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NAME: |
Bryan Moore |
| HOMETOWN: |
Sarasota, FL |
| PDGA #: |
18790 |
| 2011 PDGA RATING: |
1002 |
| BORN: |
1979 |
| STARTED IN DISC GOLF: |
1998 |
| day gig: |
Sales and Marketing Director |
| HOT FINISHES: |
1st, Sky Pilots Pro Open 20051st, Orlando Open 20061st, Riverside Rumble 20081st, Sky Way Challenge 'north' 20081st, Tocobaga Games 2008Runner-up finishes on the Fabulous Florida Tour points series in 04, 05, 09. |
| MEMORABLE DISC GOLF MOMENT: |
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My first PDGA victory was memorable for so many reasons. It was the Sky Pilots Pro Open, PDGA b-tier in May of 2005. The event featured one round on the world's longest disc golf course, Fly18 at Sarasota Golf Club, and the remainder of the event took place on my training grounds, North Water Tower Park. After multiple second place finishes to top golfer and friend JohnE McCray, I knew it would take a little extra push to finish on top of the podium. I had a lot of support from local players, the founder of the Sky Pilots Jim Widick (RIP) and most importantly from my Dad, Randy Moore. I entered the final round with a four-stroke lead, however there were multiple holes with two-stroke swings including a hole-in-one from McCray. Finally, with just two holes to play, I nailed a huge birdie on hole #17, which tied us up going into the 72nd hole of the tournament. I played a safe drive which landed me about 44 feet from the basket, JohnE clipped an early tree so I knew instantly I would have a putt for the championship. I steadied myself and focused on the same putting routine I had worked on the preceding weeks, marked my lie, and then calmly tossed in my putt for the win. My celebration was stalled as there were other groups still in play, and the guys in my group still had to putt out. Soon enough I had the great honor of hoisting the first place trophy over my head and the ice water bath that followed. I couldn't have been more proud to earn my first PDGA win as a pro on my home course, in front of the home crowd, with my Dad "Cadaddy" next to me. Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way.
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| Bryan's Disc Golf Tips |
Warming Up:
We've all watched newbies try to throw too hard, struggle with foot work, place their opposite hand in the way of a throw, rush through the putting motions... all these mistakes can easily be adjusted. My best advice is to take your time while you're having fun and learning the game. If you can, arrive early to properly warm up, start by stretching your arms, legs and torso, then warm up with short throws, finally moving into longer distance tee shots. After you've loosened up your body, find a quiet area to practice a few putts, fine tuning the putting line. A proper warm up will lead to a more pleasant round of golf. Nothing feels better than beating your buddies, but modesty and good sportsmanship are respected values on the disc golf course too. Practice a solid warm up and experience solid play. Shop for a new Discraft disc to further punish your friends, in a nice manner!
Improve Your D:
If you're a newer player, watch what works for some golfers, and don't hesitate to ask. In fact, you'll be paying a compliment to the person just by asking for a few pointers. When you're looking to add distance, it's important to work with a disc you feel comfortable with, preferably something slightly understable. If available, find an open area of the park, or even a baseball or soccer field; try launching it at a variety of angles and speeds. You'll add distance by simply practicing the longer shot, stretching the muscles in your arm and torso. Then pick up an Avenger and let it rip!
Nail that putt:
The most important and technical aspect of disc golf is putting. This is the area that separates the top amateurs from the professionals. Practice will lead you to improved putting. It's important to develop a
routine, find something comfortable and stick with it. Almost all sports are designed around routines,
baseball swing, basketball free throw, etc. Find the best putters at your course, ask them what they do for their routine. The other important fact is to practice how you play. Don't race through your putting practice, take your time and learn as you practice. Also, mix it up, throw an occasional straddle putt, or take a knee once and a while. Then pick up a Challenger and have fun!
Five tips to make more putts:
The easy answer is to practice more often. The more complete and appropriate answer is to take advantage of better practice. I find it distracting to practice putting near other people. While it can help with your concentration, it often results in a diminished outcome. Your best bet is to find a quiet place on the course, where you're in plain view from the tee pad (so no one throws in on you). Set up there with 2-4 putters. In this case, less is more. Take your time setting up within your normal putting routine. That may be one of the most important fundamentals when it comes to putting, a routine. Get comfortable in your stance, as balance is very important. Another tip is to practice a tough lie. You can pick a place that offers a challenging putt, since one of the challenges of disc golf is navigating natural obstacles. Often, I'll throw my 3-4 putters to different places around a basket. It forces me to mark my lie, just as in tournament play, and go through my normal routine. Consider investing in a high quality towel, I recommend a soft micro-fiber towel from any of the camping and outdoors companies. Lastly, I like to pretend this putt, though it's just practice, is for a big par save in an event. That way when it really counts, you'll be ready to nail that putt.
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| Course |
Comments |
The Canyon
Brooksville, FL |
R.I.P... this course was amazing to compete on, where I nailed an incredible 'black' ace in front of a hundred golfers. Incredible terrain for a FLA course. |
Waterworks
Kansas City, MO |
Excellent elevation changes, good variety of pin locations, we played one day after the KCWO in 2006. Great view of the city too. |
Kaposia
Minneapolis, MN |
Unique layout, great holes, several signatures. Played through a couple days before the Pro Worlds 2001. |
Hippodrome
North Augusta, SC |
Pro Worlds layout 2006. After starting with an awful opening round, I had to play the beast that is the Hippodrome, loved the challenge and terrain. |
Greenway at Majorie Harris
Ocala, FL |
Challenging terrain, tough 19 hole layout with no breaks. Mild elevation changes, natural setting, and unique for FLA. |
| In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers |
| Disc |
Comments |
ESP and Z Surge
(172 - 175) |
The hottest disc in my bag. The Z line is a great overstable driver, used for headwind shots, for any skip finishes and trick shots. The ESP is a fast, controllable disc for distance and accuracy. Great for anything beyond 400 feet.
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Z Stalker
(170 - 174) |
The Stalker is the most effective hybrid disc in the marketplace. The combination of medium-fast flight with comfortable feel makes it an easy disc to throw. Many folks find it to be a fast Buzzz. It's quickly become the most popular disc among many of the active players. I enjoy the Stalker every time I throw it, which is more often with each round I play. Definitely check out a Stalker today!
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ESP Force
(170 - 174) |
The Force dominates a variety of shots. I've been working on my forehand flick and I'm constantly impressed with the Force. I now have some that are quite overstable, and a few that are broken in nicely that offer a bit more glide. The Force can be a great utility disc for skip shots, thumbers, or any other un-makeable shot. The Force can help make it happen. It's a solid headwind driver and can be absolutely crushed if sent on the correct angle and line. I've watched some of the upcoming talent in Sarasota, without a doubt future Team Discraft members, that have launched the Force epic distances. Try the Force.
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Z Wildcat
(172 - 175) |
I've had great results with the Z version, very consistent. As it wears in you can put a bit more hyzer angle for the same results. I'm confident with this driver no matter the shot its thrown for. I'd call this my go-to driver for most situations. Keep one in the bag for sure.
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ESP Avenger
(173 - 175) |
The Avenger does it all; trusty long range driver, can turn in the air. I gain a lot of distance when I throw a steady, easy shot. Great for a long turnover. Let the Avenger work for you.
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Z Tracker
(max weight)
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Love the Tracker for straight shots, finishing left. Pull it out anytime you want to slice through a patch of trees, it's easy to control. I normally throw it on low ceilings, where you still need the speed. Sometimes I throw it as a flick shot.
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ESP and Z XL
(172 - 174)
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Old school disc flying with the best of them, the XL is a must have in pretty much any disc golf bag. I really like the ESP when it's in new to medium in use, as they break in the hold a nice turnover line. The Z blend is a little more durable. I enjoy throwing the XL on wooded courses.
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange |
| Disc |
Comments |
ESP Meteor
(174 - 176) |
Trusty turnover disc. It can also fly very straight if you throw it at 80 percent power. I use it for big turnover shots with lots of room, also for low quick turning tee shots when a flick shot is less appropriate. This was originally released as the 2006 Discraft Ace Race proto.
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ESP and X Buzzz
(174 - 178) |
I direct all new players to this great all purpose disc. It flies perfectly from day one, and you'll find its capable of a variety of shots as they wear in. Trust the X Buzzz for shorter, accuracy demanding tee shots and upshots. I always feel confident when I'm on a golf hole within the Buzzz's range.
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ESP and X Wasp
(174 - 178) |
A solid overstable midrange. The X line is great for straight or 's' curve shots. The X is very easy to throw, feels great in the hand. The ESP is more overstable, great when you want to rely on the disc to finish left. It can part a tree gap quickly, leaving more time for flight and finish to the hole. Watch out, the Wasp might park more golf holes than you expect.
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| In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach |
| Disc |
Comments |
D Challenger and D Soft Challenger
(173 - 174) |
Incredible putter and approach disc. I use the hard version for windy situations and long jump putts. Love the Soft Challenger for putts inside 40 feet, straddle and one knee putts. Place the Challenger on the right line and watch it go in. Very consistent and slightly stable. Gets up and down when you need to save a par.
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