Disc golf: In defense of the term ‘ball golf’

I have a group of friends …

If I had to superficially label them, the title I’d use would be “Ball-Golf Bros.”

If you’ve spent any time at a ball-golf course, you know the twenty-something type:

• Dad hats.
• Short shorts.
• Ray-Ban shades.
• No socks necessary.
• Mega-expensive clubs.

We’ve been friends for a long time, so I’m able to stomach the above. Slowly but surely, I’m drip-feeding them the Gospel of Disc Golf, hoping they’ll accompany me to the course one day.

When doing this, I’ll usually try to draw comparisons between disc golf and ball golf. Naturally, to differentiate between the two, I use the terms “disc golf” and ball golf.”

Boy, if ever you want to see the look of complete and total offense on a human being’s face, sit in on one of these discussions. Without fail, the term “ball golf” is a hardcore trigger for them.

They might hate it, but my core reason for using it is strong …

Take the basic “ball” sports, for example – there are a handful of ‘em: football, baseball, volleyball and basketball. But that’s NOT the extent of the list. Think back on more obscure, random sports, and you’ll discover más: softball, kickball, handball, pickleball and racquetball.

I have no idea which one of those came first. I’m not willing to dedicate a good half-hour to finding out, either. What’s safe to say, however, is that the original never went by “ball.”

For “ball” sports, “ball” is in the name, but it’s paired with a qualifier.

You can connect the dots on this logic:

• Example No. 1 – If basket + ball = basketball, and foot + ball = football …
• Example No. 2 – Then disc + golf = disc golf, and ball + golf = ball golf.

Sorry, Bubba Watson.

Granted, there aren’t nearly as many kinds of “golf” as there are “ball” sports, but there’s more than merely ball golf and disc golf: dart golf, footgolf, Swingolf and GolfCross are all “golf” variants. Nominally, they don’t match up, but Sholf and codeball are two more examples.

Furthermore, when talking about disc golf in a crowd of disc golfers, oftentimes, the term “golf” is used, but to refer to disc golf in the short-hand. On this very blog, I’ll frequently write the word “golfers” when referring to disc golfers – it’s just easier. It mixes things up a bit, too.

Within the D.G. community, I use “disc golf” and “ball golf” to avoid confusion.

No, I don’t think this little argument of mine is strong enough to change the English language as we know it – nor should it, for that matter. And when I’m with ball golfers, I try to use the term “golf” to avoid looks of horror. Contrary to popular belief, however, I’m NOT perfect …

The occasional “ball golf” will work its way into the conversation.

After reading this, if you’re torn, I’ve got good news …

Just go with “traditional golf” as your name of choice.

It’s snooty-sounding, but it’s the middle-ground you’re looking for, Mr. Vanilla.

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