Backups suck.
The worst ones are most common during tournaments, which makes sense: There’s a group on every tee, problematic holes tend to log-jam and by nature, golfers slow their playing speed. Luckily, though I’m not an every-weekend kind of competitor, I’ve come to expect them.
They’re simply part of the tournament experience.
It’s casual disc golf that provides my least-favorite backup.
See if you can relate …
It’s Saturday morning. I’ve gotten up at the crack of dawn to avoid the weekend rush at one of my local courses. And speaking of courses, because it’s the weekend, and I’ve sacrificed sleep to get up early, I’m not heading to any regular, run-of-the-mill course – only the BEST for this trip.
As soon as I pull into the parking lot, though, I’m met with a disheartening visual …
There’s a line on the first hole.
And I’m not talking about one or two dudes picking their noses …
This backup is three to five groups deep.
If you’ve been here before, there’s a decision to be made:
- Choice No. 1 – You can wait it out.
- Choice No. 2 – You can bail and go elsewhere.
- Choice No. 3 – You can skip a few holes ahead to start playing.
I have the patience of a baby elephant, so the first option’s out.
The second is doable, but time is a precious commodity. In my experience, hopping back in the car and driving to another course chews up time that’s better spent throwing. Not to mention, while you’re busy guzzling gas, your new destination is getting busier by the minute.
Of the lot, the third option is most tempting.
Selfishly, I do it …
I hate myself for it.
As you well know, however busy a track might be, after a few holes, you start to find your groove with the course – there’s a natural flow to things. Faster groups play through, while slower groups fall behind. Without warning, the very thing that disrupts this crisp rhythm?
Some bozo “cutting in line” to avoid waiting on the first tee.
I’m the bozo; I don’t want to be the bozo.
There’s no obvious solution to this problem …
That’s why it’s a gripe.
#ShrinkTheSport
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Don’t beat yourself up. Any group that complains about a “single” playing thru was gonna find something to complain about. Wipe down your disc, have a sip of liquid refreshment, apply another layer of bug spray. Sometimes the “lone wolf” plays that hole with our group, then moves ahead to the next.
“Hey man, nice playing that hole with you. Hope you have a great round!”
Any advice that includes adding more bug spray is probably good advice …
Mosquitos suck.
Thanks for reading, Brad!
Travelled to Michigan last week to play Flip City, got there first was on hole like 3-4 when next group of 3 ppl shows up. I’m on hole like 11-12 then there is some bonus holes that come up mid course. Obviously I’ll probably only ever be here 1 time so I’m doing those. The group behind me skipped 3 of the bonus holes after playing 3 of them. To cut directly in front of me as I finish the 6th bonus hole. Idk if I’ve ever seen worse course etiquette in my 5-6 years of this stuff. I’m by myself, only throwing once and a group of 3 cuts directly in front of me so I had to wait on the tee for them on every hole to finish out the course.
You know the pain all too well, Jay …
Yeah, if you’re gonna cut-in-line, be as strategic about it as possible.
Kudos for being patient, though.
If you’re not going to get to play the course often, worth the wait!