In life, there are a few labels you want to avoid at all costs.
Right off the top of my head, here are four of them:
- Crazy.
- Racist.
- Addict.
- Californian.
You know, the stock stuff.
There’s a label in disc golf that’s worth sidestepping, too.
Chucker.
You don’t want to be one. You don’t want to play a round with one. And you sure as heck don’t want your kids hanging out with one after school, either. Admittedly, how you define “chucker” will depend on where you’re from. First, there’s the less common, but more kind definition.
Chuckers of this type tend to travel in packs and frequent public disc golf courses. In this instance, the “chucker” name comes from the way they attack a nine- or 18-hole layout.
And each other, in a roundabout way.
Instead of taking turns teeing off, approaching and putting like adults, en masse, these newbie disc golfers prefer to throw when the mood strikes them. Before their discs have even touched back down, another in the group launches. Soon, like a swarm of plastic-slinging gnats, they zip down the fairway, somehow managing to technically complete an entire round of disc golf.
And all this while having their faces buried in their smartphones the entire time, miraculously dodging friendly-fire frisbees left and right en route to each basket where they might tap-out.
Making TikTok Videos > Throwing Golf Discs
You know the type.
You’ve seen them dealt with them before.
Again, that’s the first definition.
I’ll introduce the second by way of a quick, hypothetical “in-the-bag” list.
Check it out:
- One putter.
- One 12-speed.
- Five cold beers.
- Something sharp.
- Something illegal.
- Something for graffiti.
And trash.
Everywhere.
THIS is the “chucker” with which I’m most familiar. And I’m not alone. As I understand it, within the disc golf community, this is the more common interpretation of the title, as well.
In addition to the aforementioned gear, this chucker’s notorious for a few not-so-desirable traits. Being loud and obnoxious is a given. Traditionally, these dudes have zero regard for the game’s etiquette. They’re also experts in the ways of breaking things – vandalism, to be more specific.
And finally …
They (usually) suck at the sport.
This isn’t just a disc golf thing, either. Ball golf has its own term for the same losers: They’re “duffers.” Naturally, this encompasses all of the above, but with a polo shirt and trust fund.
The bottom line?
Behave.
Otherwise, you run the risk of adopting an entirely new kind of label …
I’ll give you two hints as to what it is:
- It doesn’t need defining.
- It rhymes with “chucker.”
Stay on the straight and narrow, friends.
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Californian checking in.
Ahhh!
Ya it sucks being about to throw discs 365 days a year in shorts. The weather tax is high but worth it
Haha!
Fair enough!
If my state makes me pay a tax for the weather I’m out 😜Im not paying taxes for the amount of sun I see some people are so desperate to steal they lable it a tax and some people are dumb enough to pay it rather than fight their local legislation to get the tax bill removed
Oh thad. There’s no sun tax in California.
That’s just a joke to explain our high cost of living. It’s expensive to live here but the weather is perfect 350 days a year. So we joke…. The cost of living is our tax for 73 and partly cloudy. Get it?
A duffer in ball golf is just a mediocre golfer, who might have a beverage on the course but they are not vandalizing or destroying the course. Never.
If you’re vandalizing any golf course, golf or disc you’re not a chucker, you’re a criminal.
You’re also an a-hole.
Yeah, might’ve “massaged” that definition a bit … haha.
Also, love the “criminal” comment.
Completely agree! Anyone who feels the need to vandalize, rattle and shake the baskets etc should get a wake up call.
I guess this is also some of the “growing pains” from “growing the sport”
I think you’re right, Kurt.
At the same time, I think some of this has to do with disc golf’s “counter-culture” roots, perhaps?
Maybe that’s a stretch … ?
Not sure.
But there could be something there.
LMAO!
As a Californian who has now lived in Washington for 12 years- at least I’m not a chucker! Haha
I’ve learned to keep that piece of background info out til absolutely necessary. And then prefer to not use the “transplant” label and instead call myself a refugee, lol.
We definitely have our fair share of chickens in Bellingham. And seems like they’re usually blasting Insane Clown Posse from a crappy Bluetooth speaker too.
Glad you could take a joke 🙂
Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with people from California.
Here in Utah, we get lots of transplants, as the states are so close together, and our housing is cheaper.
Chuckers* not chickens
Yeah those guys are the worst. Even worse than the mob golf cart guys. All of it really sucks but especially throwing the trash everywhere. Can’t understand it. I mean you carried it in why can’t you just put it back in the same spot and carry it out and dispose of it properly. Blows my mind
What a time to be alive, right, Joe?
What a time …
The DGPT is being a chucker. I know this may be unrelated to this thread, but I wondered what Green Splatter’s thoughts were in the DGPT buying out these other individual branches within disc golf and monopolizing everything (tapping into Jomez, recently buying out Statmando so they can force people to pay for another service to keep up with stats rather than UDisc…etc.) Maybe they had to give up paying to fight for the rights of the players because they were too busy worrying about their own pockets, rather than the sport…. Just a hot take, and I understand if you don’t clear this one for public comment, but the discussion needs to be made and considered.
It’s cleared, Mr. Thunder!
The skinny of it?
The DGPT and PDGA are en route to owning professional disc golf.
This is THEIR product.
They want to outright own it.
Oddly enough, today’s article discusses this exact thing, so stay tuned for that …
It’ll drop in three to four hours 🙂
*Clicks refresh*
I knew what you meant – no worries!
Thanks! I just think it impacts some of the grass roots culture of disc golf when they are trying to take over so much. I want the sport to continue to grow, but when one group starts owning so much, it inherently begins to lose some of the input and impact of the stakeholders in a macro sense.
Amen to that!
You compose well, thought out. Adding my home State to ur list, puts you in that infamous category: “CHUCKER”
Whether it was click bait or a dog whistle, back pedaling is weak.
Sorry, Jeff!
All in good fun.
Thanks for reading 🙂
As a 16-18 handicap golfer and a 20 year ultimate frisbee vet, when I started picking up disc golf more seriously I realized there was only 2 games in town. Play handicaps or dubs for $5-$10. In dubs if you have the wrong attitude in a partner you can quickly feel excluded if you aren’t good enough and with Handicap if you win you are immediately labeled a sandbagger. I have had good times with both, but overall while you do make friends I feel like sometimes the money really gets in the way. As someone who has a job that is way too serious, I try to not integrate this aspect into my hobbies. I love pickup ultimate. Playing with all levels and watching others grow over the years. Same with golf. I’m a 18-22 handicapper. I could spend a lot more time at it and get down in the low teens with short game practice but it just isn’t worth the time, effort and again about taking a hobby that serious. I have taken the same approach in disc golf. I have helped establish a league in my city on Wednesday nights. It’s free, we have some drinks, all skill levels are welcome. We don’t vandalize things as, but we proudly where the name ‘Chuck Leeeg’ on our shirts … for the name of our founder, but also what we do. Have fun taking the game serious, I play a couple tournaments a year when I feel that urge pop up. But my best times with the sport are cracking a beer on Wednesday and catching up.
Thanks for reading!
And for commenting, as well.
I’ve got to say …
Being a disc golfer named “Chuck” just makes for awesome branding opportunities.
Clearly, you guys have pounced on that – love it!
But Lucas, you look like a Californian
This is probably true … haha.
The good news, though?
I’ve got three kids under 2.5 years, so they’re aging me like crazy.
Soon, I’ll look like a homeless person 😉
Growing up in Southern Idaho in the 1960’s-70’s, people used to hunt chukars (that is, the Chukar Partridge, kind of an overgrown quail).
Anyway, I know what you mean about ‘The Chucker.’ I walk to my course for a lot of solo rounds but often join up with one of the regulars or folks who are playing their first round there. Usually enjoy the company but there are a couple chucker regulars you’ve described perfectly (additional tell: they offer you a beer—loudly— at 9am) whom I’ve learned to avoid (another tell: throw two or three discs, or stand around the basket chatting (after everyone has putted out) without noticing players (ready to throw) behind them).
Buuuut…one reason I play stick golf 2-3 times a year and disc golf 3-4 times a week, is the fact that in general, I’ve found disc golfers tend to be far more open, friendly, funny, and helpful to newbies, than the 50-year-old frat-bro’s so common to golf courses. And it doesn’t seem to matter whether single-digit handicaps, or duffers like me—beauty may be skin deep but disc or stick, they’re chukers to the bone.
Agreed!
Also, just the price of entry is nuts …
If I as filthy rich, I’d golf a lot more than I currently do.
Which is probably once or twice a year.
Disc golf is that, but 1) it’s cheaper, and 2) it’s far less time-consuming.
My wife and kids like that.
And I do, too.
I am The Grim Chucker. I have only been playing since the summer of 2019 so I guess I run into the “newbie” or “covid-boomer” category. I love the game and I exercise etiquette. I DO represent an “alternative” side of the sport coming from a metalhead background and skating. Discgolf already has a hard time always being referred to as “Frisbee Golf” or “oh yeah, like pickle ball” and being taken seriously by those who have not been “bitten by the bug” yet. Labels, my dude, and are set to SEPERATE. I welcome all who want to learn and grow this beautiful sport. I work with the community and I even pick up at least one piece of trash every round. Do regular, seasoned players do that… so I could go on and on but I will leave with this, I am proud to be a “Chucker” and will hopefully rewrite some of these tacky stereotypes! #ChuckTheWorld
Thanks for chiming in, Mr. Chucker!
Appreciate you sharing a positive, much needed message 🙂
Best of luck in the sport.
We’re happy (and lucky) to have you!
P.s. other than this select piece, I love your stuff! See, one thing, although perceived to be what my opinion saw as an attack and somewhat hateful, doesn’t take me away from acknowledging all the good in the voodoo, you do! YOU ROCK MY DUDE!
#KeepOnChuckin
Thanks, brotha!
Appreciate the love <3