Disc Golf and Life

The more I play this game, the more I learn.

There was an old slogan that was used by Surfer magazine in the 80's: "only a surfer knows the feeling". Well, only a disc golfer really knows what I mean when I say that I learn deep lessons every time I play the game of disc golf. What do I learn about? Well, that depends on the day and the round, but just about everything that I learn can be applied directly to life. Yes, I'll say it -- disc golf is a religion.

I'll start with the physical side of the game. A disc in flight could be easily compared to sex. Those moments of watching a disc manage its flight path, weave through windows, and land skipping within the circle -- those are timeless, sensual moments. There's a communion going on between nature, myself and the laws of physics. Galileo, Newton, Copernicus - they would all have made wonderful disc golfers. We're all so damn cocky these days, that most humans take for granted the flight path of thrown objects, but myself, I revel in it. My god, and you can control it; tell it what to do; mind control. Anyways. yes, the physics of the game are elaborate. Disc choice, conditions and technique. Everything has an equal and opposite reaction. As soon as the disc leaves the hand, the thrower can know the outcome, feel the outcome. We've all heard of those aces that were called while the disc was still in its first 25% of the flightpath. Yes, that's the physical beauty.

Then there's the mental aspect. Recently the idea of non-attachment has guided my game. The idea of letting go and letting the instinct of the shot have its way. Deepak Chopra wrote a book called "Golf For Enlightenment" that really helped to instill these ideas. The body knows what is right, it's just a matter of getting the ego and nerves out of the way. Being the shot. Yes, just like Caddy Shack. Fa na na na na na . Da da da da da da. There's a place where there is no effort and there is no doing. Because of this, when the disc goes in, or does not go in, the result is the same. You made the shot. The shot is there for you to observe and learn from if necessary. I often have said that my best games of golf came when I didn't really care. When I don't care, then there is no negative recourse for a bad shot and then I can keep on playing the game without those pesky voices in my head getting started. Yea, it's a relaxation, peace thing. Whatver you want to call it. Bhuddha, zen, spaced, bla, whatever. But it's a feeling associated with non-attachment. Those of you who play with me consistently may have noticed a more calm and present Jamie than before. Well, this is why. May the force be with you, bro.

How about the social aspect of the game? We''l pick up there next time . . .

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

...nanananananana....nanananananana....great blog!!!!

[Bill]

Here's a link that Cubby has on his DG blog that, when I've had the time, has some really good points and explores the idea of letting the body control the action once the mind has directed the muscles how to do what you want them to. So far the best thing I have picked up is do not tell yourself "do not throw into that water" because your body hears "throw water" and not the negative your mind has put in there.
http://www.mindtools.com/page11.html

Thanks also for this great post and looking forward to further entries!!

[Side Arm Dave]

The physics of this game are amazing. Gravity, wind resistance, gyroscopic rotation, lift, loft, stability, etc...
I started playing to get back to nature, meet new friends, and eventually develop control and enjoy the competition.
If you want to improve your mental game, a couple good books to read are "The inner game of golf" and "zen golf".