Team Discraft: Michael Johansen Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Michael Johansen
	TEAM:	Elite Z
	HOMETOWN:	Denver, NC
	PDGA #:	20300
	2007 PDGA RATING:	1022
	BORN:	1979
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	1998
	HOT SHOTS:	4 SuperTour wins (2005 High Plains Challenge, 2005 Charlotte Open, 2007 Charlotte Open, 2007 Sneeky Pete) 6th, 2004 USDGC 9th, 2005 USDGC 18th 2006 USDGC Double digit win totals in 2007 2002 Dogwood Crosstown Am Champ, then went open after one PDGA event

Memorable Disc Golf Moment:

Vaulting to the lead card after the second round of the 2004 USDGC, and staying there the rest of the weekend. To be a local to the area, it was amazing to have as much support as I did.

Michael's Disc Golf Tips

Let The Disc Do The Work
Instead of trying to throw too hard, you want to work on throwing smooth. Let the disc do the work. The best way to get to throwing smooth is slowing down your shot or by going to the field instead of just always playing rounds. And don't forget to ask your local pro players what they do and how they get their shots right. Don't forget almost every player has at least one shot that they do well, so keep your eyes open and watch others.

Better Footwork For Better Distance
For most intermediate players the best way to get more distance is to get there foot work right. I don't mean that you have to go out and learn the x-step, I mean get your feet underneath you so that you follow throw and push of with your feet. You want to use your big muscle groups, not just your arm. Go out to a field and practice throwing short range shots with just one or two steps; you want to get the feeling of pushing off and how it feels when the timing is right with your whole body. After this you start to slowly add a run up into your practice routine. But start slow and just work on building the timing to your golf shot.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:		MJ was featured on the cover of Disc Golf World News in the summer of 2005. We anticipate it won't be his last magazine feature...
Course	Comments
Hornets Nest Charlotte, NC	My home course where I work on my game and get all of my main practice in. With a long par 70 layout to go with the original layout you need to go to no other park to be able to work on every shot you need.
Renny Gold Charlotte, NC	If you have ever seen this layout you understand why it is on my list. Probably Stan McDaniel's best course.
Glenn C Hilton Hickory, NC	My favorite little technical course, not too mention the club treats me like one of their own.
Gran Canyon Brooksville, FL	Even though it isn't there at this point in time, one of the most amazing courses I have ever played.
Maple Hill Leicester, MA	A really nice mix of open and wooded holes, with two different layouts.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z Flick (170 - 175)	The Flick is an overstable pig. I use it mainly for thumbers, but I also use it for backhands that I need to go hard left with a skip at the end (only use up to maybe 350 feet, usually less). I also use it for short range sidearms (under 250 feet).
Z and ESP Predator (165 - 175)	Basically my main driver for control shots that I need to end left, and headwind shots. I use the Z Pred up to maybe 400 feet unless it is really broken in then it goes a little farther. It is also my main control side arm disc. The ESP version will fly a little farther.
Z and ESP Avenger (165 - 175)	This is my control driver when I need the shot to be straight with very little fade too it. Not my longest disc, but I know where it is going. The ESP version is my disc of choice to hit tight lines in the woods for my longer drives, just so easy to throw and control what it is doing. It is becoming my longer range driver.
ESP Avenger SS (175 gm)	My roller and trick shot disc. For a player with good arm speed this disc is the perfect roller disc.
D Venom (170 - 175)	My long range driver, I use the Venom for anything that I want to go over 400 plus feet. I cannot wait for this thing to come out in another plastic.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
Z and ESP Buzzz (175+)	This disc is absolutely the best midrange on the market today. I throw it more than any other disc in my bag. Definitely my go-to disc when I am in the woods. I use it for shots up to about 350 feet, that is if I want it to go straight or turn it over. I cannot say enough about this disc. ESP for most of the shots, Z if I want to throw hard.
Z and ESP Wasp (175+)	My overstable midrange. Wasp has a nice flight to it that I can control on many lines and different shots. ESP is my main Wasp but I use the Z in the woods because Z plastic is so indestructable.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
X Soft Banger GT (170 - 175)	My putter, also gets some use as my short range side arm disc (under 175 feet).
D Challenger (170 - 175)	My upshot disc that I use on short range shots. I have a few of the old Cam Todd Challengers that I use for my longer putter shots.

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