5 free, meaningful gifts disc golfers can give this Christmas

I don’t mean to get preachy, but there’s more to Christmas than materialism. Every year, my wife and I make a point of sharing media like this with our kids to try to not lose sight of what matters most. It’s Christian-themed, so if that’s not your jam, simply bypass it for the rest of this article.

Fortunately, whatever your belief system, there’s a very good chance you’re game to get beyond yourself as much as possible. Soup kitchens and Salvation Army donations are great for this, but believe it or not, the local disc golf course is also a prime setting for giving the gift of generosity.

And wouldn’t you know it …

The only cost is kindness.

1. Take your (little) kids out for a round

I love being a dad.

But as any father will tell you, it’s a tiring affair – and don’t even get me started on motherhood. To that end, disc golf has always served as a moment of reprieve from the madness of toys, tears and temper tantrums in my increasingly cluttered home. In an ideal world, my kids would be well on their way to replacing the likes of Paul McBeth and Ricky Wysocki in two decades.

For now, though?

They’re tiny.

While the newborn stays home, taking my twin, two-year-old boys out to the course with me is a rapid-fire lesson in patience. Given their age, I’ve only done it two or three times. Without fail, though, whenever I do, they’re beaming. No, we don’t get much actual disc golf in …

But it’s true what they say:

The most accurate way to spell love?

T–I–M–E

2. Leave the course better than you found it

This isn’t hard to do.

Nobody does it, though.

If you see trash, pick it up – even if it’s not yours. And common sense would dictate that if you bring something with you onto the course that’s not biodegradable, you sure as heck better take it with you when you’re done playing, Mr. Keystone Light. Also, don’t limit this to trash removal. Sizable, loose rocks on fairways need moving. It’s the same thing for thorns. And wasps suck. 

This gift isn’t only for your local disc golf club, but for everyone who frequents the course.

Santa-level stuff.

3. Make a stranger’s day with some used plastic

I’m far from Mother Teresa, but I’ve done this before, and the result is awesome 100% of the time. This usually takes place when I come across a group of beginner disc golfers – they’re frequently kids or young people – who ask for quick advice on how to better play the game.

If their interest feels genuine, I’ll sometimes toss ‘em a used disc or two straight from my bag. Nothing that can’t easily be replaced by the obscene amount of backup discs I have at home, of course. But to them, it’s instant excitement. I like to think this might keep someone in the sport.

Keep your eyes peeled …

When it feels right, go for it.

* Note: Technically, this isn’t free, but lots of time has passed since the initial purchase.

4. Be patient with obvious newbies on the course

Speaking of inexperience …

What’s your knee-jerk reaction to these guys?

• The couple on a first date who decide to chat near the basket.
• The church youth group of seven-plus peeps who move at a snail’s pace.
• The first-time disc golfers who are loud, obnoxious and oblivious to other people.

Just this once …

Bite your tongue.

Or better yet, if the situation allows for it, without coming off as overbearing, attempt to share a bit about disc golf etiquette and the natural flow of a round. Though things might seem obvious to you, many people act the way they act, simply because they don’t know anything else.

This is hardcore the pot calling the kettle black …

But be patient.

5. Invite somebody to play you normally wouldn’t

Inclusivity.

This is BIG for disc golfers.

It was Henry B. Eyring who once famously said, “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.” I don’t know what disc golf does for you, but for me, it’s a form of therapy – I mean it. It’s nice to be alone with my thoughts during a solo round. Other times, however, having company makes things better.

The next time you decide to share 18 holes with a friend, try and get beyond your go-to group of buddies. You never know: Somebody in your circle might need to talk, while you listen.

* Honorable Mention: Snacks, towels, rangefinders and mini markers – share them.

I love giving good gifts.

Are you short on cash this holiday season, though?

Bypass flair for something of real substance. The above aren’t five of the flashiest gifts. In fact, the recipients rarely know they’re even getting something, which can be disheartening. The impact is there, though. It’s undeniable. Done right, that should put a smile on your face.

Merry Discmas.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Ricky Wysocki: Off-season speculation is a good thing
• PSA: Golf discs needs more than a penned PDGA number
• Disc golf: What it means to ‘play catch with the basket’ (and how to do it)

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