Category: Media

The Rise of Disc Golf Twitter: 97 Accounts to Follow Right Now

by Parked, posted in Media, Opinion

By Josh Woods ~

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Artwork by Chris McDowell.

In summer 2016, I started a Twitter account, followed my favorite disc golfers and groups and sat on the edge of my seat waiting to be amused and enlightened.

Unfortunately, not much happened. Four years ago, disc golf Twitter was little more than a weigh station for disc advertisements, lackluster notes about personal accomplishments and links directing Twitter users to Instagram posts.

It’s still not great.

But gradually, inexplicably, it has gotten better. In the last year or so, like Steven Seagal waking up in Hard to Kill, more and more players, brands and independent accounts are getting active. Continue reading “The Rise of Disc Golf Twitter: 97 Accounts to Follow Right Now” →

Five Reasons to Love the Disc Golf Movie “Hard Plastic”

by Parked, posted in Culture, Media

By Josh Woods ~

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Sometime soon you may find yourself on the verge of watching the newly released disc golf movie Hard Plastic, starring Andy Dick, Meg Dick and written and directed by Lucas Astrom. But before you spend the $2.99 and click the watch now button on Amazon, I suggest making the following mental preparations. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Love the Disc Golf Movie “Hard Plastic”” →

Disc Golf Is Winning Hearts and Minds, New Study Shows

by Parked, posted in Media

By Josh Woods ~

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Compared to most issues in our fury-fueled political landscape, disc golf is a blissfully uncontroversial subject of public interest.

But, if you plumb the depths of local news coverage, you will find at least some controversy over the upsides and downsides of disc golf.

The debate, when there is one, can be summarized with the following questions:

  • Does the inclusion of a disc golf course in a public park harm the natural environment, or is disc golf an environmentally friendly alternative to other, more destructive recreational activities?
  • Does the sport introduce unreasonable physical risks to participants and bystanders, or benefit public health and wellbeing?
  • Do disc golf communities encourage public intoxication, criminal behavior and community conflict, or provide safe, family-friendly recreation that deters crime in public parks and inspires community engagement, volunteerism and charity?

Continue reading “Disc Golf Is Winning Hearts and Minds, New Study Shows” →

Has Frisbee Culture Delayed the Rise of Competitive Disc Golf?

by Parked, posted in Culture, Grow the Sport, Media

By Josh Woods ~

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Should we call it “Frisbee golf” or “disc golf”?

Few questions have generated more discussion among disc enthusiasts than this one. Opinions on the topic are as wide-ranging as they are divisive.

And yet, what matters most to the future of competitive disc golf is not what insiders think about these terms, but what outsiders think of them. Continue reading “Has Frisbee Culture Delayed the Rise of Competitive Disc Golf?” →

The Ultimate Guide to Disc Golf in Popular Culture

by Parked, posted in Culture, Media

I need your help.

By Josh Woods ~

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I’ve been researching portrayals of disc golf in American movies and television shows. So far, with the help of friends and fellow disc golfers, I found more than 70 references. I included the list below, along with a description of each case.

The sample is focused on disc golf references in U.S. feature-length films (40 minutes or longer) and television shows. I’m only looking for verbal references or images of disc golf, Frisbee golf, frolf, and disc-golf-related equipment such as baskets, discs and bags. Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Disc Golf in Popular Culture” →

Gender Divides in the Language of Disc Golf

by Parked, posted in Gender, Media

Six examples of gender bias on the disc golf course.

By Josh Woods, PhD ~

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The M in MPO stands for “male,” right?

MPO is an abbreviation for “male pro open,” a PDGA tournament division for professional male disc golfers. I walked around with this idea for months. Walked around knowing, without question, what the M means.

Of course, I was wrong. The M stands for “mixed,” not male. Both men and women can compete in a PDGA division that has M in the code. There is no men’s division in disc golf. Continue reading “Gender Divides in the Language of Disc Golf” →

“Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair”

by Parked, posted in Culture, Media

ESPN’s Recap of McBeth’s Historic Round Doesn’t Make Sense, But It’s Mindbogglingly Beautiful

By Josh Woods ~

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Not since Bob Dylan wrote “Desolation Row” has poetry like this flowed from the gumball world of popular culture.

Not since Matthew read W. H. Auden’s “Stop All the Clocks” in Four Weddings and a Funeral have the popular and the poetic been paired so neatly.

On the ninth of July 2018, having heard news of disc golf’s greatest round in history, ESPN’s SportsCenter held the nascent sport in its arms, raised it to the sky like Rafiki holding up baby Simba, bathed it in articulate spot light, and jammed Shakespeare in the background. Continue reading ““Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair”” →

In the News, July 16-31, 2017

by Parked, posted in Media

InTheNewsA review of grow-the-sport news from around the country: The Charlotte Mecca, Rifle Camp Park fiasco, Devens Disc Golf, celebrating Dale Haake, the history of CCDG, new course developments, the cops like disc golfers, plus the photo and video of the month. Continue reading “In the News, July 16-31, 2017” →

In the News, July 1-15, 2017

by Parked, posted in Media

InTheNews

Grow-the-sport news from around the country: Mcbeth, Panis make TV appearance; Discmania gives tips for going pro; Dodger Stadium disc golf; high-value disc golf news coverage in Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal; dog lovers trash course; PDGA’s Chargualaf gains footing; new courses in Alabama, Illinois, New York, Washington and Weber State. Continue reading “In the News, July 1-15, 2017” →

In the News, June 16-30, 2017

by Parked, posted in Media

InTheNews

Grow-the-sport news from around the country: new course developments in five states; Fairmont, WV donates $1,000 to disc golf tournament; Kankakee league does promotional video; Rifle Camp Park controversy continues; certified forester says disc golf is eco-friendly; disc golf helps wounded soldiers.   Continue reading “In the News, June 16-30, 2017” →