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Let's Get More Spectators - Part 5

Let's Get More Spectators - Part 5

Speed Thrills, Drama Builds

Monday, September 21, 2015 - 10:49

Charlie Wi tees off at TPC Scottsdale's 16th hole during Round 2 of the Phoenix Open. Credit: Golfweek.com

Both speed of play sports like hockey and constant action like soccer appeal to many spectators. Disc golf is slower and has no action when players are between holes, although it's faster than ball golf. When Paul McBeth #27523 threw the highest rated round ever at 1132, his score for the round was a 39. The video of every shot he threw is under 7 minutes. Total time for his whole group to throw every hole was under 30 minutes. That's not enough action over 3-4 hours to attract the market segment of spectators who thrive on watching action sports.

Each year, even fast moving sports like basketball look for ways to speed up their game. That being said, there might be some ways to speed up our game. Applying certain new ideas might change our elite pro game, but perhaps in doing so more people might want to watch. Would it be worth it? The following concepts might seem extreme, but they could be tested in X-tiers or non-sanctioned events to see how well they work.

Speed of Play

One idea might be to shorten the time allowed to make your throw from 30 seconds to 15 or 20 seconds from the time you get to your lie. Consider speeding up drop-in shots by the target where you'll automatically be holed out counting one more throw if part of your disc is on the playing surface touching or inside a marked "Drop-in Zone" surrounding the basket.

Many of us have seen groups of 6-10 throwing constantly and move through a course faster than a foursome of regular disc golfers. Perhaps we could allow "ready golf" where players could throw when ready, as long as their intended flight path in front of them was clear. Other than finding your disc, make it a courtesy violation if players walk forward beyond their lie unless it's necessary to make sure a blind landing area is clear. These ideas might just be applied for high level tournaments in the Open divisions where players would be expected to have studied and played the holes, so they shouldn't need much time to scout forward to plan their throw.

Finals Format Changes 

Sometimes the rules of certain sports change in the last few minutes to allow the losing team a better chance to catch up. We all know fans who just wait to watch the 2-minute drill at the end of a football game. Maybe some faster version of our game like speed golf should be considered for a Final 6 or 9 in our elite events? Players would score based partly on time and on shots thrown. This would raise the bar requiring additional fitness among our players at the highest levels than most who play recreational or amateur rounds. That could increase the positive image we project for our sport.

Tournament players seem to prefer courses with lots of hole variety including par 4s & 5s. However, since spectators might prefer more action and drama, perhaps elite pros should be playing Finals layouts containing mostly "dangerous" but two-able par 3 holes, tricked-out like Hole #17 at Winthrop Gold during the USDGC. It's borrowing a page from super promoter, Pete May #12700, who relishes potential "train wreck" hole designs at the finish. It's likely what people want to watch, even if these final hole designs might introduce a bit more luck than most holes played earlier in the tournament.

Not only will these par 3 holes play faster, but it will be much easier for spectators either on-site or watching online to immediately see and react to what happened. Most shots will land in visual or video range, plus most good or bad shots can be seen whether landing near the basket or out-of-bounds. Even non-players can understand most of what's happening in addition to picking it up from hearing the crowd reaction. For example, Fountain Hills has several "naturally" dangerous par 3 holes. While we've seen close drama at the finish in The Memorial Championship presented by Discraft, there are a few more risky holes in the front nine than the back nine, other than hole 18. 

It's typically difficult to see or know well enough to cheer or groan when a drive lands in the fairway on a par 4. Unless you're perfectly positioned, it's hard to know if the shot landed in a good or bad position unless it's clearly shanked into the woods. Or perhaps you know the course well enough to judge landing areas from a distance or on screen. But, if a shot buzzes the basket, lands on the green, or just misses OB, you usually hear a crowd reaction.

Ace video by ViriDisk with an angle from behind the basket and a never-before seen aerial angle from a drone.

These are the kind of throws and future camera angles that can excite the crowd. Look at all of the social media buzz and commentary regarding the strategy choices made on the par 3, Hole #17 in last year's USDGC. Imagine having 9 or even 18 holes like this in the finals.

Again, the suggestions above pertain solely to the final round. For preliminary rounds, players would continue to play gold level par 62+ courses when available. Disc golf aficionados still might want to watch those slower moving, strategic rounds. But even some of these preliminary round layouts could potentially be improved for both players and spectators.

Player momentum and spectator interest can be sapped by slow playing holes, particularly those that eventually stack up with more than one group waiting to throw. Several of these holes are known in advance since they've been played in big events for years, with 3-4 groups eventually stacking up. TDs should be temporarily redesigning or eliminating these holes at least for the last round. Ask for help from course designers or the PDGA if needed. Do it for your players and fans. If nothing can be done about the slow playing holes and you're running an event with tee time starts, increase the time spacing in the final round to reduce the stack-up problem (hint: something can always be done).

Statistical Fantasy

We track several stats pertaining to complete rounds and events such as ratings, wins, and prizes paid out. But we don't yet track stats within the round the way the ball golf world does it. Players and TDs are still a bit unsure about setting par or if it's valid when they see it. Players love stats, but potential fans may like them even more. We currently have more stats about our discs than we have about the players that throw them. Once more stats are produced in a sport they seem to multiply and take on a life of their own. It can produce more fantasy play even for stats within rounds. For some people, their viewing interest may simply be tracking their fantasy results.

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Player stats are heavily tracked in ball golf.

Setting hole pars for elite level courses at one throw lower than the ball golf par standard of "shots to the green plus two putts" continues to be a hot topic even though the scoring reality at our elite level is closer to "shots to the green plus one putt." This results in player scores much farther under par than is considered desirable by some viewers who believe our sport shouldn't be seen as "that easy" at the top level. 

The hole pars set for the recent St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational and the safari holes included in several Pro Worlds Final 9 layouts over the past 10 years were closer to a 1050-rated equivalent versus the usual 1000-rated par guidelines applied for gold level courses. This new "black level" World Class Par standard, based on 1050 skill, would bring our elite players' over/under par totals during live online scoring closer to over/under scoring in PGA Majors like their U.S. Open where the winner was only five under after four rounds of par 70 golf.

It's a Happening Thing

The more spectators you get, the more it can snowball. Tailgating at NFL games started small and became a happening thing that got people to the stadium even if they didn't have tickets. The Seattle Sounders soccer team draws much bigger crowds than any other team in Major League SSoccer, where home events have become happenings. Attending soccer games there has seemingly become more popular partly because it's popular and seen as a cool, social thing to do with like-minded neighbors, even though watching much of the action may not specifically be the reason for many to attend.

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CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Sounders. Photo credit SoundersFC.com:

The Phoenix Open might have the most raucous group of fans at any ball golf event. Nearly 20,000 fans pile into the expansive stands built around the par 3, 16th. Several players interact with the crowd even during tense competition. There are even songs to be sung with sponsor plugs and some giveaways involved.

There's a chance disc golf can get to a point where the increase in spectators really takes off and feeds on itself. We know the game is addictive. But can we develop the game where watching is even 10% as addictive? Our pros can't just wait for spectators to emerge from the rough like the munchkins when Dorothy blew into Oz. No single idea suggested in this series is likely to produce a flood of new spectators. It will be some successful combination unique to disc golf that could take some time to make a difference.

This cautionary note, reposted with the writer's permission, should perhaps be kept in mind among those who want to and are able to make a difference for the future:

"As a viewer, the St. Jude course was not particularly exciting, nor was the Aussie Open course. The Memorial (Fountain Hills) course is also boring except for play close to the water. What I get most excited for and go back to watch again and again are the wooded courses: Maple Hill, DeLaveaga, WR Jackson, the Oregon courses, etc. This is just my take and I'm a noob and don't know what's good for the game. But what I do I know is that the most money in this near money-less game is with me and people like me."

The challenge to attract more paying spectators will not be an easy one to defeat. Many players and movers & shakers are ambivalent whether the sport ever generates a financially sustainable top pro tour with sufficient numbers of paying spectators. They just want to play and they hope the sport grows to produce improved courses in their region and/or sell more products and services. It's going to take pioneering promoters, TDs, manufacturers, and videographers to lead the way adopting and adapting some of these ideas plus developing their own to accelerate growth in the number of paying viewers, spectators, and eventually purses.

It comes down to this: "As more spectators arrive, more sponsors arrive, so more pros can thrive versus barely survive."Chuck Kennedy #4949

Comments

I used to combine trail running with disc golfing. I would love if there was a competition for that. Seeing who could get the most birdies in 15 minutes would be fun - although it would be a completely different sport.

While I have enjoyed watching a few tournaments, I would much rather compete in one. It is definitely playing disc golf that excites me. I applaud the PDGA for trying to emulate the PGA by trying to grow the spectator portion of disc golf, however maybe were looking at it the wrong way?... For instance, hunting and fishing have sponsors and advertisers, but not because there are events, elite professionals or spectators...its because millions of people love to engage in these activities. Lets bring disc golf out of the shadows and introduce millions of people to the sport we all love. There is too much negative connotation attached to disc golf, i.e. hippies smoking pot etc. Let's get some well known celebrities or sports stars out on the course and get some positive publicity that the uninitiated will notice. Then let's have quality courses available. More and better courses would help, but we need to get the current courses signed better with information to the non player that will help them understand the game and where they can go to get product and information. I don't know why the PDGA doesn't have a great graphic sign for every course. Explain the sport, how to play, website etc. It looks more like a yard sale on most course signs. Park management, local and city officials should all be given good information as well as the opportunity to learn how to play. Schools should be a prime target for developing the next generation players, but if we continue to have the pot smoking reputation lingering around, the education establishment will resist. If there is a nearby course, every elementary, secondary and high school, church and community should have a disc golf club, or league. Highly visible pro disc golfers should not be our primary goal. Young kids should be encouraged to play sports for all the other reasons. All the kids at the skate park on skateboards may know who the top skaters are, but I'd bet most have never attended a professional competition...they're out enjoying the activity. Same with many other outdoor activities. Bowling may be outdated these days, but for a couple generations, there were bowling alleys in every town and they were filled every evening making the industry thrive...and the majority of bowlers didn't pay attention to the pro's. Let's grow the sport organically, not financially. I would rather see 5-10-20 million weekly league players who introduce the sport to their friends because it is great fun, than 10-15 elite pro's earning big money. That big money will have to come from the weekly league players who buy discs, clothing, pay league fees and course fees and support the PDGA. Just my humble opinion.

I sincerely hope that some intelligent folks will read Dglaserohio's comments above. Thank you dgo for offering an alternative based on our reality. We have TERRIBLE courses in every part of the country and that is the 'First Impression' most people get. We don't just have the 'pot problem', we also have the 'I couldn't play this game....it's so....I don't know....outback....and rugged....and for guys....how would I learn to throw 400 feet?' problem.

I'm sorry if this upsets some well placed PDGA types, but making the sport even more unplayable by tricking out our courses and altering the speed of play is just nuts. For one thing, ball golfers take WAY more time than we do. It's called drama, which fans can't get enough of. But we are not even close to that decade in our timeline.

For now, we need to remember the basics: offer nice courses in nice places and teach people right there, at the course. That is how golf did it. Their millions of happy PLAYERS are the fan base that preceded Tiger and even Jack and Arnie. We have come a long way, but have a long way to go. We may just be heading in the wrong direction.

The Pot and alcohol problem is real! It is not that I am anti-fun or anti-pot I am however anti-scare the next generation of disc golfers away. At many of the courses around the nation the first thing you smell when you step out of your car is weed. Are responsible parents going to drop their kids off in a park full of adults smoking pot and drinking alcohol from sun up to sun down? No! The Sport will never reach its potential without a culture change. Generally people with money are the same people who could influence the masses do not hang around a bunch of drunk stoners. They surely aren't going to drop their kids off the same way they do for other sports. I personally know of a family who drives well out of their way to avoid the debauchery at the local course. They travel to a course an hour away in a rural community just to keep their kids away from the negative influences. Now this family loves Disc Golf! How are you going to get people who have never played disc golf to buy into the sport if the local course is a cesspool? It isn’t going to happen! The problem is the culture keeps kids off the course, not that you are having too much fun. Next time you see someone light up or crack open a beer on a public course know that some parent watching could be keeping their kid from knowing the game you love. That is anti-Disc Golf!

I think the biggest thing you can do is enforce the rules currently in play. Most of the things talked about in the article are already a rule in some way. The issue is that rules for the most part are still self enforced. Anyone who speaks up about rules is labeled a player that no one wants to play with. Like the other cultural changes we need to hold people to the rules. In the larger NT, major and possible A tier events a marshal should walk with all groups on the course. They should enforce the rules rather than the players. This will speed the game and make it a better spectator sport.

An example of where this would help is from this last weekend where i was following a card at the green mountain A tier. I watch a player take 7-8 throws that took him over minute and half to throw. Now his group wasn't behind on the course but it defiantly wore on the groups and gallery. With a ranger he would have been warned several times and then penalized. If a member of the group has said something it would not have gone over well.

This is a great series and I love the exploration of how to make our sport better but
I completely agree with the comments above about the state of our courses.

I've only recently started playing competitively but I've been a player since the 80's and have played all over the US. Anecdotally I would say that 75% of the courses I've played have poor or mediocre presentation. Everything from bad (or missing!) signage to disappointing tee pads to unkept fairways makes a rough first impression on a beginning player or a non-player who is curious about the sport. We have to do something to change this.

The reality is that just one quality ball golf course spends more per year on upkeep and maintenance than all our pros make combined in that same year, so we have to keep things in perspective, but we also need to go out of our way to increase the quality and presentation of existing and new courses.

An example of why presentation matters: I've mentioned disc golf a few times to my brother-in-law (he is a skilled ball golfer and suit-wearing, downtown Boston type), and I even took him and his 9 year old son out to play once, but it was at a local, run-down course. There was some mild interest but not much came of it. Recently I showed them the "We Are Disc Golf" video ad from Innova and then the Finnish TV coverage of the 18th hole of the final round of the European Open and their minds were blown. "Wow, that's amazing! There are courses like that? Disc golf is on TV?" The professional, quality presentation of the sport made a huge impact on them.

Two weeks later they changed my nephew's birthday party plans, bought Innova starter 3-packs for the birthday guests and took a half dozen 9 year olds out to the private pay-to-play "Pyramids" course (across the street from the famed Maple Hill course) and they spent the afternoon having a blast. When they got home the kids immediately made up holes in the back yard and kept on playing. "That was cheaper and way more bang for the buck than anything else we could have planned for them," their parents said. Pyramids is an excellently maintained course and It was obvious that the kids' experiences there would make a lasting impression on them AND their parents.

I just visited my nephew and the first thing he wanted to do was go play more disc golf. His dad was even talking about buying a practice basket. Their enthusiasm was night and day different than when I took them to the run-down local course. Presentation matters!