PDGA announces World Championships to split. Open / Age Protected

[Improbably]

- Putting is too easy at the top level not just from a scoring standpoint but it's also not compelling to watch.
- Smaller baskets will not make putting more compelling to watch and may not spread scores better even if scores go up.
- Other ideas are percolating that will increase putting challenge only for pros with more drama for spectators with no need to modify existing baskets. Stay tuned.

A 15 or 20 meter circle? Maybe take the supporting point down to only 10cm behind the lie? Make open throw twice and sink both?

I'm excited to hear about enhanced difficulty but I really can't imagine what it could be.

Timeframe on cat-bag exit strategy?

 

[Cgkdisc]

I think the way to look at ideas is determining what it is that makes putting more compelling in ball golf and figure out creative ways to duplicate or borrow those elements in a disc golf environment.

 

[AndyJB]

Good luck with all that.

#shrinkthesport
#****casualplayers
#makediscgolflikethecountryclub
#premiumplasticistoocheapandkillingthesportbecuaseputtingistoeasyletschangeverythingbecausediscgolfsucks

 

[Cgkdisc]

Good luck with all that.

#shrinkthesport
#****casualplayers
#makediscgolflikethecountryclub
#premiumplasticistoocheapandkillingthesportbecuaseputtingistoeasyletschangeverythingbecausediscgolfsucks

Andy, unlikely any idea will get through the testing gauntlet that makes putting tougher for Ams and Rec players. In fact, one I've seen will make it easier for Ams. The primary focus of this experimental exercise is making putting more compelling and challenging for pros and perhaps just elite pros.

 

[fasteddie]

I seriously think that better overall course/green design can achieved A LOT of the stated goals with less tinkering than some of the other ideas (namely major rules changes/introducing a new basket design). With the right tools (money/property/etc.) courses can still be designed the offer challenge to the tip tier players and excitement for spectators.

*side note* please mind that these are simply opinions.

I understand it's an unpopular suggestion. "Stand and deliver" on fairway shots would be a good change. There is way too much gray area revolving around foot faults/plant foot (on fairway shots as well as putts) especially in am divisions.

seriously..... watch peoples feet when you're on the course, hell even straight up pro tourney footage there are some really questionable plays (in regards to the rules). And it seems to me that a lot of the language in the rule book (and how I've seen it play out in first person more often than not) is to the benefit of someone who is breaking a rule (inadvertently or purposefully) and not the one(s) calling a violation.

 

[DavidSauls]

I think the way to look at ideas is determining what it is that makes putting more compelling in ball golf and figure out creative ways to duplicate or borrow those elements in a disc golf environment.

Huge wind machines set up around greens, creating crossing currents that disc golfers have to judge and make the disc twist and turn through.

 

[BrotherDave]

Blindfolds or fire rings?

Which is it?

Dizzy bat spin before every putt.

 

[Royalhghnss]

I don't get the incessant need to compare ball golf putting/scores to disc golf putting/scores. They're different sports.

Anything that makes putting harder is IMO bad for the sport. People LOVE seeing the pros hit huge putts. I might be a dg media dude, but I started as a fan. I LOVE seeing them hit huge putts. I love hitting huge putts myself. Why take that away, just so some number changes w/ respect to a completely different sport?

Making long putts harder = Fewer longer putts made/more layups = a more boring sport = fewer people watching. I don't get what is behind the need to make putting harder other than some unneeded want to be more like ball golf.

 

[fasteddie]

damn straight!

 

[wolfmandragon]

I don't get the incessant need to compare ball golf putting/scores to disc golf putting/scores. They're different sports.

Anything that makes putting harder is IMO bad for the sport. People LOVE seeing the pros hit huge putts. I might be a dg media dude, but I started as a fan. I LOVE seeing them hit huge putts. I love hitting huge putts myself. Why take that away, just so some number changes w/ respect to a completely different sport?

Making long putts harder = Fewer longer putts made/more layups = a more boring sport = fewer people watching. I don't get what is behind the need to make putting harder other than some unneeded want to be more like ball golf.

Actually watching pros putt is pretty darn boring. The only pro that is any fun to watch is Will.... Simply because his short game sucks. Where is the excitement in knowing that the shot is going in? There is none.
If it wasn't for thw noise and eyesore-ness, i really like the idea of the wind machine.

 

[wolfmandragon]

There is one rule that NEEDS to be changed. Either make it illegal for both feet leaving the ground on a follow through or allow the disc to be thrown from a jump. A rule that only one top pro has enough integrity to follow but no-one is ever called on, is harmful to the sport. There are several good Ams in my area that thought it was legal to throw from the air because of watching the pros.

 

[Cgkdisc]

I don't get the incessant need to compare ball golf putting/scores to disc golf putting/scores. They're different sports.

Anything that makes putting harder is IMO bad for the sport. People LOVE seeing the pros hit huge putts. I might be a dg media dude, but I started as a fan. I LOVE seeing them hit huge putts. I love hitting huge putts myself. Why take that away, just so some number changes w/ respect to a completely different sport?

Making long putts harder = Fewer longer putts made/more layups = a more boring sport = fewer people watching. I don't get what is behind the need to make putting harder other than some unneeded want to be more like ball golf.

We agree that making putting more compelling to watch, hopefully with more drama, is the priority, not necessarily making putting more difficult.

 

[fasteddie]

There is one rule that NEEDS to be changed. Either make it illegal for both feet leaving the ground on a follow through or allow the disc to be thrown from a jump. A rule that only one top pro has enough integrity to follow but no-one is ever called on, is harmful to the sport. There are several good Ams in my area that thought it was legal to throw from the air because of watching the pros.

yes, this is what I was trying to convey. I think it's a weird gray area that no sport that's taken seriously would have. Sure football/baseball/etc. has plays called on the micro scale, but they have trained refs/allowance of video and photographic footage/use of instant replays etc. There is no way that any of these sports would leave it (pretty much only) up to players to call infractions and expect concise or clean results. Making the rule completely clear and easier to judge for everyone (ams to pro) i.e. S&D would help this sport as a whole (in the official tourney scene).

 

[Cgkdisc]

It's been an issue discussed by the Rules Committee over at least 15 years. No one has come up with a better rule scenario to deal with this. If you have one, please contact the Rules Committee with your suggestions. The rule book is being updated during 2016 with the intent to roll out the update Jan 1, 2017.

 

[Royalhghnss]

We agree that making putting more compelling to watch, hopefully with more drama, is the priority, not necessarily making putting more difficult.

That I can get behind! :hfive:

 

[WhiteyBear]

How about no run up allowed, at all, after you drive from the tee. Always thought it was pretty dumb how you could run up forty feet, not the magical "circle" stopped that action.

No run up at all, and one for must stay planted until disc comes to rest (while putting).

Who am I kidding, that'll make much more boring material to watch...

 

[PWaggoner]

There is one rule that NEEDS to be changed. Either make it illegal for both feet leaving the ground on a follow through or allow the disc to be thrown from a jump. A rule that only one top pro has enough integrity to follow but no-one is ever called on, is harmful to the sport. There are several good Ams in my area that thought it was legal to throw from the air because of watching the pros.

Who? Feldberg?

I think s&d is detrimental for grass roots growth. I know a couple guys no matter how much i tutor them they can not throw further then 150 ft s&d but can throw 250 ft running up. Which is enough to at least duece some holes/ have fun. Fun usually isn't par.

Ive helped plenty of people break 300 ft so constantly attempting to adjust my teaching approach, but damn some people are hard to teach.

 

[paulw]

As the stand and deliver blather seems to be gaining traction -- please make it stop.

There's few parts of the game more comical that the idea that you have to stand and throw. It's annoying to do and annoying to watch.

Even better are the number of times through the years that I've played tournament rounds with players that foot fault every time they stand still to throw and rarely do when they run up.

I even play on a regular basis with a guy that throws all his non-tee shots stand-still and almost every one he lines up correctly, pulls the disc back (backhand) and moves his plant foot 6" to one side, throws the disc and after he follows through returns his foot behind the mini and looks around making sure everyone sees his foot is behind the mark. It's silly. No one but me and a few other players ever notice and no one ever cares.

Please, the top pro's will police themselves with the existing rules and the rest of us just need to be left to our devices to enjoy the game. Please stop the "no run up" on the message board mantra if for no other reason than we ain't gonna listen anyway.

I won't post again for weeks or months so feel free to disagree/agree. I'm not watching your feet, you can foot fault all you want, I'm just rooting for the disc to go in the basket.

 

[MichaelWebster]

I don't get the incessant need to compare ball golf putting/scores to disc golf putting/scores. They're different sports.

Anything that makes putting harder is IMO bad for the sport. People LOVE seeing the pros hit huge putts. I might be a dg media dude, but I started as a fan. I LOVE seeing them hit huge putts. I love hitting huge putts myself. Why take that away, just so some number changes w/ respect to a completely different sport?

Making long putts harder = Fewer longer putts made/more layups = a more boring sport = fewer people watching. I don't get what is behind the need to make putting harder other than some unneeded want to be more like ball golf.

THIS. How to make putting harder? Just plan courses so good shots land 40-50 ft out. Only rare Herculean shots result in parking the basket.

To get back on topic, 2 courses sounds great, but I liked the 5+ round format since Worlds is the only tournament like it.

 

[Jenga54]

I think the way to look at ideas is determining what it is that makes putting more compelling in ball golf and figure out creative ways to duplicate or borrow those elements in a disc golf environment.

YES. It's simple - nothing is as cool as watching a 60' putt on a golf green that breaks one way, then back and drains in the cup. How could we possibly make a disc curve in the air though? it's so had to make a disc curve in the air....

THIS. How to make putting harder? Just plan courses so good shots land 40-50 ft out. Only rare Herculean shots result in parking the basket.

It's the goal of a good designer to make only the great shots land under the basket, with most peppered around the green/approach. These pros are just too good - if it's drivable distance, they're landing near or in the circle. What could we do...

ADD STUFF IN THE CIRCLE! Putt through 2 trees... Putt around a tree with a big anny putt... make that putt and you feel like you've accomplished something.

When I make a 40' putt I just think - finally, i threw one straight. When I make an anny putt I think - That was AWESOME - Did anyone SEE that!?