If everybody loves what you’re doing, you’re not doing much of anything …
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Recently, I fired off the following on the Green Splatter Twitter account:
Creative tap-ins shouldn’t be present on the Pro Tour.
— Green Splatter (@GreenSplatter) December 22, 2022
That tweet was MY doing – I own it.
I expected some backlash, but hardly to the degree it came flying back in my face. People’s feelings were hurt – they somehow managed to take the tweet personally. There were claims Moses himself couldn’t have foreseen: rage-baiting, fun-killing and riding ball golf’s coattails.
Unbundle those undies of yours, dear friend …
For starters, if you don’t know what I mean by “creative tap-in,” it’s a trend some of the less-clever disc golfers on the Pro Tour insist upon furthering. Basically, instead of simply dropping the disc in the basket from six inches away like an adult, the gimmick is to get cute with things: Around-the-back, under-the-leg and twirly tap-ins – they’re all fair game, tragically.
Pump the brakes there, Gibraltar – disc golf needn’t be ball golf. It is wise, though, to follow in the footsteps of a proven business model, especially when it’s owned by a like-minded sport. Still, disc golf can differ – and in all sorts of wild-n-wacky ways, if that’s your flavor.
Have fun.
Grow a beard. Rock a mullet. Dye discs like a mad. Dress like you’re headed to Coachella. There are rules in place, but they leave LOTS of wiggle room for individuality. I don’t love all of it …
But I’ll survive.
Where I do have an issue with the “fun” side of things is when they’re more dumb than fun – and any sane person would agree. But even if I spot you “dumb” in this argument, you’ll yet have to account for the ZERO skill a quirky tap-in requires – it’s the overtold joke of the sport …
Guaranteed to force a half-smile or a charity chuckle from cardmates, but not much else.
Sorry, Joel Freeman.
If Pro Tour peeps want to have fun, show off and maintain professionalism, throw a crazy roller, huck an unexpected thumber, skip a disc off the water or bust out the ol’ chicken wing …
This tap-in junk is infantile.
To reference another sport, remember when Mario Balotelli toured the United States with Manchester City back in 2011? Incredibly, THIS is the most viral moment of the guy’s career …
The result?
Boos from a crowd that felt “talked down to” and horrible PR for one of the world’s most storied clubs. Balotelli was promptly pulled from the game and received an earful from his manager.
Nothing can be done about this tap-in business. They’re legal; there’s no foot fault. And it’s not like anybody’s life is in jeopardy. But man, it’s hard not to roll your eyes when you see this kind of feature-card theater on the professional stage of a sport with Olympic aspirations …
Undoubtedly gripe-worthy.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc golf: A nod to trees everywhere
- Disc golf: Most aces are bad throws (that get lucky)
- Building a bag? Keep it simple (and cut out the fluff)
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