Woah, woah, woah – pump the brakes there, Junior …
Nobody’s saying the widespread love, support and acceptance that make disc golf the best sport on earth are somehow evil. Too much of a good thing, though, can be a bad thing – especially at the professional level. This is hardly me dropping an editorial A-bomb on you …
This year alone, Green Splatter has written about the following:
- Contract disparity being good for the sport.
- Disc golf needing far more intense, individual rivalries.
- The Disc Golf Network’s (DGN) commentators needing to be more critical.
Nobody died when those pieces went live; nobody’s going to die this time around, either.
In this article, I want to continue the “too nice” conversation, looping in a few different aspects of the professional scene. By way of example, travel back with me briefly to the four playoff holes at the end of the Las Vegas Challenge between Drew Gibson and Gannon Buhr …
Buhr’s sportsmanship was off the charts – nothing wrong with that, of course.
But quickly, it got to the point where it was TOO much, if you can believe it. After literally every tee shot, approach or putt – as long as Buhr and Gibson were at least somewhat in the vicinity of one another – Buhr was there for Gibson with a fist-bump or words of encouragement …
At the time, I was watching coverage with a close buddy of mine. He knew I was big into disc golf, so I invited him over to try and get him hooked, too. Gannon’s over-the-top kindness was SO frequent and SO apparent, that my buddy – again, a first-time viewer – straight-up said:
“Dude, that kid needs to get off Drew’s jock – he’s got a tournament to win.”
I’d noticed the same thing, but didn’t think to really say anything about it …
In fact, the good-natured high-fivetry was so persistent that there was a time or two when the exchanges got awkward. You know how it goes: Somebody goes in for knuckles, while the other dude’s just saluting the crowd. Rectifying that situation looks mega-weird every time …
Like this, actually:
Drew’s trying to win a big-time tournament – let him focus solely on that. Given the magnitude of the moment, all else was a distraction. There was plenty of time for pleasantries afterwards.
That’s one example – here’s another:
Last weekend, after Paige Pierce’s come-from-behind takedown of Kristin Tattar at the PDGA Champions Cup, Terry Miller was immediately by her side with a mic in her grill, ready to nab her two cents on the victory. Remember: Kristin’s brutal four-putt just lost her a major title …
Here’s how that interview went down:
"If I lose I still am out here doing what I love,"
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) April 17, 2022
We caught up with @ppierce29190 on the green of 18 after the round: pic.twitter.com/J0EboCJE2W
Please note the following: Paige’s answer was brave – I genuinely admire that …
I couldn’t agree less with it, though.
In life, she’s spot-on: Success ISN’T winning. It’s being out and about – doing what you love. As a professional disc golfer, though, success IS winning – like, that’s literally the point. It’s why galleries follow you; it’s why fans buy your discs; it’s why sponsors pay you the big bucks.
It’s a bad look, but I’m gonna side with Mr. Pierce on this one.
Still, that’s NOT the end of it – hardly egregious, but this is amateur-division stuff, as well:
- Players shake hands to kick things off after the two-minute warning.
- During play, they incessantly congratulate good shots and uplift after bad ones.
- On the last hole, again, they do the whole high-five thing – the round’s not even over.
- Heck, we’ve got DGN announcers notifying competitors of rules violations to help out.
And courtesy of Hunter Thomas, one more from the professional scene for good measure …
Why are we celebrating last cash at the cost of the winner? Should the difference between cashing and not really be bigger than the difference between top 15 and last cash? pic.twitter.com/0uPN9mkUsm
— Hunter Thomas (@FDG_Hunter_T) April 15, 2022
That’s flat-out atrocious – borderline embarrassing, really.
Combine each of the above, and – as I see it, at least – yeah, professional disc golf’s too nice. The good news is that there are way worse problems for an up-and-coming sport to have.
As a fan, writer and amateur, when I take to pro disc golf, I do it for the competition: I want the BEST to go at the BEST with the BEST they have – I also want to see them rewarded for it.
And when they come up short, I want the intensity to increase at the next tournament. Be kind. Be supportive. Be courteous. But man, don’t let it take away from the sport at the top level …
Keep your “warm and fuzzy” – inject more M.J. in “The Last Dance” into my pro disc golf.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Enjoyed this very much. I’ve been saying for years that Disc Gold needs a bad guy. Not to turn it into pro wrestling, but to have some smack talk, some genuine dis-like among players will draw interest. Who are the prime candidates? Nico, Brodie, Ricky, even Paul perhaps, reminding everyone how many titles he has more often than necessary? Any number of young hot-shot up and comers whose names I don’t even know yet? But yes, inject some buzz, create some interest. The long time Disc Golf fans are not going to like the future of Disc Golf, they are going to need to get on board.
Ron, all you have to do is read through these comments, and I think you’ll see that you’re right …
Please don’t misunderstand, though: I don’t think Taylor (he doesn’t have backend access) is trying to say that being rude is the way to go …
Just that the game (which 100% plays for money) should be that much more serious.
It’s not a carnival – for these guys, it’s a career.
Interesting take, but you’re wrong.
Would be interested in hearing your argument, Donovan.
To Taylor, yeah, I agree. Maybe at the lower amateur levels that stuff isn’t as big a deal. After all, we’re pushing baby strollers and using second hand gear down here in AM4… we don’t take ourselves too seriously. But at the top, competitiveness- in a healthy dose- drives the sport. If players didn’t want to beat their opponents, it would be a trick-shot show instead of a competitive, regulated event. Players like Nikko, PM, and Eagle wear their passion on their sleeves out on the course. PM uses that “chip-on-the-shoulder” energy all the time, just like MJ, and it’s one of the reasons why he is the best (look what he said after wining the memorial tourney this year… geez). Frankly, I think it comes off as a bit arrogant at times, which I’m okay with.
Otherwise, as a black male (yeah, we’re going there), I take kindly to any community that wants to increase approachability, equal opportunity, and general kindness. So for the 99% of us flinging plastic on the weekends, sure, let’s keep it more affable than not. But for truly elite, touring athletes, I want to see them crush courses and make some cash while not apologizing for the reason they’re on the pro tour- to be #1.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Hudson!
Two things I REALLY liked that you presented:
1) We’re talking about professional disc golf – NOT amateur stuff.
2) You mentioned the phrase “in healthy doses.”
Couldn’t agree more, dude – hope you stop by again real soon 🙂
NoooOOOoooOOOooo, Donovan!
We lost you on this one?
I’ll let Taylor know. Haha.
I disagree it’s a relief to have a sport not totally filled with complete jerks. There’s nice and welcoming people willing to help others out. Also way to target a teenage kid..
Kage, thanks for reading!
Make sure to not confuse amateur disc golf with professional disc golf …
This article focuses 100% on professional disc golf – nothing more.
BTW, Gannon’s a friend of Green Splatter -check this out: https://bit.ly/3t3xFxo
Have a great day!
Don’t try to explain or apologize to the vermin of the outrage club. They are a generation of children who never grew up and are colicky 24/7. We have raised the worst generation.
Is DG too nice? Elaine King and who. Why bring color into the picture.
Thanks for reading, Norman!
Sorry, didn’t quite understand that second part …
What do you mean by “color,” exactly?
Don’t follow – fill me in!
Thanks 🙂
Take your aggressive, winning is the only thing mentality somewhere else. It’s not needed here.
Take it somewhere else … ?
Where, exactly?
Like, our own blog, perhaps?
Thanks for visiting Green Splatter – though we might not agree, we love that you gave our piece a read 🙂
If winning isn’t what motivates Paige good for her. I play disc golf for the love of it and many others do as well. I think the sport does need more rivalry. I’ve always wondered who would make the best “villain” of the sport. Certainly fans root against players they’d rather not see win. But unlikable players seem far and few between in this sport. But I’m only watching what is posted on You Tube. So maybe rivalry exists and we just aren’t exposed to it.
Right, but if Paige were to stop winning, you think she’d be okay with that?
Doubtful.
It’s easier to talk about winning not being that big of a deal when you win all the time.
Also, you’re right on the “rivalries” thing – we wrote about it not too long ago: https://bit.ly/3r6O5mN
Give that a read, and let me know what you think – it looks like we’re probably on the same page with that stuff 🙂
Wow, I absolutely think that you are very wrong. The “niceness” of disc golf is a refreshing break from other so-called sports, and I thought Gannon’s actions were nothing but good sportsmanship, something I find lacking in all major sports….Gannon seemed more like every Disc Golfer I’ve played with,focused and genuinely happy with a competitors success.
Thanks for your comment, Kevin!
Gannon’s a good due – there’s no doubt about it …
To each his own.
Nope.
Although I do understand that some people like the “mean” side of competition. The problem is people take it way too far, a lot more often than they are too nice. I will always choose to promote kindness first.
The other issue is this is an individua sport. Nobody is playing defense. Very rarely another players score will force people to play more risky shots, that’s it.
Please don’t misinterpret …
If somebody takes this the other way and is a complete and total jerk or nuisance out on the course, they’ve 100% missed the mark.
In either direction, extremes are problematic.
I think it is easier to be nice to each other and congratulatory because the only reason you do bad or good is because of you. It is not like other sports where you have to play defense against someone and if they are doing well it is because you can’t stop them. I guess unless you are trying to play mental games and throw the other people on your card off their game. In disc golf you are really playing against yourself so it is harder to be upset with anyone but yourself if you are losing. Maybe you think being congratulatory will keep your competitors in too good of a mood and keep them playing well. I do think the niceness is overdone sometimes but for the most part it is a nice part of the game.
Nick, of all the comments this post has received, THIS is one of the best …
That’s a really, REALLY good point – it’s also one we hadn’t considered, either.
I’m referring to the whole “playing against yourself” thing.
While I don’t think disc golf is ENTIRELY a “playing against yourself sport,” undeniably, there are aspects of that.
Its a golf game, there is no need for ‘the bad guy” take your edge elsewhere. As an avid spectator, I already have an invested interest in the outcome.
Nothing wrong with that, Mark!
What’s most important is that you’re loving the game you’re watching …
Couldn’t be happier for you, brotha!
First Time Reader
I’ve often thought that even down in the novice level where I play that the niceness level of this game is way over the top. Make a good shot nice throw.
Make a great shot same thing Almost sink that 40 footer good run, nice try… It’s one thing to be supportive, but to nice virtually every shot come on.
At the professional level it’s supposed to be super competitive , do you really need to pump your competition perhaps to your detriment? I’m not encouraging them to become total jerks but damn Duke players don’t high five tarheels. I guess that part of the reason I couldn’t care less about the pro end of this game.
Thanks for reading (and commenting), Kevin – happy to have you onboard as a reader!
And you’re right: Being competitive doesn’t mean being a jerk, rude or annoying.
Just compete. That’s all.
Nothing wrong with that.