All disc golfers love the game.
But the vast majority of them don’t compete.
Weird.
Before I had kids, I was no stranger to my local tournament scene. As my boys grow older, little by little, I’m getting back out there. But again, most disc golfers enjoy the sport for recreational purposes and little else. For them, disc golf is a great way to get outdoors, exercise a bit and leave the harsh stresses of everyday life back at the house for at least a couple of hours.
Listen, I can totally understand that. And would you know it, it does the exact same thing for me, too. But if you’ve not yet dipped your toes into tournament waters, I can’t stress this enough …
Do it.
Even if it’s only once …
Do it.
For me, the promise of a league night or C-tier on the horizon makes my practice rounds that much more enjoyable. I’m not just throwing for the sake of it; I’m working towards something measurable. There’s suddenly a purpose behind my play. Heck, catch me on the right day, and I might even head out to a soccer field for some field work – that’s still a long-shot, though.
Next, there’s a clear-cut, night-and-day difference between casual play and tournament play. I don’t care how many times you’ve set fire to the baskets on your home course with a string of birdies. When there’s actually something on the line, it’s an entirely different ball game.
Here’s how I’d best characterize it …
If you’re obsessed with disc golf, experience ALL the sport has to offer …
This is one of those things.
And lastly, this might seem like a weird one, but having thrown a tee shot, approach or putt under some kind of pressure makes watching the Disc Golf Pro Tour so much more satisfying.
You might not be the second-coming of Paul McBeth, but if you’ve chosen to compete on at least one occasion, you’ll be better able to empathize with what he’s going through …
For better or worse.
Have you ever had to defend your addiction to disc golf in front of your naysaying friends when they belittle the game, claiming anybody with a pulse and a fastback frisbee could do it?
This is like that …
But with tournaments.
If you’ve never done one yourself, it’s tempting to play “armchair quarterback” come Sunday. Don’t do it. With or without a PDGA number, sign up for one, and the temptation will disappear.
Have at it, Cool-Hand Luke.
Let’s see how you do.
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I couldn’t agree more and I would like to add “it doesn’t matter how much your golf game sucks, play a tournament.” I was really shy to play in a tournament, but when I finally played my first one it was a blast. Even my second tournament – A downpour during our local Ice Bowl – I finished dead last and was soaked, but I met a bunch of great people from the local club. You don’t have to wait to get “good enough” to play a tournament.
It was almost the same story for my daughter who played in her first tournament during the 2024 Women’s Global Event. She was really shy to play but she was soo happy after she did. Now she’s got two under her belt and is wanting us to sign up for more so she can see her disc golfing friends who live a few hours from us. Your local C-tier is not the disc golf pro tour (and thank goodness for that!). Don’t worry about sucking, you’ll most likely miss a lot of your gaps and your putts, but every tournament I’ve played in so far I left happy that I played and it was usually because of a new connection. You just don’t get that playing your local course for 736th time with your usual gang.
Thanks for the comment, Kurt!
We’ll do a piece in the near future about not having to be “ready” for your first tournament …
I think that’s a great idea 🙂
However, I don’t care how much you love tournaments …
There’s no way on earth I’d throw an Ice Bowl in the middle of a downpour – that sounds AWFUL. Haha.
You’re forgetting you’re talking to a mossback from Western Washington. My ideal conditions are just enough rain that most casuals aren’t out on the course but not so wet that I need extra towels. We’re a different breed here. Most of the local players I know would gladly trade rain for wind on tournament day, haha!
Madness!
But, hey – I respect the heck out of it, Kurt!
I feel attacked.
Bahahaha …
Man, I can see how you’d feel that way.
If it makes you feel any better, this idea has been on my “ideation sheet” for well over a year.
So I wasn’t thinking of you, but man …
It probably read as if I did. Haha.
The world needs to see that unique grip of yours – get out there and show ’em!
I’m currently still playing lefty while the shoulder heals. No tourneys for me. I’m still being humbled. But someday, in a tourney I’ll be stymied behind a tree and I’ll be able to throw a lefty get out of jail throw…. And save par
Fletch, I have to know …
What kind of distance are you getting on these max-D backhand hucks with your off-hand?
Ohhh geesh, maybe maybe 200 feet max? I’ve never measured one cuz…. Pride.
Rollo or my 150g Valkyrie are my longest discs lefty. But that damn rollo has not rolled once for me. Which is really annoying.
Bogey golf is my new par. Making par is like making birds. I do still putt righty though.
Been there. Done that.
Your experience is bringing back bad memories for me …
I threw a Roadrunner for everything.
Also, I couldn’t putt to save my life – absolute nightmare.
But….. When you somehow tie, or best your buddy on a basket while playing lefty….. Nothing better.
I’m hoping this somehow makes me a better player….
Hahaha – no argument here!
Those are the moments you live for …
If you’re having a few of ’em, you’re going about things just fine 🙂