As a disc golf talent, Luke Humphries is legit …
Screw talent, though – the guy just oozes “cool” while playing.
After yesterday’s second-place finish at the Waco Annual Charity Open, for the time being, he’s the current DGPT points leader. But here at Green Splatter, we like to focus on the “hard-hitting” stuff – the following are four reasons Luke Humphries is flat-out cooler than you …
Assuming your ego (and disc golf game) can handle it, keep reading:
1. He plays slowly and under control
Watch Humphries throw a hole or two, and this’ll be one of the first things you notice …
No matter the stakes, situation or how well he’s playing, the guy’s cool, calm and collected out on the course. He does this emotionally, but it’s the physical control that’s most admirable.
Compare Humphries’ style with what James Conrad does. Conrad’s run a half-marathon and thrown out his back before reaching the end of the teepad. That’s fine – it clearly works for him. Luke’s routine, however, is probably a better fit for most amateurs, though.
In the wise words of Dynamic Discs’ Danny Lindhal:
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is far.”
Which brings me to my second point …
2. He bombs, but not really – see above
Compared to you and me, the dude bombs. Heck, only two weeks back, he took fourth at the 2022 Las Vegas Challenge. As you know, that tournament’s no place for “noodle arms.”
Compared to the likes of Simon Lizotte, Garrett Gurthie and most of the more mortal “big arms” on tour, shockingly – he can’t bomb. Here’s the thing about Luke and his distance, though …
If he wanted to consistently hit 500-plus feet, he absolutely could – it’s just not practical.
To do so would require that he compromise the sanctity of the first point in this article – playing smart, deliberate and well-managed disc golf. Watch Paul McBeth throw a short drive. Then, watch him huck a disc as hard as he can – the pace and aggression of his run-up changes.
Pay attention: For Humphries, whether throwing 250 feet or 550 feet, nothing changes …
He knows what works; he sticks with it.
Yeah, he might sacrifice some distance, but “cool guys don’t look at explosions,” anyway.
3. He dresses like a hipster at a rap battle
I might’ve had my doubts about Luke’s attire, initially …
Wait a minute … pic.twitter.com/GmZl8v50wy
— Green Splatter (@GreenSplatter) March 13, 2022
Miraculously, in 48-ish hours, it’s grown on me – really grown on me.
If you’ve followed his work on social media, you know Luke’s known for his fedora, sunglasses, half-beard and mustache. At WACO, however, things took a turn for the corporate – the fedora was gone. And the waxed mustache and 5 o’clock shadow were nowhere to be found, either …
What was left, exactly?
Picture “8 Mile” Eminem in H&M threads with a D2 instead of a Glock – cool to the max.
4. He’s made disc golf his life (in multiple ways)
This is the dream, isn’t it?
The talent’s always been there, but for years, that’s not what Luke’s been known for:
- He’s the “OTB Tour Skins” dude.
- He’s the host of GK Pro’s “Go Throw Show” podcast.
- He’s the guy who called firsthand that one Kevin Jones ace.
- He’s the owner of the dog in all of those disc golf videos on Youtube.
Luke’s not naive – he’s aware of his reputation …
During the 51st “OTB Tour Skins” in Las Vegas, a hot mic caught him whispering this:
“I’ve been practicing a ton, though, this year. I kind of got known for the media last year. And I want to flip the script a little bit.”
With the exception of owning a dog, the aforementioned bullet points?
They each pay Humphries for his work – and it’s all in disc golf. Furthermore, as prophesied by the man himself, Luke’s Pro Tour play nabbed him a cool $1,950 in Vegas, as well as $4,200 in Waco. With talent and momentum on his side, there will be plenty more where that came from.
You can’t spell “fluke” without “Luke,” but in this case, that’s just coincidental wordplay …
Besides, rightfully so, Humphries is too cool to care.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
