The best thing about my disc golf game?
I possess an unrivaled ability to blame poor performance on anything but myself …
It’s a gift.
Whenever I airmail a putt, there’s a dang-good chance some bozo was breathing heavily before the disc left my hand. And that shoddy approach you saw? Nah, that wasn’t me – that was the product of a KC Pro Roc that’d gone flippy at just the wrong time. I’m not even certain I’ve technically ever had a bad drive off the tee – just the misfortune of finding phantom twigs.
On the more mental side of things, I’ve workshopped a new one …
The guy who messes with the basket after making a putt – or taping in a birdie, or a par, or a bogey or whatever. He just can’t help himself: He’s got to do some kind of extracurricular with the chains – I can’t stand it. If you have no idea what I’m on about, here’s Nathan Queen …
He’s a serial offender:
The smile, hand gesture and chain-tug aren’t a one-time thing, folks …
EVERY. SINGLE. BIRDIE.
You see this manifest in a few other ways, too:
- Guys rip discs out of the target in anger after carding a bad score.
- Guys tap their putter on the chastity belt once they’ve finalized a hole.
- Guys straight-up hug the basket after a stroke-saving catch by the chains.
* Note: It’s kind of dumb, but Europe’s star-frame celebration doesn’t count – click here.
I won’t deny the “fuddy-duddy” label that’s often linked to my name, but generally speaking, I’m fine with dudes wrapping up a hole however they see best fit. Fist pumps are awesome. If things didn’t go well, a muttered expletive will work. Also, just walking to the next tee is on the table.
Whatever you do, though …
Leave the basket alone.
It’s the end goal – it’s the ultimate conquest for a disc golfer. And it’s quite literally THE focal point of every disc golf hole on the planet. There’s no need to “Mutombo” it when all’s done. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting in the heads of sorry disc golfers like myself …
Remember: I’m a man of many excuses – and I’m not alone.
Is this really that big of a deal? Does it even happen all that often?
The answer to both inquiries is a resounding no.
But pettiness might as well be my middle name – I apologize for nothing.
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Editor’s Suggestions:
- The PDGA: Are stickers allowed on discs?
- Disc golf: How to better putt uphill (and downhill, too)
- Paul McBeth and Jack Nicklaus: Similar, six-time champions
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Obviously you’re aware, but this really sounds like a personal problem. As long as they’re not altering the state of the basket, it shouldn’t be anyone else’s problem that you can’t keep your head on straight, especially if they’re not throwing you off on purpose. The number of things you can make up to blame your performance on will never be less than infinite. I hope posting about your personal problems makes you feel better, because expecting anyone to change their post-putt rituals just because it bothers you isn’t really reasonable.
Jack, it totally is …
Taylor sucks.
Couldn’t agree with you more 😉
I mean the whole point of tugging the chains is to make sure nothing is bound and you are basically reseting the chains for the next guy. it’s a courtesy thing not a showy thing.
Sometimes, yes …
But oftentimes, no – take Mr. Queen, for example.
He’s known for it!