turns out it was a 56 add a 2 stroke penalty and quickly became a 58 and that 56 would have put me in 2nd place but instead I took 6th.
My second moment came the very next year at the same tournament as I arrived at the player check-in they were asking each competitor "So what are your expectations for the tournament?" When they asked me that question I answered straight faced "I'm going to win!" little did I know that said those words to Brian Sullivan, the manager for Team Discraft. As the tournament began I held a lead throughout two rounds with the third shortly ending and on hole 17 I had a two stroke lead and Brian walks up to me and says "Ya know before this tournament began I asked you how do you think you'll finish? And you said 'I'm going to win' as it turns out I work for Discraft. Here's my card, give us a call and great tournament!" Now that was said on hole 17 at the time I didn't realize the situation; I was in my own world and as I walked up 18's fairway laid up my for my three I could barely contain myself. The last putt of the 2011 USADGC fell, the crowd roared and I was awarded 1st place. That was my most memorable moment and I'll never forget it.
|
| Ben's disc golf tips |
If you're new to the game, you may be focused on distance and throwing high speed drivers on every hole. My advice is to pick up some mid-ranges possibly putters and learn how to throw them. If you have the luxury of local pros or leagues, ask them for advice. Most disc golfers are really helpful and will give you tips based on your most critical needs.
For better distance, work on better form. Start with a good, secure and comfortable grip. When you reach back, act like your handing the disc off to a person behind you to help get your arm fully extended. Then follow through and snap your arm like a towel. Bam.
A cool head on the course says a lot... I've heard this expression so many times and not until this past year did I truly understand it. When I was first starting out I was a bit of a hot head. I might take a big number on a hole and let it affect me for few holes after, before I knew it I had shot myself out of winning and sometimes cashing. These days if I do take big numbers or throw bad shots, I take my medicine, face the inevitable and move on from there.
|
COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY: |
| Course |
Comments |
West Lake
Davenport, IA |
Words cannot describe, you have to experience it for yourself. |
Sioux Passage
St. Louis, MO |
Big drives, great elevation and location. |
Winthrop
Rock Hill, SC |
USDGC...need I say more? |
Ewing
Des Moines, IA |
Critical O.B. Legit par 4/5.
|
Token Creek
Madison, WI |
All around great course. |
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z Predator
(174 gm) |
My most dependable and predicable disc I've ever thrown with its overstability it makes great for headwinds and big hyzers! |
Z Force
(174 gm) |
My most used driver other than Preds. I use this disc for long drives, rollers, big anhyzer shots (big D).
|
Z Nuke OS
(172 - 174 gm) |
Recently put the OS in the bag and it lives up to its name... love to throw it in big headwinds and forehands. |
Z Nuke SS
(174 gm) |
One of the most understable discs out of the box I've thrown, which is why it's my go to roller. |
Z Avenger
(170 - 174 gm) |
Use for long straight tunnel shots and hyzer flip shots. |
|
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z Hornet
(175 gm) |
My favorite midrange by far. I use Hornet for short hyzer holes and when I need it to drop out of the sky relatively fast.
|
Z Buzzz
(172 - 175 gm) |
What can I say about the buzz that hasn't been already! It speaks for itself.
|
Z Comet
(172 - 175 gm) |
Probably holds the straightest line of any midrange, the Comet is must! If you don't have it, GET IT.
|
FLX Drone
(178) |
I like to throw it for pan-out shots. I'll put it on an anhyzer let the disc do the work... a great shot to have.
|
|
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach |
| Disc |
Comments |
D Focus
(173 - 175 gm) |
These are what win my tournaments and without them I don't know what I'd do.
|
D Challenger
(174 - 175 gm) |
Great for short holes 275 and in. My most dependable approach disc.
|
ESP Zone
(174) |
Use it for get out of trouble shots and trick shot (grenades/flick rollers).
|
|
|
|
