Team Discraft: Adam Olsen Disc Golf Bio

	NAME:	Adam Olsen
	HOMETOWN:	Cedar Rapids, IA
	PDGA #:	26100
	2012 PDGA RATING:	1015
	BORN:	1979
	STARTED IN DISC GOLF:	2001
	CONNECT:	Titan Disc Golf Shop
	day gig:	Community Based Social Worker
	disc cred:	37 PDGA wins since 2005 7th, 2010 World Championships 2010: won 10 of 30 events 1st, 2010 Legion of Doom 2010 IL State champ 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.

5) 2010 was a good year for me. I refocused and got back to playing the way I feel I should and can. 2010 World Championships was a top 5 disc golf moment for me. The entire tournament was like something I've never experienced.

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:
Course	Comments
Pickard Park Indianola, IA	Good mix of shots and distances. Well balanced course
West Lake Park Davenport, IA	Toughest course around. Rounds take 4 hours
Sioux Passage St. Louis, MO	Challenging. Mix of shots and elevation
Hornets Nest Charlotte, NC	Long placement golf
Sugar Bush Warren, VT	Mountain golf

In The Disc Golf Bag: Drivers
Disc	Comments
Z NUKE (max wt)	I carry two Nukes. One new which is stable and an older one which turns over and has little stability. The Nuke is the longest disc in my bag. It has glide and speed that make it go far.
Z NUKE OS (max wt)	Fast and overstable. Handles wind very well.
ESP and Z Force (max wt)	I carry four. The Force is very versatile. Ranging from overstable to understable. I can use the Force for all kind of shots. The Force is my go to driver.
Z Predator (max wt)	I carry a brand new Pred which is overstable and a 2nd which is a little older and doesn't turn as hard. Predator is used for hyzers and headwinds.
Z Avenger (max wt)	I have three in the bag and the Avenger is one of the oldest discs in my bag. My Avengers are stable, straight and slightly understable. I used them for shots ranging from 330-390 feet.
Z Tracker (max wt)	Tracker is similar to the Avenger but slower. It also does not handle wind very well. I like the Tracker for control and wooded shots.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Midrange
Disc	Comments
Z Buzzz (max wt)	My favorite disc of all time. I have four in the bag ranging from stable to understable. The Buzzz is the most important disc in my bag.
FLX Drone (max wt)	Overstable midrange. Handles headwind well and FLX plastic is durable. I've had the same Drone in the bag since 2008 and it has kept its stability. I also carry a Z Drone which is a little less overstable.

In The Disc Golf Bag: Putt and Approach
Disc	Comments
D Challenger (max wt)	I've been putting with the Challenger since 2004. I now carry six Challengers. Three for putting and three for throwing. New Challengers are stable and older ones are understable and great for turnover shots and long straight putts.
ESP Zone (max wt)	The Zone is similar to the Drone but in putter form. I use the Zone for headwind putts and upshots. The Zone is a overstable, low profile putter
ESP Zeppelin (max wt)	New edition to my bag. Zeppelin was the 2011 Ace Race disc. It is more of a frisbee and great for upshots. It has nice and slow glide to it.

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