This used to be one of the sexier hashtags in disc golf: #GrowTheSport
You don’t see it as much these days, though …
Who knew all that was needed was a global pandemic to boost the sport’s popularity?
The #GrowTheSport campaign might not be as strong as it once was, but I still do my part. No joke, I talk disc golf with just about anybody willing to listen. And if I’m clever, I’m often able to trick a friend or two into coming with me to a nearby course to see what all the fuss is about.
My biggest success story?
The wifey.
That was six years ago, and she STILL bombs.
My wife’s an angel incarnate. Don’t let the smile fool you, though: She’s not above telling me what I do wrong and where I need to improve – and in painstaking detail. The process of me converting her to disc golf was one of those things. I made some mistakes along the way …
Here are three things I learned from her:
1. Don’t force form on new disc golfers
When you take somebody out to the course, they’re going to spend time with you, get outside and have some fun along the way – they’re NOT planning on quitting their job, abandoning their family, buying an RV and dedicating every waking moment to qualifying for USDGC next year.
Show ‘em the basics of a backhand or forehand – nothing more. Resist the urge to impart every piece of knowledge you’ve spent years acquiring. Let them round. Let them roll their wrist. Let them attempt a run-up. And my personal favorite, yes – let them throw a 12-speed driver …
The world won’t end.
If / When they want your help, they’ll ask – from there, go crazy.
2. Don’t point out rules violations to new disc golfers
Do rules matter during sanctioned rounds of disc golf? Yes, of course.
Do rules matter during random, happy-go-lucky rounds of casual disc golf in Crocs?
Not in the slightest.
If your friend steps off the front of the teepad on a drive, let it happen. Should a buddy (literally) walk in a putt from five feet, you’ll survive – they couldn’t care less about the sanctity of “The Circle.” And if they take a few mulligans, more power to ‘em – they’re just getting comfy.
There’s a time and a place for cracking open the PDGA rulebook with a legal pad and highlighter by your side: day one, hour zero ISN’T that time. In my experience, a discussion about rules tends to come up naturally. If you force the issue, you end up looking like a total tool …
Gross.
3. Don’t take things too seriously with new disc golfers
I’m not referring to their game, by the way – I’m talking about your own.
It pains me to say this, but literally the ONLY thing my style of play shares with Eagle McMahon’s is my ability to pout when things don’t go my way – it’s a real problem …
I’m working on it.
When playing with a first-time disc golfer, whether you have it or not, you might feel pressure to show them what “talent” looks like. Smacking trees, missing fairways, losing discs, air-mailing 15-foot putts and launching into profanity-laced tirades doesn’t help deliver that message …
In fact, all it does is paint you out to be a complete psychopath.
As my dad used to tell me growing up, “Not everything’s about you.”
This is one of those times.
I made the above mistakes …
Thankfully, you don’t have to – be cool out on the course with a first-timer. The best thing you can do is encourage and provide a positive, fun experience. If it’s supposed to “stick,” it will.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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