If you follow ball golf at all, this phrase won’t seem new to you …
Or, if you couldn’t care less about ball golf, but watch JomezPro’s post-produced tournament coverage, you’ll hear it spilling out of Jeremy Koling’s mouth on a regular basis. I’m not sure if Koling’s responsible for bringing the concept to disc golf, but he’s certainly popularized it.
And with good reason …
It saves sanctioned rounds and tournament results from “dumpster fire” status.
To “take your medicine” is to accept (and submit to) something that’s mega-unpleasant, but also unavoidable. Out on the disc golf course, this tends to manifest itself in many ways …
To NOT take your medicine is to do the following:
- Regret No. 1 – To scramble to get to the pin in a single, Hail Mary-type throw.
- Regret No. 2 – To attempt to bite more distance off the tee than you can chew.
- Regret No. 3 – To run lethal injection-style putts, knowing death is imminent.
Yes, it’s possible you miss the hundreds of trees between you and the basket. There’s a chance your form miraculously clears 350-plus feet of water carry. And technically, you could smash some elevated chains from circle two into a 25 mph headwind. But don’t kid yourself …
It’s not likely.
Instead, the more humble amongst us does this:
- Pill No. 1 – Pitches out to the fairway with a putter.
- Pill No. 2 – Throws a comfortable, controlled drive.
- Pill No. 3 – Lays-up underneath the tray for a tap-in.
It’s NOT sexy. The ladies might not love it. But what the above does is save you from throwing away an entire round or tournament in the five minutes it takes to self-destruct on a single hole.
“Hero golf” works more on Disc Golf Valley than it does in real life. And while taking your medicine might hardcore suck for a bit, the beneifts of popping a “pill” or two are MANY …
First, you learn to play within yourself. Nobody knows your game quite like you do. Screw the faith-inspiring, get-out-of-jail shot your cardmate just threw, if you can’t do it, play it safe.
Next, your mental fortitude is strengthened. “Mind over matter,” right? Rumor has it the game of disc golf is largely mental. If you’re needing evidence of that, watch Eveliina Salonen putt.
And lastly, no post-round regrets.
Even during a casual, semi-competitive round with a buddy, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about the unnecessary roller I laid down in the woods to try and card an eagle before bed at night. They rarely work. And oftentimes, as a result of ‘em, gas-station Gatorades are on me.
Disc golf is pretty simple, really …
Play smart. Win tournaments.
Kristin Tattar is currently annihilating the FPO field going all-in on this strategy. She takes what the course gives her. When that’s a vile dose of boring pars, she pounds it and moves on.
Take your medicine – it’s good for you.
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