When you first start playing disc golf, you're going to hear a lot of new lingo being thrown around.
Which is partly why we wrote THIS ARTICLE as a reference for terms you may hear and not know.
Two terms that you will hear very frequently are:
Hyzer and Anhyzer
These terms are similar in the sense they're both used to describe the angle of the disc upon release.
But both have their own unique effect on a disc's flight regardless if it was intentional or not.
Learning how to properly manipulate the disc's angle on release between flat, hyzer, and anhyzer will significantly improve your game, and open a lot of options when on out on the course.
Let's take a look at each of these terms so that you can not only understand the difference, but so that you can add them to your skill set as well!
The disc used in this article is the Innova Valkyrie in champion plastic, a very popular understable control driver. If you want to learn more about this disc, you can check it out HERE.
Throughout this article, keep in mind that unless otherwise specified, our description of how a disc responds to hyzer and anhyzer is in relation to a right handed player throwing back hand.
For both left handed players and forehand throws, the opposite of what we say will be true. So if a hyzer thrown disc will finish and fade more to the left for a right handed player, it will instead fade and finish to the right for a left handed player or when thrown forehand.
Before diving into Hyzer and Anhyzer, it's important to have a reference, or starting point. And that starting point is a flat release.
Although self explanatory, this is what the angle should look like upon release when flat:
When thrown flat, most discs will fly like their numbers indicate.
In our case the, the Valkyrie is designed to be understable. So when thrown flat, it will start to turn initially before fading back to the left, and looks something like this:
As you can see, the disc flies with a beautiful S-shaped flight pattern like you would expect out of an understable disc with a Turn of -2 and Fade of 2.
When you have a shot where you want the disc to perform as rated and expected, use a flat release!
What is a Hyzer?
Now that we know what a flat release looks like, what is a hyzer?
When released this way, stable or overstable discs will become more stable than indicated, causing a noticeable increase in fade towards the end of flight.
This picture exaggerates the angle you would typically use, but it is important to note that the more hyzer you put on the disc, the more stable that disc becomes.
In flight, our understable control driver flew like this when thrown on a hyzer:
In this video, you can see how with just a little bit of hyzer, the stable disc no longer wanted to turn over upon release and started to fade much sooner than when thrown flat.
When should I throw a hyzer?
Hyzers are great to use on shots where you want to throw around an obstruction/object or if the hole has a sharp turn in it that you know your disc won't make if thrown flat.
Hyzers are also great to use with very understable discs to prevent them from turning over. This is known as a "Hyzer flip" and is often used by players to achieve increased distance out of an understable driver with a relatively straight flight pattern.
Hyzers can be throw with drivers, mid-ranges, and putters alike depending on the shot you're facing.
What is an anhyzer?
An anyzer, being the opposite of a hyzer, is when the disc is released with the left side higher than the right side.
Again, in this picture, the angle is exaggerated just a little bit to demonstrate how it differs from a flat angle.
Discs thrown on an anhyzer, or "anny" line are going to be more understable than what they would have been if thrown flat and will almost cause the disc to turn over if it is not overstable enough.
When thrown correctly with our stable/understable Valkyrie the anhyzer flight looked something like this:
As demonstrated, the disc started on a straight line before turning over and finishing to the right.
When should I throw an anhyzer?
Obviously, you would want to throw an understable disc on an anny line if you want the disc to turn over in flight and you don't want to throw a stable disc forehand.
Often times this is because you just need a touch of turn at the end of the flight to hit the perfect line and would not want the disc to finish too far to the right.
Extreme anhyzer lines are also great for roller shots with an understable disc.
Because of the increased angle on a roller throw, the disc will almost "dive bomb" onto its edge mid flight and continue rolling on that edge until coming to a stop.
Roller shots are used much more frequently by intermediate and advanced/professional players, but they are of great value when utilized correctly.
And there you have it!
Hopefully after reading this article you have a strong understanding of hyzer and anhyzer throws work and when to use them.
But if you don't, feel free to shoot us any question you may have and we will help you out!
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