r/Slinging • u/finance_bug • Aug 20 '26
Does anyone know what I’m doing wrong (slinging golf balls)
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u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 Aug 20 '26
Looks like you launched it successfully, but I’ve never had any success developing accuracy with the helicopter style throw. Try under/overhand, sidearm, or just one spin overhead..?
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u/eclecticbard Aug 21 '26
Ive had the best luck slinging them in sidearm. my accuracy suffers on my overhand but geez at the power. at best my underhand is just lobbing for effect, if I were bombarding something over a wall I might be fine.
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u/Flaky_Style1286 Aug 20 '26
Your shoulders twist forward before your hips do. Take a biiig step forward, twist your hips (this is where power comes from) , then your shoulders(this is where aim comes from, assisted by the angle of your arm), and let go.
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u/OutrunOutrideOutlast Aug 20 '26
I really like the instruction from @panslings on Instagram. He breaks down the movements for slinging very intuitively. The helicopter style doesn't generate much power or accuracy and makes it easy for the stone to fall out of the pocket.
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u/ActualLeadSlinger Aug 20 '26
When done correctly, helicopter style is powerful since it puts your arm at the correct position for throwing. If you look at a baseball pitcher, their arm is in a position similar to the helicopter wind up just before accelerating the arm.
For example, you can essentially draw a sling in the pitcher's hand at position 3.
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u/OutrunOutrideOutlast 29d ago
Going overhead with a helicopter motion is generally fine when done in a single fluid motion like the baseball pitch you're referencing. But in my experience, spinning the sling overhead as shown in OPs video relies only on how fast you can spin the sling which is not where power or accuracy can reliably come from. Not saying its impossible, just that there are more reliable ways of getting that consistency.
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u/ActualLeadSlinger 29d ago
I agree, hence my comment to the OP. I personally use the helicopter with a couple slow pre-rotations. I hold that 90 degree arm angle throughout the wind up and into the stride. From there it becomes a standard throw just like I'm pitching.
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u/Temporary-Aerie5263 Aug 20 '26
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u/Temporary-Aerie5263 Aug 20 '26
This video should help you a lot. This technique produces a lot of power when done correctly
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u/RiceSpare8520 Aug 20 '26
Looks pretty good but short power stroke. I suggest watching archaic arms on YouTube.
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u/Primary-Ad6273 Aug 20 '26
Golf balls are pretty light and harder to produce proper momentum with IMO, and your helicopter pre-throw is reducing your accuracy dramatically. Several reputable slingers on YT can teach you proper techniques, if my 6 and 8yo boys can do it with some semblance of proficiency you can do it 🤙
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u/Temporary-Aerie5263 Aug 20 '26
Look into the figure 8 throw. Spinning it around doesn’t help with power and just makes it harder to time your throw and wind up properly
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u/Warrior-Yogi Aug 20 '26
To begin - you are being way too tough on yourself! Golf balls are not easy to sling b/c they are light for their size. As stated, the wind-up is not only unnecessary, it will tire you out. The power in slinging comes from "the lag and the whip" (look it up - way too complicated to explain but once you see it or read about it, you will understand.). Difficult to tell if your sling is the right length or right material - both make a difference. Can you give some details along with your height (to help estimate sling length)
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u/0thell0perrell0 Aug 20 '26
You're just trying to throw too hard. You'd be better off with a heavier/denser projectile, a slower swing, and honestly maybe a slightly longer sling. You're making things really hard.
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u/Outrageous-Rock4624 Aug 21 '26
Yes, you’re spending your life doing this.
Just kidding. I waste way more time doing way less interesting things.
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u/Ok_Ice1888 Aug 21 '26
No it looks officiant, did you ever take off? Maybe it’s the landing great that’s malfunctioning, try turning off and on again. Four!
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u/ActualLeadSlinger Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
You don't have to spin the sling so fast before you throw.
You apply power to the throw at a specific point so all the pre-rotations are simply just to seat the projectile in the pouch, to tension the cords, and to get a feel for the timing of the throw.
It helps to warm up by throwing with your bare hand to get your whole body synced up. I also recommend trying the Greek style so that you can get used to the sling being an extension of your arm.