Got my dad into disc golf

I bought my dad a bag and discs for xmas as an attempt to really get my dad out and play. All he does is hear about what I do when he asks me. I ended up buying him a Pro Leopard, Star TL, SS-Voodoo, Pro Starfire, FLX Buzzz, and a Rattler. I've noticed that he LOVES the FLX Buzzz and mainly just the plastic because of grip and feel. He used to play Ultimate and Freestyle and that is one reason that I got him the Rattler as it seems that it is the closest disc to those type. We've played about every week since xmas and I've only taken him to two courses (well three, but it was overcrowded with Xcountry skiers, so we left). One of these is a 9 hole pitch-n-putt and the other is a technical and tightly wooded 18 hole course. These are the most used during the winter and are the only ones that are really groomed for play. We have several other options for courses here, but they don't get played and the snow is ridiculously deep and I don't want to spend my entire day looking for discs every hole.

My dad is getting a general feel for the game and I must say slightly quicker than other newbies that I've noticed. I think it is because of his background in Ultimate and Freestyle, which seems to lend itself to the mechanics of throwing and understanding disc flight. He still has a lot to learn as far of the disc characteristics, types of throws, stability, wind play, etc., but has come along quite well. Peters Creek is the 18 hole course I wrote about earlier and he has only played it 3 times, the par is 54 (all par 3's). Being the newb that he is...he got a 66 the last time we played. Honestly, if a lot of you played this course and saw the inherent challenge in it, you might be impressed with this score. I've seen several other people that are brand new to the sport and shot in the mid to high 70s on average for a decent stretch of games. My dad has the natural ability to throw backhand and sidearm right off the bat, this is because of the Ultimate, Freestyle, and his baseball background...I have to assume. He seems kind of unnatural at this point when he throws backhand and just the opposite with forehand. It blows my mind how well he can throw the Buzzz forehand...nice, straight, and accurate. He actually throws that disc forehand better than I do as far as I can tell.

I'm really stoked about the upcoming tourney season and hope to get my dad out to a few of them and see how he fairs. He has done a lot of competition in baseball, motocross, archery and several other things, so that idea of pressure and nerves I don't think would bother him, but we can all agree that tourney play is much different than that of league, pleasure, and practice.

Anyway, off to play with my dad to see how he does at this next course.

[AK Discer]

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked about it. My dad ending up shooting 8 over to my 4 under. I still think that is pretty good for him being a newb.

I also got my girlfriend into it as well. It is time to buy her new discs tho, the ones I got were too heavy.

[Groovy]

Sometimes I never wished I talked my dad into Disc. He is 53 and gave me soo much jive for throwing instead of joining him out for some small ball. Lots of jokes about MY sport. After not being able to take it anymore I offered to buy the beer and drive. He has been with me to three courses. Making it a total of 25 times, give or take and counting.
He has a few fav disc and has come very close to beating me a couple of times. I can't throw a sidearm to save my life but, he has perfected it in a short time.
At least he can't make fun of me anymore.

[Terry "the Pirate" Calhoun]

Wow. Congratulations, Sean. That is very cool. I think Disc Golf will "boom" as "Boomers" retire: Cheap, fun, and takes little time. Guys like your dad who played Ultimate will definitely benefit, especially from having the forehand and the backhand, together.