We all have that friend …
You know, the cat who enters a room, and – almost immediately – the attention is on him. The guy who, no matter the event, gets an invitation at all costs. The dude who can talk about anything and everything with a fiery opinion. The person with a BIG personality …
And (maybe) a big head, too.
He’s fun. He’s exciting. He’s engaging.
Fortunately, disc golf has lots of these guys. Unfortunately, we don’t highlight ‘em enough.
In a sports world driven by opinions, player personas and controversy, disc golf remains a bit milquetoast – largely unprovoking. During tournament play, personalities are put on pause. Those with strong opinions are often ridiculed. Conversely, those without ‘em are seldom heard from or seen. It seems most disc golfers have decided neutrality is the best course of action.
As I see it, disc golf should pull a page from the NBA’s playbook: flaunt your flavor.
Think about it …
The league’s “characters” are its driving force. Even the most casual NBA fans know who Steph Curry is – he’s flashy, electric and shoots from the moon. His smile’s not half-bad, either. All of these things combine to make him hard not to root for. His is a personality worth following.
The NBA is jam-packed with guys just like him. The media feeds off of ‘em. Whether positive or negative, opinions are formed and arguments made – the conversation Keeps. On. Going.
Fans benefit. The players benefit. The league does, too.
Far too often, disc golf turns a cold shoulder to these kinds of things. What happens when a professional disc golfer puts his passion on full display? Nikko Locastro. What about when one of our sport’s biggest cheerleaders expresses an in-your-face opinion? Brodie Smith.
Is brodie smith joining the disc golf community an option https://t.co/K77XSWzIK1
— . (@imspencervid) September 21, 2021
Contempt, instead of celebration – nah, that’s not cool …
Instead, give disc golf’s many unique personalities center stage.
For example, this “Putting Game” video from JomezPro racked up nearly 100,000 views the first week of March. Released three days prior, compare that figure to the 57,000 views this 2022 Las Vegas Challenge highlight reel brought in. Hardly the be-all and end-all of supporting statistical evidence, but it does say something: Players can be authentic; fans like to see that up-close.
Regular people can relate more to Calvin Heimburg’s sarcastic comments and good-natured verbal assaults on Ricky Wysocki than they can his incredible throws. Rick didn’t take it lying down, though – I’d love to see more of that version of “Raptor Legs” than this version:
Off to Waco! Can’t wait to get revenge on the Beast. Such a good mental test and I can’t wait for it. @DiscGolfProTour
— Ricky Wysocki (@sockibomb13) March 5, 2022
That’s post-tourney “PR speak,” if ever I’ve seen it …
Granted, there’s still plenty of room for highlight throws, crazy putts and showing off the best talent disc golf has to offer. That content will always have a place – it is the sport. The media, Disc Golf Network and content creators should focus more on the actual golfers, though.
The highlights will get people watching; the personalities will get them to stay.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
