2024 Reviewer of the Year

[BogeyNoMore]

I just do not get the desire to bag so many courses. I need to play a course several times to get anywhere near my best score on it. If I have no comparison then I am unsure if I am playing well or not. I love the feel of seeing a personal best. A truly good course deserves multiple plays to understand the possibilities.

Do what works for you/makes you happy.

Terrain, flora (and fauna) vary greatly from region to region, and different local designers often like to bring different elements into play.

Sure, we all want to score as low as we possibly can, but I'm not a touring pro, who needs to squeeze every stroke out of a course that they can to climb the leaderboard. I know when I'm hitting my shots (and when I'm not).

I (and many others) prefer to play a course, enjoy it for what it offers and/or makes it different, and move on to the next course (not to mention meeting others).

There are several very good courses near me that I have dialed in (at least kind of ), but I tire of playing the same sets of holes over and over. Traveling to other areas to play courses helps keep things fresh for me, and gives me a better perspective on how my local courses compare to those in other areas of the country.

It's all about what works for you as an individual.

 

[dndelli]

Do what works for you/makes you happy.

Terrain, flora (and fauna) vary greatly from region to region, and different local designers often like to bring different elements into play.

Sure, we all want to score as low as we possibly can, but I'm not a touring pro, who needs to squeeze every stroke out of a course that they can to climb the leaderboard. I know when I'm hitting my shots (and when I'm not).

I (and many others) prefer to play a course, enjoy it for what it offers and/or makes it different, and move on to the next course (not to mention meeting others).

There are several very good courses near me that I have dialed in (at least kind of ), but I tire of playing the same sets of holes over and over. Traveling to other areas to play courses helps keep things fresh for me, and gives me a better perspective on just well my local courses do (or don't) compare to those in other areas of the country.

It's all about what works for you as an individual.

Really well put. The other thing that is nice about playing new courses, is they sometimes test your creativity and/or new shot shapes you aren't used to throwing on your home courses.

 

[wellsbranch250]

Congrats to both Knobby and Espresso whom both hit their 250th review over the weekend!

 

[EspressoPatronum]

Do what works for you/makes you happy.

Terrain, flora (and fauna) vary greatly from region to region, and different local designers often like to bring different elements into play.

Sure, we all want to score as low as we possibly can, but I'm not a touring pro, who needs to squeeze every stroke out of a course that they can to climb the leaderboard. I know when I'm hitting my shots (and when I'm not).

I (and many others) prefer to play a course, enjoy it for what it offers and/or makes it different, and move on to the next course (not to mention meeting others).

There are several very good courses near me that I have dialed in (at least kind of ), but I tire of playing the same sets of holes over and over. Traveling to other areas to play courses helps keep things fresh for me, and gives me a better perspective on how my local courses compare to those in other areas of the country.

It's all about what works for you as an individual.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Bogey! Plus, it lets me travel all over the country seeing new things, and I get to add in hikes, food, coffee, etc.

Do what works for you and enjoy it to the fullest.

 

[Monocacy]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Bogey! Plus, it lets me travel all over the country seeing new things, and I get to add in hikes, food, coffee, etc.

. . . BBQ, taco trucks, breweries, oh and uh friends and family . . .

 

[BogeyNoMore]

For a response, that's more on topic for this specific thread...

Reviewers who've played hundreds of courses, across many states, have a larger sample size, are likely to have played more high quality courses, and seen a wider range of holes and situations.

That provides richer context for people reading reviews, than someone who's only played courses within a relatively small radius of their home.

 

[Pizza God]

I just do not get the desire to bag so many courses. I need to play a course several times to get anywhere near my best score on it. If I have no comparison then I am unsure if I am playing well or not. I love the feel of seeing a personal best. A truly good course deserves multiple plays to understand the possibilities.

Well for me, it's about throwing a hole for the first time and nailing it.

Even when I first started playing back in the 80's I have always been one that never played a course twice in a row. I would Drive down from Denton and play a different course each time. Well, unless I was playing a tournament or mini that time.

Back then I would also try to play courses on trips. So I was kind of a course collector even back then before it became a "thing"

Trust me, you don't want to be addicted to collecting courses. I spend way too much money on gas to keep my addiction up.

 

[DFrah]

I just do not get the desire to bag so many courses. I need to play a course several times to get anywhere near my best score on it. If I have no comparison then I am unsure if I am playing well or not. I love the feel of seeing a personal best. A truly good course deserves multiple plays to understand the possibilities.

This is a really great question! And you have already gotten some other perspectives which I generally agree with.

For me personally, I have figured out that what you describe is exactly, 100% why I DON'T want to play most courses again and again (other than a couple of my favorites). I get ultra competitive with myself when I am focused on getting better at something, to the point where I end up not enjoying that thing. I don't want that to happen with disc golf so I don't play the same courses very often, or participate in any leagues or tournaments.

I AM actually getting better overall by playing new courses all the time. Probably not as much as I would if I focused on it more directly, but enough to keep me happy. And I return to my local course 6 months or a year later and find that I have improved since the last time I played that course and I score better. So it's like I'm deliberately not focused on getting better because I'm afraid that would ruin the enjoyment for me. I have actually consciously thought about this.

That approach probably won't work for everyone, and it may not work for you. Your approach is perfectly valid, and probably more normal than mine. But that's where I'm coming from personally.

 

[wolfhaley]

It's so much more fun playing a course you've never played before. I still obviously play my local courses but there's nothing like stepping up to a tee pad you've never seen before and figuring out what's the plan of attack here. Nothing is better than that.

 

[Pizza God]

Ok, I will tell the truth

I get bored playing a course I have played before. I mean I have zero desire to play the 2 courses I am technically course pro for. The course closest to my house I only have played one time since it was installed years ago (To be fair, I do call it one of the worst courses in DFW)

However I will push my self to the point I am feel like I am about to die playing new courses on my trips.

I mean you are going to read about them finding me on a course someday, as long as they put the course number in my OBIT, I am fine with that.

 

[ChrisinFL]

I agree, Geezer. Some new courses are fun, but I enjoy playing a course I like, learning the lines, figuring which disc works better for me where, and trying to improve my scores. Also, I am not big on spending a lot of time traveling. I play now and then at courses that are further away, but I keep most of my play under a 30 minute drive. DG rocks! Getting good - I just need a bit more distance. Moving my 250-275' max out to 300' would change my birdie chances on a lot of holes (wrong thread for it, I know, but I just can't help myself).

 

[ChrisinFL]

I think the travel bug is a thing, and it just never really bit me?!?!
I prefer activities I enjoy over traveling to places I have never been to look at something I have not seen before. I look, okay, I saw it, now let's go play DG, or get a nice meal out, or go roller skating - do something I really enjoy!

 

[Tyler V]

Ivanhenson's recent spree of reviws has taken our magic numnber to 10!

 

[Tyler V]

Welcome to our end-of- June update and halfway point check in! Here's where we stand:

1. wolfhaley: 123
2. Pizza God: 91
3. sillybizz: 82
4. Moose33: 39
5. EspressoPatronum: 35
6. DiscGolfCraig: 32
7. aclay: 30
8. wellsbranch250: 29
9. DFrah: 28
10. dreadlock86: 25
11. PastorofMuppets: 22
12. HyooMac: 20
13. Cerealman: 19
14. GMcAtee: 15
14. ivanhenson: 15
14. Ryal: 15
14. The Red Death 30: 15
18. Naenae: 14
19. dndelli: 13
19. smithinggolfer: 13
19. Tyler V: 13
22. Shadrach3: 11
22. Surge5: 11
24. lukedpt: 10
24. Steve Gantz: 10

June real kicked off the Summer rush of reviews, as we had seven reviewers hit double digits. Wolf is the obvious storyline of the month with 55 reviews, a number more than half our top 25 will be under at the end of the year. Pizza God and sillybizz also put up over 20 reviews. Other reviewers like ivanhenson and dndelli put up double digits to firmly put them in the conversation this year as well. It was also nice to see DFrah and aclay have a big June as well. Only two current top-25 runners didn't review a course this month.

Top-25 Total Compared To Other Years
While we are halfway through the year, we still have plenty of warm months left where folks typically up their review counts and plan roadtrips. That being said, we currently are at 730 reviews among out top 25. Here's where we sit among past years:

1. 2009 – 1646 reviews
2. 2010 – 1431
3. 2023 – 1410
4. 2012 – 1287
5. 2011 – 1273
6. 2014 – 1245
7. 2021 – 1186
8. 2018 – 1171
9. 2020 – 1167
10. 2008 – 1157
11. 2013 – 1139
12. 2016 – 1059
13. 2017 – 1040
14. 2015 -983
15. 2022 – 977
16. 2019 – 963
17. 2014 – 730
18. 2007 – 362

With half the year to go, we are already probably a month away from starting to overcome some slower years. We are currently on pace to have the second biggest year among our top 15, pacing only behind 2009.

June Notes
New Reviews this month: 285
Members who reviewed their first course this month: wellerlandon, @balkmusic, @broeser21, @Bryce Warren, @discipline, @DTorr, @exercise queen. @Footmaster, @Justin Inboden, @mostlynorwegian, @Robert Carbo, @Rotorvator, @stnecuterz, @Travis D, @user259590, and @woof 359. Thanks for joining the site!
Top Reviewers in June:
1. @wolfhaley: 55
2. @Pizza God: 24
3. @sillybizz: 23
4. @aclay: 18
5. @DFrah: 12
6. @ivanhenson: 11
7. @dndelli: 10
8. @wellsbranch250: 6
8. @PastorofMuppets: 6
10. @Ryal: 5
10. @Tyler V: 5

The All-Time Leaderboard
No additional folks from this year are on the board yet, but our current podium are all within the top 50. Wolfhaley is sitting tied for 15th all-time with mashnut's 2009 run, and while he may have already completed his primary roadtrip and not have the pace, he is currently pacing to overtake mashnut's all-time run of 228 reviews in 2010. We are also looking like we will have three folks hit 100 reviews this year, joining only 2009 and 2023, though other years came very close as well.

Here's the list as it stands now:
1 mashnut | 228 | 2010
2 Dave242 | 224 | 2009
3 MrFrosty | 175 | 2020
4 The Valkyrie Kid | 174 | 2016
5 mashnut | 160 | 2011
6 The Valkyrie Kid | 159 | 2017
7 wolfhaley | 151 | 2023
8 mashnut |150 | 2012
8 wellsbranch250 | 150 | 2018
10 harr0410 | 147 | 1012
10 The Valkyrie Kid | 147 | 2018
12 The Valkyrie Kid | 146 | 2015
13 Innovadude | 134 | 2008
14 harr0410 | 129 | 2009
15 mashnut | 123 | 2009
15 wolfhaley | 123 | 2024
17 MrFrosty | 117 | 2019
18 Shadrach3 | 111 | 2021
19 reposado | 110 | 2013
19 wellsbranch250 | 110 | 2017
21 PastorofMuppets | 108 | 2023
22 mndiscg | 104 | 2014
22 The Valkyrie Kid | 104 | 2019
24 The Valkyrie Kid | 103 | 2014
24 Pizza God | 103 | 2016
26 Shadrach3 | 101 | 2022
27 sillybizz | 100 | 2023
--------------------------------------
28 The Valkyrie Kid | 99 | 2008
29 The Valkyrie Kid | 98 | 2012
30 The Valkyrie Kid | 97 | 2013
30 HyooMac | 97 | 2022
32 harr0410 | 96 | 2011
33 notapro | 95 | 2012
34 reposado | 94 | 2014
35 notapro | 93 | 2010
35 The Valkyrie Kid | 93 | 2011
35 discRabbit | 93 | 2011
38 mndiscg | 92 | 2012
39 optidiscic | 91 | 2009
39 Pizza God | 91 | 2024
41 #19325 | 87 | 2010
42 apdrvya | 86 | 2013
42 Pizza God | 86 | 2021
44 EspressoPatronum | 85 | 2023
45 The Valkyrie Kid | 84 | 2020
46 mashnut | 83 | 2013
46 Pizza God | 83 | 2023
46 Johnsondere | 83 | 2023
49 harr0410 | 82 | 2010
49 sillybizz | 82 | 2024
51 Roc1Time | 80 | 2009
52 swatso | 79 | 2010
52 knobby325 | 79 | 2021
52 HyooMac | 79 | 2023
55 wellsbranch250 | 78 | 2019
56 FoleyT | 77 | 2008
56 The Valkyrie Kid | 77 | 2010
56 DFrah | 77 | 2023
59 apdrvya | 74 | 2014
60 blake833 | 72 | 2018
61 notapro | 71 | 2011
62 Breh | 70 | 2019
63 The Valkyrie Kid | 69 | 2009
63 swatso | 69 | 2009
63 swatso | 69 | 2011
66 sisyphus | 68 | 2015
66 reposado | 68 | 2015
66 lazrman778 | 68 | 2016
69 Donovan | 67 | 2010
69 Stardoggy | 67 | 2016
71 Pizza God | 66 | 2019
72 tallpaul | 65 | 2009
72 Shadrach3 | 65 | 2020
72 aclay | 65 | 2023
75 sisyphus | 64 | 2014
75 Upshawt1979 | 64 | 2018
75 HyooMac | 64 | 2020
78 bjreagh | 63 | 2009
78 bjreagh | 63 | 2011
78 Pizza God | 63 | 2018
78 DiscGolfCraig | 63 | 2020
82 tallpaul | 62 | 2010
82 stardoggy | 62 | 2015
84 knobby325 | 61 | 2020
84 HyooMac | 61 | 2021
86 hognosesucker | 60 | 2009
86 mrbro855 | 60 | 2016
86 wellsbranh250 | 60 | 2023
89 DSCJNKY | 59 | 2009
90 bryon | 58 | 2008
90 sillybizz | 58 | 2009
90 Mr. Butlertron | 58 | 2017
90 wellsbranch250 | 58 | 2020
94 Stardoggy | 57 | 2014
94 wellsbranch250 | 57 | 2016
96 wolito | 56 | 2009
96 sillybizz | 56 | 2011
96 sisyphus | 56 | 2013
99 mndiscg | 55 | 2021
99 DFrah | 55 | 2021
99 knobby325 | 55 | 2022
99 Moose33 | 55 | 2023

 

[Tyler V]

One thing I forgot to add: here's how many reviews 2023's list had halfway through the year, compared to how they finished:

wolfhaley: 63 (151)
PastorofMuppets: 53 (108)
sillybizz: 49 (100)
EspressoPatronum: 28 (85)
Johnsondere: 0 (83)
Pizza God: 6 (83)
HyooMac: 47 (79)
DFrah: 31 (65)
wellsbranch250: 27 (60)
Moose33: 14 (55)
DiscGolfCraig: 24 (53)
Surge5: 23 (43)
Ryal: 14 (35)
knobby325: 25 (33)
dndelli: 0 (31)
Naenae: N/A (31)
adlacro: 16 (30)
mndiscg: 10 (29)
Pevio: 11 (29)
Shadrach3: 7 (25)
The Red Death 30: 2 (24)
ivanhenson: 9 (23)

 

[DFrah]

Thanks for the analysis as always, Tyler! Excited to see what the second half of 2024 has in store.