Parked.
It’s the name of disc golf’s most inactive, oversensitive blog, believe it or not. But it’s also the term used to describe one of the game’s most desirable outcomes. From the tee or fairway, to be “parked” on a hole is to have your disc come to rest right next to the basket for a tap-in birdie.
As you’re likely aware, this is great, because the best putt in disc golf is the non-putt. If you’re like me, air-mailing a 15-foot putt is rare, but it’s still in the cards. Luckily, when parked, due to the almost non-existent distance between the pin and your lie, missing the close-range birdie bid would require more of a conscious effort than making it – it’s that stupid-proof of a result.
But according to PDGA Live, what’s technically parked?
Like, what kind of distance are we talking about?
Incredibly, the Disc Golf Pro Tour says it’s anything within circle one, which you and I both know is insane. Yes, Jeff Spring’s done a great deal for the game, but this is a criminal claim.
Thankfully, UDisc sets the record straight.
If your disc is within 3.3 meters (11 feet) of the basket, congrats …
You’re parked.
But only for birdie, that is.
Remember: It’s impossible that you find yourself parked for par – or worse. Because if that were the case, you’re clearly inching your way towards the pin, which isn’t an accomplishment.
Furthermore, armed with this knowledge, it’s easier to understand why disc golfers are so concerned with their “C1X” putting percentages. Put simply, a C1X putt is any putt that takes place within 10 meters (32.8 feet) of the basket, eXcluding the “parked” territory inside of it.
Circle One – Parked = C1X
Parked putts aren’t putts – they’re (largely) drop-ins. Because of this, a C1X putting percentage is an accurate reflection of how well a disc golfer is converting makeable bids at the basket.
See how that works?
Brilliant.
Anyway, to be parked is to wrap up a hole without stress. Also, assuming yours is a competitive round, it’s to increase the pressure of your figurative foot on the necks of your opponents.
They’re putting. You’re not.
It’s a beautiful thing.
The more park-jobs, the merrier.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- What does ‘circle in regulation’ mean in disc golf?
- Disc golf: What purpose (if any) does a ‘bead’ serve?
- Disc golf: Trees aren’t 90% air (but the feeling they are rocks)
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.
