This Should Be A Concern

[BuzzSharpe]

There is a subject that is as old as disc golf itself that needs to be addressed by all serious players of the sport. It closed down Wellspring for a time some years back. It is becoming an issue with the governmental goombas of High Point at Johnson Street. I've been told that it might close down part or all of Sloan in Sanford. I imagine that it is an issue at courses in areas with which I have no direct or indirect knowledge.
The issue is indiscreet alcohol consumption on the courses and filling the trash cans with beer cans. I don't drink myself, but I recognize and appreciate the want and wish to enjoy adult beverages while enjoying one's disc golfing. As serious players committed to the continuation and expansion of our beloved sport, we have to police ourselves, as well as those participants, whom I refer to as tourists, usually spoiled brat college students, like those from Elon at the Cedarock courses and from HPU at Johnson Street.
I remember a meeting a few years back planning a new public park in western Alamance County. One of our local pros was recommending installing a new championship level course at the facility. One of the managers from Cedarock Park recommended against it, stating that disc golf was more trouble that it was worth, primarily because of the alcohol issue.
Listen guys, if you want to drink beer or other alcohol while playing, I have no problem with that. It will generally make it easier for me to beat you. If you have room in your bag, cart, or pockets to carry in full bottles or cans, you have room to carry them out when they're empty. And for goodness sake, be aware and intelligent enough to be discreet while consuming.

 

[ForTheGlory]

Just play like you want to be invited back.

I drink like a fish, but not while I'm playing. It's not like we're playing quarters or anything.

Treat every DG course like a fine woman, with lots of repect and class. Leave it better than when you found it.

We need to build our own reputation.

 

[Lewis]

It's not easy to teach thoughtless, inconsiderate slobs to change their ways; it's even harder to teach them when they've been drinking, and harder still when you're trying to teach kids at that magical age when they know everything. I'm not saying it can't be done, and it's probably worth the effort, but be aware of the magnitude of the challenge you're up against.

 

[keltik]

there is a sign up at the entrance of each of these parks saying "no alcoholic beverages allowed". I've seen them with my own eyes. Maybe the parks should be pulled to get the message across.

also I think blaming nameless "spoiled brat" HPU and Elon students is incorrect. The kids that go there generally don't play DG. I've posted before about the local flavor of Johnson Street.

 

[Brall]

i can understand there being a problem with empty beer cans littering the ground but if the powers that be have a problem with those containers being in the trash receptacle and there's no other problems then they need to loosen up a bit.

 

[1978]

We've heard similar sentiment in Charlotte, however, check around the parking lot of a softball tournament. They don't even attempt to try and get them in a trashcan, yet you dont hear about this from the park department.

i can understand there being a problem with empty beer cans littering the ground but if the powers that be have a problem with those containers being in the trash receptacle and there's no other problems then they need to loosen up a bit.

^ If the policy is no alcoholic beverages, it doesnt matter where the cans are located, in your hand, the ground, trashcan, or the lake.

 

[DavidSauls]

i can understand there being a problem with empty beer cans littering the ground but if the powers that be have a problem with those containers being in the trash receptacle and there's no other problems then they need to loosen up a bit.

Telling them to loosen up---that there is evidence of substantial illegal activity but at least no litter or other problems---doesn't go over particularly well with local governments and neighbors. Even less when you're also asking them to give you additional land to build new courses.

It's easier to convince them that the "No Alcohol" rules should be changed, than to keep the rule but ignore the violations.

 

[dx_roc]

our trouble is with HS kids that drink/smoke in the parking lot. they don't even play, just hang out there.

 

[JC17393]

The attitude of "it's causing no harm so what's the big deal?" is one that is harmful to our sport on so many levels, one of which is this alcohol issue. If it's not allowed, then those that brazenly disregard the law by not only drinking in the park but leaving clear evidence behind in the trash cans are doing the sport no favors. It's selfish behavior, plain and simple. As has been suggested, the drinking doesn't even have to stop, but if you can carry it in, you can carry it out after.

That said, I think there are intermediary steps that the local authorities can take before they reach the point of "pull the course". How about increasing the monitoring of the park? Maybe the simple act of having more of a presence will force the drinkers to go underground or at least force them to be far more discreet. Maybe a few citations, or the clear threat of citations, will wise people up.

 

[dagwood112]

 

[Pwingles]

I am guilty of discrete alcohol consuming. At least 80% of the time im not playing a tournament or a skins match, i have a beverage (while golfing, not all day lol) I agree with you, it is a bit silly to leave them in the parks trash bins. Its better than littering for sure, but a little plastic grocery sack would be super easy to carry around with you. I may start doing that.

Luckily, i play half my rounds at a very nice private course that has a liquor license and has beer on site. Im spoiled.

 

[AdamE]

I agree with the OP and at least being discrete about it and not filling up park trash cans. But at least this major concern is with a liquid legal to an adult, rather than an illegal plant.

 

[SirRaph]

Unless the park or owner of the property has explicitly posted against alcohol, the real issue is the litter.

Trashy people do trashy things. As a player, the best thing you can do is set the example. Toss a couple trash bags in your DG bag, and when you see cans, pick them up.

Also, post this at the course...and mean it:

 

[JC17393]

We've heard similar sentiment in Charlotte, however, check around the parking lot of a softball tournament. They don't even attempt to try and get them in a trashcan, yet you dont hear about this from the park department.

Gotta wonder if the parks department tends to overlook the softball players because they're paying to be there, and they are on a schedule. The park knows when they'll be there and when they'll be done and can send a crew in to clean up right afterwards and make it look like they weren't there. In other words, it might be a "problem" but it's one that can be contained and taken care of relatively easily.

On the other hand, disc golfers are playing every day, all day, and aside from occasional tournaments which require a permit and use fee, there's no money coming to the park from the disc golfers. From that perspective, I can see where the parks department might target the disc golfers as a "problem" while overlooking similar behaviors from softball players or other park users.

 

[DavidSauls]

I have my doubts that anything will be very effective. Even if the course is pulled, the guilty players probably won't care nearly as much as some others.

But if the course has a kiosk/message board, perhaps a sign can be put up. Pull no punches: "This course may be closed due to violation of No Alcohol laws. Please help us avoid this." The sign could be subtle and point out that beer cans in trash cans have drawn the attention of authorities, with the hope that the discreet consumers will read between the lines and carry out their cans. Or perhaps be open and say, "If you must consume alcohol in violation of the law, please at least take the evidence with you when you leave."

 

[scarpfish]

The issue is indiscreet alcohol consumption on the courses and filling the trash cans with beer cans.

Your chuckers use the trash cans? If only ours here were that considerate. I've filled two kitchen size bags with their crap off the course in the last two days and still haven't reached about five holes.

 

[disc qualified]

That's why you carry mixed drinks in a nalgene bottle. It's discreet and you leave no litter behind.
Drinking in public 101.

 

[Terry 44]

SHAME HUMILIATION and PAIN

catalysts for change.....

Is publicly reprimanding this bad behavior gonna win friends, no. Will it win you a popularity contest, no.
Are you a jerk for doing it? NO, you are being helpful. But you will probably NOT do it because it takes courage.

 

[disc qualified]

Causing someone pain is helpful?
Let's agree to disagree.

 

[Jukeshoe]

A cautionary tale:

A local course recently has seen a dramatic increase in policing due to a perceived alcohol consumption issue. Public intoxication citations have been given out. Worse, the park now has a dedicated officer that shadows our league players, hiding in an out of the way area (with clear lines of sight to much of the park) with binoculars. He swoops in and tickets at the drop of a hat.

Even worse, they're seeing that because this place has no public restrooms, certain wooded areas are used as such (due to alcohol consumption or not). They are cracking down on this as well.

Any sort of increased scrutiny by law enforcement that puts disc golf in the cross hairs is bad business. Be careful of your behavior, keep things discreet and on the DL (or don't do them to begin with) or risk having your course patrolled or pulled.