For the sake of today’s discussion, let’s throw getting better at disc golf completely out the window. In real life, of course, you can improve, but again – this is merely a mental exercise.
Stuck in a perpetual state of suckiness, would you stick with disc golf? For you, is the game such that, blind of results, you’re capable of having a good time? Do you really love it that much?
These are introspective questions.
Feel free to keep your answers to yourself.
Back to reality …
I don’t care if it’s the World Championships, a poorly run C-tier or a league night with a few of your closest frisbee buddies – somebody has to lose. Even more painful, somebody has to come in last place. It pains me to say this, but on at least one occasion, I have been that person.
It was a league night. I’d arrived late to the scene. As such, the only space available for me was with a bunch of guys in a division far above my skill level. To make matters worse, it took all of 10 minutes for this fact to become abundantly clear to the rest of my cardmates – it was ugly.
Like I said before …
Dead last.
In hindsight, my result wouldn’t have been half as bad as it was if I’d been 10% more concerned with my play than publicly pouting my way through 18 holes of craptastic disc golf. I wanted the people around me to know how bothered I was by the situation – I needed them to sense it.
And maybe feel the tiniest bit sorry for me, in the process.
I know, I know …
Pathetic.
As is the case with most things in life, though, a day or two later, I made the decision to chalk the entire thing up to a learning experience. To date, I’m happy to report that I’ve not (yet) let my gosh-awful play tear down others’ enjoyment of the game for a second embarrassing time.
I’ve learned that, even when throwing poorly, I’m one great shot away from turning a forgettable round into a memorable one. And though I’m far from perfect with this, I’ve started to find more joy in the successes of others – even those with whom I’m competing for a few Arby’s coupons.
Whether it be verbally or with a post-throw fist-bump, my mood drastically improves when I share in the accomplishments of others. This doesn’t mean I don’t want to capitalize on their mistakes en route to playing the best I can, but one of disc golf’s top selling-points is its undeniable sense of community – please don’t be the guy who poisons the water-hole.
A bad attitude is toxic.
Is your play a sizable skidmark on the beauty that is disc golf?
No worries: Come on in – the water’s warm.
Just keep a smile on your face.
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Thanks for writing an article about me! (The guy who finishes dead last) 😂
No but seriously, you hit the nail on the head. The fact of the matter is your local C tier is not the DGPT. Get out there and play in a tournament! You (probably) won’t regret it!
Thanks, Kurt!
And, yeah …
If it’s not your livelihood (and there’s not threat of that happening on my end), don’t treat it like the Super Bowl.
You can’t be the best at everything, and that’s okay …
You’ll survive.
Thanks for bringing your positive attitude to the comments section 🙂
It’s my pleasure. Thanks for running this blog, seeing a new post on green splatter is always one of my daily highlights.
Speaking of which- did you take a little vacation last week? I noticed you didn’t have any new posts Thursday/Friday last week. Hopefully you were doing something relaxing with the fam!
Yup!
You must not be on Twitter …
Posted that I’d be out with the family for a long weekend, so there wouldn’t be any new content.
Most people don’t notice, but it’s nice to see that somebody did.
Thanks for that, man – appreciate it!
What’s a Twitter???
JK! Ya I’m not on that or X, instagram, or facebook anymore.
Good! Glad to hear you had yourself some much needed respite.
Thanks, man!
It was needed 🙂
And like you mentioned- even your worst round is one incredible shot from turning it into a memorable round. Kind of like when I mentioned on your other post about my first pdga sanctioned tournament where I was second to last, but had a throw in birdie on the 3rd hole of the day (and I threw it on a backhand!!!)
Ahhh …
Very nice!
For “Sidearm Kurt,” I take it that’s a rarity, right? Haha!
HAHA!
I’ve actually had two birdies that were field aces. Both backhands, both hyzer spikes; one with a dx roc and the other a jawbreaker zone. Most of my birdies come from crushing the sidearm and putting my drive in circle 1. I throw about 99% of my tee shots sidearm, but I like to say I throw backhand the closer I get to the basket (or sidearm the further I get from the basket). I’m definitely not putting sidearm!
That’s good to know …
Because if you were putting sidearm, it might be time for an intervention.
(there’s sometimes a need, but that’s a rarity, of course)
This isn’t disc golf advice. This is life advice.
But… Similar story, I was a single, was a group of 4 ahead of me. They asked me to join. It was slow ahead so playing through would be dumb.
These 4 were good. Like really good. Witnessed my first Ace in person. Then I witnessed my second Ace. Legit aces. 300 foot aces.
Then on 18, first basket that was wide open. I throw hard. Disc comes out with too much hyzer. Dumps about 275 feet. Sigh.
Then I hear it.
“You really torque the sh** out of your backhand. So much spin, what’s your trick?“
Best round ever.
Man, that’s awesome …
There’s another lesson in there, too.
Those guys might’ve been better than you, but they were certainly supportive.
And it’s been months (or years or whatever) and you STLL remember the compliment …
Powerful stuff.
Absolutely. And what I’ve learned is….. He was right. My tennis background has given me pretty good muscle memory for backhands. Every blog in the world said…. Don’t buy anything faster than a 7 speed at a beginner.
This guy gave me the confidence to go buy something faster. Also, that’s terrible advice. Buy a Valkyrie, a Tern, a sidewinder as a beginner. Grow with it. That’s my gripe I didn’t know I had until now.
Hahaha …
Admission is the first step to healing.
What’s the fastest disc in your bag these days?
My distance drivers in the Bag:
13 Speed Shryke.
13 Speed Dominator.
12 Speed XCaliber.
12 Speed Destroyer.
Then a couple 9 speed fairways
I need to try the Dominator …
I’ve heard good thing, but probably time to actually make it happen.
Not a bad lineup at all!
Dominator, for me, just feels slightly more stable than my destroyer. But it’s Innova so your results may vary
Hahaha …
Ain’t that the truth.
Good to know, Fletch!
Thanks for the inside intel 🙂
Don’t be the guy who poisons the water hole…..right on
That one comes straight from “Toy Story.”
I have three small boys …
That movie is shown at least three times a week in our house. Haha.