Team Discraft: Elaine King Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Elaine King
	TEAM:	Womens
	HOMETOWN:	Etobicoke, ON
	PDGA #:	3090
	2007 PDGA RATING:	951
	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) 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.

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
Seneca Creek Gaithersburg, MD	Challenging course with multiple tee and pin layouts, disc-catching trees and moderate elevation changes.
Knob Hill Pittsburgh, PA	Lots of trees and elevation changes. Requires precise drives and approach shots. Multiple tees and pins.
Moraine Pittsburgh, PA	Lots of variety. Accurate shots from the tee and the fairway are essential. Many 2-drive holes.
Patapsco Marriotsville, MD	Rolling hills, lots of trees, multiple tee and pin placements.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
X Avenger (168 - 174)	Main driver. Easy to throw, but works best once beaten in a bit. I get good, reliable distance with a predictable hyzer at the end.
ESP Avenger SS (170 - 175)	The Avenger SS is a terrific addition to the Discraft line. It flies very straight and far right out of the box. Whereas in the past I needed to beat up an Avenger to get my best distance, I can now just pick up an Avenger SS, no working in required! When the wind picks up, I switch to an Avenger since the Avenger SS tends to flip over in a headwind.
X Avenger (168 - 174)	Beat in - for long anhyzer drives
Tsunami (167 - 172)	Main driver for windy conditions. Also for extreme hyzer shots.
X Cyclone (170 - 175)	New: for drives 250 - 300 ft. My old standby. A reliable, straight flyer. I carry several Cyclones, beat in to various degrees. Also one 150-class for with-the-wind drives.
X Cyclone (170 - 175)	Beat in - for rollers or anhyzer shots less than 300 ft.
DGA Rouge (170 - 175)	I seem to get my best distance from this disc, but since it has a wide rim and I have short fingers, it sometimes slips out of my hand early. I have experimented with various grips and pretty much have my release under control, but I am most confident throwing this disc where the fairway is wide. This disc definitely helped my finish at the Player's Cup!
Z Storm (173 - 175)	For straight shots 200 - 250 ft with a left hook at the end. I have probably gotten more deuces with the Storm over the last couple of years than any other disc. Flies very very straight, with a predictable hyzer at the end.
D Stratus (170 - 175)	On a woodsy course, I will carry 2 Stratuses - one fairly new for straight and slight right curves, and one beat in for more extreme right curves. Flies very straight when new, but turns over once beaten in. A great long approach disc.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
X MRV (173 - 175)	This is my main approach disc. I can't believe this disc has been discontinued!! Great in the wind. 100% reliable. I threw a beat MRV for my 880 ft downhill near-ace on Snowbowl.
D Comet (175 - 179)	For approaches 150 - 220 ft. A great short approach disc for calm conditions.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
D Magnet (170 - 175)	New - for hyzer putts or putting into the wind. Also for short approach shots, under 150 feet to the left.
D Magnet (170 - 175)	Slightly beat in - my main putter and for approaches under 150 feet straight or to the right.

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