The effects of thumb position on backhand disc golf throws of a mid-range disc

Abstract

In disc golf, having a comfortable and proper grip on the disc is crucial to achieving optimal throw dynamics, and the placement of the thumb is a key component of the grip. This research investigated the relationship between thumb position on a mid-range disc and the resulting angular speed, translational speed, and torque generated during the throw. Using a Discraft Buzzz disc equipped with a TechDisc sensor, measurements were obtained for throws made using five different thumb positions, starting near the outer edge of the disc (p = 1) and ending near the center of the disc (p = 5). Participants were sorted into two skill level groups that were determined based on their Professional Disc Golf Association rating. Each participant performed five throws at each thumb position with maximum effort, and angular and translational speeds of each throw were measured. The results varied between skill groups, but collective data displayed a general linear correlation between angular and translational speeds achieved across all thumb positions. While angular speed and applied torque were observed to be maximum for the thumb position with the largest radial distance from the center of the disc (p = 1), thumb positions located ∼3–5 cm radially inward from the outer edge (p = 2 and p = 3) resulted in the highest translational speeds. In general, a universally favorable thumb position was determined as that resulting in simultaneously large values of both angular and translational speeds for all participants, which occurred closest to the p = 2 position (∼3 cm from the outer edge).