Where did the term hyzer come from?

[stpitner]

Ok, so most disc golfers that have played for a while know what a hyzer and an anhyzer are.  I was just thinking - where in the world did that name come from?  The spelling checker on the message forums don't recognize them as a word.  Was some disc golfer trying to think of a "super cool" word for the hook/fade/curve at the end and wanted it to be awesome because it included a Y and a Z in there? Kinda like this?.

[Jon Brakel]

The name goes back to the beginnings of throwing frisbie type objects. It actually does not refer to the flight of the disc but rather the angle of the disc at release. This is what I remember from the book of frisbie. But the book is in storage and I won't be able to look it up until after we move.

[Bruce Brakel]

If you have Stancil Johnson's book, I'm pretty sure he attributes the term hyzer to a player named H.R. Hyzer.  And, he defines the term in reference to the angle of release, and not by how the disc flies. 

[Tom McManus]

Ok, so most disc golfers that have played for a while know what a hyzer and an anhyzer are.  I was just thinking - where in the world did that name come from?  The spelling checker on the message forums don't recognize them as a word.  Was some disc golfer trying to think of a "super cool" word for the hook/fade/curve at the end and wanted it to be awesome because it included a Y and a Z in there? Kinda like this?.

Scott,

Whatever that link is, it raised a red flag here at work and was blocked.

[stpitner]

lol, it's a flash animation, nothing that would be wrong at work, but just a silly thing, don't worry about the link if it doesn't load up.  The link referencing just the goofy way that we come up with wording rather than anything to do with disc golf.

[Chainmeister]

From www.doubletoungeddictionary.com

hyzern. in disc golf or other disc-related sports, a backhanded throw which curves in a direction opposite of the arm used to throw

Citations: 1991 Stephen Vinoski (vinoski@apollo.hp.com) Usenet: rec.sport.disc (June 7) "Re: hyzer (was: Re: Forehand throw technique)": The "angle of hyzer" refers to the angle the "side" of the disc (9 o'clock for throwing from the left side of the body, or 3 o'clock for throwing from the right side) makes with the ground. A disc which is held flat has no hyzer. 1993 David Oberhelman Chicago Tribune (Aug. 20) "Disc Golf Tries To Put A Spin On Leisure Time" p. 4: As precision and confidence increase, expand your arsenal to discs that angle right (in the lingo, a "hyzer" for a right-handed thrower) and left, and a putter. 2004 News-Herald (Southgate, Mich.) (Aug. 4) "Spin: Learn the lingo": Hyzer: When using a backhand throw, the disc's flight arc, which causes it to fall in the direction opposite of the throwing arm. For a right-handed player a backhand hyzer shot fades to the left, a sidearm shot fades right

a reader comment added:
According to the book "Frisbee" (ISBN#0-911104-53-4) by Dr. Stancil E.D. Johnson the term Hyzer is the discs angle of roll (Sideways tilt at "whelm"(the disc's first period of flight)). The Hyzer Angle is named for H.R. "Fling" Hyzer, father of the "Flying Flutterball

But, from www.urbandictionary.com - and the second definition is not what I would call family friendly...

1.  hyzer  15 up, 1 down  
The tendancy for a golf disc to turn in it's natural direction. (left for a righty backhand, right for a lefty backhand)
Hey man, that dog-leg left is perfect for a natural hyzer shot.
disc golf hook slice hizer hyza hyser hiser
by Ben Budd Apr 12, 2006 share this  
2.  Hyzer  2 thumbs down  
Hyzer is a word used for ''Anal Rape'' and also for kids acting hard on Runescape.
You got Hyzer'd bitch.  


Under such a definition I will not even ask what an anhyzer is but would have to assume that many states still have laws prohibiting it.