Team Discraft: Adam Olsen Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Adam Olsen
	TEAM:	Tour
	HOMETOWN:	Cedar Rapids, IA
	PDGA #:	26100
	2009 PDGA RATING:	1007
	BORN:	1979
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	2001
	day gig:	Community Based Social Worker
	disc cred:	2008: won 9 of 34 events played 2007 Greater Des Moines Challenge Champion 2007 Legion of Doom Champion Finalist, 2006 PDGA Pro Rookie of the Year 2006 DGTV Fall Open Champion 2005 United States Am Champion Turned pro in first year of PDGA membership, 2005

MEMORABLE DISC GOLF MOMENT

In 2008 I went on tour on the East Coast for 2 months. I had a great time and my goal for 2010 is to go on tour the entire season. In 2009 I plan to continue to work weekdays, save money, and travel to tournaments on the weekends. Some key moments:

1) Winning the United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship. It opened up a whole new world for me and I got to stay with FUN and AMAZING people.

2) Winning the DGTV Open. I love the events Timmy Gill runs and how he treats the players.

3) All the traveling I did in 2006, the people I met, and played disc golf with. I have a better understanding what type of player I want to be. I know who and how I want to mold my game and conduct myself after.

4) The Des Moines Challenge was a good time. Very tough course, as well as my 2nd A Tier win. I didn't play well the first round but made it up with a very strong performance at Ewing Park. The second day we started off at Big Creek and Cale Leiviska had an ace on his very first throw of the day. I later aced on hole 17 the same round. I thought that was great and had never seen two aces on the same card.

Adam's Disc Golf Tips

Practice in the Wind
Try not to go out on just the nice sunny days. Practicing in windy conditions gives you a better idea how to putt and the different angles you need on your disc for each direction the wind is blowing. Practicing in the wind also gives you a chance to learn how your discs fly and also how to trust your discs. When the conditions are windy I try to 'club up'. For example: on a calm day with a straight 275-foot shot I would probably throw a Buzzz. But with a moderate to strong head wind and the exact same shot I would probably throw a Predator. In this situation I don't have to throw the disc as hard and I know that a Predator will fight through the wind, giving it a straight flight, and it is a very predictable disc.

Joys of the Jump Putt
I have really taken to jump putting. I think it is one of the strongest parts of my game and I am very confident with it. I developed the jump putt by watching several top pro's doing it. What works for me is, lining up, aim for a specific chain in the center, keep my feet close together, and take off some spin when I jump putt compared to when I putt in the circle and stand still. I like to keep my feet close together because I feel I am using less motion and can explode towards the basket.

Always Learn, Always Grow
Recently I have begun to throw forehand. This has never been a strong point for me but after seeing the advantages of throwing forehand I realized I had to learn it. I started by throwing touch shots and as I began feeling comfortable with that I completely stopped throwing backhand for a month or so to just practice. I started out with several grips and realized I like having two fingers under the rim and can get the most distance out of it. I think this part of my game still needs work but now when I am on the Tee pad I don't question whether I can execute the forehand throw if that's what I need to throw.

Play Positive, Play the Course
I see new players easily getting down on themselves and getting frustrated. This took me some time to learn and is still a learning process. Take the time to watch, read, and listen to other pro's and how they handle situations. Best advise I still have had is play the course not who your competitors. Don't worry about who you are playing against. Focus on what is in front of you and execute.

Learn from the Best
If you get a chance to shoot with them, here's some of the disc golfers I look up to and have enjoyed playing with in particular order. Brian Schweberger: fun and outgoing. Timmy Gill: positive and always seems in control. George Smith: very laid back and one of the most aggressive players I have seen. Bard Soleng: lot's of energy, focused, and positive. Does not let the game get the best of him when it is not going his way. Eric McCabe: impressed me the most this year. Cool, calm, and composed. If can play the way he finished the last half of this season he can be one of the best players in the world. Michael Johansen: played my first pro event with him in 2005. Michael was kind and insightful. I just enjoyed watching him play and how excited he was to be on a disc golf course. I have never seen so many jump putts made in one round.

This 'n That
For more distance, try a power grip. Try different discs, practice on a course and an open field. Practicing by yourself helps a lot because you can focus on your throw, you can throw multiple times, and you just spend more productive time focusing on yourself and your game. I learned a few years ago from some veteran players, when throwing up hill have your run up be from an angle. For example if you throw rhbh, run up to the disc from right to left rather than just straight on. This will help you generate more power, distance, and accuracy.

COURSES YOU SHOULD PLAY:		Adam Olsen jumped into disc golf in a big way. He joined the PDGA in 2005, the same year he earned the title of US Amateur Champion, and then turned pro and won a couple of other tournaments. Adam lives and plays in the explosive disc golf state of Iowa.
Course	Comments
Pickard Park Indianola, IA	Beautiful course with many par fours.
Hawk Hallow Spotsylvania, VA	In the country, difficult, elevation, and baskets placed by a creek that runs through the course.
Blue Valley Park Kansas City, MO	One of the biggest courses I've played on. Long drives with tough 2nd shots. Over 11,000 feet long.
Still Waters Farm Govan, SC	Another secluded gem. This course is fun, scenic, and challenging from the gold position.
Buckhorn Park Raleigh, NC	True North Carolina course. Tight woods, nice elevation, with some very difficult holes.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
ESP and Z Force (max wt)	I carry three Forces. My Z Force is stable to overstable and is used for hyzers and wind shots. The 2nd is a Z Force and not as stable but will finish with a hyzer. The third is a Team Stamped Force which is my distance disc. I throw this disc with a tail wind or hyzerflip shots.
Z and ESP Predator (max wt)	I carry one ESP and one Z Predator. The Z Pred is for strong headwind shots or big hyzers. The ESP is a touch less stable goes farther. These are the most reliable discs in my bag.
Z and X Avenger (max wt)	I carry two Z Avengers and one super beat up Nate Doss X Avenger. My first Z Avenger is brand new and overstable. This disc is longer than the Predator but is not as overstable. My second Z Avenger is beat in perfectly and holds whatever line I throw it on, as long as there is no wind. If I throw it with hyzer it hyzers, thrown flat it goes straight, and thrown with anhyzer this disc goes right. I worry about losing this disc because I use it so much and it took me a long time to get it where it is at. My third is a beaten up X Avenger. Thrown with a lot of hyzer this disc is still very understable. If thrown low it is a roller and if throw it high it anhyzers quickly.
Z Tracker (max wt)	I carry one new Tracker which is a little less stable then my 1stt Run Avenger. A seasoned copy is used for turnover shots and rollers.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
Z Buzzz (max wt)	My favorite disc of all timeI carry three Buzzz's. I like to throw a new first run Z Buzzz for stability and midrange shots I want to hyzer. I carry a 2nd first run Buzzz that is very straight with little to no fade. Love the Buzzz and would recommend this disc to any disc golfer.
FLX Drone (max wt)	The Drone has been in my bag for about two years. The Drone is a disc I can really trust for hyzer and head wind shots. I know throw the FLX Drone because the plastic is consistent and does not beat in quickly.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
LE CryZtal and D Challenger (max wt)	I carry four Challengers. One brand new D for putting and putting only. One is old and used for touch shots and long putts. Another D Challenger is somewhat used but is straight. I like the feel of D Challenger for putting, upshots, straight short drives. I also carry a limited edition CryZtal Challenger, which is predictably stable for upshots and strong throws off the tee.
ESP Zone (max wt)	Can handle a head wind, is low profile, but is slower than the Drone.

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