The stereotypes in disc golf are strong.
Though always done with a tongue-in-cheek tone, should the shoddy attempt at humor be lost on a reader, I’m not blind to the fact that this blog has done plenty to strengthen them over the years.
Stereotypes exist for a reason. To a certain degree, there’s usually a sliver of truth to them. At least enough of one for people to notice and run with them. Yes, there are tie-dye-clad potheads blaring Grateful Dead records at the disc golf course. Not always, but often enough to pick up on it. And probably more so in disc golf than most other sports – I’ll give you that much, as well.
But you know what I love about disc golf?
You find who you want.
And with ease.
If that’s the aforementioned reefer fanatic, he’s here. And with an army of like-minded cohorts with whom you’ll gel. But to paint the game exclusively into that sector of society is insane.
From emos, athletes and die-hard Christian kids to doctors, lawyers and blue-collar tradesmen with long hair and beards – these days, at least – the greater disc golf community is composed of people with varying backgrounds and personality types, but with ONE common interest …
Hucking plastic.
Here’s perhaps the best part of all, though …
In my experience, most of these people are good, honest, down-to-earth dudes and dudettes. Not all, but most. And without a doubt, that includes the Deadheads to whom I keep referring.
Disc golf is an outdoor activity.
My fear, however, is that – within the community, at least – most people’s perception of it comes exclusively from its online presence. Reddit, YouTube channels, social media platforms and even digital publications like this one are NOT disc golf – they’re a byproduct of it. And frequently, they’re built by people who enjoy anonymous douchery more than the actual game itself.
Weird, I know.
It takes a village.
Disc golf has a strong one.
Lift where you stand, and we’ll all get along just fine.
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At my home course Lenora Park the majority of the pot smokers out there are people who have nothing to do with disc golf. It’s in a nice section of town and a very nice park but it is very common for Park goers to spread their blanket out in the grass and just fire one up like nothing’s going on. There are also baseball fields at that Park and it’s not uncommon for games to be going on and a parent or two sitting in the parking lot smogging out. There’s absolutely no way that they don’t smell it on the baseball fields. Now I have nothing against the devil’s lettuce but kind of wish people would be a little more discreet. I almost never see the disc golf groups partaking out there. Although at some of the local wooded courses you’ll get a little whiff of the ganja every now and then.
Yeah, this isn’t something I’m a fan of, either.
You see it (or smell it, rather) out here in Utah, but I wouldn’t say it’s horribly common.
You’ll get more of it up north closer to Salt Lake City than down south where I’m stationed.
It doesn’t do much to help “grow the sport,” of that much I’m certain …
What parent wants to funnel their kid into disc golf when THIS is what they see during a little-league game?
Not great.
I agree but it’s not the disc golfers that are doing it it’s the parents of the baseball players. I almost never see disc golfers smoking on the field. In the woods maybe a little but almost all of the smokers that I see are something other than disc golf players. Not saying they are innocent of course but they are certainly outnumbered at my home course
Oh …
Okay, that makes sense.
As you probably picked up on by now, I misunderstood your comment.
In which case, hey – maybe those baseball players should look to disc golf for a safer alternative?
The ones without parents who are getting blazed in the parking lot, of course …
That’s crazy!