Team Discraft profile: David Muntean III

	NAME:	David Muntean III
	HOMETOWN:	Tallahassee, FL
	BORN:	1987
	PDGA #:	35832
	2012 PDGA RATING:	1003
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	2004
	CONNECT:
	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!

David Muntean III / Team Discraft

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 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
Magnolia DGC Live Oak, FL	Great woods course with several Par 4s.
Ocala Greenway DGC Ocala, FL	Built on an abandoned barge canal property. Great design and a great site to play on.
Water Works Kansas City, MO	Challenging and fun. Lots of unique holes with plenty of personality.
Jim Warner Memorial DGC Appling, GA	At the IDGC with two other courses as well. Greatest place for a weekend of discing.
Tuscawilla Park Daytona Beach, FL	Well kept and even more challenging when the canals and ponds are full.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z NUKE (174 gm)	Easily the longest disc in my bag. I carry three at any given time, all with different wear for their flight patterns. One is very overstable and the other two are used for hyzer-flips and long turnovers.
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.
ESP Impact (173 - 177)	Although classified as a driver, the control on this disc allows me to use it as a low speed mid-range. Basically, it's just an all around good disc. I carry two, one newer and the other beat-in.

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.
ESP Meteor (178)	Great turnover midrange. I like throwing it on a hyzer and watching it slowly turn over down the fairway to the end. Great in the woods.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
X Soft APX (174)	Straightest putter ever. This putter allowed me to eliminate a whole lot of variables and just putt straight for increased accuracy. I use a First Run for its firmness. Also my disc for upshots and shorter drives.
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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