Team Discraft: Larry LaBond Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Larry LaBond
	HOMETOWN:	Mattawan, MI
	PDGA #:	6903
	2012 PDGA RATING:	975
	BORN:	1972
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	1991
	day gig:	Builder
	disc cred:	Tournament Director of the 2008 PDGA Pro and Amateur Disc Golf World Championships Presented by Bell's Brewery 12th at 2004 Pro Worlds 30th at 2005 Pro Worlds 20th at 2006 Pro Worlds

MEMORABLE DISC GOLF MOMENT:

The 2004 Worlds in Des Moines. I was on the lead card after the first round. I have a picture of the leader board that shows me ahead of a lot of great players, and in the company of two World Champs in my group (including the eventual winner). I was mainly on the third card for the rest of the week and I had a great finish at Picard with deuces on 16 and 17, a 4 on hole 18 and deuces on 1 and 2 to finish 12th.

Larry's Disc Golf Tips

Confidence is the key to putting for me. How my putting goes is usually how my game goes and I have had many struggles with it over the years. I have found that I putt the best when have a more positive and confident attitude. Doing that is the hard part. Not getting down if you do miss or talking yourself out of the shot before you make it. With putting, the smallest hesitation or lack of confidence can pull your shot off just enough to miss. The best thing to help with my attitude is for me to tell myself that I am going to make the shot and that I have been making them all day. I will not even let missing come into mind. I don't get worked up if I do miss. What is done is done and thinking about it is going to bring me down and lower my confidence. I try and think about the shots that I have made. It is a good thing to do after the round. Don't tell everyone about the putts that you have missed, but tell them about the good shots you have made. A positive attitude helps to build confidence and that in return makes you a more solid putter.

Most beginners that I see throw from down by their hip, instead of starting the throw from shoulder height. They lean back and throw in an upward motion, resulting in a shot that hyzers out quickly and doesn't have much body momentum behind it. To fix this problem, start out higher and lean into your shot, then follow through. This will allow you to get your body's momentum into the throw, plus you'll get a better flight out of the shot.

Confidence is the key to putting and building your confidence in any way helps. Not thinking about missed shots. Tell yourself that you have been making 'these shots all day.' Visualize what you want to do and don't think of what happens if you miss. Any hesitation can make you pull your shot a little and that is all it takes to miss.

Larry Builds Courses

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:		Professional disc golfer Larry LaBond is the founder and president of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Basket K'Aces disc golf club, which hosts over 100 members on any given league night. The club runs many events each year, and hosted the 2008 PDGA Pro/Am Worlds.
Course	Comments
Cold Brook Park Climax, MI	My home course for many years. It is an 'old school' course that has many holes that are as easy to birdie as bogie. I designed and built it in 1993-94 and I have been running a league there since.
Oshtemo Township Oshtemo, MI	Another one of my home courses. This course has become tougher over the years. It keeps you honest.
Winthrop Gold Rock Hill, SC	Same reasons everyone else lists this course as a favorite. It opened my eyes more to what can be done with a disc golf course.
Boyne Mountain Boyne, MI	Just a fun course to play. A lot of really good, challenging holes.
Nocamixon Allentown, PA	I thought this was the best course at the 05 Worlds. Very challenging and more like what I was expecting to play.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z NUKE (174 gm)	All I can say is wow!! They just go far. It has been a long time since I have been as impressed with a disc. They just seem to keep on going. When most discs seem to hyzer out in their flight is when NUKE just seems to carry for an extra 30+ feet. They fly the best when you don't try and crush them. A solid stable throw makes these discs go far. They have easily added 30-50 feet on my drives. I carry two Nukes.
Tsunami (173 - 174)	I carry two of these as well. They go far and have a reliable hyzer to them. One is older than the other and is easier to turn over. If I need a reliable drive and I want to count on the disc then I use my Tsunami.
Z Stalker (174 gm)	I like Stalker for a longer turnover shot that I wouldn't use my Buzzz on. When I need my disc to travel a little faster without as much power. This disc was sent to me by Discraft when they first came out. I put it in my bag and it has remained there since.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
FLX Buzzz (178 gm)	This is probably my most used disc due to the courses I mainly play. I like the FLX as more understable compared to the ESP Buzzz. I use it for turnover shots and for straight shots as well as most of my longer approaches. Great disc with great feeling plastic.
ESP Buzzz (178 gm)	I carry two ESPs. I like the ESP Buzzz for stable or straight shots. I even use them on some turn over shots. I will use these on holes that range from 200 to 400 feet. These are about my most used discs off of the tee. Reliable and straight at the basket.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
Soft Banger-GT (174 gm)	I use this disc for short approaches and for turn over shots. It is well beat and has a reliable flight. It is comfortable in my hand. Great for about anything within 150 feet.

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