Saw a newbie with an XCal

[Midnightbiker]

Ran into a couple of newbies at the practice basket. Neither one had a putter, and they saw me putting and asked how long I had been playing. When I told them I had been playing for over 6 years, they asked me to look at the discs they had and what they thought. The teenage son had an Star Xcal, and I was a little shocked. I tried to explain the best I could that I don't even have an arm to throw one of those, and that he needed a good midrange and putter to start and to put that xcal on the shelf for at least a year or so, till he learned how to throw. They kind of gave me blank stares and went on their way. How would you have handled this?

 

[scarpfish]

I would have let them go about their merry way. Reality will slap them upside the head eventually, and they'll acquire some more appropriate discs.

Or maybe not.

 

[DanJon]

I would've played a round with them. Show them what putters and midranges can do.

Then try and give them some advice.

 

[Colt]

I blame disc manufactures, "extra long distance" "maximum distance"

 

[Homeslice]

^ this exactly. And if you have any spare putters, Mids possibly speed 9 drivers... I know most of us are stocked up.Honestly I do this all the time in H town.

 

[AndyJB]

At least they asked you...thats cool and shows that they aren't total gomers. In Colorado at the local short course, I was always trying to give people little tips and got bad reactions almost all the time. I was always trying to be as polite as possible, but I guess some people don't like to take unsolicited "frisbee advice" from the random big dude in the polo shirt covered in tattoos. :::shrugs:::

As for your situation, I've seen even really good/experienced players' eyes glaze over when I try to explain disc flight, stabilities, et al. to them. So maybe you went too in depth, I dunno. Another option is that they weren't really looking for advice, rather they were looking for validation. If that's the case, then you weren't going to win either way, and they probably walked off talking about how you didn't know anything.

Another possibility is that the next time you see them on the course, they are throwing what you suggested. That would be cool, right? Keep your eyes out and maybe that will end up being what happens...and that teenager will get so good that he beats you in a few months!!!

 

[jongoff09]

If I had the time I would have played a round with them and let them borrow discs I have to throw, starting with a Valk and then to mids and putters to show them the differences in the discs and why the xcal probably isn't a good disc to use.

I actually played with someone this summer that had just started playing and was using an xcal. He threw with level nose angle so I knew he would be alright with a driver, but the xcal was diving left hard. I let him borrow my Valk and he started throwing very straight for about 200'.

 

[smokfraglerock]

I work at a PIAS and I know that blank look very well. I've just about given up trying to explain that max distantance, extreme long range, and 13 speed will not deliever distance immediately. I just let them pick out their Bosses, Nukes, Destroyers etc. :wall:
I have gotten better at convincing people that a putter will help lower their scores so thats something.:\

 

[crashzero]

I see this all the time, newbs and casuals flicking an xcal about 150ft. Sometimes I can get through to them, but most of the time they aren't interested in changing anything. These are the kind of people that play lightning fast if they are ever behind you, but you'll be stuck waiting forever if you ever get behind them. I don't think the problem is how the disc is labeled by the manufacturer, its just that some people haven't been given proper advice or aren't willing to take any.

 

[Grungedude42]

I've stopped to help newbies look for lost discs. When asked what we're looking for, I've been told "A blue Innova".
"Innova, what?"
"Oh, I dunno."

I just keep my tongue in check and help them find it. No need to geek out on the poor souls.

 

[dsb1829]

I'd have pulled out my XCal and showed them how to throw it. I typically only use it as a utility disc for fast flex lines or hard lefts. I use it for 300-350' shots. Any farther and I put the meat hook back in the bag.

It is usually easier to play a few holes with a newbie, have some conversation, I will often hand them a leopard or understable mid from my bag and let them see the difference for themselves.

 

[JC17393]

I see this all the time, newbs and casuals flicking an xcal about 150ft. Sometimes I can get through to them, but most of the time they aren't interested in changing anything. These are the kind of people that play lightning fast if they are ever behind you, but you'll be stuck waiting forever if you ever get behind them. I don't think the problem is how the disc is labeled by the manufacturer, its just that some people haven't been given proper advice or aren't willing to take any.

Agree with the second half of the bolded, but the manufacturer labels and descriptions certainly don't help matters any. I mean, that's why they label the discs the way they do...so the discs sell themselves better off the shelf.

I see it all the time in my shop. More and more players have become fascinated with the speed rating on Innova discs. New players come in and want the highest speed rating they can get because in their mind faster=longer. Doesn't matter how much I convince them that in their second ever round, they're going to throw a Leopard much further and more accurately than a Boss, they still want the Boss. Even with more experienced players, sometimes the distinction isn't clear. They assume that because it's got a 13 speed rating, the Boss is automatically going to give them 150 more feet of distance compared to their 8 speed Archangel, and it's rarely ever the case.

Though I do like that Discraft still labels discs that are arguably fairway drivers, like the XL and the Xpress, as "Extra Long Range". Makes them a much easier sell to those players insistent on getting the "longest, fastest, straightest" disc they can.

Labeling is a big thing with these discs, and can definitely mislead the ill-informed.

 

[bradharris]

I've stopped to help newbies look for lost discs. When asked what we're looking for, I've been told "A blue Innova".
"Innova, what?"
"Oh, I dunno."

I just keep my tongue in check and help them find it. No need to geek out on the poor souls.

My brother was throwing something new the other day, I asked him what it was. He looked at it a little perplexed and said, "I dunno, Innova Star maybe?"

He also throws upshots with a Nuke, rarely uses a mid, and never uses fairway drivers.

I try to give him pointers, but he's more interested in just playing the way that works for him. Ignorance is bliss in that case, so I just leave it be and enjoy spending time on the course with my brother.

 

[BirdieMachine]

Your typical one disc wonders noobs. I've played through many a group where everyone had a Z Nuke Or Champ Boss. They typically dont play enough to care and typically offering advice won't work. I usually just let em be. Maybe they will get more interested but probably not. Every sport has it's casual players.

 

[wake911]

I would have let them go about their merry way. Reality will slap them upside the head eventually, and they'll acquire some more appropriate discs.

Or maybe not.

Yup. I don't get the attitude of "I must inform the newbie about my philosophy on how to play disc golf"

Disc golf is ALL about having fun. But if someone asks me what they can do to get better, then I'll happily assist them, and drop some knowledge.

 

[tbird888]

If you wanted them to see that disc speed doesn't equal distance, I would've had them throw their disc, watch it fade hard left and hand them a slower neutral disc from your bag to throw.

That said, I'll mirror the comments here. If they're having fun and enjoying the course, their equipment is just right.

 

[blackcatsmith]

I probably would have played a round with them and after said round would say something like: " I really like the X-Cal as well, it's a good disc, but I can only use it for a couple specific shots because of it's attributes(fighting wind/fading hard)" and frankly, my arm's not 'big' enough. Then I'd go on and say:"I just got a new disc that I'm really liking, it flies supers straight, glides for days and is very versatile, it's called the (insert disc of choice here)." I'd probably go with the Comet, because they sell them at hastings and Manzanita Outdoors...but laughingly- really anything short of an X-Cal is going to be a step in the right direction. If it were me I would want to be introduced to this site, it has helped me immensely in regards such as this(and others).

 

[blackcatsmith]

His name was Les, he has him a Z Nuke, a MGD, and one helluva forearm. He is THE KING OF THE CHUCKERS!! Putts with the Nuke upside down. Flicks that disc like he's hitting a line drive up the middle. Beat all us four and what's more- while he was only throwing that Nuke, we were playing doubles....and all the while holding that beer in his other hand. Ended up playing close to 54 holes with Les. Great guy, actually sponsored hole #9 at Watson come to find out.... so I guess I'd just say you can't always judge a book by it's cover.

 

[ejvogie]

Yup. I don't get the attitude of "I must inform the newbie about my philosophy on how to play disc golf"

He was asked his opinion :|

 

[tampabay]

My brother was throwing something new the other day, I asked him what it was. He looked at it a little perplexed and said, "I dunno, Innova Star maybe?"

He also throws upshots with a Nuke, rarely uses a mid, and never uses fairway drivers.

I try to give him pointers, but he's more interested in just playing the way that works for him. Ignorance is bliss in that case, so I just leave it be and enjoy spending time on the course with my brother.

Do you beat him by large margins? That's how I usually convince people to listen