Disc Golf in the Olympics?

[Donovan]

So how many more years do you think it will take before this happens or will it ever happen?

The fact that Ultimate has not made it seems odd to me except, I think there is a cap on the number of sports allowed in to the Olympics. That very well may keep disc sports out, as well as billiards, which is way over do as well.

[Three Putt]

If it ever happened, it would be a while. Disc golf does not even qualify for consideration to be in the Olympics yet. Something like 90% of courses are in the US, and there are only a handful of European countries with a very small number of players to compete against us. Disc golf would need to spread to many more countries and develop a larger International player base before it would even be a consideration. Never say never, but I'm not holding my breath.

[maniak]

I often wonder why sports such as water polo are in the Olympics when more popular sports such as golf and as already mentioned, Ultimate are not.

[Russell Gore]

Well what is sandball? Seen that this morning, looks like soccer with an oversized hakey sack. pretty dumb! It's kinda like curling in the winter olympics.

[Evil_Poizon]

I think Paintball will hit the olympics before Disc Golf does. Maybe not, it may be to violent for the olympics.

I think they should make an olypics for hard core sports. Kinda like the X-Games, but not.

[cdavid74]

There are already lots of shooting events, paintball has a better chance then we do. If ball golf can't make it we don't have a prayer. How is it that team handball is an olympic sport and Baseball is not?

[mobster]

How is it that team handball is an olympic sport and Baseball is not?
*cough*baseball is an Olympic sport*cough*

[bikedoctor]

Very few games of skill make it to the olympics as opposed to athletic competitions. I think the IOC has a "would this be on ESPN2" criteria. If you fall into that catagory your pretty much out. Ping pong (sure, it's been on ESPN2) has international appeal and so I think that why it makes it every 4 years ..... yeah I can't think of any others. Oh wait. BMX. Sorry.
Besides they drug test. Of course they may only look for performance enhancing drugs and not recreation herbal treatments.
Otherwise it would be pretty cool to see the course they would put together to spotlight our hobby.

I would vote Ken Climo as ambassador. Guy teaches like a professor.

[tomschillin]

*cough*baseball is an Olympic sport*cough*

Baseball will not be an olympic sport in the 2012 games...it's still undecided for the 2016 games

[grynreeper]

I would love to see disc golf in an international spotlight such as the Olympics as well, yet I think being Americans we sometimes have a tendency to overlook the more global picture on a lot of things. As Three Putt stated earlier, there is not quite the international draw towards disc golf that there would need to be for it to make it to the Olympics. Plus just searching around online, and even the forums on this site, it is easy to see that there is no "true" standardization for the sport of disc golf yet. So in comparison to other Olympics sports that have many further stipulations and regulations imposed and enforced on top of each sports basic governing body's set of rules, disc golf is very much an "immature" and underdeveloped sport.

Speaking of maturity of the sports, there are some questions as to why certain sports aren't in the games while other, seemingly less "popular" and less recognized sports are. If you look at the history behind many of the sports that are currently played in the Olympics it often spans one to many hundreds of years. Not saying that a newer sport doesn't have a chance of making it, but tradition and lineage does play a major part.

History is also the answer to other questions asked in this forum. People have mentioned things like "I often wonder why sports such as water polo are in the Olympics when more popular sports such as golf and as already mentioned, Ultimate are not." If you know (or look up) Olympic history you will see that games like golf, rugby, cricket, croquet and lacrosse have all been a part of the Olympics glorious past. Did you know that tug-o-war used to be an Olympic sport?

I have been involved in many sports during my short stay on this big planet ranging from the internationally known to very local and specialized games of foreign countries that I have traveled to. While "playing" some of these sports I have often wondered to myself why they are not in the Olympics. I am an avid rock climber and could not think of a truer form of sport per say. I mean it's pretty much you, a rock, up or down and life or death. Pretty finite "rules" if you ask me. So I did so my research and guess what - although it is not in the Olympic games (pretty hard to move a mountain just for that) it IS on the list of Officially Recognized sports of the IOC. So the Olympic games are really just a part of the the true spirit of Olympism.

I guess my final thought about this is - play for the love of the game, increase your proficiency for your own personal edification and then test your mettle against the best there is - it can be your own Personal Olympics...

[kvanorsdel]

Golf used to be a Olympic sport. It's been a century since golf was an official sport in the Olympics, with George Lyon of Canada claiming the last gold medal in 1904.

Curling is an awesome sport. I miss Canadian TV in Feb. when its Curling championships all the time. Its a great game of strategy. but to each there own

[MattK]

...not in my lifetime. Too much of a niche sport, even in this country.

It may be fun to list sports that will be included before disc golf:
Ball Golf (used to be)
Ancient Pentathlon (bringin' it back)
Rugby (this would be awesome)
Cricket (rather see baseball come back)
Sand Soccer (like beach volleyball...sort of)
Motoball (was more fun when the goalkeeper had to be on a motorcycle)
Skateboarding (if one American X sport gets in)
Billiards (though you'd have to let bowling in, too)
Bull Riding (if PETA stays out of it)
Log Rolling (maybe a demo sport first)

There are just so many sports out there that are more popular worldwide, have a more established history, and frankly are more exciting to watch.

[ERicJ]

It may be fun to list sports that will be included before disc golf:
Racquetball

[Donovan]

Racquetball

Well, they do have handball now. ;o)

[ERicJ]

Racquetball
Well, they do have handball now. ;o)

They have Team Handball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_handball). Does anyone ever watch that??

Team Handball is nothing like racquetball or Americal/Court Handball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_handball) (which is similar to racquetball).

ERic

[MattK]

Racquetball

Forgot about that one. Squash would work, too

[MattK]

... People have mentioned things like "I often wonder why sports such as water polo are in the Olympics when more popular sports such as golf and as already mentioned, Ultimate are not." If you know (or look up) Olympic history you will see that games like golf, rugby, cricket, croquet and lacrosse have all been a part of the Olympics glorious past. Did you know that tug-o-war used to be an Olympic sport?

I have been involved in many sports during my short stay on this big planet ranging from the internationally known to very local and specialized games of foreign countries that I have traveled to. While "playing" some of these sports I have often wondered to myself why they are not in the Olympics. I am an avid rock climber and could not think of a truer form of sport per say. I mean it's pretty much you, a rock, up or down and life or death. Pretty finite "rules" if you ask me. So I did so my research and guess what - although it is not in the Olympic games (pretty hard to move a mountain just for that) it IS on the list of Officially Recognized sports of the IOC. So the Olympic games are really just a part of the the true spirit of Olympism.
...

I forgot about lacrosse. It's Canada's national sport. The team in Buffalo often draws 10000+ per game. It has the popularity, not just in participation, but in audience, which may be more important.

I'm glad you mentioned rock climbing, as I enjoy it as much as disc golf. But I wouldn't expect someone to tune in to watch either on TV. Some sports just don't translate well to broadcasting, and that's where the money is.

[Midnightbiker]

Part of the problem is most people in this counrty have never heard of Disc Golf.

[garublador]

It seems to me like neither disc nor ball golf don't look like very attractive attractive sports to the pepole who plan the Olympics. They both take a lot of space, time and manpower to run properly. You'd need at the very least one world class course and you'd probalby only get 2 rounds a day out of it. You need a lot of space for that course, a grounds crew to keep it up, lots of cameras, people for crowd control, spotters and officials. I don't know the geography of Beijing, but I'd guess that you'd have to be out in BFE just to find a piece of land that would be even close to adequate.

Compare that to water polo where you need a pool and a couple of refs or handball where you need a court and however many refs (I'd assume one per game). The seating for spectators is easy for either of those and it's easy to set up cameras. They're also both inside sports so weather isn't a concern.

I'd imagine that Ultimate or guts would be a lot more attractive sports to pitch to the Olympics.

[bikedoctor]

[QUOTE=I guess my final thought about this is - play for the love of the game, increase your proficiency for your own personal edification and then test your mettle against the best there is - it can be your own Personal Olympics...[/QUOTE]

Bravo.:)

[brennan]

I think Ultimate would fit perfectly into the Olympics. It's kind of surprising that it's not already in.

[discbuzz]

Please sign the get disc golf into the Olympics petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/discgolf Please dont delete this post. I am seriously trying to get this going. If you do delete it you obviously dont support the sport.

[ERicJ]

Has an internet petition ever changed any organization's policy?

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp

[timg]

Renamed title. The original post led to an Adsense loaded page with little content. Just felt like it was fishing for clicks without providing any actual information.

[MattK]

If you do delete it you obviously dont support the sport.

If I got this spam in my inbox I could not delete it fast enough. I love it when someone's first post tells me I "dont (sic) care about the sport."

[timg]

You'll eat your words when disc golf is in the 2012 games! :D

[MattK]

I think the topic (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514) was discussed not so long ago. A sport doesn't have to be in the Olympics to be legit. American football being the biggest example.

[timg]

Exactly.. and I have a feeling ball golf would make it (back) into the Olympics before disc golf did.

There's no reason to duplicate the discussion of the thread you linked in a new one so I'll just merge the two of them.

[IrishCreamer]

/signed the petition for whatever it's worth :cool:

[Geoffro]

I signed as well...hope it helps...

[JR Stengele]

#139 BABY!!! supporting the cause.:D

[Rbuzz9]

the fact bmx and mountain biking were in the olympics this year gives every fringe sport some glimmer of hope of being there.

DG just isnt as global as some of the sports out there. It's a niche sport. Just because it's something we are very familiar with - doesnt mean it's a popular worldwide sport and therefore "HAS" to be in the olympics.

People put down Waterpolo and Handball just because they arent widely popular in the US. They are sports that belong in the Olympics. When i watch the olympics - i want to see these sports - since the olympics is their superbowl. It's a once every 4 year dosage of true Olympic sports. Waterpolo has been in since 1900 and Indoor Handball since 1972 (outdoor in 1936).

The Olympics are the pinnacle or "Superbowl" for most of the sports in the Olympics.

I'm a traditionalist and i like watching the more traditional olympic sports. Swimming/Track n Field/ gymnastics / indoor volleyball / waterpolo / rowing . Some of the sports i dont care for as much like equestrian or shooting but they have been there forever and are worldwide sports and get grandfathered in. Some of the sports like soccer or baseball dont really matter much cause the World Cup or World Series are what really matters in those sports.

DISC AND BALL GOLF just dontseem like a traditional Olympic sports to me.

[discbuzz]

It is totally possible. There are 19 other countries beside the us with established disc golf courses according to discgolfdirectory.com. Japan being one of them with 36. So there would be plenty of competition and participation from all over the globe. With the IOC meeting to discuss the addition of two sports sometime in 2009, what better time to start then now? Sign the online petition at www.petitiononline.com/discgolf

[Geoffro]

When I watch the Olympics, I see sports that are typically (though not exclusively) competitive at the collegiate level, and are not typically pro sports. I realize there are exceptions to this generalization (basketball, gymnastics, etc.), but generally – these sports come from somewhere.

Unfortunately, outside the disc golf community, I think most people consider this a hobby rather than a sport. When thinking about how we can advance disc golf to the next level, I believe that the Olympics could be in our future, but not at this point.

Rather, it seems to me that college campuses are awash with disc golf right now. Most larger schools have a disc golf organization or club, and many host events and tournaments. Why not promote disc golf as a collegiate sport (similar to collegiate ball golf teams), and “legitimize” the clubs as actual teams that play against other colleges? The players are already there, as are the courses, as is what would be the governing body (NCAA) with some education and consulting from the PDGA.

I think this would be the best way to move our sport forward in the eyes of the public, and potentially make the jump to the Olympics at some point down the road.

[ERicJ]

Unfortunately, outside the disc golf community, I think most people consider this a hobby rather than a sport.There are a decent number of people inside the disc golf community who both think of DG as a hobby (not a sport) and treat it as a hobby (not a sport). While that's true in most "sports" I think that attitude is more prevalent in DG than other sports.

How many threads are there on basketball or baseball message boards discussing the topic of "Does it bother you to see people smoking weed while playing?"...?

ERic

[Geoffro]

Good points ERic. And it does bother me to see people smoking weed on courses. These folks (generally; not exclusively) are notoriously slow and often are oblivious to others trying to play a serious round. I do have some other thoughts, however:

You raise an interesting point regarding the difference between “hobbies” and “sports.” I went to college with some guys that would regularly get high and play ping-pong in the basement. They played horribly, but had a great time. I don’t fault them for it. But ping-pong is an Olympic sport. I guess you wouldn’t see too many people getting high and then doing a routine on the uneven bars, but you get my point.

Any sport is dependent on how serious you take it. I realize that I will likely never play in a pro tournament, it’s just not my priority; and in this sense I guess disc golf is more of a hobby for me than a sport. But I do try for best scores, I practice fundamentals, stretch before rounds, and really try to improve on my game. Guys that get together, drink beer, and play a scratch tag-football game on Saturday afternoon are playing a sport, aren’t they?

I’m not trying to be defensive here, but I guess my point is that just because some college guys get high on the disc golf course does not mean that many disc golfers are not sportsman, or that the game is excluded from NCAA or Olympic consideration.

(At risk of sounding preachy…) I love my sport, which may also be my hobby, but it will in my mind – like all sports – be a hopefully long journey of albeit inconsistent progress toward excellence.

[discbuzz]

Please sign the add disc golf to the Olympics petitions at
Thanks, http://www.DiscGolfBuzz.com Support the sport!!

[Aaron D'Angelo]

Done, cross your fingers! :)

[gcoghill]

Here's the link to the actual petitions. Beware, that silly disc golf game will auto-load with extra loud music: http://www.discgolfbuzz.com/Disc_Golf_Petition.html

Actually, here are the petition links:

http://www.petitiononline.com/discgolf/

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/discgolfbuzz/

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/discgolf/

[edge3281]

Alright!!! 587 Signatures total!!!

Actually I am kinda bummed. I would have thought there would be more.

[FIRExNECK]

I wish! :P

[Geoffro]

I had signed the first one previously. I signed the other two tonight. I agree, though, don't hold your breath.

I will reiterate my point from the last thread that addressed this issue, more briefly this time: I think the only way to move toward the Olympics is to spread the game at the collegiate level through the NCAA. If local colleges would support disc golf teams rather than clubs, and start playing each other like they do in ball golf, sooner or later the NCAA would have to take notice. Then the Olympics might be a more realistic goal. Just my thoughts.

[DannyM]

Agree with you 100% Geoffro....that's why I'm glad to see the WNC series going fairly well....hopefully it will travel around more and more areas.

[valkyriefb11]

Spreading Disc Golf through the NCAA would actually be relatively easy, compared to getting the Olympic commission to make it a sport. Thats probably the best course of action ... actually I think getting the NCAA to support DG teams and intercollegiate competition would be a big boost for the sport.

[cc0049]

I heard mention recently that there is a chance that Disc Golf might be included in the summer olympic games in 2012. I have not seen anything yet to support this claim, but I thought it was a very interesting notion.
What are your thoughts on the subject and does anyone know of any evidence that anyone is even trying to get disc golf into the Olympics?

[craigd]

I think we will see ball golf in before disc golf. It would be cool though:)http://http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2008/08/china_olympics

[scarpfish]

Every DG board I'm on, including this one (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2164&highlight=Olympics), has had somebody asking people to sign some silly petition to get it into the games in either 2012 or 2016. Ain't gonna happen. Really don't care if it doesn't. I mean c'mon, the IOC Eurosnobs kicked baseball and softball out.

Disc golf deserves better.

[giles]

If disc golf did make it into the Olympics and got televised it would be lumped in with the other odd games like table tennis or winter Olympic curling. The exposure would be huge but I think it would be late night TV joke fodder and not highlight reels.

[solomon.trenton]

if it did then it would be featured on ESPN8 the ocho

[kerplunk]

if it did then it would be featured on ESPN8 the ocho

VERY NICE!

If ball golf isn't in the olympics, i think DG has about the same chance as me beating the world distance record with a rhyno.

[TalbotTrojan]

I have seen someone throw a Rhyno pretty far, it is all about using the overstability to your advantage.

I would watch The Ocho all the time if it existed and I had cable of sat TV.

There is really no chance that Disc Golf will ever make it to the Olympics if you ask me, and I love the Olympics. I have been to the International Olympic Museum. I was in Atlanta, and I should have skipped school to go to Salt Lake.

On another note, I think NBC's Universal Sports Channel should consider putting the World Championships on TV this year. It seems like a perfect fit in all honesty. It would be great for Disc Golf and I think those TV execs will be pleasently surprised.

[swellerdiscgolf]

I won't say never, but I don't see it happening any time soon. I think ball golf was an Olympic Sport at one time.

[prerube]

It has to start as an exhibition first. I would plan on seeing ultimate before disc golf.

[mambrose]

someday maby

[Cgkdisc]

Disc Golf was already in the 2001 World Games. It may return to that at some time. However, if you Google the Olympics, you'll see that a sport has to be played in about twice as many countries as it is today. Expanding into more countries will have to happen before it can even be discussed for the future after that point.

[BrotherDave]

Never gonna happen, which is a shame because it's so cheap to play the poorest 3rd world country could play it religiously.

[wolito]

I don't think it will ever be in the games. Unless you are really into disc golf, most of the general public will not be interested in watching a tournament. Not a spectator sport in my opinion. I could see it potentially getting an invite, and be in the games for one time though.

[billnchristy]

Again, I dont care if it does, but imagine the course that would be built...f'n epic.

[scarpfish]

Never gonna happen, which is a shame because it's so cheap to play the poorest 3rd world country could play it religiously.
I doubt it. An $8 DX disc is a lot of moolah to some of them third world country folks. Just think of the people here in the states that think that's expensive.

[meatbones132]

Again, I dont care if it does, but imagine the course that would be built...f'n epic.


As soon asI read this thread that is all I could think about. How amazing the course would be and how angry I would be that I would prob never play it.

[backswing_aplenty]

Too many variables in course to be an Olympic sport. Just like bowling, which is the most participated sport in the world, will never be an Olympic sport.

The games in the Olympics are very controlled as far as scoring and playing field goes. There's already enough variables in course length, basket dimension, left hand right hand, disc size/characteristics etc. that we all fuss about as it is. Trying to convince the IOC and come up with standardized baskets, disc parameters, and course parameters would be a start, but there's still the left hand/right hand, forehand/backhand situation.

If an "Olympic Style" of DG was created with accuracy and trajectory being the main focus and not # of strokes there might be some headway. They would have to create a specific type of course to play on, you could use the same baskets but with some stricter parameters, like an "Olympic Size" basket with specific styles of targets and obstacles to shoot through and around.

Also the sport isn't quite worldwide enough and it's not any countries major sport, as with say Curling in Canada and the Nordic countries, or Badminton and China, Thailand, East Asia. Water Polo is huge in Holland, Bulgaria, Russia. Boxing in Latin America, all the winter sports from the Nordic countries, Switzerland etc. These sports are the national pasttime. Just because the US isn't good at a sport doesn't mean it's not popular.

Bowling's in the same boat with oil patterns and ball specifications. Unless a target oriented form of the game is utilized bowling will be in the same boat at Disc Golf and ball golf.

Sorry for the tirade, I'm spent a lot of time reasearching and pushing for Bowling to get into the Olympics, but it's invariably compared to Golf as to why it won't get in, and the same applies to Disc Golf. Would be great, but the stroke play style would have to be modified to a target based system of scoring to have any chance in the Olympics.


*backswing

[bongripper0420]

Would be cool to see.

[bikinjack]

I don't want to say never, but it ain't gonna be anytime soon.

[mashnut]

I don't want to say never, but it ain't gonna be anytime soon.

As much as I don't want to say never, I don't see it happening. I would be thrilled if it did, but it just doesn't seem to be a good fit for the Olympics.

[Huk Finn]

Too many "performance enhancing drugs" that elevate the state of mind. Won't happen until weed is legalized worldwide.
In other words no....

[BrotherDave]

I doubt it. An $8 DX disc is a lot of moolah to some of them third world country folks. Just think of the people here in the states that think that's expensive.

A soccer ball costs more, find one country too poor to play soccer. I dare you. ;)

[SoCalDg'r]

A soccer ball costs more, find one country too poor to play soccer. I dare you. ;)

1 soccer ball, 16+ participents.
1 participent, 16+ discs.
I bet in early rome they never figured on bobsleding being in their olympic games someday.......

[Swisher Streets]

If they dont have real golf they would never have disc golf. Plus it has to be something that other coutries could compete in as well. Doubt russia and egypt have too many courses.

[Omega SuperSloth]

i could see bolf and frolf in the lympics as team competitions , ala ryder cup style.

I think at least in the begining it should be by continent.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Although it'll most likely never happen, think about the Dream Team that would represent USA ???? :eek::eek:

[Neophyte]

If they dont have real golf they would never have disc golf. Plus it has to be something that other coutries could compete in as well. Doubt russia and egypt have too many courses.

I think that might be any issue. Does anyone know what is the reasoning for ball golf not being an Olympic sport?

[JimDK27]

i could see bolf and frolf in the lympics as team competitions , ala ryder cup style.

I think at least in the begining it should be by continent.

The whole point of Olympics is to bring different countries together in competition. And what the hell is bolf? It's golf not ball golf.

[Omega SuperSloth]

i didnt mean just europe vs america , until Dg gets bigger i think it would work best to just have europe,n.america, s. america ,africa, asia, u.s.s.r, africa, australia. in a tier system like the world cup.

to be honest dg will never work in the Olympics as a solo thing with 100s of countries, i was suggesting something that might actually work.

[biscoe]

a snowball would have a better chance in hell during the middle of the hottest summer ever.

[ishelost]

Due to the necessity of wooded holes discgolf is not yet tv friendly. Until there is some sort of video upgrade or something any shots of technical holes are underwhelming. Have you ever watched "discgolf monthly"? If it were an olympic sport the coverage would need to focus on big drives on open holes.

[skinner21]

give it up, DG in the olympics is a as far fetched as it gets. Love this sport for what it is, and it is definately NOT an olympic game.

[Beable]

It has to start as an exhibition first. I would plan on seeing ultimate before disc golf.

This would be cool.

[BrotherDave]

1 soccer ball, 16+ participents.
1 participent, 16+ discs.
I bet in early rome they never figured on bobsleding being in their olympic games someday.......

1 soccer field, 22 players
1 18 hole course, with 4 players per hole = 72 players.
disc golfers use only ~ 5 discs maybe, the rest are security blankets.

If you really crunched the numbers side by side, I'd be shocked if Disc Golf wasn't one of the cheapest sports in the world.

[mickas]

if ball golf isn't there yet i don't see how disc golf could be moved up, i voted not 2012 but maybe someday, just because i hope it will someday be there

[scarpfish]

A soccer ball costs more, find one country too poor to play soccer. I dare you. ;)
Per equipment needed to set up a game, soccer is way cheaper than disc golf, as you only need one ball for a match. Last I checked, a recreation quality soccer ball ran less than $20, less than the cost of a DX starter set.

Problem is that most third world county residents can't even afford that. I've been told in the slums of many foreign countries, they will make their soccer equipment (balls, goals) out of whatever is available, even packed balls of dirt. Its from these pickup games that most third world countries procure their national soccer team. Oh, they'll set up a stadium and hand out nice jerseys for that. Soccer matches provide a means for these countries to give their citizens a means of distraction from the destitute squalor around them.

Unless we've actually seen these third world outposts, we Americans simply haven't the slightest clue what rock bottom poverty is. Even most 'poor' Americans are richer than most people on this planet. Our "cheap" by their perspective is still prohibitively expensive.

[BrotherDave]

Per equipment needed to set up a game, soccer is way cheaper than disc golf, as you only need one ball for a match. Last I checked, a recreation quality soccer ball ran less than $20, less than the cost of a DX starter set.

Problem is that most third world county residents can't even afford that. I've been told in the slums of many foreign countries, they will make their soccer equipment (balls, goals) out of whatever is available, even packed balls of dirt. Its from these pickup games that most third world countries procure their national soccer team. Oh, they'll set up a stadium and hand out nice jerseys for that. Soccer matches provide a means for these countries to give their citizens a means of distraction from the destitute squalor around them.

Unless we've actually seen these third world outposts, we Americans simply haven't the slightest clue what rock bottom poverty is. Even most 'poor' Americans are richer than most people on this planet. Our "cheap" by their perspective is still prohibitively expensive.

Look mate, basic requirements to play soccer include a ball, shoes and maybe some goals or something set up as goals. To play disc golf all you need is a disc and TREES. That's it. You don't even need shoes really. Most 3rd world countries are starved for agricultural space so fields could be at a premium, whereas you can disc golf ANYWHERE. You throw a disc at an object, it gets no cheaper.

[scarpfish]

Look mate, basic requirements to play soccer include a ball, shoes and maybe some goals or something set up as goals.
Anything available can be made into a ball. Shoes are not required for running and kicking around that available anything, although I'm sure its more comfortable.

To play disc golf all you need is a disc and TREES. That's it. You don't even need shoes really.
Well if you don't need shoes for disc golf then you don't need them for soccer.

Most 3rd world countries are starved for agricultural space so fields could be at a premium, whereas you can disc golf ANYWHERE. You throw a disc at an object, it gets no cheaper.
Fields? They improvise on that too Dave. They'll make a soccer "field" out in the desert, a dried up lake bed, or in an alley. They'll even go half-field if necessary.

I mean c'mon, do you really think this Americanized version of soccer where middle-upper class Moms load their tykes into her Astrovan, go play in their "socreless" city rec league game at their nicely manicured field, and take them to Baskin Robbins after the game exists in Mexico? or China? or Ethiopia?

[BrotherDave]

I mean c'mon, do you really think this Americanized version of soccer where middle-upper class Moms load their tykes into her Astrovan, go play in their "socreless" city rec league game at their nicely manicured field, and take them to Baskin Robbins after the game exists in Mexico? or China? or Ethiopia?

Dude, I've seen the favelas of Brazil, kid's kicking **** balls around the ghettos of Portugal, Africa, whatever. A kid kicking around an inflated goat's bladder is not playing soccer anymore than I'm playing basketball in my driveway with a peach basket. And yeah, there's rich people in Mexico and China, I'm not sure but I think they have some of the biggest stadiums devoted entirely for soccer in the world so yeah I think maybe they have a soccer mom or two. The point is organized disc golf is vastly cheaper to recreate than pretty much anything. Go play soccer and disc golf with bare feet and tell me which is easier. :rolleyes:

[JR Stengele]

Wish it were true but seems like there is really no hope. We can all dream though.

[REDARMY]

A soccer ball costs more, find one country too poor to play soccer. I dare you. ;)

Bullseye.

and as well, i call BS on bowling being the most participated-in sport. soccer has to take that crown.

[JimDK27]

If you're going to actually account for every item required to play soccer or disc golf here it is:
Disc Golf:
1 disc/1 person
1 basket/1 hole (these can be constructed out of available materials like soccer goals)

Soccer:
1 ball/22 people
2 goals/1 field (constructed of available materials)

So basically you just factor in the price to play per person and leave out the goals.
$5 disc = $5/person
$15 ball = $0.69/person

This also doesn't account for the amount of space required to play each. Winner=> Scarpfish

[prerube]

1 soccer field, 22 players
1 18 hole course, with 4 players per hole = 72 players.
disc golfers use only ~ 5 discs maybe, the rest are security blankets.

If you really crunched the numbers side by side, I'd be shocked if Disc Golf wasn't one of the cheapest sports in the world.

With baskets costing over $100 and $7 per disc, schools will not teach it. It is cheaper for a school to buy a set of bowling pins and an indoor bowling ball for the kids, or a few footballs and a set of flags, or a bag of volleyballs and a net. (get the point, Disc golf is not a cheap sport when compared to others.)

[BrotherDave]

A) you don't need baskets to play disc golf
B) Last time I checked a wooded course doesn't require lots of mowing, watering, lines painted, and other turf maintenance.
C) you can play disc golf by yourself, meaning you don't have to run down other players for teams, time is money.

Oh and if you hope to charge admission your gonna have to build some bleachers for the field as well.

[prerube]

soccer ball = $14, 2 official goals = $4,300 Total = $4314 for 22 people

44 discs (a driver and putter per player) = $300, 18 DGA MACH II = 4427. Total = 4,727 for 22 people

as far as teaching in schools substitute the goals with parking cones and you have nearly no cost, where if you substitute baskets with targets you lose alot of the essence of the game same with using regular frisbees

[BrotherDave]

What part of "you don't need baskets for disc golf" do you not understand? How many homegrown courses do we have on here with make shift baskets?

[prerube]

and no one plays them, everyone bitches when they are asked to throw at a bucket on a pole.

substitute baskets with targets you lose alot of the essence of the game I did not say it wasn't possible it is just not the same and we are talking about competition level (OLYMPICS)

[prerube]

Volleyball: Standards and net for 12 students = 1029.00 and a volleyball = $12 (total $1041 for 12)
Lacross: 14 sticks 2 mini nets and 14 rubber balls = $299 for 14 students

The same company charges $449.00 for 12 innova starter packs (3 discs) and $455.00 for PVC Disc Golf TARGETS not baskets ($904 for studets to play a 9 hole immitation course)

[bikinjack]

Soccer and disc golf are both cheap sports. Compare them with rowing, cycling, swimming, or most of the winter sports in the Olympics. I don't think cost of playing has that much to do with it. I sometimes think one of the things that will keep disc golf from ever being really huge (like ball golf) is that it is so cheap to play, and consequently nobody will come along and spend a bunch of money to promote it, or build a bunch of courses to make money on.
Disc golf won't be in the Olympics until it gets true world-wide appeal. How many countries have active participants in disc golf? Similar to how BMX and mountain biking got into the Olympics after their popularity spread, it was included, but only at the expense of other cycling events. Baseball and softball were dropped by the IOC largely because they are not played all that widely throughout the world, hardly at all in the IOC's backyard. If DG catches on in a big way in Europe, at least twice as popular as it is here now, and keeps growing everywhere else, it could easily be included.

[JimDK27]

I believe Brother Dave is fighting an uphill battle on roller skates.

[BrotherDave]

I believe Brother Dave is fighting an uphill battle on roller skates.

That's okay, I need the exercise and I look good in spandex wind breaker suits. I just can't believe I'm the only one arguing for disc golf on a disc golf forum. When did this change to soccercoursereview.com?

You don't need matching uniforms to play disc golf either. ;)

[JimDK27]

Passion is a good thing though.

[BrotherDave]

Disc golf was invented by hippies Damn it! Hippies! How can a hippie sport be more expensive then a non-hippie sport!? We're talking about people that invented hacky sacks for crying out loud! Damn it all, I hope you all choke on some elf balls!

How's that for passion? :D

[prerube]

we are not arguing which is better (clearly DG), just what is cheaper.
as far as choking on elf balls, DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THOSE THINGS COST? :)

[NothinButChing]

it would be great to see in the Olympics, and its played worldwide so makes sense ... just dont think it could get the backing sports like MMA have as they are turning the corner to become the next Olympic sport

[Vegan Ray]

From the International Olympic Committee:
In order to promote the Olympic Movement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may recognise as International Sports Federations (IFs) international non-governmental organisations administering one or several sports at world level and encompassing organisations administering such sports at national level.

Recognition of the International Federations (IFs)
In order to be recognised, these organisations must apply the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code and conduct effective out-of-competition tests in accordance with the established rules. The recognition of IFs newly recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shall be provisional for a period of two years or any other period fixed by the IOC Executive Board. At the end of such period, the recognition shall automatically lapse in the absence of definitive confirmation given in writing by the IOC.
As far as the role of the IFs within the Olympic Movement is concerned, their statutes, practice and activities must be in conformity with the Olympic Charter. Subject to the foregoing, each IF maintains its independence and autonomy in the administration of its sport.
Good luck with the PDGA (or any other "International Federation" of disc golf) conforming with the bolded passage.

[zenbot]

From the International Olympic Committee:

Good luck with the PDGA (or any other "International Federation" of disc golf) conforming with the bolded passage.
I guess Michael Phelps could start playing disc golf.

[JR Stengele]

From the International Olympic Committee:

Good luck with the PDGA (or any other "International Federation" of disc golf) conforming with the bolded passage.

No kidding. That would essentialy get rid of three quarters of the competition.:rolleyes:

[AdamH]

With all this talk of Chicago possibly hosting the 2016 games, I started thinking about this topic and did a little research. Unless the PDGA has started this process already, it's unlikely disc golf could appear in the olympics before 2020.

The International Olympic Committee process requires seven years for a new sport to be added.

http://inlineskating.about.com/od/competitiveinlineskating/a/olympic_sport.htm

Other than the Anti-Doping Code issue mentioned earlier, it sounds like disc golf meets the criteria to become an olympic sport. I know ball golf isn't included, but real men don't play with ball so they do have that against them.

So lets cross our fingers and hope the PDGA is working on this.

[Vegan Ray]

Besides the glaring lack of doping controls (not to mention that there will not be any in the foreseeable future), I'm sure that the PDGA is not represented in 75 or more countries. (My guess is more like 20-25.)

[biscoe]

So lets cross our fingers and hope the PDGA is working on this.

they're not. thank goodness. what a waste of time/resources that would be.

[Vegan Ray]

they're not. thank goodness. what a waste of time/resources that would be.

W3RD!

[DavidSauls]

they're not. thank goodness. what a waste of time/resources that would be.

Amen

[scarpfish]

I still can't figure out why some folks want DG in the Olympics as if the OG's are somehow the pantheon of athletic competition or something. The Olympics aren't so much about sports as they are about politics. Always has been that way, and always will be. Precisely what we should shy away from.

[skinner21]

If they come to Chicago in 2016 (which would be AWESOME) it would be really cool to hold a tournament during that time as a psuedo-Olympics. I think it would be fun and we could avoid all of the red tape of being in the real Olympics.

Otherwise, we have no shot of getting into the Olympics for at least another 50 years, and I hope even then we aviod it. Regular golf isn't even an Olympic game, DG has no shot for a LONG time.

[cblack129]

http://www.petitiononline.com/golfman/petition.html

[Jukeshoe]

Cool, thanks!

[RHINESEL]

I signed.

[jkdisc]

honestly, i doubt it will happen

[skurf]

Did War Eagle write that petition?

[cblack129]

no idea

[jkdisc]

the last thing the IOC wants is more US winners

[biscoe]

give up- what a complete waste of time...

[CaptainAnhyzer]

LOL! signatures 244 thru 265 are just spammers.............

[jkdisc]

im no english major but there are mispellings and fragment sentences.. this cant help the case

[CaptainAnhyzer]

im no english major but there are mispellings and fragment sentences.. this cant help the case

no kidding.......... and the fact that it's been around for more than a year and has less than 400 signatures. :wall:

[jkdisc]

no kidding.......... and the fact that it's been around for more than a year and has less than 400 signatures. :wall:

nice try though! kind of.

[steven2361]

im no english major but there are mispellings and fragment sentences.. this cant help the case

Haha, not sure if you meant to be ironic with your grammer. I agree, please fix up the grammer. I signed and think dg in the olympics would be sweet!

[jkdisc]

Haha, not sure if you meant to be ironic with your grammer. I agree, please fix up the grammer. I signed and think dg in the olympics would be sweet!

are you ironik :)

[JILF]

This petition is a complete embarrassment to the sport.

[Danger]

I can has frolf in Olimpiks!!!!

[scarpfish]

Nothing says "I want to advocate for my cause but not do any actual legwork that might possibly make it happen" quite like an online petition. They are the ultimate expression of slacktivism. Do the retards who start these things actually think they lead to anything?

I'd rather sign an actual petition to ban online petitions than sign that.

[Fender088]

I doubt it will happen until more nations show an interest in the sport. The IOC wont accept sports that aren't played in a good amount of nations, and they definitely don't like adding sports that Americans have a ridiculous advantage at. I would focus on making the sport more popular in more countries before trying to get it into the Olympics.

[Sloan]

i wonder how long it would stay in the olympics with all the drug test failures.

[ejvogie]

"And up to tee off, from Amer-(sniff), judges, I think we have a DQ here!"

[VictorB]

hooray for online petitions.

I won't sign it because DG has lots of other things to worry about before becoming an olympic sport. Heck, most of the countries in the olympics probably don't have a single course there.

[Kwick]

1. there isn't enough time to get it added for 2012.

2. while it will eventually make a great addition to the olympics, it needs to be played heavily by other major countries and minor countries across the globe. i don't even play in open divisions but would make the olympic roster of china, russia, jamaica, korea, etc. etc. etc. until the sport is big in many other countries (and it's debatable whether or not it's big in US right now) DG has no shot.

I may be wrong, but didn't the IOC get rid of softball and baseball because they were not popular across the globe, and due to the US dominance in softball.

Disc Golf needs to just concentrate on expansion. It is expanding rapidly in the US, but we need many more courses across europe, south america, the carribean, etc. before DG can evenly be considered for inclusion.

In regards to a petition that would have any shot, it would need to come from the PDGA.

[Cgkdisc]

Olympics 2028 at the earliest. A sport has to be played in over 50 countries before it's even considered. We're currently at about 22 countries with at least one PDGA member, and in some of those countries, it's exactly one or two members.

[Jay Dub]

are you ironik :)
They're ironic too. ;)
Olympics 2028 at the earliest. A sport has to be played in over 50 countries before it's even considered. We're currently at about 22 countries with at least one PDGA member, and in some of those countries, it's exactly one or two members.
It'll never happen, even the X Games wouldn't have this sport.

[bikinjack]

Who needs the Olympics anyway? They have Ice Dancing and Diving.:thmbdown:

[Kwick]

The main reason I would want it in the Olympics is because it would have excellent coverage. I'd love to see the worlds best on NBC with cameras set up in multiple positions. I'm not a ball golf fan, but I did watch the masters in HD and having that for DG would be insane

[zenbot]

I could see Ultimate hitting the Olympics way before DG and I'm not holding my breath for Ultimate.

[Cgkdisc]

It'll never happen, even the X Games wouldn't have this sport.
It's already happened. Disc Golf and Ultimate were in the 2001 World Games and drug testing was involved. The U.S. won disc golf against five other countries. They'll next be held in 2013.

http://www.worldgames-iwga.org/vsite/vcontent/page/custom/0,8510,1044-16970-18120-4796-12930-custom-item,00.html

[Vegan Ray]

World Games <> Olympic Games

[Cgkdisc]

World Games > X Games

[Vegan Ray]

World Games > X Games

Debatable (at best)

[waynewf]

I refuse to sign such an unproffesional sounding petition:)
"fairly new sport that is gaining popularity like CRAZY!" come on, did a 12 year old write this? I'm all for Disc Golf in the Olympics, heck if you ask me, it's one o fthe greatest sports in the world...but I'm biased...but if there's going to be something out there, let' someone write something a bit more grown up sounding.

Honestly, we need to worry about gaining popularity in this country before it could ever be considered for something on the international scale...

[waynewf]

OK.....the World Games? The World Games features such popular sports as air sports, canoe, bowling, casting sport, dance sport, FLYING DISC (not disc golf), fistball, korfball, orienteering, netball, sumo, and tug of war......tug of war???? my favorite has got to be orienteering.....and I actually know what korfball is because we played it in gym class...it sucks!

No, no, no...the World Games don't count...and disc golf isn't even there....

[waynewf]

and the petition didn't even capitalize "olympic board"....this was written by a texter....

[cheddapig]

i signed just so if someone had writen a more professinal petition they would know that there is an interest for it... it is true that there issnt a chance to have it in the 2012 games but any international publisity would only help the expanstion in the US.

but if it ever is inducted into any major international multi-sport compition i hope to see you guys on the playing feild

[waynewf]

Based on the fact that we're not even in the World Games and Life Saving is.....man, maybe we don't want ot be in the World Games:)
What we really need is ESPN....

[Trampy1]

Coming up next on THE OCHO.......

[zenbot]

DEER SUR OR MAM,

WHY I THINK TAHT THE OLYMPUC S NEED TO HAEV DESK GOLF.

I THINK TAHT THE OLYMPUC S NEED TO HAEV DESK GOLF BECASUE IT IS WAAY MOER AWSUM THAN STUPID SPORTS FOR GAIS THAT LIEK BUTSECKS LIEK THAT DOCUMETARY ABOUT TEH ICSE SKATURS WITH WILL FARUL AN THA GUY FROM NAPOLUEN DINOSAUR.

ITS TIEM FOR A FEW CHANGUS IN OUR GREATAST OF ALL NATIOUNS!!!1 MAEK THA RITE CHOICE OLYMPUCS GUYS!!!!11

IN CONUCLUSON DID U KNO THAT DESK GOULF WAS IN TIGER WOODS'S'S VIDEO GAME? DUNT HOLD TAHT AGAINNST THA REST OF US THO BECASUE I HAEV NEVAR CHEETED ON MY GF!

WARMLY,
ZENBUT


PS

I DUN KNO ABOUT YOU BUT THEY HAEV THAT GAEM WHERE YOU MOP ON THE FLOOR. WTF IS TAHT ALL AABOUT?!?!??!/1

[Vegan Ray]

:thmbup::thmbup::thmbup::thmbup:
:hfive:

[Kwick]

i would sign zenbots petition

[BJKavanaugh]

The main reason I would want it in the Olympics is because it would have excellent coverage. I'd love to see the worlds best on NBC with cameras set up in multiple positions.

It would not have excellent coverage. It probably wouldn't have any coverage. NBC and USA will continue to show the mainstream Olympic sports and not cover any of the smaller more interesting ones.

[jrawk]

i would sign zenbots petition

Why do i find myself reading his petition with a bad Chinese accent? (pronouncing L's like R's and stuff). Try it... it makes for a good time.

[Ryan P.]

C'M0N MAN D0N'T H8 0N CURL1NG!!! 1T'5 L1K4 TH4 B45T SP0RT 4V4R!!!! 1MA K1CK Y0UR BUTT W1TH MY L4V4L 8 PALAD1N FTW!!!

[Kwick]

It would not have excellent coverage. It probably wouldn't have any coverage. NBC and USA will continue to show the mainstream Olympic sports and not cover any of the smaller more interesting ones.

You must not have turned on NBC or MSNBC ever.

Right now they have womens hockey on. various sports i've seen on olympic TV include curling, cross country skiing, skiing when they shoot targets, apline skiing, figure skating, sychronized swimming, sledding, and all the terrible summer games.

[Jukeshoe]

OK.....the World Games? The World Games features such popular sports as air sports, canoe, bowling, casting sport, dance sport, FLYING DISC (not disc golf), fistball, korfball, orienteering, netball, sumo, and tug of war......tug of war???? my favorite has got to be orienteering.....and I actually know what korfball is because we played it in gym class...it sucks!

No, no, no...the World Games don't count...and disc golf isn't even there....

Orienteering? Is that where they drop you off in China with a compass and a pair of chopsticks and you have to make your way back home?:\

[JMONEY]

Nice thought but it needs to be written in a professional manner!

[waynewf]

Orienteering? Is that where they drop you off in China with a compass and a pair of chopsticks and you have to make your way back home?:\

HAHAHAHAHAHA
That's what I thought at first as well. If you go to their website, they describe all of the sports (although it doesn't appear that english is the 1st language of the designer)...it's actually a timed event where people get dropped off in the middle of nowhere with a compass and they have to find their way....I guess????

[Jukeshoe]

HAHAHAHAHAHA
That's what I thought at first as well. If you go to their website, they describe all of the sports (although it doesn't appear that english is the 1st language of the designer)...it's actually a timed event where people get dropped off in the middle of nowhere with a compass and they have to find their way....I guess????

Heh. I like my version better.;)
Maybe eye cann git a poorly ritten petitshun goin round an' rektifeye the situashun.

[Cgkdisc]

For the same reason people shouldn't laugh about disc golf, they shouldn't be poking fun at orienteering. Another Twin Cities course designer and I both did the sport in the 80s. Some disc golf advances like color coded divisions, ratings and course design elements have come from my background in orienteering. The sport has its act together and it's done in more countries than DG. All play is at the amateur level so you don't have the arguments over sponsorship and size of payouts so entry fees are low. Much easier to get approval for setting up a course in the parks and the primary equipment is running shoes and a compass.

[waynewf]

For the same reason people shouldn't laugh about disc golf, they shouldn't be poking fun at orienteering. Another Twin Cities course designer and I both did the sport in the 80s. Some disc golf advances like color coded divisions, ratings and course design elements have come from my background in orienteering. The sport has its act together and it's done in more countries than DG. All play is at the amateur level so you don't have the arguments over sponsorship and size of payouts so entry fees are low. Much easier to get approval for setting up a course in the parks and the primary equipment is running shoes and a compass.

Of course we had to offend somebody:)

Sorry buddy, I'm sure orienting rules...

[Jukeshoe]

For the same reason people shouldn't laugh about disc golf, they shouldn't be poking fun at orienteering. Another Twin Cities course designer and I both did the sport in the 80s. Some disc golf advances like color coded divisions, ratings and course design elements have come from my background in orienteering. The sport has its act together and it's done in more countries than DG. All play is at the amateur level so you don't have the arguments over sponsorship and size of payouts so entry fees are low. Much easier to get approval for setting up a course in the parks and the primary equipment is running shoes and a compass.

Point taken. :doh:
But geez, I laugh at disc golf and I love it. :p

Still, you have to admit that was a pretty good play on words, regardless of your thoughts on the sport of orienteering, right? :hfive:

[Cgkdisc]

I'm sure all those orienteers on discussion boards joke about disc golf, too. ;) They've probably had to dodge baskets in some of their events.

[biscoe]

people on tiddly-winks discussion boards probably joke about disc golf...

[ERicJ]

DEER SUR OR MAM,

WHY I THINK TAHT THE OLYMPUC S NEED TO HAEV DESK GOLF.

I THINK TAHT THE OLYMPUC S NEED TO HAEV DESK GOLF BECASUE IT IS WAAY MOER AWSUM THAN STUPID SPORTS FOR GAIS THAT LIEK BUTSECKS LIEK THAT DOCUMETARY ABOUT TEH ICSE SKATURS WITH WILL FARUL AN THA GUY FROM NAPOLUEN DINOSAUR.

ITS TIEM FOR A FEW CHANGUS IN OUR GREATAST OF ALL NATIOUNS!!!1 MAEK THA RITE CHOICE OLYMPUCS GUYS!!!!11

IN CONUCLUSON DID U KNO THAT DESK GOULF WAS IN TIGER WOODS'S'S VIDEO GAME? DUNT HOLD TAHT AGAINNST THA REST OF US THO BECASUE I HAEV NEVAR CHEETED ON MY GF!

WARMLY,
ZENBUT


PS

I DUN KNO ABOUT YOU BUT THEY HAEV THAT GAEM WHERE YOU MOP ON THE FLOOR. WTF IS TAHT ALL AABOUT?!?!??!/1

Yo Zen... I think WarEagle hacked into your account.

[Jukeshoe]

Puns FTW! :hfive:

[ERicJ]

Merged all the Olympics petition threads...

[BrotherDave]

I like disc golf, a lot. That virtually all but guarantees it that it will never become an Olympic sport.

[leppard]

In the year 2068. I will be 95 and I will be competing.

[Lewis]

If you look at the Wikipedia article on the Olympic sports, you'll see that the number of contests in the Olympics has risen steadily since the 1920's, both in the Summer and Winter Games. And the only two medal sports that have been discontinued since 1940 are baseball and softball. I wouldn't mind the general elimination of all "ball" sports from the Olympic Games, but some of them, like basketball, soccer, tennis, and ice hockey, have very old, strong pedigrees. And pedigree seems to matter a lot to the IOC. Only baseball, polo, and tug-of-war have been discontinued after 5 or more appearances.

So to hope that disc golf may eventually be included isn't necessarily a pipe dream, but it's not going to be in any Olympics soon. When the sport has broad international appeal, an international governing body, etc., then it might get "recognized." And then it might get a chance. But that doesn't mean it will stick. Golf was in two Olympics -- over 100 years ago. Cricket and Rugby Union have broad international appeal, and have been "recognized" for a long time, but neither has had any staying power as an Olympic event. The other thing you have to take into account in the 21st Century games is whether it will sell on TV. Disc golf has yet to prove that it can sell on TV, even in the USA.

[discgolferjr]

The fact that Ultimate has not made it seems odd to me except, I think there is a cap on the number of sports allowed in to the Olympics. That very well may keep disc sports out, as well as billiards, which is way over do as well.

Ultimate has almost gotten into the Olympics. You need to have a certain amount of countries to play that sport. They raised the # so it gets harder to get into the Olympics.

[prerube]

In the year 2068. I will be 95 and I will be competing.

I will be 88 and I will write GO LEPPARD on my old wrinkly body (ofcourse everone will think I lost my mind and can't spell)

[zenbot]

Yo Zen... I think WarEagle hacked into your account.
zenbut is my arch nemesis/alternate identity. If he's gone on to assume other identities like War Eagle I'll never know.

You wake up at Seatac, SFO, LAX. You wake up at O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, BWI. Pacific, mountain, central. Lose an hour, gain an hour. This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. You wake up at Air Harbor International. If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?

[zenbot]

I will be 88 and I will write GO LEPPARD on my old wrinkly body (ofcourse everone will think I lost my mind and can't spell)
Super Grand Masters' Division

[prerube]

I am sure paintball forums want paintball in the Olympics, same for bowlers, dart throwers, competative eaters, billiards, cheerleaders, and every other gaming/sports group in the world. All of these groups will have to wait, sports like football, rugby, lacross, and softball have a greater chance.

Also there are a lot of games/activiteis played in other countries that are not played here that have a better chance of making the Olympics, such as cricket, bandy (very similar to hockey), Korfball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korfball), and wushu (martial arts)

Other notes on the Olympics:
Tug of war was in the Olympics 5 times
Bocce is in the Parylmpics, but not Olympics
Golf will come back to the Olympics in 2016

[Terry C]

One of the requirements for a sport to be in the Olympics is to be known, accepted and played by a majority of the worlds countries. Disc golf is growing but most of the eastern world still has no idea what disc golf is. We might see disc golf in the Olympics some day but I seriously doubt it will be for a long time. It would be awesome if it did sooner than later though.

[Kwick]

Anyone that doubts that the olympics will include Disc Golf real soon (most likely 2012) needs to read the petition.

[sillybizz]

Are you serious??!! American Football isn't even in the Olympics, it's the biggest game in the country, has a small following in other countries and isn't even close to being in. You think Disc Golf is going in before Football? You're insane.

[Vegan Ray]

Facetious tone must not translate over the innerweb very well.

[Kwick]

Perhaps I should have added a wink? ;)

[prerube]

Anyone that doubts that the olympics will include Disc Golf real soon (most likely 2012) needs to read the petition.

The events are already chosen for 2012 and 2016. It's too late for a petition. Plus it would have to start as an exhibition before being entered as a medal event.....perhaps I should read all of your posts before commenting :)

[zenbot]

The events are already chosen for 2012 and 2016. It's too late for a petition. Plus it would have to start as an exhibition before being entered as a medal event.....perhaps I should read all of your posts before commenting :)
If I recall this petition was around over a year ago. I'm amazed by it's longevity.

[billnchristy]

I think we have a better chance of them going back to everyone being underage and nude while competing again before DG is in.

[zenbot]

I think we have a better chance of them going back to everyone being underage and nude while competing again before DG is in.
How is your club coming along anyway?

[prerube]

Disc golf is a reletively new sport that isn't even mainstream in the US yet. more than 90% of the world would be scratching their heads asking what disc golf is.
A better question is Would you still support Disc Golf in the Olympics if they called it Frolf?

as far as being nude, do you really want to see cubby naked?

[Lewis]

A better question is Would you still support Disc Golf in the Olympics if they called it Frolf?

No. And I'm serious.

[billnchristy]

How is your club coming along anyway?

My all male nude dg club "the Dangling Participles?" or the mixed nude club "the pole holers?"

[zenbot]

My all male nude dg club "the Dangling Participles?" or the mixed nude club "the pole holers?"
The Floppy Putters?

[simpletwist]

I know there is specific criteria for consideration. And it would be nice to know that Disc Golf may be included some day. But really some of these things that qualify?

Right now Curling is on the tube. Personally I like Curling, but is it really a world wide sport? The
Bi-athalon? Is that really a sport?

[adam423]

I know there is specific criteria for consideration. And it would be nice to know that Disc Golf may be included some day. But really some of these things that qualify?

Right now Curling is on the tube. Personally I like Curling, but is it really a world wide sport? The
Bi-athalon? Is that really a sport?

Some of the events like biathlon and curling make me wonder who actually competes in stuff like that.

[waynewf]

Some of the events like biathlon and curling make me wonder who actually competes in stuff like that.

Curling is huge with millions of players wolrd wide....ok so mostly Canada, Minnesota, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweeden, Germany, Austria, France....and it wass invented in the 1500's...

And biathalon used to be the training regimine for Norwegein soldiers, of which many other countries copied thier practice...and it ends up turning into a competition....

I mean, I know in Kentucky that dog fighting and moonshining are akin to Olympic sports, but come on ;)

[Jukeshoe]

Curling is huge with millions of players wolrd wide....ok so mostly Canada, Minnesota, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweeden, Germany, Austria, France....and it wass invented in the 1500's...

And biathalon used to be the training regimine for Norwegein soldiers, of which many other countries copied thier practice...and it ends up turning into a competition....

I mean, I know in Kentucky that dog fighting and moonshining are akin to Olympic sports, but come on ;)

My uncle is taking place in the Senior Men's Curling Nationals this week. Awesome! :clap:

[smyith]

id lik to think disc golf has a chance to be in the olympics but it will require more countries to get into the scene. right now it is to limited of a market and not popular enough to make it in. PDGA needs to start forking out some of our membership fees and do more promoting of the sport.
i will say that the only way this will ever happen is to get the sport on national television. not just a little blurp but a full event. let the clash dvd guys put together a stellar dvd of Worlds and/or all the NT's and then the PDGA will pay to get it on espn or something. this will also begin to generate more sponsors/money.

[Danger]

No chance in hell. No ball golf, definitely no disc golf. That's it. No argument.

[wolito]

I suppose that there might be some small following in the olympics such as curling or something, but just don't think or hope that it will ever get in the games.

[billnchristy]

The Floppy Putters?


The R-pro Darts?

[NothinButChing]

No chance in hell. No ball golf, definitely no disc golf. That's it. No argument.

This is the short answer to a long debate. Fact is, there are plenty of sports that are way farther in front of Disc Golf in line of sports to get into Olympics... now if you could make a winter version I'm sure we could get it into Winter Olympics by 2018, it took snowboarding 5-10 years of mainstream competition.

[prerube]

The R-pro Darts?

I was thinking "the warped polecats" or "the mini discs"

[Vegan Ray]

Stiff Black Pythons

[NothinButChing]

NSFW!

[prerube]

EricJ took all of the Olympic threads and condensed them so we could have meaningful debates about the Olympics and we get sidetracked by weiner talk.

What is the worst sport/activity currently in the olympics? (what should DG hypothetically place) *you can't say curling, curling is a winter sport, you need to replace a Summer Games sport.

[prerube]

I vote all Equestrian events should be replaced by disc sports. Freestyle, Ultimate and Disc Golf

[billnchristy]

Ping pong.

[prerube]

I just heard Cricket will be reintroduced to the 2020 Olympics.

[John Rock]

id lik to think disc golf has a chance to be in the olympics but it will require more countries to get into the scene. right now it is to limited of a market and not popular enough to make it in. PDGA needs to start forking out some of our membership fees and do more promoting of the sport.
i will say that the only way this will ever happen is to get the sport on national television. not just a little blurp but a full event. let the clash dvd guys put together a stellar dvd of Worlds and/or all the NT's and then the PDGA will pay to get it on espn or something. this will also begin to generate more sponsors/money.

Or just re-evaluate where they're spending the share currently designated for marketing purposes.

[Kwick]

This is the short answer to a long debate. Fact is, there are plenty of sports that are way farther in front of Disc Golf in line of sports to get into Olympics... now if you could make a winter version I'm sure we could get it into Winter Olympics by 2018, it took snowboarding 5-10 years of mainstream competition.

Summer TV for disc golf would be amazing though and much easier to sell to networks.

That is a good point about winter olympics, but i think it would be too much of a hasslle to be in the snow. you can't really hold olympic disc golf in the snow, should the players have ribbons on their discs?

having people see a course that is amazingly beautiful just like ball golf would be easier to attract new people and viewers of people that don't play Disc golf

[jkdisc]

not anytime soon. imo

[NothinButChing]

Summer TV for disc golf would be amazing though and much easier to sell to networks.

That is a good point about winter olympics, but i think it would be too much of a hasslle to be in the snow. you can't really hold olympic disc golf in the snow, should the players have ribbons on their discs?

having people see a course that is amazingly beautiful just like ball golf would be easier to attract new people and viewers of people that don't play Disc golf

some winter olympics are played inside .. not that that changes much

[harr0140]

I am just not sure there is enough of a draw to watch the sport. i think it is one of those sports only players would watch when they cannot be playing. I also think if it were to be in the Olympics, it will need at least 20-30 years to get there. There isn't enough international interest yet, and if the sport cannot be marketed or promoted in the USA enought o be a popular sport, it will take quite an effort to get it international acclaim. The Olympic committee will not let a sport in that doesn't have enough of an international draw. Like they want to see Sweden, USA, and some of the Asian countries compete against themselves. The sport needs to spread to other countries and produce quality players in some of them in order for it to be considered too.

[kyle420420]

i dont think it will be in the olympics any time soon there is to many sports that are bigger then disc golf that arnt in the olympics it would be nice to see but i dont think it will happen soon unless there is a major increase in the popularity of disc golf

[scarpfish]

Things you'll see at the Olympics before you see disc golf...

A12-S048DeA

AVUf4AUcR5w

Z1Zf5i56HmM

NR4D6wW-ZEs

[prerube]

I have 3 sets of speed stacks cups :o

[RussMB]

That is the downside, it's pretty much a North American sport. It's getting more popular in some countries, I could see it getting added within 10 years. Provided the popularity keeps increasing. ...which it will. Somebody said it, Disc Golf just needs to become more internationally competitive.

[bikinjack]

lol Punkin Chunkin

[BrotherDave]

That is the downside, it's pretty much a North American sport. It's getting more popular in some countries, I could see it getting added within 10 years. Provided the popularity keeps increasing. ...which it will. Somebody said it, Disc Golf just needs to become more internationally competitive.

If somebody buys me a ticket I'll go spread the gospel of disc golf in all the developing countries. It'll be hard to lug 18 portable baskets around though :\

[Malaclypse]

I must be really bored tonight. I've spent the last half hour being fascinated by speed stacking videos. I have never heard of that before.

[YawningDrone]

:: posts in epic thread::

[billnchristy]

They need to have a "lame fat guy X Games" kind of thing and incorporate Disc Golf into that. THAT would be your chance of getting it on TV.

-OR-

Beg and plead with some of the more attractive players to play a temporary beach course round during an AVP weekend and get that segment aired. Maybe even have some of the volleyball players try it and comment on how difficult it is (for some reason that always seems to impress people when people from completely unrelated sports do not excel)

[Chucktown]

Disc Golf would be the Curling of the Summer Olympics!

[The Bird Man]

I think this is soooooooooooooooooo ridiculous. they don't have Soccer because there is a World Cup. The don't have ball golf because of World Golf Championships, and they surely won't have Disc Golf, because, wait for it... we have World's Disc Golf Championship's. I LOVE disc golf, but the thought of it in the Olympics is laughable.

[Usher]

I think this is soooooooooooooooooo ridiculous. they don't have Soccer because there is a World Cup. The don't have ball golf because of World Golf Championships, and they surely won't have Disc Golf, because, wait for it... we have World's Disc Golf Championship's. I LOVE disc golf, but the thought of it in the Olympics is laughable.

Couldn't agree more!!!

Because the reason that they have hockey is because the Stanly Cup is really only between USA and Canada, it doesn't include all of the other countries. (Like the World Cup)

[scarpfish]

More stuff that will be in the Olympics before disc golf...

ifHRmmhGHao
^ Already been on ESPN! With color commentary!^

9pyvtCzxQDk

9FCdOV5aSqk

ujpfCRpqkFs

[cc0049]

I just now figured out that this thread was merged....I was really confused for a while.

[cc0049]

So it looks like Disc Golf will be in the Summer Olympics in 2016. I heard from two different sources today that it's going to happen. They even have bumper stickers made. Anyone else heard more about it?

[Pink Elephant]

Are you sure you aren't confusing it with ball golf?

[prerube]

So it looks like Disc Golf will be in the Summer Olympics in 2016. I heard from two different sources today that it's going to happen. They even have bumper stickers made. Anyone else heard more about it?

I think it's a rumor. Are your sources rec guys chatting or PDGA board members.

Baseball and softball, which were dropped from the program in 2005 have applied
karate, squash, ball golf, inline speed skating and traditional rugby have all applied to be included.

Disc golf is not world wide enough to be included yet.

[cc0049]

I think it's a rumor. Are your sources rec guys chatting or PDGA board members.

Baseball and softball, which were dropped from the program in 2005 have applied
karate, squash, ball golf, inline speed skating and traditional rugby have all applied to be included.

Disc golf is not world wide enough to be included yet.

Both of the guys that told me about it today are older guys that have been playing a long time and are well connected in the disc golf community.

[prerube]

I've just been to several Olympic sites and they all say ball golf will return, but not disc golf.

The only site that mentioned Disc golf pretty much said:
Disc golf is not world wide enough to be included yet.
but the petition may get other countries to start taking an interest in disc golf.

[scarpfish]

So it looks like Disc Golf will be in the Summer Olympics in 2016. I heard from two different sources today that it's going to happen. They even have bumper stickers made.
Well of course, that settles everything. I also have a bumper sticker that says St. Louis Cardinals 1985 World Champions.

In the meantime... :p

Things that will be in the Olympics before disc golf. Version 3.0. Enjoy.


B3aKr1GU_eQ
CyXRDtlFq7k
FhAR5VS44NU

[prerube]

http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Sports/

How does a sport become Olympic?
To make it onto the Olympic programme, a sport first has to be recognised: it must be administered by an International Federation which ensures that the sport's activities follow the Olympic Charter. If it is widely practised around the world and meets a number of criteria established by the IOC session, a recognised sport may be added to the Olympic programme on the recommendation of the IOC's Olympic Programme Commission.

the Olympics is not listed as a sport for 2016

it's ball golf ball golf reinstated for 2016 and 2020 (http://www.edmondsun.com/sports/x546154877/Golf-rugby-make-Olympic-roster-for-2016-2020)

[cc0049]

Well of course, that settles everything. I also have a bumper sticker that says St. Louis Cardinals 1985 World Champions.

Maybe you should spend less time looking up random videos on the web and more time actually playing disc golf and maybe you'll see the 900s one day.

[prerube]

Why are you attacking him, he pointed out that your arguement was based on hearsay and bumper stickers and he made a joke. Why go personal, especially with rating are you a 1000 rated eltist?

[cc0049]

Why are you attacking him, he pointed out that your arguement was based on hearsay and bumper stickers and he made a joke. Why go personal, especially with rating are you a 1000 rated eltist?

I didn't make an argument. I commented on something that I heard today to stimulate further conversation on the subject of disc golf in the Olympics. That is what the forums are for. He responded with a jackass comment as is too often the case with a lot of other arm chair disc golfers on this website.

[prerube]

why go after his rating? Call him out as an idiot using his words against him, but looking up his rating to insult him is a personal attack. I thought the comment was made for humor.

So it looks like Disc Golf will be in the Summer Olympics in 2016. I heard from two different sources today that it's going to happen. They even have bumper stickers made. Anyone else heard more about it?

You set yourself up using bumper stickers as a form of credibilty. Scarpfish is a good guy, even if he likes his youtube videos too much.

[cc0049]

why go after his rating? Call him out as an idiot using his words against him, but looking up his rating to insult him is a personal attack. I thought the comment was made for humor.

You set yourself up using bumper stickers as a form of credibilty. Scarpfish is a good guy, even if he likes his youtube videos too much.

Humor is one thing. Making someone the butt of your joke is another.

Again, the bumper stickers were not a part of any "argument" that I was trying to make. I was simply trying to relay information that I came across today and asked whether or not anyone else had heard anything. I was looking for a valuable response like the ones that you gave, not jackass comments like Scarp gave.

Save that BS for the water cooler or the landfill.

[prerube]

fair enough, but keep in mind a person's rating is not their worth. Some people care more about having fun than practicing their technique.

I am looking at 2020 info, so far it is not looking good for DG. We need to get more Eastern European Countries (other than Sweeden) and South American Countries involved.

[cc0049]

fair enough, but keep in mind a person's rating is not their worth. Some people care more about having fun than practicing their technique.

I am looking at 2020 info, so far it is not looking good for DG. We need to get more Eastern European Countries (other than Sweeden) and South American Countries involved.

You're right. I was out of line with the rating comment.

I'm going to check with the guys that I talked to today and see where they got their information from.

[Vegan Ray]

I will take any and all action against my proposition that disc golf will not be a medal sport in either the Summer or Winter Olympic Games at any time before (and including) 2060.

[prerube]

Scarpfish and I have the same PDGA rating ;)

[prerube]

I will take any and all action against my proposition that disc golf will not be a medal sport in either the Summer or Winter Olympic Games at any time before 2060.

I will take that bet. Lets meet at Hawk Hallow in 2060 to see who wins.

[Vegan Ray]

Scarpfish and I have the same PDGA rating ;)
Scarpfish's disc golf rating > cc0049's critical thinking rating. :doh:

[jrawk]

I will take that bet. Lets meet at Hawk Hallow in 2060 to see who wins.

At that age, I'll put my money on the cows. :rolleyes:

[Vegan Ray]

I will take that bet. Lets meet at Hawk Hallow in 2060 to see who wins.

Deal. Let's keep it friendly & say $1000. Shake?

[jkdisc]

the IOC doesn't want another USA dominated sport

[NateDiscFlip]

Unfortunate, but you would think the manufacturers would push for it...but then NIKE(already has)....and many others would pick it up, and the small guys would be out of money....i.e. innova, discraft, and any under them.

[prerube]

Deal. Let's keep it friendly & say $1000. Shake?

I know where that hand has been. *fist bump (that's how we do it in the ghetto)

[prerube]

the IOC doesn't want another USA dominated sport

Another issue may be the differences between US and Japan. Would the IOC limit disc weights to 150 to suit the Japanese?