Team Discraft: Larry LaBond Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Larry LaBond
	TEAM:	Core
	HOMETOWN:	Mattawan, MI
	PDGA #:	6903
	2009 PDGA RATING:	982
	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.

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 Stalker (174 gm)	I like this disc for longer turnovers. It is faster than a Buzzz and will go further with less effort.
FLX Surge (174 gm)	The FLX Surge seems to have that little bit more of stability than the ESP Surge and the plastic feels great. I don't think I will have many drives that slip out with this disc.
Tsunami (173 - 174)	I was throwing a Z Avenger before this. It's a great overstable driver that Discraft manufactures for the DGA. They fly pretty much the same. A slight turnover when I throw it hard that comes back out for a great 'S' shot. They go farther then anything else that I have thrown with great control. It is durable and grippy. I use the Tsunami for just about every long drive that I throw.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
ESP and FLX Buzzz (178 gm)	I like to throw both the ESP Buzzz and FLX Buzzz, and carry five total. Three ESPs for accuracy and reliability. I like the ESP for more stability. FLX versions for turnover shots and short approaches. They are great for accuracy.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
Banger-GT (174 gm)	I love the Groove Top. It just feels good in my hand. I like this disc for approach shots and short turnover drives. It has a great hyzer to it. I can make it fly straight and then hyzer or just hyzer all the way. It is great in the wind as well.
Soft Banger-GT (174 gm)	The Soft Banger is a lot straighter of a flyer then the D-line ones. It took half a year to get the D-line to fly like this one does new.
D Focus (174 gm)	I'm still trying this disc out. I like it so far. The stability is good and accurate.

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