(relatively) new disc golfer here

[jdude97]

Hey, so I'm a relatively new disc golfer. I say relative because I've actually been interested in the game/sport for quite some time now, and I've owned my own set of discs since 2011. I'm still quite the newbie as I almost never get to play for a variety of reasons, and perhaps related or just because, I'm not very good at all.

I've almost exclusively played the IIT course, where I am slowly getting some pars. I actually had two nice birdie chances yesterday (my first rounds of the season), but alas non converted. Yesterday I was in the high 40's (par 31 on 9 holes), but I tend to shoot low 40's and I have two 39's to my name from last summer.

I have played the North Shore Channel Trail course in Lincolnwood a handful of times, but I don't think anyone will contest that it's pretty bad. Still better than nothing.

The "highlight" of my short disc golfing career, or perhaps "lowlight" depending on how you look at it, was the time two summers ago when I went to Lemon Lake for a friendly tournament. I had only been playing for about a year at that point, and I was obviously way overclassed. It was 2 24-hole rounds with 4 other really experienced adults. Looking back, though, somewhere amongst the loss of self-confidence, the self-induced tirades, the 98% of my shots that flew into the woods, and the dozens of mosquito bites was a good time.

I think I have improved some since then, but I barely played last summer. One reason why I don't play much is that the nearest course is a 20 minute drive or hour train ride away, and who knows where the nearest "good" course is. I know from PDGA's website and other sources that there are a fair number of courses in the surrounding areas, but I don't know which ones to go to nor do I have the time to go to them.

Also, I'm a competitive person. Unfortunately, my disc golfing is no where near good enough to compete.

So now that you know a little about me, I ask you message borders some questions:
- What might be some especially good courses around Chicago (preferably within an hour drive), especially for a relative newbie? Preferably something not too long, wooded, or confusing to play.
- Where might be a good place to partake in some friendly competition? I'm generally busy on most weeknights and a lot of weekends, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't find a little time to participate in a league or weeknight event. How do you find out about them? How do you join them? What do you do at them? Also, are there any novice/recreational tournaments coming up? Same questions for those: when? where? who? how?
- Where could I get either formal or informal instruction to improve my game? I pretty much taught myself from YouTube videos and occasionally watching some other players from afar. My drives go 40 feet half the time. I have no judgement of strength when I'm throwing a mid-range or putter. If I'm trying to lay-up, it goes 20 feet past the basket. If I'm trying to go for the hole, it lands 10 feet from where I was standing. When I through backhand, my shot goes to my right 45 degrees half the time. At IIT where it's pretty open it's not a big deal, but at Lemon Lake, I couldn't through any backhands since they would go 50 feet into the brush (if it wasn't for my patient playing partners, I would've lost 5 discs that day). I also tend to through backhands, but I loose even more distance. I struggle to even get within putting distance in 3 strokes on even a <200 ft hole.

Well, there you have it. Please advise as much as you can. Any comments would be appreciated.

[ryan50921]

Come out to bag tag leagues starting may 18 at bevier park in waukegan. It'll start at 10am every Sunday.  Good times to be had!

[pickax]

What part of Chicago are you in? That might helps us figure out which of the better courses that are closer. If you are more to the south, consider going to Mokena. Most of the course winds through huge old growth oaks. There is very little rough where it is hard to find your disc (or a way to throw it out from there). I would print a map ahead of time as the next tee is not obvious in a couple of spots.

There are a lot of leagues throughout the suburbs. (again it would help to know where you are coming from). That is probably one of the best ways to find someone who can help you to throw these things.

[jimklem]

Hi there jdude97!
It is always good to meet another disc golfer.

While it is really fun to watch a Pro be able to bomb a drive 400+ feet or be crazy good at putting, most of us believe that it is the level of FUN that matters when we play. We started DISContinuum in part because some local Pros used to take advantage of newbies or lower Amateurs more than teaching them the game.  Part of our mission is to educate newer players and provide a model of inclusion rather than engendering a separation between Pro and Am.

Our Sunday morning league, which starts May 18th, is a good way to meet people while you focus on learning one course week after week.  Our leagues have young and old as well as some really good and some not so good players. We enjoy the sport and we support each other.

If you decide to check out our leagues, please introduce yourself.  If you are hesitant to commit, just play one week without paying (no pay-in, no payout).  See if you'd be comfortable playing again.

Also, check out pdga.com  and  dgreview.com  to find other courses in the area.

We look forward to meeting you.  

[jdude97]

Thanks everyone so far for responding. I wrote a few sentences in response to each comment.

@ryan: I've heard of bag tags and Googled them a little bit, but what exactly are they? And how do bag tag leagues work? Is there money or other prizes paid in or out? Also, do you just show up Sundays at 10am? Rain or shine? How much DG is there per Sunday? How long does it run? Is there any online info and/or websites? Thanks in advance for the answers.

@pickax: I'm just north of downtown. As far as I can tell, nothing is really close, although like I said, IIT is very reasonable by car and is accessible by CTA. As far as I know, it's the only Chicago course accessible by the L or CTA busses, which are a lot easier to use (in my experience, at least) than having to transfer to Metra or other forms of transit. Of course, driving solves these issues, but I do not always have access to a car.

@jim: I'm all for the fun! My issue is often I have fun when I'm fantasizing about buying new discs or hitting the course, and then once it's time to play, I am so bad that it is nearly impossible to have fun. However, I am changing my personal mentality in two ways. The more obvious way is to improve. One way in which I've been doing that is experimenting with new putting styles, and then trying them out with my own portable disc golf basket in my backyard. Just yesterday I spent half an hour focusing on 5-15 foot putts. However, this only postpones the lack of fun, instead of creating fun. I've realized and embraced that the fun comes from being outside on a nice day, with your friends, throwing some discs. I'm sure if everyone is as positive and encouraging as you are, that'll be no problem. Thanks for the websites you mentioned. I have already looked at those extensively, but I'll continue to do so to locate courses.

Thanks again, everyone! Please answer my questions and perhaps others I've not even considered when you get a chance.

[jimklem]

Aaaahhh.  Improving your playing.  Well, I've been playing for 20 years and I still have a lot of improving to do.  Here are some ways to improve:
1. Practice.
2. Play with people better than you. Watch them. Ask questions. It is not just about your grip or your discs, but your stance, x-step, follow-through, and more.  It may take a while for it all to come together, but it will happen.
3. Practice.
4. Watch some disc golf instructional videos on YouTube.
5. Practice.
6. Never give up.

Hopefully, you'll be having some level of fun throughout all this.  Don't focus on your downfalls.  Focus on the beauty of a disc flying through the air. Celebrate any small improvements.

BagTags:  Bottle openers with numbers on them.  You buy a club membership for $15 and get a BagTag.  When you play Leagues or when you play casually, the winner takes the lowest number and the worst score takes the highest.  At the end of the season, whoever has the lowest numbered BagTag wins (or has to buy drinks for the others).     

Leagues are Rain or Shine or Snow or Sleet.  Only lightning keeps us indoors.

Hope this helps and hope to see you out there soon!