You know what an “ace” is in disc golf: It’s a hole-in-one – duh. And you probably know what a “black ace” is, as well: It’s a throw from the tee that smashes the chains of the wrong basket.
But do you know what a “brown ace” is, by chance?
Have you ever heard the term before?
A brown ace is a throw from the tee that inadvertently lands in a dumpster or trash can. The “brown” part of the name comes from the filth most often associated with the inside of a waste bin. These usually take place in public parks, as trash receptacles dot the course. And in case you were wondering, no – there are (obviously) no scoring benefits for nabbing a brown ace …
Only eternal bragging rights.
Aces are rare.
Black aces are even MORE rare, though I have seen one in the flesh – and during a tournament, believe it or not. The hole it occurred on was known for them. There was even a “black ace pot” for hitting one on it. Without trying, a guy on my card nailed it, unaware his incompetence could’ve landed him a few hundred extra bucks if he’d thought to enter the prize pool.
But brown aces?
I’ve thrown for the better part of two decades …
I’ve never seen one.
This is as close as I’ve ever gotten on coverage:
It’s technically a black ace, as Luke Samson’s disc enters the wrong basket for the hole. The hint of “brown” you get from it comes from the literal trash bag covering the cage – she’s a beaut.
There ARE a couple of real-life examples on YouTube – that’s about it, really. Should you take to the virtual realm to see one with your own two eyes, here’s what’s coming your way …
No, you shouldn’t actively seek out brown aces …
But if / when you do cash one, bend every available ear in the telling of it.
Besides, it’s not a bad way to rid your disc collection of the Polecats you swore you’d need.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- How to block Green Splatter on Twitter
- Form tweaks: Short-term pain, long-term gain
- Why ‘Champs vs. Chumps’ is the GOAT of disc golf YouTube
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
I initially thought a brown ace might be one the skipped up from the dirt into the basket. What do we call that?
Good question, Chris …
Pretty sure that’s just referred to as a “skip ace.”
I’ve got a couple, in fact – SUPER satisfying to watch.
I personally believe we need to stop using the term black ace… it implies black being somehow wrong compared to a “regular ace” As a sport it does little good to compare a mistake with the color black. Black as “less than” is an outdated and racist ideology. Let’s all get behind a language of inclusion within disc golf…Thanks for listening.
Thanks for reaching and chiming in, Robert – appreciate it, man!
The term Black Ace comes from the literal appearance, where black trash bags were/are used to cover up baskets not in play.
I hope you are kidding. You are the only one here that turned this into anything sinister. There are all kinds of things that are black and beautiful in this world. Stop being offended on other people’s behalf when they aren’t even offended. Silly af.
Woodland Mound hole 3 used to be notorious for them, 4s tee pad was close to the basket and had a garbage can to the side with a top. People would line drive past the basket and drop right in the flap. Saw my mom do it and hit the can a few times myself.
The fact that the garbage can in question has a “flap” would make this particular brown ace WAY more satisfying …
Thanks for sharing, Spenser!
I’ve heard if you throw one in the garbage can through the flap you are banned from all frisbee sports for life. Don’t do it.
Hahaha …
Fortunately, that’s not the case.
But even if it was, I’d be in the clear.
Man thanks for the info I’m just upset from a previous remark saying because you use the word black ace as outdated and racial I’m not racial and I don’t think it’s racial to use the word black it doesn’t mean less than or any of that I disc golf I have a lot of different ethnicity friends and none are offended by the term I know disc golf as a non racial sport thanks it’s just gets to me when people bring race into something where it isn’t
Thanks for chiming in, First Tee!
I’d largely agree with you, but everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
All are welcome here 🙂
Haha got one this weekend. It was a little tiny can more like a basket and the disc was barely small enough to fit into the top. And got it on a thumber to boot. Im a proud new member of the brown Ace club
Man, that’s awesome …
Next to nobody has one of these, so you’re in rare company – that’s for sure.
Congrats, TurboJoe!