Gripe No. 60: Over-the-top profanity on the disc golf course

Yes, I’m from Utah.

Why do you ask?

Call it whatever you like:

• Cursing
• Vulgarity
• Profanity
• Swearing

I’m not a fan – it’s not my style.

Now if it’s your style, I’ve got no problem with it.

You’re under no obligation to live your life the way I live mine. Truth be told, if you did, the world would probably be a more boring place for it. Without a doubt, the choir boy is by no means better than the foul-mouthed sailor. This includes everybody in-between, of course.

At an early age, my grandmother drilled into me the following:

“Ignorant people are profane, because they need an obvious way to express anger.”

Grandma could always be a bit tongue-in-cheek, so if you like to let four-letter words fly, rest assured, you’re not ignorant. Your vocabulary might need some work, but you’re not ignorant.

I’ve heard the whole “words-are-just-words” argument from the likes of Joe Rogan. The idea is that words are incapable of inflicting bodily harm, so if you don’t like them, ignore them. “Sticks and stones” are what you should worry about, not some potty-tongued loser on social media.

There’s truth to this.

Make no mistake about it, though …

Words are powerful.

And given the impressive state of Rogan’s tax bracket, I assume he’d agree on that much, as well. As both a podcaster and comedian, he’s built a media empire on the backs of his own.

In fact, so powerful are words, when I’m doing something as trivial as disc golf and some guy in my group clanks a 15-footer off the front of the basket and proceeds to get overwhelmingly colorful with his verbiage, the mood of the card quickly changes – and NOT for the better.

If “good vibes” are worth protecting, over-the-top profanity is a great way to murder them right on the spot. Before you blow a gasket, keep in mind that I’m not talking about a muffled F-bomb or the occasional string of silent cowboy curses or anything. Rather, I’m referring to the kind of vulgarity that’d have your P.O.W. grandfather blushing his way through a double-take.

Let’s get real about this:

• It’s attention-seeking.
• It’s immature.
• It’s selfish.

It turns disc golf into a sideshow attraction, too.

And wouldn’t you know it, the guy (or gal) throwing the verbal hissy-fit is the star. When your cardmates are more focused on your contention-filled temper tantrum than their own play, the whole “words-are-just-words” philosophy starts to crumble. Also, just for the record, it’s possible to do this without cursing – you can totally be a tool with everyday lingo.

If you’ve got some rage inside, let it out in an appropriate, subdued fashion.

For you, maybe that’s a well-timed [bleep].

Just keep it to yourself and get on with the round.

The rest of us have enough problems as it is.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

• SportsCenter: Disc golf has a long way to go
• Wildly inconsistent disc runs aren’t unique to Innova
• Pro Tour spectators: Leave your disc golf bags at home

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