Flippin' Discs

The first time I played Disc Golf, I really had no idea what I was doing. I had the most basic understanding...very basic. My brother, son and I were headed across the parking lot toward the first tee pad as I feverishly tried to download an app for a scorecard, taunted by my fickle cell signal on South Mountain in Bethlehem, PA. It was crap. The signal, and the first app that finished in time for the round to begin. The other four apps I selected finished downloading somewhere amidst the glorious wilderness as I tracked my way to an outstanding 27-over par. We went live on Facebook on hole 9 , in an embarrassing display of amateurism. But we were having fun. And I became interested in the sport of disc golf. About a month later, I was ready to jump in, and I decided to find a more complete app for my adventures. I had no idea how vital this would be for my game. I opened UDisc for the very first time and have enjoyed every moment since. So, this post is going to brag on my favor...

It's still hard to believe that the first time I picked up a disc was about 5 months ago. Borrowed a couple and bought one. It would be another month or so before I got a few more used discs and went out to play again. I knew I wanted to play more after the first time out. Once I played again, I was hooked. I really didn't know much about the game...there's still a long way to go. Every day I get more enthusiastic about throwing discs, and I would have to say that the most influential part of the experience, is the people I have met. Without all of them, I wouldn't be enjoying this game so much. It's not like other sports I'd been more of an organizational guy. Set times to show up for softball games in the city league. Sundays for adult league soccer, 11, 1, or 3. Early morning sign-ins for a triathlon or a tee time to meet a few people at the course. Shelling out bucks for gear, registration and greens fees, with no real practice time, yet every one of th...

In the early going I found time to sneak out quietly by myself to a few of the disc golf courses in the area. I was still a little skittish about playing with other people. In time, I found a guy that can go out and have fun, but still be looking at improving parts of his game and mine. I am still not good at practicing, but I have found a way to get out there and practice, while I play, with a little game I like to call, "Be Like Mike." It's a little play on the competitiveness of Jordan, as well as the number 23. Participation trophies are crap and I rarely play where I don't keep score. It's my fatal flaw. But this game helps me get some extra work in, and track my progress. Here's how it basically works: A game within a game I play my first shot from each tee as I normally would. The approach can range from a conservative, "this is the disc that I can get into play," to "throwing this disc like I know I can will be the perfect shot....