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NAME: |
Ray 'Noodles' Johnson |
| TEAM: |
Elite Z |
| HOMETOWN: |
Nevada City, CA |
| PDGA #: |
10355 |
| 2005 PDGA RATING: |
1001 |
| BORN: |
1978 |
| STARTED IN DISC GOLF: |
1993 |
| disc cred: |
2004 St. Patricks Classic Champ 2003 Norcal Series Champ2002 World Distance Champ |
| Memorable Disc Golf Moment |
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My first ace. It was April 1995 after a doubles tourney in Auburn CA. It was a huge doubles cooler round, and I was teamed with Bruce Knisley. I threw a roller on the first hole (hole four) down a narrow path and it jumped up and into the basket! My second ace ever came six holes later off a skip shot. After that round, I was hooked
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| Ray's Disc Golf Tips |
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I see a lot of players using discs that are too fast and overstable for the power they can generate. It's hard to control a very fast disc if you don't have the power to keep them low, flat and straight. Try using a slightly slower disc that is more understable… it will go farther and stay on line with the pin. Keep it smooth!
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COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY: |
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| Course |
Comments |
| Token Creek, Madison WI |
Awesome shot placement course. |
| Delaveaga, Santa Cruz CA |
Very technical course with every shot in the book. |
| Stafford Lake, Novato CA |
Very long, with big elevation changes. |
| Kensington Toboggan, Milford MI |
A course where you earn every birdie. |
| Pickard Park, Des Moines, IA |
Tree golf! |
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z XL
(173 gm) |
I carry four. The brand new one is my do-everything disc. As a long distance roller, it rolls 50 feet farther than any other disc. Great for straight shots at sea level for 350 feet and under. I also use it for slight turnover shots that I don't want to hyzer back, just land flat. I'll even throw it on shorter holes like 200 - 250 feet. When I want to throw soft for accuracy, it flies like a midrange disc.
My used (two years) XL is my number one disc. I trust this XL more than any other disc I've ever thrown, and it's only a little less stable than a brand new XL. I use it for all the same shots as the new version, but at higher elevations of 1000+ feet. I also use it when I want a little more turn, or I can start it with a little hyzer and it turns up just a little and goes straight like a midrange would fly… but a lot farther.
Chewed up XL: I would never throw it on long, wide open holes (unless as a roller) because it would turn over too much when thrown over 380 feet. It's great for shots in the woods. Start it with hyzer and let it turn right and hold. A very nice XL for going out low for 250 feet before it turns right and glides until it lands.
Finally, my really beat up XL is primarily a roller. It works for long rollers that you need to start our almost flat to get around something before it lands and starts its predictable roll to the right.
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ESP Surge
(173 gm) |
The Surge still surprises me all the time. It goes a good 20-30 feet farther than anything else I've thrown. It has a very straight slight path, unlike most discs of good speed that take a lot of hyzer angle in order to go straight. I throw the Surge flat and as hard as I can. I use it for long, low flat shots up to 500 feet. |
X Avenger
(170 - 172) |
The Avenger goes so far, yet at the same time it's easy to control and very predictable in the woods or on open, windy courses. I'll throw if for sidearm shots, or on birdie holes between 300 - 400 feet when a straight to hyzer shot is called for. |
DGA Tsunami
(max weight) |
I carry a new one for spike hyzer shots because it has such a true hyzer flight, and comes straight back down without ever having the chance of turning over. Also great for skip shots. Just throw it flat and let it do the work. |
DGA Tsunami
(max weight) |
Used. Once a Tsunami gets a little beat up, this disc goes so far. At the same time it is so easy to use and control. It's very predictable in the woods, or open windy courses. I use this disc the most when I choose to throw sidearm shots, or on birdie holes from 300 to 400 feet for natural straight-to-hyzer shots. My go-to long driver. |
X Stratus
(176 gm) |
Very beat up. I make this disc roll on the shortest holes because it turns so much. I can also put a lot of hyzer angle on it but throw it softly (like 200 feet) and it will turn up every time. It's a must for short, tight courses. |
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z Wasp
(176 gm) |
The Wasp holds up in any headwind and doesn't turn over. I use it for those shots when I need to go left at the end of the flight. |
Z Hawk
(174 gm) |
The Hawk is the best midrange disc, I hope the Z version gets re-released. I use it for straight short holes when I need just a little hyzer stability in the flight. |
D Hawk
(174 gm) |
This is the truest disc in my bag. It does just what I want: throw it with a little hyzer and it hold that angle the whole flight. Goes flat when thrown straight. A little anhyzer and it has such a nice, slow flight to the right. You should try a Hawk. |
Z Comet
(176 gm) |
This disc goes so far for much less effort. The Comet flies slow but has such good glide… it just doesn't want to hit the ground. It goes straight and doesn't fall off its line at all. It will moves to the right when thrown flat and hard, but not until two-thirds of the way through the flight. |
X Comet
(176 gm) |
Slightly used. Works great for short turnovers. I throw this Comet with hyzer, but it will fade right and has a great flight for every course that has more than five trees per hole. |
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach |
| Disc |
Comments |
Z Challenger
(174 - 175) |
Such a great feeling putter. |
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