“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
So says Harvey Dent when discussing the polarizing reputation of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.” Somewhere, Paul McBeth is nodding his head in approval.
Disc golf’s most successful player – and arguably, its most popular – has been around long enough to hear both the cheers, as well as the jeers. So, which is it? Is Paul McBeth professional disc golf’s heroic protagonist or hated heel? Hear me out: If the latter, it’s with GOOD reason …
Four of ‘em, to be precise:
1. P. McB. knows (and demands) excellence
Those who experience the most success in sports are often the most villainized: Tom Brady, Lebron James, Alex Rodriguez, Richard Sherman and Floyd Mayweather, just to name a few. Within the highest ranks of disc golf, who has experienced more success than Paul McBeth?
Exactly.
If you want to do a deep dive on this, check out the affective disposition theory and the phenomenon of schadenfreude. No worries, though: I’ll save you the yawn-inducing academic reading. Essentially, our fan engagement is heightened when we take a side. We like rooting for underdogs, because we take joy in the misfortune of others. It’s sick, but we’re wired this way.
And make no mistake about it: Paul McBeth is NO underdog.
So, it’s natural for some of us to hate the guy …
His success makes it easy to do.
2. McBeth has money – and lots of it
While most professional disc golfers grind their way to poverty-level living, McBeth leads a rare life of luxury within the sport. I mean, Aaron Gossage is LITERALLY “living in a van down by the river.” Meanwhile, Mr. McBeth pulls up to Pro Tour events in a $200,000 McLaren.
That’s quite the discrepancy.
A $10 million sponsorship deal with Discraft makes for a pretty big difference when compared with a bunch of rag-tag dudes living off $500 A-tier wins, some free discs and cat food. It’s not all that tough to see why some fans (and players) might be just the teensiest bit jealous.
3. The ‘McBeast’ mentality is real
Much has been made of McBeth’s “excuses,” given his recent poor play. But it’s hard to bash on him. The dude straight-up trusts his stuff – he has no reason not to. I don’t know Paul on any kind of personal level, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he TRULY believes he’s NEVER been bested by the course or another player. Only a deficiency in him or his environment could possibly result in a loss. Listen, by no means does confidence equate cockiness …
But man, with Paul, it’s easy to mistake one for the other.
4. Paul’s vibe is very corporate
He dresses sharp. He seems to lead a strait-laced life. He’s not a big personality. He broods competitiveness. In a sport with zany, countercultural roots, Paul represents the establishment.
Death to tie-dye.
Is Pauley the villain we’ve made? Or the one we deserve?
At the end of “The Dark Knight,” Gordon has the following exchange with his son:
- Son: “Why’s [Batman] running, dad? … He didn’t do anything wrong.”
- Gordon: “Because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it.”
Perhaps the “hero” professional disc golf needs right now just so happens to be a villain. To date, there’s no winning player who epitomizes true villainy – that includes Nikko Locastro. In the absence of a crooked, reprehensible disc golfer, we’ll find someone else to fill the void.
Maybe our casting of Paul McBeth as disc golf’s “bad guy” is less about his character and more of a self-reflection on our own envy, inferiority complex and need to be entertained …
Even if that’s true, one thing is for certain: He can take it.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Opinion: Less Disc Golf Valley, more actual disc golf
- Disc golf: What’s a thumbtrack? (and why you’ll want one)
- Don’t expect lost discs to be returned (and why that’s okay)
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Real stretch bud. I think the guy sucks, but not half as bad as your lame, half thought out article that actually says nothing.
Thanks for reading, Bob – appreciate the feedback!
Have a great day, brotha 🙂
Wow, great comment! Well thought out, good grammar, no spelling mistakes. Throws out insults without any justifications or analytical prose. Thanks for stopping in just to make the comment, you are SO useful in society. Keep it up. And we would all appreciate it if you really would call the inked number on the disc you found and return it.
Eh, it’s okay, Ted …
No worries: Bob’s got an opinion, which is fine – he’s entitled to it!
Though I’d disagree with his comment, he’s more than welcome to make it here.
(without profanity and all of that jazz – which he did do)
So… as long as there’s no profanity it’s ok to be a hater? Strange world we live in… Haha
I’ve been to a few pro tour events and noticed that McBeast doesn’t get the cheers that other players like Ricky do. Personally, I love watching Paul play and appreciate how successful he is. I can’t help but be impressed by his success in a sport that normally has guys “living in a van down by the river”.
I hope his professionalism rubs off on some other guys because the tie shirts and goofy hats bring down the legitimacy of pro disc golf.
I’m loving your page and I try to drop in daily to read it! Is there any way you can do an article on PDGA Rodman? I’d love to hear your stance on that IG and how the pros feel about it. Maybe we can get some speculation on who runs the page. Thanks!
Ken, thanks for reading, brotha – always appreciate it!
BTW, can’t speak for Tim, but I 100% feel the same way about McBeast …
Hands down, without a doubt, he’s my favorite player on tour – love what he does and how he does it.
And don’t think I haven’t tried to figure out who PDGA Rodman is for one second …
Straight-up asked a guy in an interview if he knew who he was – that’ll drop next week, probably.
Anyway, thanks for reading – and keep the article ideas coming!
We’ll continue to try to figure out who PDGA Rodman is, so don’t worry about that in the slightest 🙂
Thanks!
I fully agree with you, Ken; the dress code/appearance is one of the biggest things holding back disc golf’s image. The gym shorts and tie-dye shirts some players wear really degrades the professionalism of the sport. In practice it’s even worse…some of the pros dress like they’re straight up homeless, meanwhile Paul is always professionally dressed, even in his videos at home just throwing in his yard. It’s hard for the sport to attract sponsors outside it’s very, very small inner circle when brands are more conscientious now than ever about their image.
Ryan, love the comments, man – GREAT stuff from your end!
If you’d like to pen a piece one of these days …
Just give me a shout: [email protected]
Yes. A disc found with name and phone number that is not returned is theft in my book. I see there is an opinion stating it’s ok to keep found discs. My big problem is twice I’ve had groups allowing me to go ahead of them. I throw my disc and they picked it up and ran away. In 63 years of playing this game I’ve only had one disc returned. Yeh it was Pluto Platter Golf before Frisbees. My grandpa was a toy wholesaler and I also owned three Patent Pending Frisbees. Whamo didn’t have right to name at the time. My mom gave them as birthday presents without asking me.
Mike, do you still have any of those “Patent Pending” frisbees, by chance?
Maybe the “Pluto Platter Golf” thing?
Would love to get a look …
Tweet at us, if you’re up for it: @GreenSplatter
Or, send the images to [email protected]
Thanks for reading (and commenting), man!
Bob, honestly your comment sucks, and actually isn’t thought out. It says nothing.
I have always learned by watching people with more experience then I have. Paul is a great person to watch to learn. He has such a natural and comfortable throw, much like plenty of other. I deffinatly don’t dislike Paul, as he is one of the best to play the game.
Don’t dislike him, either, Kyle …
GREAT player.
As I see it, far too many people don’t like him, which is unwarranted.
Still, as our sport’s “GOAT,” there will always be “haters,” you know?
Lame, but hey – that’s sports!
He is disc golf, they all be at the first hole taking bong hits and whiskey shots… Paul made golf and will always be disc golf… Like just like Joe Va Turbo, loved by thousands hated by millions…
Thanks for reading – and for the comment, Kevin!
Have to ask, though …
Who is “Joe Va Turbo,” exactly?
Hit me back – thanks!
Great article. Big fan of disc golf, Paul McBeth, and the Dark Knight. Dig how you tied them together and liked your perspective.
Thanks for reading, Mike!
Tim’s incredible at what he does – he’s a bit of a movie buff.
BTW, for what’s it’s worth, couldn’t be a bigger fan of P. McB.
Our game’s GOAT!
Envious much, I dont understand why when someone exhibits excellence and becomes successful all of a sudden they’re a “villian” and people like yourself have to go around and insult them and try to tear them down. It appears to me that those people would rather celebrate mediocrity and bully everyone else into the same. People such as yourself who hate on others success are just jealous that it’s not you and instead of uplifting the ideal of success and greatness, youd rather pull them down into your version of the world, laziness and mediocrity. I read your article and it was preposterous, adolescent and dripping with the envy you obviously hold for those who are more successful than yourself. I mean why the Batman references, it’s like an 8 year old wrote this article. It’s non sensical from beginning to end. Perhaps there is a better career out there for you, just dont be to good at it or you’ll have to hate yourself.
Thanks for reading, Jason!
Love the passion, brotha 🙂
Jason, I completely disagree. I think you completely misunderstood the article. I see it as a compliment to Paul Macbeth and believe it was written from the standpoint of admiration. I think your comment is far more adolescent than the article. How you came away from it thinking that the article was a criticism of Paul Macbeth is beyond me. Its quite obviously not a criticism nor does it display a spirit of envy. Duh.
Thanks for reading, Daniel!
Terrific article! Loved the analogies and the analysis. No question about it. Anyone suggesting PMcB deserves criticism and scorn is expressing far more about themselves than they ever will about him. Show me a player who has done (or is doing) more to promote, improve, dignify, and spread our beloved sport. Beyond that, he has almost singlehandedly inspired greatness in his and the upcoming generation of competitors. He’s like the Roger Banister of Disc Golf. No one believed the sub 4 minute mile was possible until Banister did it. Who could have believed -18 in professional competition was attainable. No telling how many course records PMcB holds. These will spur to greatness countless players for years to come. Shame on all the Jokers who love to hate him. Nevertheless, in the immortal words of P.T.Barnum, ‘There’s no such thing as bad publicity’. PMcB can not only take it, I’m sure he will find a way to use it to his greatest advantage, something he’s proven to be the GOAT at doing over and over again. As a faithful fan, I so look forward to watching him do it.
Sorry, Bannister, not Banister.
Dude …
Green Splatter lives to misspell words.
You’re fitting right in 🙂
Frank, I couldn’t agree more!
That was a 1,000-rated comment, brotha!
BTW, I’ll be hardcore pulling for him at DGLO this weekend …
It’s been a “down year” for McBeth, but there’s still time for more wins.
If anybody can do it, he can – thanks for reading!
LOL – You know you are good when you win Worlds and it’s still considered a “Down Year”, but I know what you mean. Great Article.
Totally …
He’s not going to win “Player of the Year,” but an argument can be made for it …
Given the season Rick had, not really – but yeah …
Such are Paul’s “down” years, right?
Such a stud.
Right on, Lucas! My pleasure.
Great article and I don’t think some of these commenters quite understood what you are saying. This story is very similar to mine. I won’t go into too many details about myself but I started a social media channel in a certain space and ended up blowing up and passing everyone up that’s been doing it way longer. I got a lot of hate. People making videos about me trying to cancel me for no real reason. I do everything by the book, professional and nice guy. I learned that when you make it haters come with that. If you don’t have haters you truly have not made it. Many of these people don’t understand because they have not lived in myself or Paul’s shoes. They don’t understand what comes with high success. It was hard to understand that this is what success is but I learned that the people that used to be close to me who put me down are not my friends. I have so many positive people in my life the same with Paul I’m sure. We stay focused and strive for success. I used to want to be just like Paul but I realized at my age it would be very difficult to make it a career and decided to dive into creating a channel and it has been the best decision I ever made. Great read and looking forward to more articles from you!
Thanks, mystery man!
Yeah, my gut tells me lots of people just skimmed this article …
It REALLY builds up Paul – as it should, as he’s our game’s G.O.A.T.
REALLY hoping he finishes up this year strong, too.
Thanks for reading!
Been playing disc golf for a little less than two years, ran into Paul at my home course in Jacksonville while he was in town on vacation and just playing/practicing. He had no problem stopping, talking, taking a picture with myself and my wife. He also signed a disc for our son. A few weeks later he was there again, I was waiting to tee off on a hole and he came out of the woods hole right next to me, gave me a fist bump, said hello and went on playing the rest of his round. Few days later he was there with Kristin Tattar and Silver and we played the whole course behind them on a busy day talking and laughing with all of them. By far the coolest guy and doesn’t have to give me or anyone else the time of day but he does and he didn’t think twice about it. Kristin is the nicest person I might have ever met by the way too. We got a picture with her as well. You can look my photos up on Disc Golf Scene for proof. Anyways, Paul McBeth is what disc golf needs, we need him to win more, the sport will continue to grow. He is the Disc Golf Tiger.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Paul!
Great name, BTW 😉
And couldn’t agree more …
To date, Paul’s the GOAT – he’s also great for our sport.
I think Paul is the hero most of us want. He plays the game smart, he plays with confidence and grit. He goes for shots many don’t go for because alot of them end up cashing chains. He embodies true sportsmanship and is a much needed example of class when many of us have unnecessary drama in our local clubs. He is unwaveringly great with the fans when approached. Ricky might wdge him out slightly in that regard because Ricky will often engage with fans in his posts and Ricky will always approach a fan with a huge friendly smile. I guess where I am going with this is that a guy like Paul is someone it is easy to never get sick of watching him succeed. Of course there are those who hate to be part of the masses and be a fan of something or someone iconic. Some prefer to be in a more exclusive club rooting for the guy who is less popular. Those are the types that switch up once that thing or person becomes mainstream. It is exclusivity they seek, and the mainstream is the enemy.
Thanks for reading and chiming in on the conversation, John!
Paul’s the GOAT – end of discussion. Haha.
Fantastic Article. Don’t get the shade from some of the comments but you have a great attitude towards them and I couldn’t respect that more. I love this article and hope to see more like it.
-Cheers
Thanks, Chunder!
Appreciate the love – happy to have you as a reader!
I disagree but that’s like my opinion bro… Have a great day 😋
No worries!
Differing perspectives are always welcome.
Regardless, thanks for reading 🙂
Interesting read. Thanks for presenting some alternative perspectives.
No problem, Mark!
Thanks for stopping by Green Splatter and reading our stuff – you the man 🙂
I’ve never been more inspired to improve my game than after watching Paul in beast mode. I imagine you could have written something similar about Ken Climo.
As far as pay goes… That’s a sign of DG growing. Our capitalist consumption focused society is f’d up in it’s pay priorities. Hopefully ALL our country’s multi-millionaires say enough and reinvest their good fortune back into society. As Tupac said. It’s crazy that one person has a million and another absolutely nothing. How do they sleep? And we give the millionaires humanitarian awards.
Thanks for reading / commenting, Brandon!
And I’m a bit young to know what “disc golf fandom” was like back in Climo’s prime …
But I’d guess you’re spot-on: It wouldn’t be hard to write an article like this one when he was destroying the pro field.
Disc Golf needs more Paul McBeth types if it ever wants to reach the next level.
While Disc Golf has certainly grown (a result of all the new participants in the sport which has enriched Disc Golf companies paying it back through sponsorships and events), it still has not grown outside it’s small inner circle of followers. If disc golf is ever going to be viewed as a serious sport in the eyes of the world, be it global media like ESPN, sports fans who just spectate from home but don’t participate, the Olympic Committee who may one day consider adding it as an Olympic event, corporate sponsors, etc, then the truth is disc golf needs more Paul McBeth’s.
The professionalism and demeanor McBeth carries is what the wider audiences like, and more importantly, what the corporate world likes. A brand like Buick or American Airlines don’t have any interest in sponsoring the tie-dye wearing hippie doing bong rips before their tee time, nor do ESPN or Sky Sports want to broadcast the emotionally unstable player getting into the face of officials for a time violation.
Paul McBeth is a grown up in a sport full of people who refuse to grow up.
Ryan, the last line of your comment is a game-changer …
Goodness, that’s an article in and of itself.
Maybe he’s “corporate” because he has a sponsorship and wants to remain professional. Maybe he bought a nice car because he earns a nice income.
I get that it’s easier to criticize than to write an article but your arguments are kind of moot because we can compare PMB to someone we all know and love: Tiger Woods.
Thanks for reading, Mike!
BTW, this article speaks PRETTY highly of Paul McBeth …
Didn’t write it, but my take is that Tim’s making an argument for the many who might feel this way.
Could be wrong, though – never know!
People hate a winner. Simple as that. Paul has amazing talents which allow him to excel above and beyond most others.
The day will come when another emerges to take the high seat. Just like it used to be Climo, now McBeast, another will come. Paul is a great example of a pro in every aspect. I urge people don’t hate… appreciate!
Timmy, let’s put that on a t-shirt …
“Don’t hate, appreciate.”
*** w/ Paul McBeth’s Face ***
Why is Paul the very best??? Easy he works the hardest at his craft. No other reason, and people love him for it. He has brought disc golf to the forefront like no one before him. And those A-tier winners living on cat food, better work a little harder and smoke less weed..
Paul McBeth is the G.O.A.T.
No ifs, ands or buts about it …
That’s just the way it is.