Slow disc golf sucks.
I’ve written about it before. For those who’ve spent time in the game, the key contributing factors are obvious: newbies, lost discs, smartphones, large groups, multiple throws, etc.
However, hands-down, the most infuriating of them all is the band of absent-minded disc golfers who finish a hole and decide to start (or continue) a long conversation directly by the basket.
Naturally, you’re stationed on the exact teepad that corresponds with said basket. You don’t know me, but I don’t drive angry. I’ve never experienced road rage in my life. Still, I have to imagine the feeling is somewhat similar to being the guy stuck on the teepad in this scenario.
- Been there.
- Bit my tongue.
- Please, never again.
Hopefully.
This is awful for a few reasons.
First, if it’s you on the teepad, I’d imagine you’ve already been waiting for a good bit. So finally, when the foot-dragging idiots in front of you appear to be wrapping up their marathon hole, and you’re ready to throw with disc-in-hand, the full extent of their aloofness is tragically realized.
You waited. You got your hopes up.
And now, you’re waiting some more.
Dumb.
Next, assuming the hole’s reachable, and many of the holes at public, park-style courses are, you can’t simply throw in on somebody to send a message. Well, you can, but you might decapitate them – and that’s likely not the “message” you’d like to send. In my experience, a quick, yet powerful “Heads up!” is usually enough to get the job done. And if it’s not, skip ahead.
What makes putting green-loiterers some of the worst people to share a disc golf course with, though, is the fact that their time-sucking method of choice is completely avoidable.
Revert back to the short list of reasons I cited for slow disc golf at the beginning of this post. For each, to a certain extent, there’s at least some defendable reason for the snail’s-paced play.
New disc golfers don’t know what they’re doing. It takes time to find a disc that’s gone missing. Smartphones distract, but are often the result of something actually important: work, family, etc.
And so on and so forth.
But this?
THIS?!
If you can walk and chew gum, you can walk and talk. Unless the placement of that basket just so happens to coincide with a beam of light that’ll mercifully suck those within it straight to heaven during a nuclear apocalypse, move it or lose it. You can talk on the next teepad.
Sincerely,
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Just reading this article pissed me off. Are you trying to trigger me???? And I have gotten so fed up where I’ve thrown in on people. It was a 420′ hole, i felt comfortable if i hit them it would be below the waist. I just wanted to get the disc in the air so i could yell FORE!
I’ve seen something worse. I saw a guy who repeatedly used the basket to stretch out his hamstrings before walking to next pad. Even after i yelled Fore before throwing, he did it on the next 3 holes before i eventually just walked off.
Fletch, I kid you not …
The thought of someone stretching their hamstring on each basket while you’re waiting to tee off got an AUDIBLE laugh out of me.
I guess that’d make yours a true “lol” comment.
Congrats – that’s a rarity.
If only there were a tree, park bench or trash can nearby for that guy to do his stretching …
😉
Great article, Lucas! The issue of slow play really hits home, especially when it’s something as avoidable as keeping score by the basket.
Visual Cues and Signage:
One idea that could help is putting up friendly, clear signs near the baskets reminding players to move to the next tee before recording their scores. Something like, “Record your scores at the next tee – Keep the game flowing!” and “Most disc golfers move to the next tee before chatting.” could make a big difference. These simple nudges can remind players to be considerate without feeling pushy.
Digital Nudges:
Most of us use the UDisc app, right? It would be awesome if the app could send notifications reminding players to record their scores at the next tee. A gentle prompt like “Great shot! Please record your scores at the next tee to keep the game moving” could really help keep things smooth and enjoyable.
I had a recent round in Copenhagen where I ran into a school group of eight who were keeping score right by the basket. It was pouring with rain, and waiting around wasn’t exactly my idea of fun. A well-placed sign or a timely UDisc notification could have easily prevented this frustration and kept everyone happier.
These small tweaks can make a huge difference in maintaining the pace of play and ensuring everyone has a great time on the course. Thanks for highlighting this issue—always love reading your stuff!
Thanks for reading, Frank!
And honestly, these are ideas I’d never considered …
Simple signage might be just the ticket.
Appreciate the suggestion.
Hopefully there are some course-designers reading, eh?
Udisc needs to hire Frank!
Amen to that!
Oh man, I’m in the same boat as Fletch. This article got my blood pressure up.
I like what Frank had to say and hopefully Udisc comes up with something like this and a good idea for any course.
“Next Tee —>
Please record scores at the next hole”
I remember one time I was waiting behind a group for the first 3 holes and on hole 3’s green they decide to have a full blown putting practice session. Like hole’d out. Picked up their putters start to walk away from the basket… and turned around and started practicing 15 footers. No defense for this.
Oh, man …
This is an article in and of itself.
SUCH a good point – thanks for the tip, Kurt!
Physical signs on the course would be okay. Respectfully, I disagree with a UDisc notification…I’m not looking for more interaction with my phone/Smartwatch on the course.
Yeah, same here …
For some, it might work, though.
But I hear you loud and clear on that one.
Every ball golf organization (PGA,USGA, R&A, PGA Tour, etc) is doing everything it can to fight the culture of slow play. They are even changing rules to speed up play. It’s a priority.
Disc golf needs to learn from their older brother and focus on pace of play.
Louder for the people in the back, Sir Fletch!
What did he say?!?
I couldn’t hear from the peanut gallery!
Hahaha …
I see what you did there.