Team Discraft: Kathy Collins Disc Golf Bio

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	NAME:	Kathy Collins
	HOMETOWN:	Grass Valley, CA
	PDGA #:	22070
	2012 PDGA RATING:	936
	BORN:	1980
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	2003
	CONNECT:
	Day Gig:	full time student (business and information systems)
	All THAT GLITTERS:	1st, 2009 Gold Pan 1st, 2009 NorCal Championships 3rd, 2006 Memorial 1st, 2006 King of the Lake 1st, 2005 Halloween Classic 9th, 2005 Pro Worlds 1st, 2005 Gold Pan Open 1st, 2005 KOA Jam 1st, 2005 Vintage Cup

MEMORABLE DISC GOLF MOMENTs:

One of my most memorable moments is losing the Memorial in 2006. I will never forget that. After leading for two days I let the lead slip away to two great golfers. I learned a lot from that experience and was still very happy to have taken third.

My ace at the 2005 Worlds is definitely a highlight. I let go of the disc and thought I had released too late. A few seconds later we heard the chains. Thank goodness it was my last hole of the round... I don't know how I would have thrown the next shot after that ace.

I shot a really hot round at Delaveaga during the Faultline Classic 2006. My last round the course was set up just about as difficult as it can get and I shot a 975 rated round. That felt really good.

There was a round at a course in Truckee where I shot a 49. I beat or tied most of the top pro men at the event. I was as shocked as everyone else. Hopefully, there will be many more highlights to come!

Kathy's Disc Golf Tips

Get More D
To add distance, try reaching back a little further each throw. Little by little, you will gain footage. This is a gradual process. Practice in a field over and over, and pretty soon you will be throwing further. Remember to get full rotation without losing control of your body. A big run-up will not necessarily make you throw further. In fact, in doing so, you might lose some accuracy. Practice.

Putt For Dough
People often think that distance is the most important thing to have in your game. I strongly disagree. Having a good putt makes all the difference on the course. What good is to get 30 feet from the pin if you can't capitalize. You'll feel far more confident going into an important round if your putt is on. You may have an excellent drive, but there will be holes that you don't drive the way you want. Knowing that you can make a par saving putt is a really good feeling. When you practice, start short and slowly work your way to further distances. Confidence is key. Of course practice is extremely important also but practice does you no good unless you have the confidence to attack a putt from any distance.

Rollers!
I love throwing rollers! If you are just learning the roller, try a beat up XL. They seem to work the best for me. Start your run up on the lower right hand corner of the tee and work your way to the upper left. Reach back a little lower than a normal drive and arch the disc across your chest as you lean back. Work on the angle of the disc. Most importantly, practice the angle and placement of where you want it to land and which direction you want it to go. The roller can be frustrating to learn but once you have it, you're golden.

Dry and Warm Wins the Game.
When playing during the winter months be sure to come prepared. I always have hand warmers and an umbrella. Having waterproof socks is another great asset. Take your time on each shot and dry off each disc and your hands thoroughly before throwing. Be mindful of your footing and focus on the shot, not the weather.

General Guidelines For Better Play
Don't stick to a style that doesn't work. You have to have control of your body. The best way to do that is to adopt a form that is smooth and controlled. Another typical mistake is throwing plastic that isn't for beginners or is too heavy. Try to concentrate on each shot. Don't rush yourself. You're outside, under the sun having fun, enjoy it. When you take more time on your shot, you are much more accurate. Try and visualize each flight pattern that you want the disc to travel in. Don't get angry. This is a fun game. The more angry you get, the worse the shot. Remember to keep calm even after a terrible mistake. Otherwise, your next error will just boil your blood. Besides, nobody likes to play with a hothead. Stretch. It doesn't matter if you're a young 18 years old and in perfect shape. When you stretch it not only prepares your body but it prepares your mind.

A Fit Player
Disc golf, as with any other sport, takes a certain level of fitness. Anyone can play regardless of how fit one is but to play better, fitness is the key. For me, when I have a fitness routine and am consistently working out, my game is much better. My drives seem to go farther with more control. I can also play two rounds on large courses and still feel energized. I played two very large courses in one day when I was almost 8 months pregnant and I felt like I had energy to spare. It's all thanks to staying fit and in shape. My routine typically involves running, biking, lifting free weights and some yoga. Yoga is important because it's not just your body that needs toning, it's your mind as well.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:
Course	Comments
Delaveaga Santa Cruz, CA	If you haven't played there, the course is going to beat you.
McIver Park Estacada, OR	Huge course. Have to bring the big arm. Always well groomed.
Condon Park Grass Valley, CA	Very technical course. Gives the non-locals some trouble.
Zephyr Cove Lake Tahoe, CA	Most beautiful view in the world, and you get to golf there!
Stafford Lake Novato, CA	Very difficult but fun course.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
ESP Avenger SS (174 - 175)	I love it. Avenger SS is perfect for tight anhyzers and for technical drives. It holds a nice negative line and will come out of it if you don't put too much pepper on it. If you do, it will hold all the way. This disc is also a great roller!
ESP Surge (173 - 174)	I love this disc. The Surge is a great driver for a long turnover shot. This thing will go a mile but if it is slightly broken in, it will hold a good anhyzer line for a long distance before coming out of it. I used to keep about four in my bag. Each one had been broken in a little more than the next. I have since limited myself to carrying two, having found that two is all you need since they will do what you tell them.
ESP Pulse (170 - 172)	I first picked this up at the San Francisco Safari and I was afraid to throw it during my round since I had never tried it. I took a chance on it and I haven't let go of it since. It is so easy to manipulate this disc and it is a very consistent driver. The grip of it is so comfortable in your hand and you just know it is going to do what you want it to.
Z XL (168 - 170)	A beat up XL is an awesome roller. I was at the Brent Hambrick Memorial tournament in 2006 and I didn't have a roller. I asked a fellow teammate if he had anything I could use. He handed me this disc. I rolled my first hole having never used this disc before and I couldn't believe how well it worked. This distance was great and it held the right angle the entire way.
Z Avenger (167 - 169)	This is a great driver for many people and it is for me too. But a new Avenger is overstable for me. I don't have the power a lot of men do so it tends to always fly right for me. This is a great thing. It's perfect for those huge hyzer shots. In wind conditions it is perfect. It won't flip over at all for me. I know that if I go to the Avenger, it will be reliable.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
Z Wasp (168-170)	This is such a great upshot disc. It is quite stable at first but after a season or two, they have a nice perfect straight line with a slight hyzer at the end. I recently aced with my Pro-D Wasp and it made realize just how much I love this disc. It's so comfy in the hand.
ESP Buzzz (172-174)	I just picked this up at the Team challenge held in San Diego CA. I left my Wasp at home by accident and the shop didn't have one. I grabbed an ESP Buzzz and threw it for the rest of the tournament. This is such an accurate disc. It doesn't stray from the point of release. How you throw it and where you throw it, is where is goes.
D Buzzz (max wt.)	I always put a brand new, plain old Buzzz in the bag before every tournament. This disc is so reliable and the classic plastic feels good in my hand. Grip is really important and sometimes that old plastic provides the best feel. This disc flies where ever you point it without deviation.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
D Magnet (174 gm)	Ah, my bread and butter, the Magnet. I have been putting with a Magnet as long as I have been playing this game. I love this putter. I have so much faith in my Magnet. It just feels so good in my hand. The bond I have with my putter is unbreakable. It's also a great upshot disc. I just trust it so much.

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