2021 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships June 22-26

[biscoe]

I understand that raw power and distance will be different between MPO and FPO, but should the quality of putting and approach shots really be that different overall from the top pros in each division? It seems that it is, but I cannot come up with any good explanation as to why. Now don't get me wrong, Cat's final approach on 18 is to be envied by anyone, but that seems to be more the exception than the rule. And C1x percentages between divisions certainly tell a clear story as well.

IMO putting and standstill approaching are more about upper body strength than driving is.

 

[Cgkdisc]

I understand that raw power and distance will be different between MPO and FPO, but should the quality of putting and approach shots really be that different overall from the top pros in each division? It seems that it is, but I cannot come up with any good explanation as to why. Now don't get me wrong, Cat's final approach on 18 is to be envied by anyone, but that seems to be more the exception than the rule. And C1x percentages between divisions certainly tell a clear story as well.

Power/snap matters on almost every throw including putts outside 20+ feet. The harder/faster you can throw an on-line spin putt, the less it will drop vertically over the distance to the basket. Matters even more on uphill putts where the gravity-to-lift ratio increases. On fairway and approach shots, more powerful players can use rounder edged discs that hold a line better for the same distance as less powerful players who need to or choose to use sharper edged discs.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

Men have better hand/eye coordination, spatial awareness, and use of large muscle groups.

* definitely getting canceled *

 

[nothinbuttree]

Not to change the subject, but this was just posted on Fox, so more exposure!

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pro-disc-golfer-unbelievable-shot

 

[Jolt]

Ace? But good for the sport.

That shot possibly did more for the sport than any other shot ever……let's hope the sport can use this

 

[reezyF]

Not to change the subject, but this was just posted on Fox, so more exposure!

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pro-disc-golfer-unbelievable-shot

Awesome to be included with Fox sports.
Comments section not so awesome, but expected.

 

[Jolt]

Wonder how far of discgolf is from having the last round of worlds on a large network

 

[BogeyNoMore]

This. The final round from McBeast especially was a one man highlight reel, incredible shot after incredible shot and then Conrad stole the show with one of the best moments I've seen in sport. OK Calvin was having a shocker but the other three were a joy to watch.

The FPO card was a lot more like watching me and my friends play, a card of four of us would be rated slightly higher (even with me bringing the average down ) . I want to be wowed by stuff I can't see on my local course day in day out, the FPO field is still not there, I do think they will get there though in the next few years.

^ This.

The FPO lead card simply had lot of missed putts and other errors. Not saying I could do better, but if felt more like, "Who's gonna make the fewest errors," rather than "who's going to make the next great shot."

MPO was much more about great putts and great shots. And even when Calvin fell out of it in the final round, the MPO chase card was seriously in the mix for a good part of the final round.

FPO contest was only between 3 players. Tattar and King never had a sniff.


I don't expect the women to smash. But I do expect them to be able to hit their lines and putt better than they did last week/weekend.
My guess is nerves, pure and simple. Most of them seem better than that.

I also have to say, both courses were really tough, and compounded mistakes with OB and unfortunate kicks/rolls/skips.

 

[Horsman]

Wonder how far of discgolf is from having the last round of worlds on a large network

People wont be watching the large networks by the time disc golf gets there so it wont matter

 

[ru4por]

Awesome to be included with Fox sports.
Comments section not so awesome, but expected.

Kind of an eye opener as to where we are really at? As insiders, we tend to have a jaded perspective.

 

[ilitig8]

Putting and approaching should be similar and it is wildly different. The only reason I can think is a lack of competition.

Niche sports in general draw from a small talent pool. Take MPO for example, the number of boys that grow up playing disc golf pales in comparison to those that grow up playing baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. If the numbers were similar for disc golf it is unlikely the top 10 MPO players today would be in the top 100. FPO draws from a magnitude smaller group of players. The only way that niche sports and protected classes of niche sports get better as a whole is when they draw from a wider talent pool which produces the competition which drives the quality of play.

I enjoy watching FPO because it is more relatable to me on an ability level. As a product, it is not as good as MPO because even accounting for the physical differences the quality of play is not as high and the number of women that can win tour events is lower.

 

[Jolt]

Maybe OT but, the R4 broadcast is up to 170k views…..that's a lot..wow.

But the video is 4,5h long, how long do you need to watch to be counted as "A view"?

 

[Flick Maniac]

I got my ear chewed up for this but would you say "i enjoy watching amateur tennis because thats more relatable to my tennis skills"??

I just dont get it. I have a hard time watching any other female sport than climbing. Track and field maybe. The men are just more entertaining. And thats not judging the female pros one bit. Its just what I see and what I enjoy. I wish nothing but the best for any female league in any sport. Theres always someone throwing a tantrum when someone says this.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Power/snap matters on almost every throw including putts outside 20+ feet. The harder/faster you can throw an on-line spin putt, the less it will drop vertically over the distance to the basket. Matters even more on uphill putts where the gravity-to-lift ratio increases. On fairway and approach shots, more powerful players can use rounder edged discs that hold a line better for the same distance as less powerful players who need to or choose to use sharper edged discs.

Worth considering.

 

[ChrisWoj]

 

[Flick Maniac]

Putting and approaching should be similar and it is wildly different. The only reason I can think is a lack of competition. More competition at the top will drive the need to get better at every facet of the game. I've always found it frustrating that this seems to be the biggest difference between FPO/MPO and the easiest to change, there is very little of a physiological excuse for it, although longer fingers and limbs do help generate power in putting so are advantageous. You'll find me ranting elsewhere about the inefficient putting strokes of the top FPO players (and some top MPO players of the last ten years for that matter, looking at you Schusterick...) . A lot of them have very poor putting form, but with a lack of competition to drive change they haven't needed to blow the form up and start over.

Several players in FPO have very unorthodox throwing styles too, not just putting.

 

[Emoney]

What a perfect ending to Worlds.

Paul Mcbeth is still the best disc golfer on the planet. He didn't "lose" the chip (to me)....James Conrad took it!

What a insane miracle shot on 18. Beautiful park job in the playoff.The odds of him doing that on 18 had to be astronomical.

Huge win for James. Huge win for MVP. Huge win for Disc Golf!

"The Fort" is how I feel disc golf is meant to be played. Mostly par 3s with very protected pins. Makes for very exciting golf and wild lead changes.

 

[Jolt]

Can't be that many players that have both the World and USDGC title?

 

[biscoe]

Can't be that many players that have both the World and USDGC title?

6- Kenny, Barry, Feldberg, Doss, McBeth, James

 

[R-Ogre]

Longtime buddy of mine got back into DG and became an MVP fanboi last summer. Safe to say, he was pretty pumped. Such a sick shot.