disc golf video games

Disc golf nuts have probably heard about the fact that the new Tiger Woods 10 for the Wii includes the ability to throw discs at baskets on famous ball golf courses. But did you know the PDGA is working with a game developer on a Wii game that will include actual existing disc golf courses? And did you know that the first couse the developers are building is DeLaveaga?

You probably didn't know that last part, even if you had heard or read the rest, because I just got it straight from the game company myself. I don't know about you, but the ability to play disc golf at DeLa on my TV is reason enough to go out and buy a Wii. Supposedly you'll be able to control the angle, spin, and power with some new type of controller that has just been released. Yipee!

Less Time Makes for Better Golf

I ran a round at DeLa yesterday, in exactly the 1:15 time I was aiming for. The main goal of staying on the fairway was achieved, and the +2 overall score wasn't great, but wasn't horrible for a running round. The score is mostly attributable to the hospitality of the threesome I encountered on the third hole. Sure, I was -1 after my birdie on 3, and -2 after another birdie on hole 5, but that's as low as I got.

Scores aside, though, the one thing that caused me to think in depth was the effect of 'rushing' through a round versus taking ones one with each shot. I know that there is the possibility that running between shots for an entire 28 holes of golf on a hilly course can carry with it the fatigue factor, but I'm discounting that element for now. I'm more interested for the moment with the thought process of analyzing one's lie and shot choices, the time it takes to do that properly, and whether doing it quickly or deliberately produces a better outcome.

I read a book awhile back called Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell. It explores an innate ability humans possess to make snap decisions subconsciously. It also makes the case that we're often better off going with that first 'gut instinct' instead of following the path of research, reason, and logic. Much can be taken from that book and applied to this discussion, and I think golf (both versions) is a great testing ground to prove this theory correct.

When I'm playing a running round and in a mode where I'm trying to minimize mistakes and score well, there is little time to think about anything except what to do on the next shot and how to do it. Starting at the first tee, I throw, run toward my lie, hastily drop my bag, take my stance, then throw again (or putt). Then I run to the next tee, and do it all over again. I literally do all the mental preparation for the next shot 'on the run'. As far as I can tell, this seems to have no negative affect on my score, and it eliminates the risk of several mistakes that golfers make on the mental side of the game:

• Overthinking in general can cause us to change our minds when we shouldn't. Think of how many times you've overthought, blown a shot, then exclaimed something like "I should have gone through the window on the right like I wanted to!"
• The more time you spend thinking about a shot - especially when it's your turn to throw and you're at your lie - the more opportunity random thoughts have to creep into your mind. And whether they're negative impressions (gotta miss that tree), pressure-causing ponderings (I haven't gotten a birdie all day!), or totally unrelated musings (the Giants better not lose again today), thinking about anything other than the execution of the shot at hand will lessen the chance of success
• When you're at your lie, physically ready to throw, with disc in hand, the quicker you throw the better. Often times, when I see someone spend a good deal longer before a putt than normal, I know they're going to miss even before they throw. I call this stagnation, and I think what happens (aside from what may be going on mentally) is that our bodies are cued up when we get set, and after too much time goes by fatigue and/or stiffness sets in.

So I think I've come up with a pretty good hypothesis- the fact that there is nothing to be gained by taking a long time thinking about a shot, and many possible detrimental affects. Now I have to find a reliable method for speeding up the process even when I'm playing a normal-paced round or tournament. Any ideas?

Masters Cupp 2009: Three Weeks Later

I didn't bother to blog after my third and final Masters Cup round, because- let's face it . . . who wants to write about how they saved their suckiest for last? The tournament itself was epic, however, and as a major contributor to the volunteer effort I found that rewarding even if my own performance was not.

After shooting +4 the first round and +2 the second round on the ultra-tough layout, I was tied for 8th out of 38 players. I figured a decent round on Sunday would help me climb a few notches, and that even third or fourth was within reach. Instead, my drives continued to be just a bit off-target, which at DeLa in the long layout usually means trouble. But being the optimist that I am, I have to say that simply by sticking to my gameplan I managed to grab the last cash spot in an NT event without being 'On' even once for the whole 84 holes. Consider these stats: Only four birdies, but no missed putts inside 30 feet, no double bogies or worse, and no mental errors where I decided to go for something with low odds. Basically, I was playing for par on everything, hoping to take the birdies when they presented themselves (which unfortunately was not often). I ended up with a +8 on the final day, dropped to 14th place, and didn't feel much like writing about it until today. So let's get to the good part!

This year's Masters Cup was one of the best. We had a handful of aces when most years there aren't any, including TWO in the lead group on the final day. Even though Nate Doss didn't win again, he was right there until the end, and the winner, Greg Barsby, is another NorCal homeboy that's been playing tourneys since he was a kid. Marty Hapner won the very tough Grandmasters division with a score that beat most of the Masters. The weather was as perfect as it was foul for the Am weekend, and the whole vibe just seemed in tune all three days. Plus, I get to play DeLa all year long. The Masters Cup is more like that thing I do once a year. But I'm sure I'd be writing something different if that third round was a -2 instead of a +8!

Masters Cup 2009: after 56 holes

First of all, we're down to the last 28 holes. One more round, and so far no aspect of the tourney has been a disappointment. The weather continues to warm (if anything it's been too warm), with wind a non-factor today. The course - despite the gorgeous conditions - isn't giving up outrageously low scores (less than 20 percent of the Open division is under par). And the final round features a top group of Greg Barsby, Nate Doss, Nikko Locastro, and Ken Climo, all either -12 or -11. Within striking distance are Josh Anton, Kyle Crabtree, Stevie Rico, John Child, and Dave Feldberg.

I't be great to see Nate Finally win on the course where he grew up, but more than anything I'm looking forward to a close finish no matter who wins. Now on to what really matters. Me! : )
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I'm at +6, tied for 8th in the Masters division (35 players), 12 strokes outta the lead.

I can play better, but with only three birdies and nine single bogeys I'm at least sticking to the gameplan and not giving strokes away. Not too many, anyway. What's hurt me more than anything else is not birdying the three shorts holes on the course (8a, 17, and 21) except for one on 21. But all in all, considering the game I've showed up with Friday and Today, +6 ain't too bad. I've hit every putt inside 30 feet except one, so now all I have to do is get a few of those looks for birdie rather than par! Now it's time for a hot tub, another beer, sleep . . . then 28 more holes.

Masters Cup 2009:

The pro Masters Cup starts tomorrow, and I feel like I have two persona's this year. While I've played in the event for many, many years, this is the first year I've been involved in running it in a major way. After all this time, and finally seeing what's involved in pulling off a major tournament like the Masters Cup, I felt guilty.

For those that don't know, some serious volunteer hours get put in to pull off an event that spans two 3-day weekends and includes more than 300 players. Unlike other courses, we get no assistance from the city or county when it comes to course maintenance, so all those lumpy hillsides that get mowed and weed-whacked are mowed and weed-whacked by volunteer disc golfers! Add to that the coordination with sponsors and the PDGA, communication to players, assembly of the players packs . . . . . I could go on and on, but you get the picture. People like Daviar, Stan Pratt, Marty Hapner, Katie Beckett, the guys at DGA . . . they deserve tons of credit.

Anyway, it makes this year feel different than years past. But it's Thursday night, and my volunteer work should be done now. From now until my last putt on Sunday, I'm just another competitor. And like all the past years, I have a strategy to get my best game to show up for three straight 4.5 hour rounds on three straight days. Here it is, in a nutshell:

1. As always, focus on nothing but what it takes to execute the next shot. All the other stuff - the score, the magintude of the event, what the other guys are doing - only detracts from the shot at hand.
2. Stick to my gameplan of settling for par on most holes, picking up birdies where they present themselves. No matter how things start, or what unforseen disasters occur, I'll stick to the plan. Last year I was cold for three straight rounds, and by sticking to the plan I still cashed.
3. Treat my old bones with care. Ice the arm right after the round, soak in the hot tub Friday and Saturday nights, limit the alcohol, and get enough sleep.

We'll see how it goes, but the key is #1 above. I play my best when I'm totally absorbed in the moment, in the shot. I need to play disc golf in a vaccuum.

Am Masters Cup Pictures

I now have the pictures I snapped online for your viewing and printing pleasure. Here is the link:

http://frisbeebrain.shutterfly.com/masterscup2009-amweekend

Masters Cup 2009

The Amateur weekend of the Masters Cup just concluded, and I was up at the course helping out for most of the three-day event. I learned plenty watching the Ams (all but eight of them, who DNF'd likely due to the rain) play three rounds that took 5-plus waterlogged hours to finish. By the way, none of the DNF'ers were women, despite the fact that they're getting around the course in more throws on average than their male counterparts.

I also got a reminder that there is a whole other (albeit lower) competitive level to our sport, and they take their games as seriously as those of us who plan in Open divisions. In fact, in some ways they're probably better at keeping things in perspective than us, since no disc golfer yet has been able to make a true living playing the sport. What I saw was a group of people that were able to play with a burning desire to do well, but quickly settle for having a good time while on vacation when Plan A fell through. The only really despondent souls I came across were locals, and I've been there before. You look forward to the big A tour event on your home course for months, and when you don't do well, it sucks. The best I ever finished in Santa Cruz as an Am was 8th, I think, even in the year (1998) that I won several times in the NorCal series. Playing a PDGA tourney - especially one as big as the Masters Cup - takes a whole different approach, but that's a subject for a different day. Some other observations:

• Am and Pro events different in several ways. One is how long the rounds take. Am rounds take longer because the players need more throws to complete the round, in turn because they are less skilled. But they also don't know the rules as well, which leads to discussions about rulings and more fun stuff. And now with the newer high-tech plastic, they can throw their errant shots further as well!
• We've always tried different things to lure Am players into the 'Pro' ranks . . . how about round times? I think if the Open players had played this weekend, the rounds would have been between 4.5 and 5 hours, rather than between 5.5 and 6 hours.
• I watched many throws over the course of three days, and had the oppontunity to give many eager listeners tips on DeLa. What I was this weekend reinforced my belief that - for someone of my skill level and questionable power- playing for safe par on most holes is the best way to ensure a good, strong placing.