Within disc golf’s tight-knit community, the sport seems HUGE …
Outside of it, however, people either don’t know what it is or think it’s idiotic.
To quote Shawn Spencer from Psych, “I’ve heard it both ways.”
Let’s take a look at why that’s the case:
1. Disc golf attracts weirdos
I’ve met some of the best people in my life through disc golf. At the same time, some of the strangest people I’ve met in my life, I’ve met through disc golf. Superficially, here’s what’s perhaps craziest of all: Those people are often one and the same – this isn’t unique to me.
Check this out:
- Disc golf is free.
- The gear is dirt-cheap.
- Courses are always open.
While far from a bullet-proof truth, oftentimes, the peeps with little disposable income or nowhere to be during the workday aren’t quite up to “society’s standards” – whatever that means. The homeless dude, the fraternity bro and the out-of-work hippie? Yeah, they can huck like mad.
You’re gonna get some free-thinkers …
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2. The culture is (was*) questionable
If you use disc golf as a means through which you can publicly smoke a doobie under the cover of darkness, more power to you – it’s no concern of mine. It is, however, an understandable concern of the parents who live in the neighborhood surrounding the course you frequent …
For better or worse, disc golf’s roots are firmly entrenched in the age of free love, “flower power” and Woodstock. It’s been decades, but because of it, outsiders still associate the sport with long hair, hammocks, campervans, not paying taxes and avoiding the nine-to-five grind.
[crickets]
And if you think I’m nuts, The Babylon Bee LITERALLY wrote about disc golf this week …
You know the content without reading it.
3. Frisbees are for dogs and children – not athletes
This one drives me bonkers …
How often do you get this interrogation from an old-timer?
“Do you really need all those frisbees?”
I never have the heart to tell the guy my 15-ish frisbees are but a blip on the disc-obsessed radar. Should he (or any of his VA buddies) ever encounter someone with a fully-loaded ZÜCA cart, I’m not so certain he wouldn’t drop dead right on the spot – the shock would be too much.
Those not familiar with disc golf imagine the sport as a relaxing, light-hearted way to spend a post-church Sunday afternoon – on par with scrapbooking, perhaps. And if you don’t believe me, think back to the way non-disc golfers reacted on Twitter in 2020 when they saw caddies toting the bags of professional disc golfers on CBS Sports. For them, frisbees are children’s toys …
There’s ZERO difference between a golf disc and a slinky.
4. Disc golf is one of those slow, methodical sports
Ball golf is dying with young people. Heck, in recent years, Bryce Harper single-handedly took it upon himself to “make baseball fun again.” Less actual baseball – more WWE theatrics, really.
Disc golf isn’t loud noises, flashing lights and girls in bikinis …
It’s skill, patience and mental endurance.
If you’re not willing to give the game a chance, the jokes write themselves.
5. Disc golf gets in the way (and people don’t like it)
Full disclosure, I 110% get this one …
Townspeople don’t go to the park to have their picnics, family reunions and pickup volleyball games peppered by kamikaze frisbees. Disc golfers don’t own parks. The very people they bark at or throw-in on have just as much right to be there as they do – I’m to blame for this, as well.
Also, quick side note …
If you throw a disc into somebody’s backyard, there’s no better way to have your precious course plucked right out from under you by the city than hopping the fence to retrieve your shank-job.
Not a good look.
The good news, though?
All it takes is ONE naysayer picking up a disc for the first time …
Everything changes after that.
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You could have said just about anything after the Psych reference and I would have liked it. C’mon son!
While bashing on DG is still a thing I have definitely noticed a greater, post-Covid awareness of the sport. The anecdotal data seems to point towards a shift away from the standard perception of the “type” of person who plays disc golf. This shift appears to correlate with the influx of Covid-era (is it too soon to call it an era?) players who fell in love with the sport and did not embody the stereotypes often associated with a narrative that, while lasting, is no longer as representative of the sport.
The best part is that, of the wildly diverse group of people I get to throw with, I can’t think of a single one who would put in the effort to care about someone outside the sport bashing on DG.
As Shawn Spencer would say, “They can suck it.”
Collin, my wife looks like “Jules.”
That was the only box that needed to be checked – we’ve been together ever since 🙂
But in all seriousness, I have to agree with what you’re saying …
The “hippie” vibes are slowly dying – people are starting to see disc golf for what it is, which is great!
Thanks for reading and commenting – stop by whenever you like!