Abstract: A hand held launching apparatus for throwing aerodynamically stabilized disks with greater control and accuracy including an elongated handle, having a proximal and distal end, a flexible strap connected with the distal end of the handle for encircling the disk and a manually operated release mechanism operable at the proximal end of the handle for precisely controlling release of the object. The flexible strap may be mounted in a variety of configurations with respect to said handle as long as the strap applies an even retaining force over substantially the entire perimeter of the object being thrown. Rotation imparting structure, such as a friction increasing surface on the inside of the flexible strap, is disclosed for increasing the rotational component of velocity imparted to the object when thrown by the launcher.