Review: ‘The Holy Shot’ (watch it before Worlds)

I’m not gonna lie …

Initially, when the PDGA sent me an email inviting me to watch “The Holy Shot” and do a quick write-up on my thoughts about it, I wasn’t all that pumped about putting digital pen to paper …

Understandably, disc golf wants to capitalize on its biggest moment – and that’s what it’s done. You can still buy a commemorative, blue-and-yellow Envy online. There are loads of ‘em in stock over on Infinite Discs. Commercials featuring Conrad’s clutch “field ace” are all but impossible to avoid on coverage. And the DGPT just released a film on Paige Pierce …

At Worlds. In Ogden. Where this happened.

Story fatigue, anyone?

I can, however, admit when I’m wrong.

I was wrong about this …

REALLY wrong.

Out of a fear of simply writing a summary of what “The Holy Shot” is about, I think it’s best to start by identifying the groups of people who stand to benefit most from watching this movie:

• Group No. 1 – Disc golfers who aren’t old enough to remember the game’s O.G. greats.
• Group No. 2 – Disc golfers with an interest in learning more about the game’s roots.
• Group No. 3 – Disc golfers wanting to relive the madness of the 2021 Worlds.

So, yeah …

All disc golfers.

But even if you’re not a disc golfer, you shouldn’t have a problem getting into this documentary. Complete with a bunch of old-timey footage, thanks to ABC’s previous work in this arena, it gives off strong “Wide World of Sports” vibes. Come on in, friends – the water’s warm.

The basic premise of the film is that disc golf has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. In a matter of decades, what started out as a way for free-thinking, tie-dye-clad hippies to get their kicks became a mega-intense sport, attracting the likes of the Rose Bowl, MTV, “The Price Is Right” (no joke) and “SportsCenter.” No longer a hobby, disc golf is serious business.

So serious, in fact, not even a pandemic could thwart its progress …

It accelerated it.

Here’s the TRUE beauty of the documentary, though:

Without bludgeoning viewers over the head with the same, tired narratives, “The Holy Shot” weaves the good (and the bad) of Ogden into the tapestry of disc golf’s history. In the beginning, I expected yawns and worn-out buzzphrases. Instead, I found myself feeling the EXACT same way I felt when James Conrad splashed that d*ng disc from the outskirts of Weber County …

Disbelief.

Here’s an ACTUAL quote from my wife – she watched, too:

“Check out the goosebumps on my arm – those are real.”

Coming off a weekend with no DGN coverage to speak of, I can’t think of a better way to prepare yourself for the show Emporia’s about to put on than watching “The Holy Shot.”

No, your arms’ skin follicles might not spring into action, but it’s impossible you not get amped for the 2022 Worlds. Furthermore, I’d add that, though “Fierce” was great in its own right …

This doc’s better.

With no additional cost, “The Holy Shot” is now available for all DGN subscribers.

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

Editor’s Suggestions:

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• Disc golf: In defense of the term ‘ball golf’
• Jeff Spring: How important is ‘standardization’ in pro disc golf?

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