I couldn’t be less familiar with the culture of toe wrestling, camel jumping or chess boxing. And yes, those are real “sports.” Seriously, take to Google or YouTube for a bit – see for yourself.
What I DO know from first-hand experience, however, is the culture of disc golf. The sport’s roots are firmly entrenched in tie-dye soil: bare feet, long hair and campervans. This isn’t the 70s anymore, though. Much to the frustration of Frolfer Magazine, disc golf’s as corporate as ever …
Still, one cultural, “free-love” aspect has stood the test of time:
Disc golfers are OBSESSED with the growth of the sport – they want to share it.
I often wonder, however, if the “hype-man” mentality most disc golfers have towards the sport’s growth is more of a knee-jerk reaction than a sincere one. Like, it’s expected of them, and they’ve been at this whole “discing” thing for so long, they can’t help but promote the game they love.
And with reason – there’s plenty of good to go along with disc golf in the mainstream.
The good of growth
Queue the Bananas in Pyjamas: Sharing is caring.
When more people play disc golf, the community is strengthened. Also, if you’ve ever told somebody you’re a disc golfer and they looked at you like you knit with grandma on the weekends, you know the sport could use more respect – more recognition, perhaps.
Recognition: That’s a BIG one.
The more recognizable the sport, the bigger the pool of players. The bigger the pool of players, the more talented the professional field becomes. The more talented the professional field becomes, the bigger the audience gets – tons of money, better deals, sexier stages, etc.
Mark my words: Before I’m dead, disc golf will break into the Summer Olympic Games.
Here’s the thing, though …
Everybody’s all “butterflies and rainbows” until the growth of disc golf actually infringes on their day-to-day experience with the sport – that’s when people start having REAL issues.
The inevitable downside
If you’ve complained about the Disc Golf Network’s dirt-cheap paywall, take cover …
You’re not ready for what’s coming:
- Reality Check No. 1 – Live disc golf will mean commercials – lots of ‘em.
- Reality Check No. 2 – Rounds at your local course will cost actual cash-money.
- Reality Check No. 3 – Apparel, discs and bags: Yeah, those prices will skyrocket, too.
- Reality Check No. 4 – Think Memorial Day is busy? Wait until D.G. hits the big time.
- Reality Check No. 5 – That “family” vibe with pro golfers will 100% be Gonzo Alonzo.
And man, if you hate all of our “hot takes” (more lukewarm) on Twitter, wait until Skip Bayless takes an interest in what Paul McBeth eats for breakfast – this is when h*ck freezes over.
Be honest with yourself: Are YOU ready for all that?
Whether you like it or not, it doesn’t matter …
It’s happening: Brace for impact.
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The sport is much better for players than fans—- courses have almost no fan space, and tv/video is a challenge because many of the best parts of the courses have hidden lines. All of this leads to a Barnstorming Tour that is closer to a Traveling Circus than a League or Tour.
Player compensation is all about selling discs as traveling salespeople. Combined with social media, this provides the players with enough profile to sell discs and ad traffic. The tour itself would barely provide enough winnings to support an athlete on winnings—— winning EVERY Tournament would not be a “great income”, especially considering the costs.
So, you’re talented at disc golf and you run away from home to chase a dream… leaving on scraps in a van. You find out that you need to sell discs and produce content. It’s a very thin slice
Thanks for chiming in, E-Rock!
VERY, VERY “thin slice,” as you’ve put it …
TBH, though, based on your description, it sounds like the sport isn’t all that great for fans or players, you know?
Fans, with the live spectating.
And players, in that it’s all but impossible to make a full-time living if you’re not one of “the greats.”
Regardless, agree wholeheartedly with what you’ve written – thanks for reading!
Talk soon 🙂
I have recently given up on disc golf and turned in all my stuff because of this move. I see it as a marketing / money grab that has lead me in the past to abandon other sports for the same reason. Courses are now becoming crammed with the same attitude I tried to escape by going to disc golf in the first place back in the late 90’s. It was a nice way to get outdoors, and have something to do other than run, bike, etc… The last few times I was out, I heard about my rounding, some other stuff about snap, and to the point where I was just bombarded constantly with suggestions of correction. That type of mentality just made me completely stop going. I don’t compete. I have no desire to compete. I have much better things to consume my time than practicing to throw a round piece of plastic for recreational outdoors time outside.
At one point my kid was interested in disc golf, so we actually attended an event where I kept score and he got to tag along. The event needed help, and we decided to forego our spectator tickets and pitch in. After this new mentality came into play, the signup to volunteer turned into a consolidated sign-up and just a headache of guidelines that to me seemed ridiculous and unnecessary.
Problem lies in people’s values. The same ignorant mentality of if I buy this disc, or these shoes, that {xxxx} wears, I can have the opportunity to achieve their level. If this was true, how is Ricky still one of the top players after having thrown how many different brands? These mentalities fail to realize that it’s not about the equipment or what you can buy, but based on talents and genetics. No matter what you buy, you will never 100% throw like {xxxx}, have the timing of {xxxx}, or the thought process to make shots like {xxxx}.
When I look at professional athlete’s salaries and etc… I always say the same thing. When you’ve had a bad day and you are in car accident in the ditch, who do you think is more important. The $5M / year athlete or the $50K / year paramedic. One of these people might be fun to watch, but the other is there to save your life. Which of these would you like to see approaching you while you’re in the ditch? Are you checking to see if your paramedic is wearing a pair of Air Jordan shoes? Are you checking or concerned with if they are carrying the lastest Luna in their bag?
But like everything else $$ will always determine the outcome in the end. Disc manufacturers will gladly go with supply / demand to up prices accordingly based on the simple but successful time tested popularity contest. Have to strive to be the new Disc Homecoming King. Welcome to high school, Disc Golf!
Damon, two things:
1) I appreciate you reading.
2) I appreciate you commenting.
You’ve written some great stuff here!
While I’m not opposed to the growth (and commercialization) of disc golf, if that’s your reason for getting into it, I can understand your frustration …
Perhaps things will settle down in a post-COVID setting?
Don’t sell all that plastic quite yet …
Hang onto it, just in case you change your mind 🙂
– Reality Check No. 1 – Live disc golf will mean commercials – lots of ‘em.
What do you mean? DGN is full of it even behind paywall.
– Reality Check No. 2 – Rounds at your local course will cost actual cash-money.
Pure speculation.
– Reality Check No. 3 – Apparel, discs and bags: Yeah, those prices will skyrocket, too.
Pure speculation.
– Reality Check No. 4 – Think Memorial Day is busy? Wait until D.G. hits the big time.
So what?
– Reality Check No. 5 – That “family” vibe with pro golfers will 100% be Gonzo Alonzo.
Pure speculation once again.
I have never really understood what is so sexy on bad news, but I will always vote for keeping some reality connection and evidence/argument based discussion. This is just spreading a false fear.
Thanks for reading!
Wait, so ALL of those things you labeled “pure speculation” just now …
You think NONE of that is happening?
* You don’t think there are more courses now that cost money than there were 10 years ago?
* You don’t think the cost of disc golf is more expensive now than it was 10 years ago?
* You don’t think pro disc golfers are more close off than they were 10 years ago?
* You don’t think courses are more busy now than they were 10 years ago?
I’m pretty sure those are GIVEN across the board …
Right?