Gripe No. 44: Misplaced mini markers in disc golf

I’m a forgetful person.

Naturally, this attribute follows me to the disc golf course.

Because of this, I’m no stranger to leaving crap behind during a disc golf excursion. And, of course, not realizing it until after the round is over. This doesn’t include trash, thankfully. Right after an ill-advised, second-shot disc, however, the left-behind item that royally sucks the most?

The mini marker.

This goes for casual rounds, as well as tournament rounds, too.

I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, the mini marker serves as a “comfort blanket” of sorts. It sees lots of action – on each hole, in fact. You get used to it; it’s part of the every-throw routine.

So when it’s suddenly gone, it throws me for a loop. At one point, years back, I had a Dynamic Discs DyeMax mini with a picture of my dog on it. It was a Christmas gift. Losing that bad boy stung like the dickens – for both me and the uber-cool girlfriend who knew just what I’d want.

Mentally, there’s an adjustment period that’s needed to account for a new one. It’s the last thing I have complete (and perfect) control over before air-mailing an 18-foot putt wide of the basket. Which makes the reality of the missing-mini marker situation all the more traumatic …

I lose these things on the regular.

I’d estimate I go through four or five a season.

Knowing my propensity to space on picking up my mini after a shot, during casual, meaningless rounds, I’m a devout advocate of the “Texas flip.” Truth be told, it’s tag rounds where I wade into choppy waters. They’re loose, but official. So when I leave one behind, I just bail on it.

And while I’m not quite as forgetful during a full-blown tournament, it certainly happens. Every time, it sucks just as much as the last. Again, I could retrace my steps back to the previous hole, but there’s another card playing it. And don’t forget: The clock is ticking, Mr. Locastro. Yes, I could use another, but that feels like leaving a man behind. Perhaps asking to borrow one?

Hard pass.

It’s awkward.

Of course, your other option is to NEVER use a mini. Instead, simply play from behind your shot as the disc lies. It’s a baller move in theory, and a terrifying move in actual practice.

You’re not Paul McBeth – eight inches matter.

[Insert Obligatory Phallic Joke]

The takeaway?

To quote that one long-haired, long-bearded wizard from that one movie:

“Keep it secret. Keep it safe.”

He was talking about mini markers …

And now you know.

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