Disc Golf Rehab

Headrick realized his invention could go far beyond children playing catch, and soon he & friends were utilizing trees, rocks, poles, benches, etc. as targets as they evolved the game of disc golf. He designed and patented the ‘Disc Pole Hole’ in 1975, and founded the governing bodies for the sport’s professional, amateur, and recreational levels.  So from the very beginning of the Frisbee, its inventor was already thinking in terms of applying it to competition like this.  Thanks Ed! 

Despite all the officialness, ‘legitimate sport’ might not be a phrase most people readily attach to this activity, but there is a professional circuit, sponsorships, and prizes in 4 figures for tournament wins.  Mainstream sporting goods stores are devoting small amounts of shelf space, dedicated shops have popped up in stronger markets; money is changing hands at an increasing rate.  It would appear a very slow-burn start is continuing to pick up steam.

But first, I had to re-gear-up.  Back in the day, we were throwing full-sized Frisbees, 11 or 12-inch diameter monsters that apparently now have no place in civilized disc golf society.  The golf discs are 8 or 9 inches in diameter, and made of slightly heavier material with various subtle differences in lip design and flight profile.  Drivers, mid-range/multi-purpose, and putters are the 3 basic disc types.  I picked up a putter and a multi-purpose at Academy, figuring I’ll work with the basics until I think something more specialized will actually make a difference in my game. 

We definitely started in the right place, a short course in Nani Falcone park that offers mostly open fairways & only basic obstacles.  Also features park-goers that have not a single care of strolling across the disc golf course, and instantly got my radar up for smacking pedestrians again... FLASHBACK!!  (“Are there extra points if I can land it in the baby stroller?”)

Some of these courses are literally carved out of woodland scrub, with narrow little fairways that have no recourse for a shot that’s 5 degrees off-target.  If you’re not into schlepping through knee-high grass & picking burrs out of your socks, or just hoping there are no rattlesnakes close to where you’re about to step or reach, you’d be wise to sharpen up your accuracy asap.  We routinely run ahead of the shooter, around dog legs or obstacles & what-not, to spot where the disc ends up (more or less) to assist in location.  (“Keep going... keep going... stop...  whadaya mean it’s not there?”)

If you’re looking for something active & fun for pretty much everybody, I encourage you to check it out.  I have yet to meet anyone on these courses that is not friendly and helpful; it seems like a wonderful community of peoples to re-join.  The variety of web sites I’ve checked out while learning about what’s available in SA all seem to champion the original mission of the game’s inventors;  Have Fun. 

Regardless of decrepitude, some things do change with age and wisdom.  Last week at the Universal City course for the first time, our threesome came up behind a group of 7 women, and we passed them by skipping a hole so we wouldn’t be waiting behind them.  After a half-round of solitude, now we were teeing off with an audience... an audience of hot, sweaty women.  You’ll be happy to know I parked my tee shot within 10 feet of the hole, my best shot of the day.  Clearly, having women watch is a key ingredient to my success at disc golf that I’m willing to embrace.  As long as they’re behind the tee...  sorry, Maria.