I’m okay with this kind of vandalism on disc golf courses

By: Lucas Miller

I love this quote …

I apply it to all aspects of life:

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Thanks, Martha Beck.

You can take these words in just about any direction, too.

Feel free to replace “do” with one of the following:

  • “Prepare for …”
  • “Approach”
  • “Respect”

See what I mean?

The message remains the same.

DGPT: Chandler Fry

Let’s focus on that last one for a bit, though …

When it comes to disc golf courses, not nearly enough of them receive the respect they deserve. There are a million ways to skin this cat, but it’s the abundance of on-course trash that leads me to believe far too many disc golfers live in total filth at home. So why not bring it to the course with ‘em, right? Beer cans, chip bags, candy wrappers, water bottles, cigarette butts, etc.

Pack it in. Pack it out.

This is NOT a complex concept.

Vandalism is another one of those “Get off my lawn!” type grievances. Sadly, in my experience, grossly busted signs, baskets and teepads are more the rule and less the exception in disc golf.

Rightfully so, littering in any form is to be blackballed.

Don’t do it.

However, there is one kind of vandalism in disc golf I actually enjoy …

Stickers on tee signs.

Like, LOTS of stickers.

I’m sure you’ve seen this before. And if you haven’t, it’s not uncommon to encounter something similar at ski resorts, skate parks or on trail markers along hiking paths – this kind of stuff:

Flickr: Stickers On a Sign

I love it.

As long as key hole details aren’t covered, go for it.

Better yet, to not run the risk of inadvertently annoying someone, take to the backside of a tee sign for your sticky self-expression – this is prime real estate. Wrapped around the center pole of a basket is another great place to get creative. And the back of a pin’s number plate works, too.

In spite of my inborn, crotchety nature, I don’t mind (respectful) sticker vandalism, as it adds visual character to the course, while usually staying on-brand with the sport I love. It’s all fair game: manufacturer logos, local retailer discount codes, disc-dyer Instagram handles, etc.

The more colorful, the better.

Bonus points for neon green.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.

Photo of author

Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

8 thoughts on “I’m okay with this kind of vandalism on disc golf courses”

  1. Hmmm, no disc chargers but stickers everywhere…..

    How about stickers on baskets? Starting to happen around my side of town.

    And absolutely everyone should take their trash home with them to dispose of.

    Reply

    • Not as big on stickers on baskets, but I’ve never turned my nose up at ’em …

      As mentioned in the article, I usually prefer them on the backside of a pin’s number plate.

      That’s TECHNICALLY the basket …

      I think. Haha.

      Reply

      • Oh apparently I misunderstood. I thought you were talking back of the tee sign. I’m not necessarily opposed to the tee sign idea but a beautiful public park with a patchwork of random faded and peeling stickers on the baskets takes away from the aesthetics at least in my opinion. I don’t mind the dischargers either. To me I always thought they were kind of funny. Given a year in the weather they pretty much fade away. Now stickers on a course sign I would be all about. Or maybe stickers on the 18th basket might be cool

        Reply

        • Oh, that’s an idea I can get behind …

          Sort of a “bras-and-beads” tree, if you’re at all familiar with the ski-resort scene.

          Not ALL signs and baskets …

          Maybe just on the eighteenth – good call 🙂

          Reply

  2. Unpopular opinion… I love disc chargers on benches. I know it’s a contentious issue. I’ve never drawn one… yet. But I think it’s harmless fun.

    Side story… first time my daughter found one on the course she thought it was for charging glow discs 😆. I tried explaining the superstition behind them but she is too smart to fall for that kind of disc golf juju.

    Reply

    • Kurt, yours might be the most unpopular opinion I’ve ever heard … haha.

      You are the ONLY person I’ve ever heard give this take.

      Granted, there must be others out there, because somebody is drawing these things, right?

      Also, kudos to your daughter for using that noggin of hers …

      They SHOULD charge glow discs.

      If that were the case, I’d be all over ’em 🙂

      Reply

  3. Bracing myself for the day somebody draws a disc charger on the big flagstone slab bench I mined, hauled and installed at my home course. Im ok with it, as long as they use a disc and don’t freehand the circle….a charge is called for at this tee.
    For some reason I hadn’t considered bringing all my OTB, Reaper, Rogue stickers to the course. It’s so pristine though, idk if I can bring myself to be the first.

    Reply

Leave a Comment