The DGPT: Why ‘standardized teepads’ aren’t such an obvious solution

Jeff Spring isn’t stupid.

He knows what people are saying about the teepads at Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) events. And though I’ve never been part of any key conversations, of this much I’m absolutely certain:

When Paul McBeth speaks, he listens.

Just like everybody else in disc golf, I’ve jumped on the “standardized teepad” bandwagon. It’s not the hottest of takes, but given what I’ve seen on the Disc Golf Network (DGN) and heard from players after Elite Series events, it seems like the ONLY way to think about teepads …

I mean, it is – right?

Wrong.

Last week, in response to an article in which we’d mentioned McBeth’s problematic footing on the lone playoff hole at the Jonesboro Open, Allen Risley went off – and rightfully, so …

This is the kind of take I expect to hear from people who haven’t: A) Installed and maintained a disc golf course, B) Run a large disc golf event, and C) Dealt closely/intensely with the PDGA and Disc Golf Pro Tour. I’ll flesh this out in comments…

— Allen Risley (@rizbee) April 26, 2022

Risley’s the tournament director for The Challenge at Goat Hill, one of the West Coast’s premier disc golf events – he’s done this for years. So, unlike you and me, the guy actually knows what goes into making a disc golf tournament work: Plain and simple, he knows teepads.

Here’s why standardized teepads aren’t the “one-size-fits-all” solution you think they are:

What’s actually the ‘best’ kind of teepad?

If it were obvious what the best kind of teepad was, it’d be easier to standardize ‘em. As it is, however, if you were to poll ten touring professionals on this, you’d get ten different answers.

Concrete is crazy-durable, which is always a good thing – not much maintenance is required. They’re difficult to install on many courses, though: Heavily-wooded tracks come to mind, for example. And if you’re planning on installing a layout on a ball-golf course, just forget about it, because there’s not a country club on the planet that’s going to sign off on giant concrete slabs.

Also, they’re impossible to move – not great for temporary setups.

Turf teepads are another option: Many players swear by ‘em. The problem, however, comes from the fact that – not only are there different kinds of turf of varying qualities and price points – but there’s a host of ways to install it, too. Just demanding turf teepads doesn’t do much …

Some disc golfers say turf is easier on their legs, knees and ligaments during a long tournament. That might be true, but every year, countless amateur, semi-pro and professional football and soccer players shred their ACLs on the stuff, especially when it’s improperly installed …

Manufacturers, PDGA and DGPT should get together and create a program to repair and replace slippery tee pads at courses the pros play. It’d be nice at every course but I’m realistic. It’s only a matter of time before someone blows a knee out and ends their career

— Obi Bogey (@BogeyObi) August 30, 2021

Yet another thing for Mr. Spring to consider. And that’s NOT taking into account things like budgets, weather, the public, maintenance crews, the strength of local disc golf clubs, etc.

Teepads are tricky business.

Who will inspect the proposed standardized teepads?

I’ve drifted into this a bit already, but it’s obvious …

If Pro Tour golfers are to play their best, they need to feel safe using DGPT teepads.

Regardless of the material used, it’s vital that teepads be inspected for proper installation. That’s clearly a good idea, and nobody in their right mind would argue against it – but who would actually carry out these inspections: tournament officials, the DGPT or the PDGA?

When would they take place: the day, week or month before a tournament? Furthermore, should they take on responsibility for this, are the DGPT or PDGA even staffed for these inspections?

Here’s the slowed down view of @Paul_McBeth’s drive on the first playoff hole. Significant movement on the tee pad. Every disc golfer knows that plant-foot slippage = bad throw almost 100% of the time. pic.twitter.com/2C06KBa5iC

— Another Round (@AnotherRound_DG) April 25, 2022

Two more hypothetical inquiries, just for good measure: Assuming 1) an inspection takes place, and 2) it happens before the start of a tournament, is there enough time for a tournament director to do something about the teepads in question? Also, is there a budget in place to fix them?

I’ve kifed enough of Allen’s ideas for this thing …

Let’s wrap it up with the man’s own words:

“Don’t get me wrong – I agree that we should have safe teepads for players. I’m a player … But I don’t think ‘standard’ tees are the answer. Good tees are the answer. And concrete, artificial turf and pavers can ALL be good surfaces, if installed properly.”

The bottom line is this: Given the above, it’s no wonder Spring and his team don’t make a knee-jerk ruling on teepads, just to appease the ill-informed likes of you, me Paul Mc.B.

I was wrong – I’m man enough to admit it.

I can swallow my pride this time around.

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

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