Always looking for tips

[Gage Benson]

I have 2 years of exp. in disc golf. A year & half in the competitive tourney scene. Recently I feel as if I hit a wall with my mental game. Any tips from the pros that can help keep me stay mentally focused thru a rd or tourney would be great.

Also where / how do you rank yourself?

All last year I played in Am2. Consistently finishing Top 6 every tourney but never a top 3 finish or a win. This season I moved up to am1. As a am1 I have yet to finish in the top 10 of any tourney, but when I look at the am2 scores, I'm either finishing #1 or #2...
I guess my question is; did I move up prematurely ? Should have I got that lead card exp in am2? Would one tourney moving back to Am2 help at all?

Another thing is, I'm constantly thinking about the future instead of focusing on the moment. Any tips, advice, or motivation anyone can give me would be great.

Always free and looking to play practice Rds with the great locals so if there are any masters looking for a grasshopper, I'm here.

[Jesse Carrieri]

Playing with better competition will help push your game.

[Gage Benson]

So stay put? & keep practicing

[James Lane]

So stay put? & keep practicing

Yes.
The ball golf mental game is similar to ours and there's so many books, videos, training sessions etc online for ball golf, you can get some mental game tips that should translate well.
Things like, have a specific plan for each hole, stay in your routine, forget the last shot and only look ahead to the next one, etc. Practice putting from short makeable ranges helps putting confidence like you wouldnt believe (this is what Im working on now)

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Always looking for tips too... I'm trying to add more reach back (I know I can throw farther than I do)into my shot but my timing and accuracy suffers.. any tips for that anyone?
(Worth a shot I figure)

[Jeff Wiechowski]

Practice putting from short makeable ranges helps putting confidence like you wouldnt believe

HUGE tip that I also need to get busy doing again.

Always looking for tips too... I'm trying to add more reach back (I know I can throw farther than I do)into my shot but my timing and accuracy suffers.. any tips for that anyone?
(Worth a shot I figure)

Discovered that my mechanics were a bit off by accident. Last fall I was forced(by injury) to throw left-handed for a while and by basically starting from scratch on the "new arm" I found that I was not reaching back correctly with my right arm.

[Chris Bolton]

Great book called zen golf. It is about the mental game of ball golf. It can all be applied to disc golf.

[Andrew Tabaczynski]

I think in all divisions, placing well is about having a strategy. That strategy should not be throwing driver and trying to get all the birdies you can, it should be about getting 3's. Try to envision getting yourself to a place on each hole where you can put yourself within 100ft (or less) and have a very easy upshot. If you can practice upshots and get good at throwing hyzer/anhyzer/straight from inside 150ft, then you wont have to worry about making as many big putts because you'll find yourself at 10ft or less from the basket more and more often.

James- I am no expert, but with regard to adding distance, its all about timing, not speed or strength necessarily. Try to get your bigger muscles involved, its not just about how fast you can swing your arm, but about your legs/core/shoulders and the rotation of them in a coordinated motion.

[Patrick Harris]

Having pressure during the tournament are one of the main reasons that most players choked.

If you do have any experiences of performing on stage or speaking in front of people for couple years. That's great!! Apply that experience to the tournaments.

I have performed in theaters and speaking/signing in front of people so many times and I got used to having so many eye balls on me during tournament rounds.

I have seen players who played so well during non-tournament rounds but always get choked during actual tournaments.

It's all mental.

[Jake LaFlamme]

a few things ive learned over the years has been a result of watching other players and some from my personal experience. not like im the best player, but hopefully these points are helpful.

always focus on the shot at hand.
dont give up on yourself. i feel there is nothing more weak than a dnf.
be willing to sacrifice distance for control.
know the discs you throw and how they will react in all wind conditions.
stick to your game plan. its not about impressing your card mates.
fully commit to your shot. that also usually means going with your first gut instinct.
this is game of percentages, go with the high percentage shot
when you are playing hot, keep your foot on the gas.
when your screwing up, hit the brakes.
dont ever be the guy having a temper tantrum, its not fair to your cardmates, regardless of whether life is fair or not.
positive vibes result in positive play. be willing to laugh off your mistakes.
set goals for every round other than just winning.
when it comes to preround practice putting, remember than you are going to be disappointed in yourself if you miss a 15fter. you prob wont be if you miss a 40fter. so practice those short confidence making putts.
lastly your sub-conscious works in ways that may never be fully explained. think in terms of do. always step to that tee pad and tell yourself, im going to hit that gap. i like to take 3-4 relaxing deep breathes while i stare at the spot i need to hit before i make my throw. similar to the suggestion of picking one link on the basket while putting, this can make the most daunting tunnel feel wide open. i also like to use the analogy of driving a car. if you are looking right in front of the vehicle you will be swerving down the road. if you look far ahead of you, you will drive straight.
you have a great attitude gage and i look forward to seeing you on the podium in the near future. good luck.