Convince me to play competetively

[gammaxgoblin]

So I have been playing for this is my 5th year. For the first 3 years, it was only a summer thing. Last year, Feb through Nov. Now I have trouble not throwing any given day. It occurred to me that all I do is practice. I have never played a round with others while keeping score. I used to just go and play rounds but I always throw shots repeatedly until I throw an acceptable shot. Never throw and play form the lie, always throwing until i got it close to right. Now I just go and warm up with putting, then approach shots, forehand and backhand, then onto driving...but all fieldwork. Its like I cant see a reason to play in a league or tournament when I know that practice serves me better. All I do is practice and I dont have a problem with it. So why should I start playing in leagues or full scored rounds? Thanks!

 

[Jay Dub]

Some people play because they enjoy golf and to compete. Others like it because they enjoy throwing discs. I think I enjoy throwing discs more than competing even though a good score while competing is very rewarding.

It's all about the fun.

 

[Keller]

Why don't you start playing some actual score keeping rounds by yourself? I mean actual rounds, no second shots, no improve your lie, hold branches out of the way and no counting squibed puts that you bang the cage and say to yourself, I would have made it if it counted. Kepp track of your scores, make a spread sheet and see what your average is, what your stats are and what holes continually give you trouble.

Play like everything counts and see how you really score. It takes some discipline, but it will give you a feel for how you would really score. Or play with a buddy and put a dollar or two on the line.

I mean, what's all the practice about if you never test your self?

I'm not a huge fan of tourneys, they take too long and I usually end up on a card with people I would rather not be with for one reason or another, but I like to play competitively.

But if you just enjoy chucking plastic, then maybe that's your thing. Nothing wrong with that. The nice thing about disc golf is there are so many ways to enjoy yourself.

 

[lyleoross]

If you have an edge to put some pressure on yourself and like that rush you get through a competition, you play competitive rounds. Many hate that cause it takes the fun out of throwing frisbees around. There are stories going back decades about hippie players out in Cali that can throw lights out, but never compete, it just ruins it for them. The stories go that they often throw three to six discs and that's it; but they can do anything with them. I'm guessing those guys have more fun with their three discs than most players do.

 

[aclay]

I HATE tournaments. The pace is too slow, and there is very little banter; everyone is so serious because money is involved. I enjoy competition, but I enjoy it with and against my friends. Solo rounds are never as much fun as rounds with friends.

 

[markmcc]

I HATE tournaments. The pace is too slow, and there is very little banter; everyone is so serious because money is involved. I enjoy competition, but I enjoy it with and against my friends. Solo rounds are never as much fun as rounds with friends.

Different Strokes. I often prefer to play alone as I don't have to deal with the various dynamics of playing with groups. Who wants music playing? What kind? Mind if I smoke? Mind if I drag my kid along in a wagon? I'm running 10 (20, 30) minutes late, etc.

I played a few tournaments and eventually decided that stretching 2 hours of golf into an entire day wasn't particularly enjoyable for me either.

I have a couple of people that I truly enjoy playing with and in those cases playing with that person or (occasionally) persons is great, it isn't necessarily my first choice every time.

To the OP, if you are satisfied with how you are pursuing the game right now, why worry about changing it? I note that you refer to what you do as practice, which does imply that you are practicing for something, which would normally be a league or tournament. Why not just change your mindset to "this is how I play Disc Golf".

 

[b-mart]

It's not my responsibility to convince you to do anything. Do what you want. If you have fun just throwing discs and not really challenging yourself, then do that. And if you prefer throwing when it counts, then do that. Doesn't matter to me either way, and what I think shouldn't matter to you.

 

[ru4por]

My pitch would be the social aspect. I have met and become friend with a group of great old guys my age. In addition to the dozens of great folks that I have met and played with. All from different walks of life. After tournament rounds, we pull out the lawn chairs and share some cold ones in the geezer circle of perspiration.

In all honesty, I do play because tournament because I get jazz'd on the competition. It feeds a lifelong desire to compete.

 

[Grippenripp]

If all that practice serves to make you better yet you never compete to see where you stand amongst the ranks in your locale, then why? What's the point?

 

[Consult20]

I think you should join the PDGA, enter the next big event in Open, and beat all the top Pros and take home first place cash. It would be cool to have someone come out of nowhere to do that. Then you can go back to your old routine of just practicing, knowing you're the best player in the world! :clap:

Did I convince you?

 

[scarpfish]

One of the great things about this hobby is how versatile it be. Your experience can be as competitive or as much goofy fun as you want. It can be as social or solitary as you want. You can work on making your game better, or get some light exercise, or just blow off some steam. You can buy a $200 bag with all the bells and whistles or carry your six discs in a plastic shopping bag.

So let disc golf be what it is to you. Screw what anyone else thinks.

 

[HeavyCritters]

Mods, please delete this thread.

 

[Grippenripp]

I mean, get a PDGA number. Play some tourneys at the rec level if you like it then play til you move up etc. etc. This is my plan for next year the PDGA number is a birthday gift to myself. At the very least its a donation to support the sport and you get a cool disc and a mini and bagtag so for ar least a year you can look like a serious player.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

Why would you say this?

 

[gammaxgoblin]

Different Strokes. I often prefer to play alone as I don't have to deal with the various dynamics of playing with groups. Who wants music playing? What kind? Mind if I smoke? Mind if I drag my kid along in a wagon? I'm running 10 (20, 30) minutes late, etc.

I played a few tournaments and eventually decided that stretching 2 hours of golf into an entire day wasn't particularly enjoyable for me either.

I have a couple of people that I truly enjoy playing with and in those cases playing with that person or (occasionally) persons is great, it isn't necessarily my first choice every time.

To the OP, if you are satisfied with how you are pursuing the game right now, why worry about changing it? I note that you refer to what you do as practice, which does imply that you are practicing for something, which would normally be a league or tournament. Why not just change your mindset to "this is how I play Disc Golf".

I have asked myself this many times. Why cant I be content with .... honestly I want to say sucking, mediocrity but that is the exact reason i ask this question. I have struggled with doing anything "for fun" for ever. I am aware of it and I work daily toward being free from this type of thinking. I guess ultimately I am practicing to get to the point where I cannot throw consistently further, I can consistently throw it where I intend, have it fly how I intend, consistently throw the appropriate disc, consistently make putts from inside the circle. I guess in other words, find my ceiling, accept it and play knowing I am controlling what I can and not thinking about the rest.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

It's not my responsibility to convince you to do anything. Do what you want. If you have fun just throwing discs and not really challenging yourself, then do that. And if you prefer throwing when it counts, then do that. Doesn't matter to me either way, and what I think shouldn't matter to you.

Perhaps the title could have been "Why play competitive rounds?" and it would not have drawn your ire, idk. Within your statement I see some hidden questions such as; If i am not challenging myself, why bother? Why throw if it doesnt count?

I didnt mean to indicate, If I did, that I would immediately adopt and execute the opinions in responses which addresses my "caring."

Im trying to gain some perspective, other than my own, perhaps limited and ignorant, point of view.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

If all that practice serves to make you better yet you never compete to see where you stand amongst the ranks in your locale, then why? What's the point?

What i want to achieve a level which I believe I am capable of and judging myself only against myself and not in comparison to others performance? In all honesty, I used to think that way, but without the narrowness. What if all the practice shows me I am the worst in my locale? So I know where I stand...then what? What if I am the best, then what? Knowing where I stand in comparison to others tells me what exactly? I can only guess that it would tell me how to feel about myself lol. If Im the best, I feel good...im the worst i feel bad. This is why I am asking. The only thing competition truly seems to foster is the ego, or ones need for external gratification. If I seek to be free from deriving any sense of myself based on what anyone else does, then why compete? Not trying to be a jerk, trying to understand myself and playing devils advocate in the process.

 

[slowplastic]

Keep score some rounds, play properly within all the rules even if by yourself. Look at it as another form of practice. Sure you may be able to birdie 15/18 holes on your home course, but maybe you only end up -3 at the end of a round. See how you deal with that and how you do throwing approaches from the occasional bad tee shot/tree kick. Then you'll learn maybe some shots you need to practice from those situations.

When you gain consistency maybe you shoot -5 regularly, etc.

There's a difference between being able to birdie a hole on your best shots, vs. expecting to birdie a hole 70% of the time you come up to it. And then how you deal with it if you're 40' away...do you run it and risk 3 putting because you walked in expecting a birdie? Etc.

Also by playing with others in those situations you can see some different lines they take or when they run approaches and stuff like that.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

Why would you say this?

In response to "delete this thread."

 

[air show]

After that much practice I would think you would want to find out how you compare to other disc golfers. Playing competitively is a reality check and will help you find out which part of your game needs work. Or continue to practice and enjoy the exercise while being outside... it's all good.