Team Discraft: Elaine King Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Elaine King
	TEAM:	Womens
	HOMETOWN:	Etobicoke, ON
	PDGA #:	3090
	2008 PDGA RATING:	953
	day gig:	Director of Quality, GlaxoSmithKline (Canada)
	BORN:	1961
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	1983
	King of the Mountain:	Five-time Women's World Champion (1991 - 1994, 1997) 2009 Women's Pro Master World Champion 2007 Women's US Disc Golf National Champion 2nd, 2007 Players Cup 2005 Women's US Disc Golf National Champion PDGA Commissioner 1990 Secretary, Disc Golf Foundation inception - present Canadian Women's Champion (for about the last 20 years) Cashed twice in Men's Open division in 2007

Memorable Disc Golf Moment

Winning the Women's division of the Peru World Cup in 1987. This was my first major win, netting me a whopping $250 (huge money at the time) and a basket! There were over 20 women competing, including the World Disc Golf Champion and World Overall Champion. I did not know I had the ability to beat these more experienced women, and the win was absolutely unexpected.

Elaine's Advice For A Better Game

How To Shake Competitive Butterflies
In order to drastically reduce your tournament scores, it is critical to learn how to work through nerves, lack of confidence and panic attacks that inevitably occur during competition. Whether you are a novice or a veteran player, you may start the day with butterflies in the pit of your stomach, or you may be ambushed part way through the round with an unexpected shaky feeling as you are about to putt. When this happens to me, I first focus on breathing deeply and slowly. It has been physiologically proven that this will lower your heart rate and relax your muscles. Next, I acknowledge my nervousness and try to let it wash through me. I can't describe it more exactly - it is not helpful to ignore the gnawing anxiety because it still remains, but oddly enough when you completely give into the feeling, it starts to dissipate.

Continuing to breathe, I then try to focus my mind on one thing. Over the years I have been able to identify how I am most likely to err when I am nervous, and focus on executing that aspect properly. For example, when I get shaky during a putt, I putt nose down and hit the rim. Thus, I need to concentrate on keeping the leading edge of the disc tilted upwards. When I lack confidence in a drive, I will release too late or too early and therefore need to focus on my release point. Reflect on your performance under stress, identify your nervous habits, then focus only on the compensating correction until you feel confident once more.

Buy What You Can Throw
Newer players too often try to start with the discs that the 'big boys' use. The novice does not realize that these discs are designed for players who can throw in excess of 450 feet, and therefore are massively overstable. The novice ends up throwing a huge hyzer, not very far, and never ends up learning how to throw straight. Instead, choose a disc that is only slightly stable and learn to control that disc.

Learn Good Form
Correct form is essential for maximum distance. The intermediate player has learned how to control the disc and can huck the disc a fair distance, but often has not mastered the finer points of form. It is critical to throw the disc using your whole body, not just your arm. Footwork is extremely important to ensure balance and smooth weight transition between feet. The alignment of your body is key to ensuring a consistent release point and consequently aim.

Try the following exercise (for a right-handed thrower): Start with your back to the target. Hold your disc out at shoulder height. Step backward with your left foot, keeping the disc in place such that you are moving away from the disc. Then step back with your right foot, planting the ball of your foot. Still keeping the disc in the original position, transfer your weight to the right foot and rotate your right hip to face the target, thereby pulling your shoulder and the rest of your body through. Don't think about the disc or about throwing, that will take care of itself. Continue rotating your hip and shoulder until you are facing the target, your arm has followed through and your chest is sticking out. This form will use your legs and back to throw, rather than just your arm, and will allow you to maximize your distance.

Keep Your Bag Simple
There are a bewildering variety of discs on the market. Players tend to accumulate a large number of discs quickly, understandably wanting to try out different discs to see which will work best for them. Unfortunately, this often results in players having one each of 100 types of disc, and actually can inhibit the player from practicing effectively since each disc flies differently. My suggestion is to pick one putter, one approach disc and one or two drivers, and to purchase at least 5 of each. This will allow the player to really get to know the flight characteristics of each disc, and to learn to completely control each disc. The best way to hone skills is not to play rounds, but to repeat a single shot over and over. Practice your 150 foot hyzer shots, 225 foot reverse shot, 75 foot spike hyzer over a bush, etc. You won't just get better at playing your course, but you will get better, period!

Plan Ahead For Bad Weather
Playing in hostile conditions is no-one's idea of having fun, but with appropriate preparation you can put in a solid round and gain ground over the competition. First, ensure you are well fed AND carry some complex carbohydrate snacks with you, since the rounds will take more time to complete than usual and you will burn more energy staying warm. Next, you need to plan your clothing choices carefully. Although it may warm up later in the day, if you are shivering your muscles will be cold, and this will manifest itself in erratic aim. Make sure you are warmly dressed at all times. Carry a bag large enough to hold clothes as you shed them during the day.

If it is raining, or threatening to do so, you may need a change of clothes during the round. I always carry thermal fleece gloves and a winter hat when it is raining, and I keep my right hand in the glove at all times except when I'm throwing. I keep the glove dry by picking up thrown discs with my left hand and I keep myself warm by wearing the hat. I'll also carry a nylon or Gore-Tex jacket along and an extra shirt if there is significant rain in order to effect a mid-round change. It is always a better choice to lighten up on the number of discs and to include more clothes when it's cold or raining.

Better Putting In Wind
When putting in strong wind, it is even more crucial that the disc be released at the proper angle. Moat of us tend to toss in short putts without much thought, but even 5 footers can miss in gusting or very strong winds. Putt upside down to ensure consistent success with short putts under such conditions. Another great use of an upside down throw is when you are laying up a shot on a downhill slope. This shots is especially useful on bare dirt. Throw the shot upside down to provide greater assurance of where the disc will hit the ground, and to decrease the odds of a roll-away. You will find that you need to throw this shot with more force than you would suppose.

Final Thoughts
Like the overwhelming majority of golfers, I am a weekend warrior and not full time on tour. I take my precious weekends and vacation time to play tournaments. If I'm not having fun, then what's the point? Although I'm not perfect, I try to enjoy myself as much as I can, and when I'm having a difficult day I try not to impose my mood on others. Don't focus solely on your results - there's a lot more to the game of disc golf than your score. You will be judged by your peers according to the quality of your companionship rather than your player rating.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:		In addition to her five World titles and 2005 US Women's title, Elaine King has contributed vast amounts of energy and time in disc golf leadership positions. She was elected to serve as PDGA Commissioner in 1990 and served one two-year term. She has also occupied a longtime seat on the Board of Directors of the Disc Golf Foundation, another non-profit that seeks to promote and advance disc golf educational and awareness programs.
Course	Comments
ICC Peoria, IL	A very tight course with narrow paths between skinny trees. My play on this course was a big factor in my USWDGC wins in 2005 and 2007.
Toronto Island Toronto, ON	The course has changed quite a bit over the years but remains tight, challenging and a delight to play.
Knob Hill Pittsburgh, PA	Lots of trees and elevation changes. Requires precise drives and approach shots. Multiple tees and pins.
Pinafore Park St. Thomas, ON	A temporary course played once per year at the Can Am finals. Always a bit different, often with trees in brilliant autumn colours.
Seneca Creek Gaithersburg, MD	Lots of variety, use trick shots if you have them, deer usually seen on the course

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
X Avenger (168 - 174)	Once I beat in the X-Avenger a little bit, it flies beautifully when released with a slight anhyzer. The disc always turns back hyzer at the end of the flight and travels a long way.
ESP Avenger SS (170 - 175)	No need to break in this disc - it flies perfectly right out of the box, keeping a dead straight line. Turns over in a reliable line, shelfing nicely when released high with a strong anhyzer line. Works best in windless conditions - when windy I turn to the X-Avenger.
FLX Surge SS (167 - 172)	I am starting to use the Surge SS more frequently. It's got a wider rim than my other discs so I need to grip it a bit differently. For that reason, I tend to only throw it when I have a bit of room to work with, since it sometimes comes out a bit early. However, it definitely goes farther than any other disc I throw.
X Cyclone (170 - 175)	I still use the Cyclone for short drives. It has a smallish rim which gives me a better grip and I can throw it very accurately. I often carry some beat-up Cyclones for turnover shots or to crash out of undesirable locations.
ESP Impact (170 - 175)	I use the Impact for shots that are a long approach or a short drive. Flies very straight with a hyzer at the end. Skips nicely. I have gotten tons of deuces with this disc.
Tsunami (167 - 172)	I carry a Tsunami when it is very windy, or when I need to make a big hyzer air or skip shot. I can confidently throw the Tsunami in all wind conditions and know that it will slice through the wind and gain good distance. Good for cut-rollers.
X Stratus (170 - 175)	A great disc for playing tight, woodsy courses. Will fly pretty straight right out of the box. Starts turning over as it gets used, but this works to your advantage when you throw if hyzer, since it will straighten out and end up sneaking down tight alleys. I like the small rim on the Stratus.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
X MRV (173 - 175)	I still have a few MRVs and will use them until my supply runs out. Good straight flyer, works well in clam and windy conditions.
X Comet (175 - 179)	The Comet is probably my favourite approach disc but it does turn over in a headwind, so I use the MRV when the wind picks up.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
D Magnet (170 - 175)	I carry a slightly beat in Magnet for putting and a new Magnet for approaching.

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