I find it interesting that humans make games. Sports. Somebody (or several people) invented basketball, baseball, soccer, football, etc. Of late, disc golf is among my favorite pastimes. I’m told it’s similar to real golf, but disc golf is played with a disc, or a frisbee-like plastic saucer instead of a ball and club. The club essentially is the player’s own arm. I’ve been fortunate enough to get out and play a little in the last few weeks. The weather’s been spectacular and we have a free course just a few miles from our house. Disc golf is my “rest day” activity. It may sound silly but one of my favorite things about disc golf is all the different colors and names of the discs. You have drivers – for going the distance, mid-ranges for the middle game, and putters – heavier, more sturdy discs for shooting close to the basket. Names include: The Spartan, the Compass, The Corvette. Colors range from purple to orange to blue to black. The drivers can soar. My husband and I stand and watch as the regulars spin around and release the discs. They can sometimes get so close to the basket with just one chuck. It takes me 2-3 to go that distance. Putting is tough. It’s kind-of like the lay-up in basketball. You would think that being closer would be easier, but it’s not. The weight of the disc can throw you off. I find myself either overdoing it by hitting the rim or top part of the basket and having the disc bounce off or underdoing it and landing beneath the basket. Aaahh! Technique matters, just like in shooting a basketball. I hear veteran disc golfers say to pull the disc way back with your arm and use your back to throw the disc. Running start or no? A disc that will curve or a straight shooter? Over or underhand throw? Putting: double handed or single? So much to consider!

I’m normally the competitive type but I tend to let that go in disc golf. I read recently that it’s good for high-functioning anxious people to give themselves one area in life in which they can have some laxity. For me, the perfect thing is disc golf. I found myself today feeling a little self-conscious as we approached the first hole that buzzed with a group of male 20 to 40-somethings with their fancy disc-holding bags and carts. They used cool lingo and threw their drivers to Neverland. The worst thing is when they watch me drive. Eeek – are they judging me, I wonder? One guy out there today smoked a cigarette but strangely had very strong-looking arms, like he lifts weights. I hope he can quit smoking. Another guy out there wears suspenders – unashamedly. Another guy looks cool in his trucker hat. I’m there, holding my three discs in hand – yoga pants, running shoes, t-shirt, ponytail. Thankfully my husband and I share the hobby, so I feel less out of place. It is a male-dominated arena, but that’s okay. My husband got some compliments on an amazing throw he had today: the disc bounced off the ground and went in! He was very far from the basket too. That ching-ching-ching sound of the metal chains when hit is awesome. I allow myself to just be in the greenery: it’s okay that my husband outscores me (he got 3 birdies today; got sub-par for the course!). I don’t have to get a special time, have a perfect score, or be the best. It’s like my score doesn’t even matter. Haha. I can get better or not. I can admire the regulars and learn from them. I can hit the tree with my discs or get them stuck in the marsh. What a great sport! Did I mention it’s also significantly cheaper than regular golf?!