Category: The Sport

What Was It Like To Play Disc Golf in the 70s?

September 1, 2021 By Nicholas Off

If you were lucky enough to play disc golf in the 1970s consider yourself amongst the fortunate few. You would have been there for the birth of the modern sport. This decade saw the creation of the Disc Golf Pole Hole (i.e. basket), the creation of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), the first disc golf-specific frisbees, the first official disc golf course, and the first official disc golf company, whew! But for those of us who weren’t around, there are videos and posters and stories by those who were there.

“Disc Golf, Show Me the Infrastructure for Instruction!”

August 16, 2021 By Nicholas Off

If you want to get better at disc golf, where do you turn? Beyond YouTube, there is not an obvious answer. The infrastructure for improving in disc golf is simply not there. But times are changing. With programs in schools, innovative teaching, and future disc golf-specific facilities players will have more tangible options on how to grow in the sport. Let’s take a look at where disc golf is currently at and where it may go in the future.

What Just Happened? “The Holy Shot” by James Conrad

August 3, 2021 By Nicholas Off

James Conrad threw the most incredible shot in disc golf history. The circumstances, shot shape, and clutchness all add gravitas to the moment. But “The Holy Shot” is much more than just a great disc golf shot. It has been billed as one of the greatest moments in sports history. That’s right, of any sport. Let’s break down the shot and look at how it is being perceived outside of the sport. But first, let’s get to know the man.

What’s the Paul McBeth Foundation?

July 20, 2021 By Nicholas Off

McBeth has achieved enough in disc golf to call it a successful career. While his personal successes are impressive, his newest endeavor is beginning his philanthropic career. He partnered with multiple individuals and companies in the disc golf industry to create the Paul McBeth Foundation. Let’s take a step back in time to see where it all started.

How Finland Has Become a Hotbed for Disc Golf

July 13, 2021 By Nicholas Off

Disc golf and woods, woods and disc golf. They were meant for each other. One such location where you can find both of these together is Finland. They have seen a steady rise in course implementation, PDGA events, and PDGA membership since the early 2000s. Their numbers are so high that they currently hold the record for the most disc golf courses per capita. So, how did this little Nordic country become such a hotbed for disc golf? It’s a multifaceted answer.

The Almighty Disc Golf Road Trip

July 6, 2021 By Nicholas Off

Disc golf. Road trip. Either one of these activities conjures a spirit of adventure and fun with friends. But combine these two and you have a full fledged quest. They are both synonymous with adventure and lend themselves to spontaneity. You never know what is around the next corner and you must adapt to your circumstances. With a little bit of preparation and a whole lot of excitement you will be well on your way to new and uncharted courses. Let’s take a look at how to get there.

The Story of Disc Golf Legend: Ken Climo

June 29, 2021 By Nicholas Off

I found out about Ken “The Champ” Climo through throwing his signature line of Innova discs in the late 1990s. But at the time I didn’t know much about the man whose name graced my favorite disc. Ken Climo was known as a precision thrower with one of the best putts on tour. His competitive spirit, clutch performances, and unflappable focus made him the greatest disc golfer of all time. Climo was the originator of the modern era of disc golf and passed the baton off to our current generation of players to elevate the sport to what it is today. Let’s start back at the beginning.

My Life in Disc Golf

June 22, 2021 By Nicholas Off

Disc golf enters our lives in many ways. It does strange things to us. It pokes and prods and requests us to show up. We all have our own stories and I am here to share mine. While my story is certainly unique, it is not experienced alone. I have had countless conversations with fellow disc golfers in which our stories synchronize across many platforms of the sport. Whether it is through videos on YouTube, struggles with technique, or how we got hooked or our favorite course, we all share a common love for this wonderful sport.

Does Disc Golf Need Officials?

June 15, 2021 By Nicholas Off

Sports have rules. The understanding that all players must compete under the same framework of rules is what allows for fair competition. This is where disc golf sets itself apart from most other sports in that it is self-officiated. There are no officials prowling the course in striped shirts or lurking in the bushes calling infractions. Let’s take a look at the official PDGA rules and then unpack whether it would benefit the sport to bring in rules officials beyond the Tournament Director (TD).

Celebrity Disc Golfers

June 4, 2021 By Nicholas Off

Celebrities like to disc golf. Let’s just get that out in the air. While there has never been a high-profile name that has truly adopted and grown the sport, there is increasing evidence that celebrities are playing our sport. I feel the nature of disc golf makes it the perfect sport for our famous friends. Disc golf allows us to relax in nature with friends while getting exercise away from mass groups of people; what’s not to like?