When playing disc golf, it is normal that you will encounter obstacles, corridors, and other hazards on the field. Sometimes these situations call for a shot that goes over the obstacles. In disc golf, we have a shot called an ‘overhand throw’ that is sometimes the best option for a given situation. These overhand throws are called ‘tomahawks’ or ‘thumbers’, depending on how throwers hold the disc. We will use the term ‘tomahawk’ to refer to both types of shots. Overhand throws are useful tools that disc golfers should consider learning.
In this blog we will mention and review the best tomahawk discs that we have used. That will help you decide which disc would be best for you.
Best Tomahawk Disc
1. Infinite Discs Scepter
The Scepter is an overstable fairway driver that is available in most of Infinite’s premium plastics. Its speed 9 rim width might be a better size for people with smaller hands, or who prefer more narrow rims. The Scepters flight numbers reveal an overstability that pairs well with overhand shots. Get up and over obstacles and trust that the Scepter will get a full flight, then crash down on target.
- Flight numbers 9.0/4.0/0.0/4.0
- More narrow rim than high-speed discs
- Great distance disc with a guaranteed fade
- Good disc to learn overhand shots
Check out the Infinite Discs Scepter here
2. Innova Ape
For those with enough arm speed, the Ape is an amazing option for tomahawks and thumbers. It is a high-speed disc with a lot of fade. Available in premium plastics, the Ape will deliver consistent overhand throws with maximum distance. If you can throw 400 feet and want to dial in your tomahawk game, you’ll want to check out the Innova Ape.
- Flight numbers: 13.0/5.0/0.0/4.0
- Best for more experienced players
- Premium plastic options
- Available in Blizzard plastic for lighter weight discs
3. Infinite Discs Slab
The Infinite Discs Slab is a beefy disc with little glide and no turn. It is a speed 12 disc that has a wide rim, and performs reliably in nearly any condition. The Slab makes a great forehand disc, and an amazing overhand mold. It’s one of the beefiest driver in the Infinite lineup.
- Flight numbers: 12.0/3.0/0.0/4.0
- Available in numerous plastic types
- Weight ranges from 150-class to max weight
Check out the Infinite Discs Slab here
4. Prodigy D1
One of the first discs produced by Prodigy, the D1 has been a popular overstable driver preferred by people that can throw with a lot of power. As a tomahawk disc, the D1 will perform with the same consistency as with a backhand or forehand shot. It is available in all of Prodigy’s amazing plastic types.
- Flight numbers: 12.0/5.0/0.0/4.0
- Available in a variety of weights
- Wide rim
5. Dynamic Disc Felon
The Dynamic Discs Felon is another option for people who want to throw tomahawks, but prefer a more narrow rim. Despite the size of its rim, the disc is extra-beefy and can handle the power and torque that comes with an overhand shot. You can count on the action of the disc with a big tomahawk throw.
- Flight numbers: 9.0/3.0/0.5/4.0
- Available in many plastics, including DyeMax
- Good lower-speed disc for overhand shots
Check out the Dynamic Discs Felon here
More About Overhand Throws
We’ve been discussing overhand throws, and referred to both thumbers and tomahawks. Let’s talk about the difference between the two throws, and when you would use each one. The differences are grip and the flight of the disc.
A thumber grip uses the thumb on the inside of the rim. You would grip the disc tightly with the the rim resting on your middle finger, with the index finger on top of the flight plate. The index finger can be extended or bent.
To throw a tomahawk, you place your middle finger on the rim, with the index finger on top of the middle finger. Your thumb is on top of the flight plate.
When throwing a thumber over an obstacle (right-handed throw), the disc will rotate in a clockwise spin, or pan, from the view of the thrower, then finish to the right. The opposite is true with a tomahawk. The easy way to remember the difference is that the disc finishes in the direction of the flight plate when the disc is in your hand.
If you want to use an overhand throw down a fairway, throwing with a less stable disc can help the disc make it pan faster and stay in a straighter line. When the disc hits the ground it can skip in the direction of the flight plate before the throw.
How to Choose Tomahawk Disc
When selecting a tomahawk disc, consider what situation you are in, and how far you want it to go. Stability comes into play because it affects how fast the disc pans, which affects how and when the discs glides to the ground. The more overstable the disc, the slower the in-flight pan. That means the disc will fly farther and drop nearly vertical. Although the forward rotation of the disc might give it some distance on the ground, a more overstable disc is more likely to so stay near the area it comes down. It might also finish with a bounce. I’ve seen thumber throws that ace on the bounce. Although, any bounce can do crazy things at times. Or it might even fly straight into the basket!
If you need a lot of distance and little ground action, throw something more overstable. For a shorter, more technical shot, you can go with something less overstable. That will give the disc a faster pan and shorter flight.
Overhand shots in the wind
One thing to think about when deciding on a overhand throw is the wind direction and speed. Cross winds can really push a thumber or tomahawk, since the flight plate is exposed to the wind for such a long time. Head and tail winds can affect the speed of the pan. The best way to learn about how the wind affects the flight is to practice on windy days.
Conclusion
Learning the tomahawk will be good throwing style to improve your skill as a disc golfer. And choosing the best tomahawk disc will be the first step in learning the skill. Spend a lot of time practicing with different molds and weights. And in different wind conditions. Your disc golf game will thank you for investing the time to learn about the versatile overhand throw.
