Getting Disc Golf Right....

Here in Colorado Springs, we are blessed to have several days of tags and doubles matches sponsored by the different disc golf clubs, and our neighbors to the north (Denver area) also have a run of opportunities. I belong to the Pikes Peak Flying Disc Club (shameless plug inserted here) and my comments are directed towards this club and its members. Remember, I am only one member and really can't speak for everyone, I hold no office or unique title. I am just a disc-golfer on an incredible journey and want to stop and smell the flowers every once in a while.

Disc Golf is an addicting game and can be played by some many people on so many different levels of play. It attracts all ages, genders and types of people. It is growing wildly here in the Springs and I imagine everywhere else too. You can play disc golf casually for fun, you can compete against your peers and age groups, or you can compete in PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association, governing body internationally for disc golf) events and really measure your game and progress. Disc Golf can be played as an individual sport or in doubles matches. All this to say that disc golf has something for everyone.

I recently played in a local doubles match at one of our courses, Aviary Disc Golf Course here in the Springs. I was on a card with three teams playing-and most of these guys are beasts, really good players-and I land around the bottom of their talent pool. As we started off, you could see it was going to be a very hot round with some great scores. As the round went on, it didn't disappoint. There were huge drives, precision second shots and pretty much a putting clinic going on out there (I even got into the act once too). I bring all this up to point out a very important part about disc golf... We want everyone to do well... to win...

As the round went on, you could just feel something big was going to happen, an Ace Run, a 600 foot drive, an upshot of huge proportions. The best part is watching each player cheering on each the other, waiting to see what shot would bang chains next. This is the excitement that is disc golf. And you can be part of it too.

I play to get better, to have fun, to become an all around player. Going out on rounds with guys I know shoot better and have better technique than I do is my plan. Seeing these guys play and getting wrapped up in the excitement is a great time and a great way to spend the day. In many ventures of life (disc golf has many life lessons) becoming a student of the game is a solid way to improve and get better at your craft.

People have told me that the disc golf crowd is not a good crowd, they say that they have heard about "disc golfers". Well you have heard about the few, not the many. To be sure, there are some folks out there that can make being associated with disc golf a painful experience. Maybe you have read a few Facebook "rants" and figure you could live without the drama. Yes the drama is real, but in all honesty, it makes up for about 2% of what disc golf and disc golf players are all about. I encourage you to get out and meet the real faces of disc golf in our community. You will be glad you did.

So get out there and get playing, play with players that will challenge you to get better, and play soon,,, because as we all know "Winter Is Coming"...

David Fournier