New to the Forum, and still learning Disc Golf

[ltkettch17]

Hey all,

Just signed up for the forum today, thought I'd take the time to introduce myself and see what's what with this group. 

My name is Al and I live in Gurnee, I've been "playing" disc golf for about 5 years now, but I only really made an effort to improve my game last year.  I watched a lot of disc-craft videos on YouTube, found some things that worked, and by the end of the season I was playing at least twice a week. 

I'm gearing up for this year and might be interested in trying a league or amateur event.  Other than that, I'll be playing at Warren at least once a week.  I usually go after work (between 5 and 6pm) and play two rounds.  It's a nice little course, even my wife will play sometimes. 

I just had a few questions; it's pretty difficult to tell what a good distance drive is when you play with the same people all the time.  I read online that a lot of people seem to throw 300ft easy.  Is that an exaggeration, or not?  I can only gauge myself by the length posted on some of the holes, and I think on a good day I can hit 250.  And that's if I really don't care where the disc ends up.

Other than that, I'm kinda curious how an amateur tournament works.  How long does it take?  How many people usually attend?  Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks all,

- AL

[pickax]

300ft is not an exaggeration for an easy drive for those that the PDGA classifies as Intermediate and Up.

As far as tournaments go, they are all day affairs. While it is easy to get a quick 18 in under an hour at many courses, when the course is full and there is something on the line, 3 hour rounds are the norm. At a tournament you will find anywhere between 50 and 100 people playing with a wide range of skill sets. If you play a PDGA tournament, I would recommend playing in the lowest division offered (Novice) for your first tournament. Typically those at that skill level have distances similar to what you are describing.

[Dan Michler]

Hey all,

Just signed up for the forum today, thought I'd take the time to introduce myself and see what's what with this group. 

My name is Al and I live in Gurnee, I've been "playing" disc golf for about 5 years now, but I only really made an effort to improve my game last year.  I watched a lot of disc-craft videos on YouTube, found some things that worked, and by the end of the season I was playing at least twice a week. 

I'm gearing up for this year and might be interested in trying a league or amateur event.  Other than that, I'll be playing at Warren at least once a week.  I usually go after work (between 5 and 6pm) and play two rounds.  It's a nice little course, even my wife will play sometimes. 

I just had a few questions; it's pretty difficult to tell what a good distance drive is when you play with the same people all the time.  I read online that a lot of people seem to throw 300ft easy.  Is that an exaggeration, or not?  I can only gauge myself by the length posted on some of the holes, and I think on a good day I can hit 250.  And that's if I really don't care where the disc ends up.

Other than that, I'm kinda curious how an amateur tournament works.  How long does it take?  How many people usually attend?  Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks all,

- AL

I highly recommend playing in either the Waukegan tournament on April 3 or the Libertyville tournament on June 12.  Play in the Novice division as Mike recommended.  There is a good chance you'll get hooked on the tournament experience.  Its a fun time for all.  Don't worry about your skill level.  After the 1st round, the groups are arranged by score, so you'll fit right in with your group most likely.  At the Libertyville tournament, the TD has typically gone over the basic tournament rules for new players like yourself.  I'd advise learning about how to mark your lie and play in-turn.

At the tournament you'll see many players who play at a high skill level.  Seeing these guys play will give you a good idea of what you need to do to improve your own game.

[ltkettch17]

Thanks for the info guys.

I think I'll have a better chance at making the June 12th event. I work full time and go to school part time.  My current semester is kind of a bear, so I'm not making any major weekend plans till mid-May.

I'll definitely try to make a league event sometime in May.  Unfortunately I won't be able to make every event.  It looks like you guys play Sunday mornings, I would only be available every other Sunday.  And it looks like there are some weeknight events as well, that's usually when I play anyway, so those might be more doable.  I'm not really excited about paying to play, but I gotta learn somewhere...

[Barcas420]

Playing in a pay to play league is a good thing to do, it will only make you better, plus alot of the area pros do shoot in the leagues, so you can pick some brains. learn new things.  Inever wanted to pay to play either, but my first league i played in was j-town winter doubles and took second in ametuer, learned some new tricks,  and now can throw about 50 feet farther with more accuracy.