Team Discraft profile: David Muntean III

	NAME:	David Muntean III
	HOMETOWN:	Tallahassee, FL
	BORN:	1987
	PDGA #:	35832
	2011 PDGA RATING:	999
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	2004
	day gig:	Grad Student
	HOT SHOTS:	Made the Finals at the 2009 PDGA Amateur World Championships

Memorable Moment

I made the lead card at the Orlando Open and was tied for the lead with fellow Discraft teammate Bryan Moore going into the final round. John E. McCray and Aleksey Bubis were right behind us. Talk about being star-struck. It was such an accomplishing feeling knowing I could play with these guys if I played my game. It was a weekend full of surprises, including my first tourney ace, a parked roller for an eagle, and a string of 8 consecutive birdies at one point. I look forward to many more great rounds with great players.

David's disc golf tips

When a new player sees another player crush a disc 400+ feet, they want to do the same. This results in that person trying to throw too hard, thus having no control or accuracy. One of the biggest obstacles in a disc golfer's improvement is consistency. Yes, you may have a great shot here and there, or a crush every once in a while, but what really matters is being able to do that on a consistent basis. That's when you know you are getting better. I would suggest the mind-set of throwing at 60-75% power with the emphasis on control. And most of the time when you throw with this control and proper technique, you will be surprised how easy it is to get that distance. Then, after you have your control and consistency mastered, you can experiment by throwing harder and bombing it further than ever!

Distance is a combined effort from all areas of the body. From your footwork to your grip and everywhere in between. Start by learning the X-step from a local pro or experienced player as well as the appropriate run up. Then during your run up for backhand drives, work on loading your throwing arm straight back across your body to a comfortable extent. This will naturally help David Muntean III / Team Discraft

load (or turn) your hips back as well. Your run up should be on the balls of your feet, keeping your body loose, and keep a slight bend of the knees to stay low rather than high. Once on your plant foot, drive (or turn) your hips through the zone (same motion seen in a baseball or softball swing) as this is creating tension in your core while your arm is still loaded. Naturally your arm will follow next. Now, drive your elbow through the zone, keeping the disc closer to your body rather than away from it (just as you do when starting a lawn mower, you create more power by pulling across your body close to the chest rather than away from it). At release, you should have a confident grip and some wrist snap as the final piece. Also, make sure to follow through with your momentum. Your throw should incorporate the whole body to get max distance, so hit the fields and take some reps. Practice makes perfect!

Some players see a pro or a friend throw a disc a certain way. Then they go out and get that same disc and claim they can't throw it the same way. Each disc has its own stability rating, but the angle you throw it at and the speed at which you throw it also affects the flight pattern. That's why it is important to practice learning what your disc does at different angles and speeds, probably in an open field somewhere. Once you have in down pat, memorize what works for you. It'll be like muscle memory but with a disc.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:
Course	Comments
Water Works Kansas City, MO	Challenging and fun. Lots of unique holes with plenty of personality.
Pine Oaks Golf Course Ocala, FL	Lots of Par 4 and 5 holes with baskets on hills and mounds. Home of the Sunshine State Shootout NT event.
Turkey Lake Park Orlando, FL	Two courses in this park. One more open and the other more technical.
Blue Valley Park Kansas City, MO	Not only very long, but also drastic elevation changes. It's quite the hike!
Jack McLean Park Tallahassee, FL	One of my home courses. All holes are in the heavy woods with very tight fairways. Makes you learn every shot in the bag which benefits when playing other courses.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z and ESP NUKE (174 gm)	Easily the longest disc in the bag. I throw my Z on a hyzer to get a slight turn and then a beautiful flex. I use the ESP for long distance rollers and massive hyzer-flips. This disc will increase distance for any golfer willing to give it a try.
Z Force (174 gm)	Always keep two in the bag. My newer one is great for confident headwind shots, forehand flicks, and massive hyzer skips. My confidence in this disc makes it my go-to driver as it proves to be both far and reliable. I like a beat-in one as well for longer power hyzers.
Z Stalker (174 gm)	This disc spoils me with the distance of a driver and the finish of a mid-range. Perfect for shots just out of range for the Buzzz. It feels great in the hand and more importantly, it feels great to know it will hold whatever line I put it on.
Z Surge (174 gm)	The most consistent disc out there and that's why I use it a lot. It's extremely long and reliable straight out of the box. When you need to have that confident drive with distance and placement, reach for the Surge.
Z Surge SS (174 gm)	Same consistency as the Surge but straighter. I use this disc for long straight shots through low ceilings and semi-tight fairways. Simply throw it with hyzer and watch it pop up and fly straight down the fairway. Great disc for beginners as well, as it has just the right stability.
Z Flick (174 gm)	The best overhand disc on the market! Its speed and high stability allows me to throw hammers and thumbers further than I ever imagined. Also, just by looking at it, you can see how flat it is. This allows it to cut through the air so well while it is turning over in mid-air. Also a great head wind and forehand disc.
Z Avenger SS (174 gm)	My rollers go forever with this disc. Just throw it slightly anhyzer and watch it flip to the perfect roller angle. It's better to have it in Z plastic so it keeps its flight pattern longer as roller discs do take a beating. Also a fun disc to launch in big tailwinds.
Z XL (174 gm)	Great for long distance turnovers or hyzer-flips. I use this disc when I want to hit a gap and then have it turn. Another great disc for beginners to learn with.
ESP Impact (173 - 177)	Possibly my favorite disc. I carry one that is newer for dead straight drives and also carry the prototype disc from the 2007 Ace Race that is very beat in. This disc allows me to manipulate the woods and do whatever I want. I can launch a big anhyzer around everything, or throw it on a hyzer line and watch it slowly flip over and never flex. Plus it has cross-hatching technology which gives it more glide for added distance.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
ESP and Z Buzzz (175 - 177)	Everyone loves the Buzzz and I'm one of them. Great consistency and control. The most comfortable grip out on the market, making it my go-to midrange. I carry multiples from new to used and different plastics.
Z Comet (178)	My understable midrange disc. I heard so many great things about this disc, but I never understood it until I actually pick one up. It is straight, period. How many times have you heard someone say they need a straighter disc? Well, this is it. Try it.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
X Soft APX (174)	Straightest putter I've ever used. Its predictability has increased my putting accuracy tenfold. I putt with a First Run for its firmness and I use a couple of Soft-Xs for standstill upshots. I use a newer one for its straight-out-box dead straightness and a beat one for a nice anhyzer flight all the way to the basket.
X Focus (174)	I use the Focus on putts and upshots when I need that slight fade finish. Occasionally, I'll put an ESP Focus in the bag for a little more stability and not to mention how far you can bomb this disc for being a putter.

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