Disc golf is a retreat from the stress of modern life

Do you know why you love disc golf?

If you had to boil it down to ONE thing, what would it be?

You may have heard people say things like, “It’s getting out in nature,” or, “It’s a fun time.” And while I don’t think these sentiments are wrong, I do believe the true reality is somewhat deeper for many golfers. Disc golf isn’t just fun – it’s a retreat from the stress of modern life.

Let’s face it: Many of us feel overwhelmed in today’s world.

If you ask me, the technological developments intended to make our lives easier and less stressful often produce the opposite results. You already know the key culprits: email, social media – screens of any kind, really. Even our favorite shows often leave us feeling empty. That emptiness pushes people towards dopamine-seeking behaviors. And yup, you guessed it …

More screens.

It’s a cycle that never stops.

This is where disc golf comes into the picture …

It breaks the cycle.

If you want to steal language from the world of psychology, disc golf is an effective “coping mechanism” capable of freeing people from stress-inducing lifestyles. The simple fact that disc golf combines nature and walking is enough to land the sport in the “healthy habits” category.

Most people don’t need an academic-authored white paper to tell them being in nature has a positive effect on overall mental health. Furthermore, health professionals have always touted walking as not only good for the mind, but good for the body, as well – it’s positive movement.

These are the obvious reasons, though …

Superficial stuff.

And while I don’t want to diminish their importance, I maintain the true reason many love disc golf is more elusive. Equally meaningful, of course, but more hidden in nature …

So what is it, exactly?

Stay with me …

I’m about to get all ethereal.

When was the last time you dreamed of flying?

For me, it’s been years. I haven’t had a true “flying” dream since childhood. Nowadays, my dreams are often burdened with realistic stressors and fears of things going wrong at work.

Why is that?

Is that part of a person that yearns for flight still alive? Or, has it been beaten down by the never-ending minutiae of everyday life? And is it all that nutty to say that “part” comes alive again – at least in some crazy, uber-spiritual way – when golf discs are thrown at baskets?

Could it be that – along with the beauty of a mid-flight frisbee – the soul also takes to the air, soaring through the sky en route to catching hold of a tailwind and tumbling towards the pin?

If I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t think it’s insane …

I think it’s real.

And here’s why I think it:

People need things that speak to them …

Disc golf has plenty to say.

It’s the ultimate stress-reliever, not because it helps its participants merely “cope” with whatever’s weighing them down, but because it does a great job of putting life’s difficulties into perspective – of transporting people from the mundane to the heavenly in next to no time at all.

And no, you don’t have to believe in a “higher power” to agree with this. All you have to do is rip on a disc, watch it sail through the sky unhindered and take note of how you feel …

Was it a positive experience?

Congrats: You’ve hit “heavenly.”

The next time you toss a round, maybe don’t keep score. Maybe ease up on the self-critiques with which you routinely bludgeon yourself. Maybe throw some discs and watch ‘em fly, using the basket as a loose guideline, rather than an indication of success (or failure) out on the course.

Lean into the part of the game that puts a smile on your face …

While on the surface you might just be throwing frisbees around a park, oftentimes, it’s the “why” of it all that means the most. Don’t be afraid to let disc golf mean something.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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