with host Brian Sullivan / DiscLife.com

Lesli Herndon: Flying High With Flying Eye

Lesli Herndon had been playing a brief eight months when she attended the 1998 PDGA Amateur World Championships. Much to her own amazement, one week later she had earned the right to be called a World Champion.

A surge of confidence led Herndon to the Pro Worlds that same year, where Elaine King, Juliana Bower and many other top pros took her to school.

That first Pro Worlds experience, while humbling, drove Herndon to seek the coaches and practice time required to increase her skill and compete with the game's best players. By 2000 she was touring full time with Cameron Todd and Mike 'Worm' Young on the Flying Eye Crew. Today she is a two-time National Champ, and still seeking her first Pro World crown. Will 2002 be Lesli's year?

PDGA # 13526 THE HERNDON FILE: Name: Lesli R. Herndon Birthdate: 6-4-74 Throws: Right handed Hometown: Mobile, Alabama Playing Since: 1997 Occupation: Disc Golfer Average driving distance: 300 feet Favorite three courses: Token Creek, Madison, WI; Winthrop University, Rock Hill SC; Cabin Creek, Cincinnati OH Significant finishes/honors: 1998 Women's Am World Champion 1999 PDGA Pro Rookie of the Year 1999 Pro Mixed Doubles World Champion 2000 Women's National Champion 2001 2nd, Women's Pro Worlds 2001 Women's National Champion

Drivers:
Innova Teebird (CE), 168 gm
This is my main driver and the most stable disc in my bag. I like the Teebird because it is durable, which makes it more dependable. I used the CE Teebird for drives all last year, sometimes for upshots too.

Innova Teebird (SE), 171 gm
I use the Special Edition Teebird for tighter holes and rollers. I carry three: one new, one used and one beat.

Midrange:
Innova Roc, 175-179 gm
I throw an SE Roc for short turnovers and general upshots, and an Ontario Roc for hyzers and shorter straight shots.

Innova XD, 174 gm
Used for upshots under 180 feet.

Putter:
Innova Aviar (aka Big Bead), 172 gm
I throw an old school, hard plastic version. The Aviar is the greatest putter ever made!

Lesli's advice on choosing discs:
"The most important thing is for the disc to feel good in your hand. Try not to have too many discs to choose from, keep it simple. And remember that most discs have three stages: new (overstable), used (medium stable), and beat (least stable to understable). I try to stay with the same type of disc, and carry two or three stages of it."

On quickly improving your game:
"Repitition, repitition, repitition. It is best to practice shots instead of holes. I also think that playing with people who are better than you is great for your game. Keep a calm head, a positive attitude, and throw with confidence. Now repeat..."