Playing History:
I played some target "Frisbee" Golf in college, but really just got serious about playing Disc Golf around March of 2008. Courses are much better and the game has really evolved since the mid 80's. Using discs designed for this game has really made it much more fun. Plus, dare I say, baskets are so much better than the occasional park bench or road sign (man that damages a disc)!
Since 2008, I learned everything I could and sought out playing with players much better than I on a regular basis. That is my best advice to anyone new to the sport, go play and learn from better and different players. I have played over 230 courses and traveled to new locations helping photograph and logging in distances on many courses with no information. Doing that will teach you a lot. I have taken time to really listen to many course designers and learned much from their perspective and I love some of the stories that they tell. Here is another piece of advice: walk your home course(s) backward. Looks at the holes from basket to tee. It will allow you to see flight paths and options you may have not seen before.
I held the PDGA Record and the Guinness World Record for the Most Disc Golf Holes Played in 24 Hours in 2010. The record was 833 and I was able to be the first person to get over 1000 holes with 1002. I did this to help grow the sport and get it in the news. My story and a video can be seen from these threads:
Dedicated Thread &
Original Thread
By the way, the pictures of my feet are not for the faint at heart. I also then helped others break my record after that, because that is how we continue to grow the sport. Keep getting it in the news. I always want to bring a positive light to Disc Golf. I really do love our community
Course Rating:
I love playing at different courses. Every new course is an exciting adventure good or bad courses alike. I have found, the more courses you review, the better you get at seeing what you like and how to review them. I strongly suggest after about 50 courses, to go back and update your earlier reviews. You will notice just how much better you get at doing it. I really like the variety of styles, risk/reward, technical, elevation, short and long hole variation, heavily wooded, wide-open, guarded baskets, water, and anything else a course designer can come up with.
I like reading reviews that are not too long, but still, get me the info that tells me if I would want to play there. So I try to do this in my reviews with just a little humor in the title. I do believe the key factors that affect me the most when reviewing a course are the pros & cons, the equipment & conditions, the layout challenges & terrain, and most importantly, THE FUN FACTOR. If you don't enjoy the adventure, how can you possibly rate a course very high or tell others you should come play here? Anyway, that is how I see it.
DGCR:
This site is fantastic. I feel it is the best place to help you decide what courses to play, track your scores, your discs, and hear about upcoming events. I love how we all can share what we learn and feel about our experiences on a course. This gives people of all walks of life a chance to share their views and perspectives. You can absorb the info you want and discard what you don't. Either way, you get a variety of opinions, the more the merrier!
This is a great place to meet other players. Enjoy each other's successes and share our stories. Ok, let's face it, I love the forums for good ol' socializing, learning, and BS'ing! ;)
Peace brothers!