DUDE Disc Golf

There’s nothing more exciting than getting to see some of disc golf’s biggest names a mere ten feet in front of you as they rocket their drives off the tee pad. For many of us, being around the best of the best is akin to seeing movie stars in Hollywood – you love and adore them, yet are simultaneously super intimidated by them!

If you’re headed out to be a part of the gallery at an upcoming event and want to make sure you don’t step on anyone’s toes, our guide to spectator etiquette will clue you into the things you should – and shouldn’t – be doing.

Adequate Space

As much as you want to get the best view on the course, perhaps one of the top items of etiquette is to keep in mind is that players need space during competition. That means standing a reasonable distance behind the tee box, or if ropes are being used, watching from the designated areas. As tempting as it is to say a quick hello and get an autograph during a back-up, it’s strictly prohibited and isn’t giving players the mental space they need to execute their next shots.

In fact, the PDGA posted a very specific policy to this end during the 2017 Pro World’s event:

“We aim to provide an optimum competition environment for our players. There will be a ‘No Autographs’ policy in effect on the course at all times during competitive play and also when the players are in the practice area. Autographs may be obtained in the parking lots and common spaces as well as after the day’s play has concluded.”

Still As A Statue

Although you might be out to follow the lead card, keep in mind that there are 17 other groups playing on the same course. Make every effort to be mindful of how loud you speak and the body movements you make, even if you’re hundreds of feet away from the competitors you’re watching.

The line of sight is another concept that’s taken seriously and for good reason – gallery members who are creating a distraction during play can literally affect whether someone wins or loses the event. If you are in a player’s direct line of sight, meaning they can easily see you, stand completely still until they have finished their shot.

Miscellaneous Items

Other etiquette rules that might seem like a “no-brainer” are often lost on some who attend larger tournaments, so keep in mind that you’ll need to:

Silence your cell phone during play

Refrain from smoking or vaping on the course

Keep items like stools or umbrellas still, especially when in a player’s line of sight

Leave OB discs alone – while you might think you are being helpful by handing them to a spotter or player, it could potentially create confusion as to where the disc first went out of bounds

Stay alert! Sometimes even the best of the best throw errant shots and you’ll need to be able to move quickly to avoid getting hit

Most importantly, have fun! Cheer when your favorite player hits a huge putt and don’t be afraid to congratulate the winner after all is said and done. Be sure to pack some water and sunscreen and you’ll be all set for the next big event.

Most avid disc golfers love to see new events and opportunities come up within their community, but depending on what level of exposure your local area has to disc golf in general, any ideas could either be a big hit or fall flat. When you want to make an impact in your town’s disc golf scene, how do you know where to start?

A little analysis can go a long way, and by determining what stage your community is at with their disc golf exposure, you can better formulate a game plan moving forward. How exactly do you do that? Let’s see some of the ways that you can evaluate the mood of the area.

Starting With The Basics

One of the most obvious ways for you to gauge the readiness of your community when it comes to disc golf is by examining the courses in the area, or lack thereof. If your town has absolutely zero courses to play on, you’re preparing yourself for a long yet rewarding journey. Attending city meetings and going through the steps to get a course installed can sometimes take years, but it may be worth it if you’re passionate enough. How to approach a council

You may find a temp course or two in your area, or your community might be rich with a variety of courses all within a reasonable driving distance. Identifying the current lay of the land will help to get you started in the right direction.

Examining league play, local clubs, and frequency of tournaments in the area will also clue you into just how ready your area is for an infusion of disc golf. If you want to turn your town into a mecca of frisbee but there are zero clubs and no weeklies, you’ll have to take different steps to market your plans than if you already had an established community.

A Real Life Example

Sometimes it can be a big task to bring disc golf to others in the area, as politics and personal preferences can hinder one’s efforts. We recently spoke with Jeff Spohr, a well-known disc golf player and business owner in Southern California. Through his company West Coast Disc Golf, he’s been able to create a thriving disc golf atmosphere by paying attention to a few key things.

Jeff speaks exactly to the idea of evaluating the community’s needs: “I feel that one of the main keys to us having consistent turnouts at our weeklies, monthlies, & PDGA tournaments have been our consistency in the ‘style’ of events we host. The players know exactly what to expect from our events and we try our best to provide a fun and organized environment for our tournaments that we hope caters to beginners as well as the avid tournament player. I think our events have grown over time by welcoming feedback from players and doing our best to constantly try and improve the players’ experience.”

Not only is consistency key, but Jeff also relies heavily on social media to get the word out about the events he runs. This communication is essential, not only from a promotion standpoint but also in making sure you don’t step on the toes of others. “If someone was looking to host new events in their area or just organize work days at the local course, reaching out to all the different clubs and asking if they would like to help would be a great start,” says Spohr.

It’s the time of year that disc golfers dream about – the time when the days are long and the temperatures are warm. Depending on where you live in the world, you may have been experiencing summer heat for months already, or you’re anxiously awaiting the moment when it’s officially summertime.

When it comes to disc golfing in the heat, there’s one thing you can’t live without, and that’s a good pair of shorts. Sure, a cheap pair of athletic style shorts with an elastic waistband might be alright in a pinch, but what if you could wear a comfortable and high-quality pair that makes you look sporty and professional at the same time?

Let’s take a look at the DUDE Shorts, available for both men and women. We call them the DUDE Pro Shorts because they’re just that – a pair of shorts that helps you to represent the sport of disc golf in a super sophisticated way.

For The Guys

We make our Men’s Pro Shorts with a polyester and spandex blend because as we all know, playing a round of disc golf can sometimes put us in crazy positions and the last thing we want to do is tear a hole in our shorts! With a 21” inseam and a 4-way stretch feature, these shorts are designed to fit and flatter any guy out there.

Our breathable fabric wicks moisture away with ease so no matter how hot it is outside, the lower half of your body will stay nice and cool. Adding to the functionality, we’ve integrated back zip pockets so you can hold your phone, mini, and more.

The DUDE Men’s Pro Shorts come in black, dark grey, and a new pinstripe design for a more casual and daily wear look.

It’s Ladies Time

The gals on the course need a functional and fashionable pair of shorts just as much as the guys do, so we’ve developed the Ladies Pro Shorts with a 5” inseam, perfect for every woman out there. Just like the men’s version, these shorts flex and stretch with you, so no matter how much “disc golf yoga” you’re doing on the course, you can rest assured that your shorts will be right there with you.

The ladies version of our Pro Shorts include an embroidered DUDE logo on the leg in a bright pink stitching, and our snap closure also features the same color accent. You’ll also get the benefit of back zip pockets along with another splash of pink, adding a touch of feminine flair to the shorts. Both black and dark grey options are available.

Winter disc golf can pose a challenge in the Midwest, but at Blue Ribbon Pines, they proudly advertise that their tee pads are cleared all season long. Combine this aspect with the fact that it’s one of the most beautiful courses in the nation, and the challenging 27 hole layout becomes a dream to play even in the coldest of temperatures. Before long pros will be competing during The Majestic, a prominent tournament that draws locals and touring players alike. Let’s take a peek at what the course has in store this year!

Way Back When…

Opened in August of 2006, Blue Ribbon Pines was truly a labor of love. Designed by Minnesota pros Timmy Gill and Steve Beckman, the course was proposed to landowner Ray Jordan without him even knowing much about disc golf at all! As Timmy and Steve drew up the plans, Ray put in more man-hours than he can count, and he fell in love with the sport during the process. Still owned by Ray and his family today, Blue Ribbon Pines brings players from across the world to play on its unique 27 hole layout. Along with a variety of other events that take place during the summer months like festivals and concerts, the property sees use nearly all year long.

More Than Just Trees

Designed by Emporia local and 2010 Pro World Champion Eric McCabe, the course at the Emporia Country Club should be on every player’s bucket list. Immaculately maintained and challenging for all experience levels, this course is included as part of the competition during the Glass Blown Open each year.

What else makes disc golf at the Emporia Country Club so unique? A quick overview of this course’s features will leave you ready to book a flight to Kansas in no time!

Looks Can Be Deceiving

At first glance, the layout on this prime piece of land might lead you to believe that you can dominate this course. Gently rolling hills and little to no foliage makes it seem like wide open fairways will reward you with minimal effort. However, once you make it through the nearly 10,000 feet that it entails, you may be singing a different tune.

The holes at the Emporia Country Club are long, with only 2 of them measuring under 300 feet. Five of them range from 300 to 400 feet, and the remaining holes offer a test of your skill and shot placement. Couple that with an immense amount of OB and you’ll get to see what your disc golf game is truly made of!

As if to test your endurance, holes 1 through 15 are just a preview of the biggest challenge awaiting you. Two par 5’s come near the very end, and as you finish on an island green, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief!

Be Professional

Unlike other courses in the area, the Emporia Country Club offers limited access to those who meet specific criteria. While you don’t have to be a member of the club to play the course, you must adhere to a strict dress code, including a collared shirt and flat soled shoes. Check in at the Pro Shop, pay your $10 greens fee, and decide if you want to rent a golf cart to make the day that much more enjoyable.

It’s advised that you call ahead before heading out to play the Emporia Country Club, as their hours can vary throughout the year and the course may be closed from time to time for tournament play.

A Disc Golf Destination

Concrete tee pads, Dynamic Discs Veteran baskets, and manicured fairways make this par 64 course a sight to behold. Despite being installed in 2011, it had stood up to the test of time and maintains the position of being one of the more desirable courses to play in the area.

When it’s competition time, especially during the Glass Blown Open, it offers a great place for spectators to look on and see the best of the best performance at the highest level of our sport. The challenging nature of this layout can literally make or break championship rounds, so it’s up to every player to manage their expectations and keep their mental game in check.

If you’ve been in the disc golf scene for any period of time, you’ve more than likely heard the phrase “grow the sport.” It’s a mission that’s near and dear to many of our hearts because we believe that disc golf is such a fantastic activity and it should be far more mainstream than it currently is.

While we’re only just starting to see snippets of disc golf on sports channels (it’s a big deal when we make it on SportsCenter’s Top 10), the popularity of the game is far less than that of basketball or football. However, when you review any data that’s out there, it does show that the sport is growing by leaps and bounds compared to previous years.

Yet how do these numbers translate into the real development of the sport, and do the messages being communicated portray an accurate idea of where the trajectory of disc golf is going?

Facts And Figures

Some of the major highlights of the PDGA’s accomplishments over the last decade or so include a massive amount of new courses across the globe. While various local groups and organizations are usually the ones involved in design and installation, the integration of a course anywhere adds to the growing list that the PDGA maintains.

In 2016, they’ve documented that close to 7,000 courses were in play, and that number has more than doubled since 2010. The US boasts the most places to play with close to 5,500 courses installed, but with Finland’s 575 courses across an area that’s 1/29th the size of the US, it’s quickly becoming a mecca of disc golf. While there’s always the chance for an “off the grid” course to be installed somewhere on the private property, these numbers are usually pretty accurate.

Membership vs. Players

Here’s where things get interesting, as the data notes that at the end of 2016, active membership was approaching 40,000 individuals. Detailed information that reviews tournaments, website analytics, media activity, and more highlights the popularity of the sport and is often used as a selling point when approaching potential sponsors or event locations. When you’re a disc golfer, you’re regularly in a position of having to prove that the sport is legitimate.

While the membership number is certainly specific and only denotes individuals who actually pay to maintain their PDGA number and ratings, it doesn’t really give an accurate idea as to the explosive growth of the sport. Take for example Texas, which is listed on the document as a leading US state. They estimate that 2600 members are active in that area, but a brief look on Facebook at various Texas disc golf groups indicates a much larger audience.

Only after careful examination does one see the extremely small print at the bottom of the PDGA report: “An estimated 8 – 12 million players have played disc golf; two million are estimated to be regular players.” Why isn’t this statistic featured more prominently when disc golf is discussed in mainstream sports arenas?

When it comes to growing the sport, it might make more sense to shift our focus away from the PDGA numbers because, after all, they only represent a small portion of the number of players who are die hard disc golfers. Wouldn’t it make sense for other major organizations to jump on board with disc golf knowing that nearly two million people regularly play?

Embarking on a disc golf tour, even if it’s a small one, can be a huge undertaking. The planning, the practicing, the preparation – it’s all required if you want to make something of yourself while on the road. Now throw into the mix having to travel halfway across the world, and that’s what Dude Ambassador Jordan Wheeler is up against. He’s no stranger to US events, as he’s been traveling overseas for years, but with each season that goes by, his goals are set higher and higher.

As the weather in Perth begins to cool down, Jordan is getting his final plans in place for his tour this year. His rating only continues to go up, positioning him to make some major moves this year. We took some time to chat with him and find out what 2019 has in store and what fans can expect from this seasoned player.

Then And Now

This isn’t the first time that Wheeler has had big plans for his US play, as we spoke with him last year to learn about where he was at with his game. At the time, he wanted to improve upon a variety of elements within his skill set, including increasing his distance and building upon his close game. While he can throw farther now than ever before, Jordan still isn’t happy near the basket, “When it comes to my game, I’m pretty satisfied with everything except for putting. If I can improve my putting this year I will be a much more satisfied disc golfer,” he said.

With a total of 18 sanctioned events under his belt last year, it’s safe to say that Jordan was a busy guy. His stops around the United States mainly focused on the Midwest, but this year he’s looking to include more variety into the mix. “My rough direction this year is the Corn Belt and then the East Coast, so that will hopefully include Ledgstone, Pro Worlds, and Maple Hill just to name a few. I’ll be deciding what’s appropriate as it comes,” Wheeler explained.

New Tools And A Fresh Outlook

The events he’s planning on attending aren’t the only big differences during 2019, as Wheeler has teamed up with RPM Discs as well. He’s excited about throwing their molds and is hopeful that through his travels he can help to get more people in the US throwing this brand. Overall, there’s a lot going on this season, and Jordan is ready: “I’m excited for this year, I’m more prepared this year than any before,” he said. “I’ll be leaving my van behind this year and traveling in an RV with my friend Garrett Glass.”