Recognized sport?

Do you think that Disc golf will ever be a nationally recognized sport? If so how long do you think it will take? I am talking about when will it become more main stream? Maybe on ESPN or FOX sport regularly? I am sure it is just a matter of time. Maybe 5-10 years?

[biscgolf]

getting more mainstream all the time, regular tv unlikely to occur (see softball- zillions of people play it but it's seldom televised)

[Matt Dimick]

I would like to think that it would happen fairly soon. Its getting more and more popular by the year. And come on if they televise stuff like dominoes and spelling bees on espn, why not disc golf??

[James Banevicz]

Disc golf is not a mainstrem sport,probabely never will be,and it suffers because a lot of people think hippies, drugies and weird people play it. The sport need massive exposure and massive money.

[eric beich]

I think it depends on if the current growth rate continues or not.

[biscgolf]

Matt Dimick said:

I would like to think that it would happen fairly soon. Its getting more and more popular by the year. And come on if they televise stuff like dominoes and spelling bees on espn, why not disc golf??

because you can televise spelling bees by sending one camera guy and one reporter there- virtually no investment- disc golf would be expensive to televise.

[4U2NV]

The problem with television at this point in time is there are not many people that would watch it. I mean seriously how many people do you see hanging out at tournaments to follow people around to watch them play? I mean seriously other disc golfers don't even do this unless you are caddying for someone or it is the final 9 in a A-tier. Even then a majority of people leave before the final 9 even begins.

If you want Disc Golf on television send ESPN, Versus, FOX, Comcast sports net, Golf TV, etc. petitions saying that you wish to see disc golf on their station. Give them reasons why and how it will benefit them. Let them know about any Large A-tiers that will be happening in your area. If people like Climo or Doss are playing in them mention that top pros will be playing. If the stations keep getting flooded with letters, then eventually they will present something (Maybe worlds or something big) to see what kind of ratings, and how many viewers they get.

Perhaps even try to get a producer to come to a disc golf event just to attend and see. Include stats of current sport growth and the potiential for them to get in now.

However, people keep destroying courses, doing drugs on courses, and acting like morons then Disc Golf will never be majorly televised by any network.

[nitegolfer]

Baby steps first. Pretty soon though.

[Kaiser]

I think this year is a good year to make changes. For those of you that haven't heard, the new Tiger Woods Golf games has a Disc Golf Game on it. Now, I don't know how well people will make the association or if it will help in the short run, but I can tell you that having Tiger Woods of all people supporting our game is a hell of a step. Give it time. Hippies will always be association only because they more or less started the sport. Just give it time. Do your part by spreading the word and taking people out. We're still doing well for ourselves...

[Chuck Kennedy]

It's already nationally recognized. Not sure it will ever be "mainstream" and maybe we don't want it to be either. Skateboarding is not mainstream but is nationally recognized. Next step in recognition of our growth will likely be an increase in pay-to-play facilities, not media coverage, because entrepreneurs recognize the money potential.

[Scot Lambert]

It will never be recognized until we learn how to televise/record it well. Ive yet to see a video that is watchable ala ESPN. The cameras used and the aspect of the shots just havent been realized yet. But when someone gets it down...whatch out! With good visual translation of the game, more people than ever will be tossing and the sponsors/ money will be close behind.

[Donny Olow]

Someone should write to the ESPN producers about how exciting Disc Golf is as a Sport !

[Wicked Dyes]

My friends son just told me he is takeing disc golf as an elective in middle school. Just another step closer in my mind.