Hyzer vs. Anhyzer: When to Throw Each Shot

In disc golf, few concepts are as fundamental — or as misunderstood — as hyzer and anhyzer. These two angles shape almost every throw you make, whether you’re driving, approaching, or escaping trouble in the woods.

If you’ve ever stepped up to a tee and wondered:“Should I throw this hyzer or anhyzer?”— this guide breaks it down clearly and simply.

Let’s look at the difference between the two, how they behave in flight, and when to choose each one during a round.

What Is a Hyzer?

A hyzer is when the disc is released with the top of the disc angled away from your body.

• RHBH: left edge down

• LHBH: right edge down

How it flies:

• Holds a curved path in the disc’s fade direction

• Reliable, predictable, stable

• Resists turning over

Good for:

• Consistency

• Windy conditions

• Overstable discs

• Controlled placement shots

What Is an Anhyzer?

An anhyzer is the opposite — the disc is released with the top angled toward your body.

• RHBH: right edge down

• LHBH: left edge down

How it flies:

• Turns the disc opposite the fade direction

• Moves right for RHBH, left for forehand

• Can “hold” a turn or S-curve depending on stability

Good for:

• Shaping technical lines

• Turning shots around obstacles

• Maximizing glide with understable discs

⭐ When to Throw a Hyzer

1. When You Want Predictability

Hyzer is the most reliable shot shape in disc golf. Overstable discs naturally want to fade, and hyzer reinforces that movement.

Use it when accuracy matters more than raw distance.

2. When You’re Throwing Into a Headwind

Wind makes discs turn more. Hyzers — especially with overstable discs — fight that tendency.

Rule of thumb:

If it’s windy and you’re unsure, throw a hyzer.

3. When the Fairway or Basket Is on the Hyzer Side

If the hole bends left (for RHBH), a hyzer lets you follow the fairway without forcing the disc to do something unnatural.

Examples:

• Left-curving dogleg

• Hanging basket tucked left

• Tight wooded gaps with a gentle left drift

4. For Spike Hyzers & Vertical Approaches

Need the disc to go up, stall, and drop?Hyzer is your friend.

Spike hyzers are perfect for:

• Baskets on hills

• Avoiding ground play

• Throwing over obstacles instead of around them

5. For Controlled Approaches

A simple hyzer with a putter or midrange is one of the most consistent approach shots in the game.

If you don’t need shape — choose hyzer.

⭐ When to Throw an Anhyzer

1. When You Need the Disc to Turn Right (RHBH)

A classic right-turning fairway?A low ceiling forcing a turnover shot?Trees blocking the left side?

This is prime anhyzer territory.

2. When You Want a Long, Gliding Flight

Understable discs thrown on anhyzer can hold a long, drifting turn that maximizes distance.

Great for:

• Woods tunneling

• Water carries

• Distance flex lines

3. When the Basket or Fairway Bends Opposite Fade

If a hole curves right (RHBH), a hyzer won’t cut it.You need anny.

Typical uses:

• Right-turning par 3s

• S-curve lines that need early turn

• Shaping around a right-side obstacle

4. When Escaping Trouble in the Woods

Sometimes the only line is tight and bending away from your natural fade.Anhyzer offers the reach and flexibility to bend around obstacles.

5. For Forehand Players: Controlled Soft Finishes

Forehands have a natural fade to the right (RHFH), so an anhyzer can flatten out a disc and land it softly without a big skip.

This is clutch for:

• Greens with fast ground

• Sloped landing zones

• Avoiding OB long

🎯 Hyzer vs. Anhyzer: Quick Decision Guide

Situation	Throw	Why
Need reliability / predictability	Hyzer	Most stable, consistent line
Windy (especially headwinds)	Hyzer	Fights against turn
Fairway curves left (RHBH)	Hyzer	Follows natural fade
You want a spike or stall drop	Hyzer	Vertical flight control
Need disc to turn right (RHBH)	Anhyzer	Holds a turnover line
Tight technical S-curve	Anhyzer	Enables shaped flights
Want long glide or drifting carry	Anhyzer	Maxes glide with understable discs
Navigating trees/woods creatively	Anhyzer	Best for bending lines

Final Thoughts

Mastering the difference between hyzer and anhyzer — and knowing when to use each — is one of the biggest leaps a developing disc golfer can make.

If you want to:

• hit more fairways

• shape cleaner lines

• and gain confidence in the woods

… start practicing intentional release angles.

Hyzer = control.

Anhyzer = creativity.

Both are essential tools for the complete disc golfer.