And it finally happened—I lost my first disc.

This week, Calvin and I were throwing at a local park course where several baskets run along the edge of a creek. On hole six, I threw my disc and smack—it hit a tree. Then splunk—it landed in the creek. Unfortunately, the creek was running full and deep, and my disc was gone.

It was one of the discs Calvin had lent me, and it happened to be my favorite one to throw. On the bright side, it was Calvin’s disc, so technically I’m not out a disc. LOL.

As always, I’ve been practicing my throws, and I’ve noticed a considerable improvement. This week, I’ll be covering a variety of topics, so hang on and try not to get lost.

1. Discs Do Make a Difference

I’ve learned that throwing a disc suited to your style and strength can make a big difference. I have a couple of distance drivers in my bag, but I can throw my fairway driver straighter and farther because I don’t yet have the arm strength or proper throwing technique to get the most out of a distance driver.

That said, I still practice with my distance drivers to learn how to throw them correctly. Hopefully, one day I’ll be man enough to really unleash one.

2. Keep it Straight and in Play

When watching videos of professional players, I notice that many of them use either hyzer or anhyzer angles on their throws. As a novice, though, I believe it’s best to focus on keeping your throws as straight as possible and in play.

Doing so will save you plenty of time because you won’t be wandering through the woods searching for lost discs.

3. The Disc Community is diverse

During the past few weeks of playing and practicing, I’ve met people from all walks of life. I’ve met laid-back players who are just out to have fun, and I’ve met players who take the game very seriously.

I’ve met blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, and even some no-collar folks, all enjoying the world of disc golf. I’ve met young people, older people, middle-aged people, and some who don’t seem to fit neatly into any category at all.

One thing they all have in common is a love for getting outside and throwing plastic.

4.Don’t Worry About Carrying a Lot of Discs

I have several discs, and I used to carry all of them whenever I played. By hole 11 or 12, that bag started feeling pretty heavy.

Now, I only carry three or four discs: the three I use every round and usually an extra driver in case I shank one into the woods—or, as happened this week, into the drink.

I see people carrying bags with 20 to 30 discs and wonder how they’re still walking after 18 holes. Many players use different discs for different holes and situations, but I’m not at that level just yet.

Course Overview

This week, we ventured out to Blackwater Creek at Sandusky Park in Lynchburg, Virginia. It’s a nice 18-basket course that winds along the creek before heading into some dreaded hills. Let’s dive in.

Terrain

The first seven holes run along the banks of Blackwater Creek. They’re fairly open, and unless you stray too far left, you should be fine.

Holes 8 through 10 combine wooded sections and open fields, making them both interesting and very playable. From hole 11 onward, it’s back to hills and heavily wooded fairways.

Amenities

Basic amenities such as portable restrooms and benches are available, but there aren’t many extras at this course.

Maintenance

The course was well maintained. Paths from the tee boxes to the baskets were clear and free of the dreaded roots and branches that love to grab your foot and pull you down.

The open areas were freshly mowed, the tee boxes were in excellent condition, and the baskets showed no signs of needing repair.

Signage

The signs were easy to spot, mounted at about chest height, and positioned well throughout the course. They were clear, easy to read, and in good condition, making navigation simple and straightforward.

Location: 37.388998-79.199104

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Conclusion

Just have fun and enjoy the game. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about throwing 600-foot bombs or acing every hole. Focus on learning the fundamentals, improving your skills, and having a good time. The distance and aces will come with practice. Who knows? One day you might be the one parking drives 600 feet down the fairway and collecting aces on a regular basis.