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DISC GOLF in La Grande - posted on 04.19.09 by Greg Rawlins

In the wide world of sports and leisure, few activities put as much emphasis on ‘leisure’ as disc golf. This game requires the player to stroll down various grassy fields and engage in the occasional throw or pitch. Much like golf itself, disc golf involves discs instead of clubs, and a basket instead of a hole with a flag sticking out of it. The player’s goal is to get his or her disc in the basket with the least amount of throws. Fundamentally, disc golf and ‘golf’ golf are strikingly similar. When dissected however, considering the array of throwing styles, flight patterns, and disc designs and intents, it becomes apparent the great differences that exist between the two sports. And because disc golf is such a young, often easygoing, group-orientated activity, the new and interesting words players have developed and are constantly evolving, revising, and contorting, make it a prolific and highly active discourse community.

To begin, discs are primarily classified into three types: the driver, the mid-range, and the putter. A driver disc is particularly heavy and contains a sleek design for to lessen drag and increase distance. The mid-range disc is fairly lighter and slightly less aerodynamic, while the putter is considerably heavier than its cousins, and rounded on its edges in order to prevent too much distance or inaccuracy. In order to adjust to the idiosyncrasies of each course and obstacles therein, players may apply several different throwing styles. Most common is the “back-hand” (the style just about everyone uses to throw a Frisbee). It is a versatile throwing style, used in long distance drives as well as mid-range to close range shots. In long range drives, the back-hand will naturally produce a gradual curve left, the more it flies (I write left assuming the player is right-handed, left-handed readers will have to reverse my instructions, so sorry). A standard throw, parallel to the ground will cause what is known as a “stable” drive. In contrast, slight tilts of the disc before releasing will yield more intensified effects. For example, a clockwise tilt during the release point will produce an “understable” effect, generating less of a left-ward break. The understable style has popularly been coined “anhyzer.” On the other end of the spectrum, a counterclockwise tilt during the release point will produce an “overstable” or “hyzer” effect, thus furthering a left-ward tendency.

The reverse style to the back-hand is commonly known as the “flick” and primarily involves one’s forefinger and thumb. If you can imagine skipping a rock across a pond, you’re nearly there. Some people opt for the flick because of an obstacle down range they’d like to maneuver around while others simply find it produces better results. As the back-hand’s counterpart, the flick will eventually curve right, and so with slight tilts, again an understable or overstable result can be achieved. Apart from these two horizontal motions of the arm, there has also come into play a movement known as the “tomahawk” or baseball style of throwing the disc. Holding the disc as if it were a “flick” the player then comes over the top and releases the disc to create an interesting “helix” path down range. Some prefer this style in order to hurdle over a high-standing obstruction, others use it to be less susceptible to a strong wind, and even a few others prefer it as their drive. This throw is a real crowd pleaser—as it sometimes produces a less-than-intended result. The name tomahawk has also been coined as “tomato” and in lesser known circles, “tommy-boy.”

Concerning disc golf lingo, the dictionary is wide and seemingly expanding by the day. As a sport of low intensity and high socialization, creative terms and phrases provide friends and teammates with nearly as much satisfaction as the act of throwing. Disc golf is also a group sport, where players travel in packs. While some players are more out for excellence than others, encouragement and positivity are offered to everyone.

So, should someone let go of a disc that sails straight down the fairway and lands within a short distance to the basket, it isn’t uncommon to hear a few voices offer the words “good up!” By the same token, if someone threw a disc that conveniently slid to a stop beneath the basket, one might shout out, “way to park it!” A long shot for birdie has been popularly modified to “big-bird,” and since has even made the stretch into “ Sesame Street .” Along the lines of American media, which has naturally found its humorous place on the course, the term “plinko” (drawn from the game show The Price is Right) is used to describe a disc that, after coming into contact with a tree, bounces and tumbles its way down right next to, if not in, the basket. A par has been referred to as “parsky,” “parsky and hutch,” and even “parville redenbacher.” An eagle shot has simply been coined “an American,” while a throw that narrowly misses the ground as it sails along its course is called a “worm burner.”

Disc golf is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. It allows you to get your exercising in while still enjoying a beer. It is a non-consumptive sport that requires no fossil fuel burning or noise pollution and the only person you should seriously be trying to defeat is yourself and the -2 you threw last Saturday. Players congregate to celebrate the natural beauty of the day, the company of each other, the joy of the game and the great array of phrases that define and redefine their disc golf discourse community. Now go out there, grip it, and rip it comrade!