Disc golf

[vijil]

Any of you play?

I'm a couple years in. Surprisingly addictive, way cheaper than ball golf, and arguably more variety (throwing around corners, rollers, S bends, fore/backhand, grenades, tomahawks, etc.). I think what's hooked me is the gyro physics of it all and the way different disc shapes or materials affect the flight in ways you learn to predict.

[Memornix]

Yep, been playing for about 30 years. I am fortunate to have a great course about 10 minutes from the house. I am a lefty so that makes it even more fun since it seems like alot of courses are designed to be hard for rightys.

The interesting thing about playing as long as I have is seeing how little the sport has changed. There were a few changes in disc material over the years and the drivers have gotten way more over stable but that is about it.

[Painthappy]

I haven't been playing but practicing. One of the guys in the shop is a big disc golf player, so I bought a basket we put in our shop and we throw all the time during breaks or just when we feel like it. I've gotten great at throwing forehand and prefer it that way now over the traditional toss. Go figure. One day I'm going to go to an actual course and give it a go.

[Jonnydread]

I used to play regularly, but the state closed down all the courses & parks during the earlier stages of the pandemic so I haven't been out in over a year. I'm hoping to get out there again soon now that the weather is nice. I'm not very good by any means, but it's a fun excuse to enjoy a beer in the sunshine.

Painthappy When you decide to check out an actual course I highly recommend Top o' the Hill in Canterbury.

[punkncat]

Our county has a network of the courses, two of them are really close. The closest one has a really easy front 9 and then...lol, not so easy. The other close course is about as hard as the back nine on the close one. I have come to find that I lack the strength and control to play effectively, but it's still fun to mess around if I don't mind a sore elbow for a couple of days, lol.

[vijil]

Painthappy yeah I'm rubbish at forehand, my shoulder doesn't rotate enough (or something).

In theory backhand with a proper step and whip will always go faster and further, but for many folks it doesn't matter. The main reason to choose one or the other is whether you want the disc to fade right or left.

punkncat that should be a form thing - knee and elbow pain are common, but if you try to follow through rather than snapping your arm straight, it should help.

[punkncat]

Injury related. I cannot extend either elbow fully any longer.

[Memornix]

If you ever get the chance, go play at altitude. I used to live in Las Vegas which was 2500ish feet and there were lots of courses and you got a little more range from the slightly thinner air, then I went up to a course in Utah at about 12,000ft. I lost a driver because it just went away. The handling of the disc was a little funny, but boy did they fly far.

[Deltasteve]

I have played two times and am hooked. Just got some discs from the local shop and once we move into a house I am going to get a basket and work on putting. I can throw decently far and accurate, but my putts are awful.

[vijil]

Putting is unbelievably difficult, but I think it's the part of the game that makes the single biggest difference to score. You may only be able to drive 200 feet, but if you can putt well, there's no reason not to be hitting pars and birdies.

My problem is that I try too hard on the drives, trying to ace every shot. I therefore shank way too much. No putt can make up for a drive that went 40 degrees or more off target. I need to slow down and not try to reach the pin on every. single. drive.

But recently I've started doing 360 spin drives and it's weirdly accurate. Doesn't really go any further but it sure looks super pro to whoever you're showing off for

[Deltasteve]

Went to the local league night last night and am officially hooked. I had a good time and finished about middle of the pack of the about 40 people that went. Local community is super chill and welcoming. They even put on a dye night and had all the supplies so I tried my hand at dyeing.

[Jonnydread]

Nice! You're inspiring me to get back out there... wonder where I put my discs....

[AtomJaay]

I was just watching the Complete History of Paintball Director's Cut and learned the original field the 1st organized paintball game was played on in Henniker NH is now a disc golf course.

[Jonnydread]

This is what it's like when worlds collide

[bellicose]

My university had one of the top courses in the country back in '02-04' when I started playing. Only play one round every year now, and it destroys my arm and shoulder the next day. Interestingly enough, yesterday, one of the guys my class customizes apparel for is thinking about doing branded discs. I'll be messing with that in the fall!

[Jonnydread]

I have found that backhand jacks up my arm/shoulder pretty well, forehand seems a bit less so. I wonder if it's more due to being out of practice or just getting older.

[bellicose]

I think it is a combo of the two for me. I'd still play though, even when I know I am going to feel it tomorrow.

[FredMnkyDad10]

I have not tried disc golf, but there are couple of fields near by. Might give it a try one day.

With things starting to open back up, we just started getting back into playing ultimate frisbee. Last night was my first night back, damn i am out of shape.

[vijil]

Dunno if you follow the pros in ultimate, but brodie Smith recently switched to disc golf. Probably because he got old, hah. He's driving 600ft now, it's nuts.

[FredMnkyDad10]

I don't follow the pros, except when they make it on ESPN top 10. I did play couple years back with a team that was slapped together last minute. It was to compete in the region qualifying. We were basically a needed team to fill out the brackets.

Played 5 games one day and 3 the next. very tiring but lots of fun. Most teams were way cool, with the exception of 1 that that took to it too seriously playing against a team that not played much and not at all with each other.

[vijil]

Happens in every sport I think.