I have been asked alot since I started playing Disc Golf, “Whats the big deal about frisbee golf?” When I take people out to play, it never fails. The first comment is always, “This is harder than it looks!” “Next comment, why do my throws only go 30 feet and make a hard left?” Usually, I let this happen for about three to four holes depending on their pride level. During that time, they have just seen me throw 250 to 300 foot drives and chain a couple 20 foot putts. You see, I believe you need to respect the game before you can learn the game. They usually regret the fact that they called it frisbee golf and not disc golf.
Now that I got that off my chest lets move on. So, I think for me what it all boils down to is the flight of a perfectly thrown shot. Disc golfers know what I mean here. Its just enough bend in the turn and perfect glide into the fade, not to mention you being the mechanism that made that happen. Disc golf much like regular ball golf takes alot of cordination. Much like ball golf, you can throw a slice or in disc golf lingo, an anhyzer or a hook shot, known as a hyzer. Lets face it, who wouldn’t want to play a game that has shots known as tomahawks, thumbers or even flick shots.
So, aside from all the cool shots and the zen type feeling you get from a perfectly thrown shot, why should any one want to play disc golf? I believe right now more than ever, it’s the ease of getting involved in the sport, majority of disc golf courses being free to play, and for new players discs can be relativly cheap to buy as well. Most local Play It Again Sports carry all kinds of discs from new to used. I have found them in local bicycle shops, local outdoor outfitters, and also in the big box sporting goods stores who carry three disc starter kits for around $30.00. You really can’t beat it! The courses are free and you can get started for under thirty bucks! Another cool thing about disk golf is the culture. Disc golfers are some of the most laid back, easy going people you will meet. This really stood out to me when I started playing tournaments. Don’t get me wrong, it is very competitve but everyone encourages each other along the way. Trust me, you can tell when someone is new to the sport. They get in a tournament all amped up to win at all costs, angry and edgy. They stick out like sore thumbs.
Tournaments are great opportunities to meet other players and make friends. They also help with local charities. The first tournament I was in, they collected can goods from each player and gave out “mulligans” which are do-over shots for each can brought. If you have been playing for a year and have gotten pretty good on your local 18 hole course, by all means sign up for a C tier tournament event. You may not win it, but the experience of a tournament is what took me to the next level. I ended up joining the PDGA and got more involved.
Last but not least, lets talk about the health benefits. Disc golf is great exercise! According to healthstatus.com, a site dedicated to health risk assessment, aside from the health advantages of navigating a challenging course, calories are burned every time a disc is thrown.” A 200-pound individual would burn about 552 calories while throwing a disc around for about two hours. The combination of throwing and walking equals about 920 calories burned during a two-hour round of disc golf.” Lets also consider that core strength is gained from the throwing motion as well as strength in our arms and legs.
The one thing I will say though is that disc golf is lacking good instructors out on the courses. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of good instructional videos on You Tube, and I mean plenty, but there is just something about learning out on the course with someone who understands the sport. Discs don’t just fly straight because you want them to. You have to learn how to grip a disc, where your hit points are in your throwing motion, the weight differences in the discs and the speed needed to throw specific discs. My advice to new players is get an Innova Aviar putter and a 170 gram Roc. Then get out there and have some fun! If you are in the Fort Mill/Rock Hill area and you are looking to learn how to play Disc Golf, shoot me an email. I would love to put together some group lessons in the spring.
