Mini disc golf tournaments will forever look dumb

My intention isn’t to hurt anyone’s feelings.

I’m simply making an observation:

Mini disc golf can’t not look stupid.

It’s impossible.

I might even use the “R-word” for this one …

Ridiculous.

This screenshot proves my point:

That’s the 2018 version of Anthony Barela at the Mini Disc Golf World Championships. If you were unaware, full-blown, 18-hole rounds of disc golf can (and are) played with mini markers. The baskets are comically micro-sized to make the experience more official-feeling, as well.

In general, these are unsanctioned tourneys. Occasionally, however, when hosted as side events at actual Worlds, they’ll be granted X-tier status, meaning they use an “experimental format.”

But still …

They exist.

For a game that far too frequently must defend its “sport” status, the optics of the pint-sized edition aren’t doing it any favors. Let me give you a few examples from the greater sporting world: archery, hunting, biathlon, clay-pigeon shooting, etc. There are more, but the aforementioned are all respectable athletic pursuits within the “shooting” realm.

For the most dedicated athletes in each discipline, I can’t help but envision them rolling their eyes when they see something like this trending on X, which – for all the wrong reasons – did.

Behold …

WOW.
Mingus Reynolds of Texas Tech wins the NCAA National Championship in Wild West Mobility Shooting.

This is Texas Tech’s 11th National Championship in the sport. Is TTU a dynasty?

Here are the highlights: pic.twitter.com/6YR6wQr389

— Coach Beans (@CoachBeansTTU) December 25, 2023

“Mobility” shooting.

Not a good look.

Now before you go bundling your undies, I’m NOT saying mini disc golf isn’t hard or that it doesn’t require skill. But from a fan’s perspective, it’s boring, laughable and dare I say it …

Underwhelming.

I kiddeth not:

• Markers don’t fly far at all.
• Disc golfers look like literal giants.
• Chain-outs are an every-other-hole thing.
• It’s impossible to follow an airborne mini.
• An in-the-bag video runs about two seconds.

* Note: To see the above on full display with your own eyes, click here.

Mini disc golf is better suited for combating pandemic-era boredom, both inside the home, as well as in the backyard. It’d work nicely for entertainment at a three-year-old’s birthday party, too. And maybe a segment on “America’s Funniest Home Videos” from way back when.

Yet again …

Not a good look.

Miraculously, though, big-name guys do get involved with this: Gannon Buhr, Ezra Robinson, Thomas Gilbert, etc. They all partook in the 2020 Mini Disc Golf World Championships.

True to form, Barela won.

The field was seven golfers deep, so there’s lots of room for you to carve out a niche for yourself as a mini-marker specialist if real, big-boy disc golf hasn’t quite panned out. Listen, I admire the heck out of these guys, but this is one of those things I’ll let them enjoy without my support.

In need of a quick, immediate chuckle?

Anxious to instantly feel better about the direction of your life?

Mini disc golf will deliver.

It’s side-show material.

And at best.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

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• 5 ways pro disc golfers can improve their ‘in-the-bag’ videos
• Use this simple, homemade tool for getting golf discs out of trees

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