If there’s a tree within a 50-foot radius, I’m hitting it. Not “might hit it.” Not “there’s a chance.” No—I will find it.

Today’s course was mostly in the woods, and my round felt less like disc golf and more like I had wandered into a pinball machine. Ding off the left tree. Ding off the right. Bonus points for ricochets. At one point I’m pretty sure my disc changed directions out of pure spite.

But enough about my ongoing feud with forestry—there is some good news.

1. Technique change.

During breakfast with a friend, we got to talking about disc golf. I told him about my growing interest and some of the challenges I’ve been facing. When we compared throwing styles, his approach was noticeably different from mine—and from what I’d seen others do.

I thought about it for a few days and finally decided to give it a try.

What a difference.

My throws were going farther, straighter, and—this is the shocking part—occasionally where I aimed them. I don’t want to overreact, but I may have unlocked a new level of mediocrity.

2. Drives vs Fairway and approach shots.

Now here’s where things fall apart.

Off the tee? New technique. Confident. Smooth. I look like I know what I’m doing.

Fairway and approach shots? Suddenly I panic and revert back to my old form like it’s a security blanket.

Why? Because my brain says, “Hey, what if you absolutely launch this thing 100 feet past the basket and embarrass yourself?”

So instead, I choose the safer option… and embarrass myself in a completely different way.

Progress!

3. Keep Working on Conditioning.

My conditioning is improving, but I still fade toward the end of a round—especially if I play more than nine holes. The hills definitely don’t help, but they’re part of the game around here.

Have I mentioned that I hate hills?

4. Practice Makes Better.

People always say, “Practice makes perfect.” I don’t buy that.

My philosophy? Practice makes better. Slowly. Painfully. With occasional glimpses of competence that keep you coming back.

If practice made perfect, you’d eventually be done practicing—and that’s just not how this works. But to be fair, I have improved. A few weeks ago it was double bogey city. Now I’m mixing in pars and bogeys like a respectable amateur who only sometimes loses control of his limbs

That’s growth.

Course Overview

This week we played the Ridgecat Course at CVCC. It’s mostly wooded, which, as you might guess, plays directly into my weaknesses.

The course uses existing hiking trails, which is nice—it feels less like you’re fighting through the wilderness and more like you’re casually strolling… while repeatedly hitting trees.

The tee boxes could use some work, but overall the course is in good shape. Grass is mowed, baskets are clean, and everything is easy to follow.

One thing it doesn’t have? Benches.

Which is unfortunate, because somewhere around hole 7, I start looking for any object that could pass as a place to sit. Rock? Bench? Tree stump? Luxury seating? Slightly elevated dirt? Don’t mind if I do.

And of course, there’s elevation—because apparently flat ground was not an option.

Conclusion

The new throwing technique off the tee box has me stoked. I’ll be working it into my morning practices between rounds and trying to trust it on every shot—not just the ones where I’m feeling confident.

With any luck, I’ll spend less time playing pinball… and more time actually playing disc golf.