People discover disc golf at different stages of life …
Some are young; some are not-so-young.
This post is directed more at the “not-so-young” crowd.
For those of a more past-their-prime age, it’s incredible to watch Kyle Klein and Gannon Buhr do things with a disc you could only dream of – it can also be a bit disheartening. When Simon Lizotte talks about WHY he’s able to throw so far, do you know what he mentions every time?
“I’ve been at this since I was a kid.”
I’m in my early 30s, so I don’t yet consider myself old, but I’m hardly young. Athletically, what I was able to do in my mid-20s is a far cry from what my body will allow me to do today. So, while my golf game is certainly improving, the Pro Tour’s not eagerly awaiting my arrival.
For older guys that love disc golf and dedicate hours to improving their craft each week, the thought of not even sniffing an Elite Series event can be brutal. They train to be the best, but realistically? It sucks, but the time for going toe-to-toe with Paul McBeth is far past …
Queue the “Uncle Rico” chatter.
Here’s what I love about disc golf, though …
No matter your age, there is SO MUCH to play for.
Yeah, the obvious stuff is nice and all:
- Reason No. 1 – Disc golf is fun.
- Reason No. 2 – Nature is awesome.
- Reason No. 3 – Exercise is important.
- Reason No. 4 – Get up off your fat butt.
But I’m talking about ACTUAL competition.
Regardless of skill level, there’s a PDGA division that’ll get your heart racing in a tournament context. And within many of these divisions, depending on the setting, there are age-protected fields to keep you engaged. Local titles and national championships: You’d better stay sharp.
Forty-year-olds don’t play football. Once you hit 50, co-ed ice hockey is about as good as it gets. And if baseball was once your jam, there’s slow-pitch softball to imitate the real thing …
This isn’t an issue in disc golf.
Don “Mr. Mamba” Shinn first picked up a disc at 90 years of age. He drove, approached and putted with a Star Mamba – that was all he needed in the 10-plus years he dedicated to disc golf. Age meant nothing to the guy. Though he’s no longer with us, at 100 years of age, Don was a regular at his local course, playing a MINIMUM of 18 holes a day up until his passing …
To date, he holds the Guinness World Record for the longest throw with a golf disc (189 feet) in the over-100 age bracket. The pessimist within you might shine light on the fact that there aren’t many centenarians playing disc golf. The optimist within says the EXACT same thing …
See how that works?
Not all heroes wear capes – or rock a GRIPeq.
Never stop discing, peeps.
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