Team Discraft: Chris Hysell Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Chris Hysell
	TEAM:	Masters
	HOMETOWN:	Richmond, VA
	PDGA #:	7382
	2007 PDGA RATING:	930
	BORN:	1963
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	1993
	day gig:	Chief Draftsman for Hermitage Steel Co., Inc.
	disc Cred:	50 PDGA event wins since 1993 Lots of other stuff
	memorable disc golf moment:
	My first win in the Open division. It was at Lums Pond in Deleware, 1995.

Chris' Disc Golf Tips

No Drivers For Newbies If you're new to the game, start with an approach or midrange driver,and master it inside and out. Figure out how to turn it in any direction, and how to get distance with it. Once you're comfortable and you've got your technique down, then it's time to reach for a long range drivers.

Three Putts Will Kill You
Since I've been running weekly events for over 10 years now I have seen many new players who seem to make the same mistake over and over again. Whether it's a new amateur or an up and coming advanced player, they all feel the pressure to go for putts. A missed deuce putt can easily become a testy par putt. My suggestion is to develop a putting style that leaves you with either a drop in putt or one within the range that you are confident enough to make consistently. Eliminate a few unnecessary strokes on your card each round and you will find yourself moving up the scoreboard. Amaze Your Friends
We all love to throw a trick shot while practicing or playing in a leisurely round. The beauty of a trick shot is that if you practice it and gain confidence with it it can become a natural shot that you might consider throwing off of tee pads. I guess the forehand roller has become my trick shot of choice. My confidence in it makes me throw it in tight woods instead of backhand shots. It's so versatile that once you master it you can throw it with virtually any disc in your bag just by changing the angle of release and by landing it properly. Practice it and amaze your friends.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:		Masters player Chris Hysell helps to keep disc golf moving forward on the local Virginia scene. He runs a weekly league at Gillies Creek and works to keep the courses in good shape at both Gillies and Dorey parks. He TDs a a two-day PDGA event every year.
Course	Comments
DarkSide Spotsylvania, VA	A very challenging course.
Loriella Spotsylvania, VA	A great mix of windy, woods and distance.
Pohick Bay Lorton, VA	Short and tricky. Bring your putter.
Timber Ridge Bedford, VA	Absolutely beautiful at sunrise.
Lums Pond Kirkwood, DE	Thick woods.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z Avenger (165, 174 gm)	This disc is definitely my main driver. It has the perfect stability to use both forehand and backhand. I trust it in the wind and also use it for flex and hyzer shots. I honestly think it knows the distance to the pin. My 165 Z Avenger is one of the few discs that I have bought out of a store since I got sponsored by Discraft. I saw it on the shelf in the pro shop at the Player's Cup and snatched it up. I was originally throwing it for high anhyzer shots that I needed to fall back at the end. After a while it started to beat in nicely and now I use it for a consistent straight shot and also for my backhand rollers. It holds a straight line for a long way.
Z Crush (169 gm)	I was at a tournament a few years ago and it got really windy. Since I had ridden with someone I didn't have a lot of backup discs to go use. I put this Crush in the bag and it's still there. It has maintained it's stability and I use it when I need to throw something overstable. I use it for forehand skips and also forehand rollers. Because of its stability I use it for my maximum distance forehand rollers.
ESP Avenger (165 gm)	I really trust the ESP Avenger's flight path. I use it for longer sidearm shots that I need to turn over but still come back right at the end.
ESP Surge (173 gm)	I get the most distance out of this disc. It surprises my competitors because it flies really far! If I need to try for some backhand distance this is my disc of choice. It seems to have much more glide than my Avengers. I often throw it forehand for really straight shots.
FLX Surge (172 gm)	I started carrying two different colored FLX Surges last year. I like their stability, which appears to differ from regular ESP. I use them for everything, forehands, backhands and even forehand rollers. When it gets windy I'll probably be throwing one of these.
Z Flick (169 gm)	The Flick is Mr. Trusty. I carry three: the beat up one is for straight or turnover forehand shots since this disc is old and has lost some of it's stability. I carry a new Flick and use it on extremely windy days like a pitching wedge, both for forehand and backhand spike shots. I also carry a 150 class: it's great for throwing a high turnover over top of trees. When thrown like a sky roller it will usually plane out and continue on straight.
Z XS (167 gm)	I always carry a Z XS in my bag. It is the disc that I feel the most control with. It flies very straight and I don't have to force it to get it to go where I want it to.
Z Talon (172 gm)	I always carry two beat up Z Talons. They compliment the XS as a very trusty go to disc for shorter shots. Even though it's a driver I treat it like my midrange. I only throw them forehand and they each have their own uses for straight or turnover shots. Because I throw so many touch forehand shots with these discs I hardly ever use midrange discs.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
Z Buzzz (172 gm)	Since I throw many different combinations of forehand and backhand touch shots I really only use my Buzzz for wide open short range hyzer shots. I have really good luck with putting it close to my target. I often see players sporting their new FLX Buzzz or their Crystal Buzzz or some other new midrange. I'm still throwing my original First Run Z Buzzz. It behaves just like the day I put it into my bag. I might be a little nostalgic

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
Soft Magnet (174 gm)	I think I started using my current putter around 1996. It is an abused, wrinkled looking disc. It flies so straight or holds any hyzer or turn I put on it. It has lost all of its stability so it really has no use as a driver but with proper touch and technique it can be putted quite far. My second putter is about the same age as the first but it has more stability because I use it less. I typically use it on windy days and the key is knowing which angle to put on it.

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