Can Minimalism be Applied to Disc Golf? You bet.

🌲 Introduction

During the pandemic, like many niche sports, disc golf saw tremendous growth - new players were looking for a social-distancing friendly outlet and found it with the leisurely outdoor frisbee game. I was one of those new players, and I'm happy to say I took keenly towards the game. This was the perfect outdoor hobby for me, and over the past three and a half years, I'm lucky to say its taken me places I could never imagine.

And yet, as I became more involved with the game of disc golf, I started to recognize how I was throwing my minimalist ideals to the side for this new game. Over time, I grew in maturity of both my minimalism practices and disc golf game, and I began noticing the really wonderful parallels among them both.

For those that are new to the game, disc golf is a game where players aim to complete a course using specialized flying discs, including drivers for long distances, mid-range discs for intermediate throws, and putters for short, precise shots. The objective is to land the disc in target baskets with the fewest throws, and each type of disc serves a specific purpose in navigating the course. The player with the lowest total strokes at the end of the course wins, blending elements of strategy and skill in this outdoor sport.

🥏 I used to own way too many discs

Okay - the truth is that I probably still own too many discs, but recently, I have become much more mindful about my consumption. At one point, I owned upwards of 150 flying saucers, which is simply overconsumption at is finest. I would typically carry anywhere from 30 to 35 discs at a time, and I've also cut that down to only 20.

To remedy my overconsumption, I've begun selling my unused discs to local players and shops, or donating discs to local elementary schools. These small changes have helped me stay more aligned with my minimalism ideals.

For anyone curious, I used Marie Kondo's "What Sparks Joy" strategy when deciding which discs to move on from! I considered each disc in my collection and reflected on which discs truly mattered to me - some were sentimental, others were impractical. This strategy worked really well for me, but maybe there are other's you recommend - let me know in the comments!

📺 YouTube Overconsumption

Another wonderful part of disc golf being a niche sport is the wonderful online community, specifically a community being driven by the disc golf media company JomezPro. For over a decade, JomezPro has been the leading media outlet for disc golf and has published nearly all of their coverage for free on YouTube. They are wonderful - if you have any interest in learning a bit more about disc golf, I highly recommend browsing their YouTube!

JomezPro's amazing content had led me (and many others) into deep fandom of the game. I found myself eagerly waiting for each new video to be released - I was a mega-fan! But once again, over time I began to realize it conflicted with minimalist beliefs. I was spending too much online, over-consuming one product.

In an effort to find a balance, I simply placed a weekly time limit on my phone and this helped me tremendously. I still watched plenty of disc golf, but I also found time for other areas of importance.

🐼 Disc Golf = Plastic to the Max

Disc golf has traditionally been rooted in the consumption of plastic, with players relying on a variety of discs made from this material to navigate courses. This dependence on plastic, however, has raised environmental concerns due to the significant environmental impact of plastic production, waste, and disposal. The accumulation of discarded or lost discs in natural settings can contribute to pollution and harming ecosystems. Recognizing the need for a more sustainable approach, the disc golf community has seen a transformative initiative led by companies like Trash Panda Disc Golf.

Trash Panda has emerged as a leader in addressing the environmental challenges associated with disc golf. This company is committed to producing eco-friendly discs made from recycled materials, reducing the environmental footprint of disc manufacturing. By prioritizing sustainability, Trash Panda not only sets an example for the disc golf industry but also challenges larger disc manufacturers to reevaluate their practices and embrace more environmentally conscious production methods. As Trash Panda establishes a new status quo, the hope is that other companies within the disc manufacturing sector will follow suit, contributing to a more sustainable future for the sport and the planet.

While I of course am not connected to Trash Panda, I do simply admire their work in creating a sustainable path for the growth of disc golf. As a token of my support, I throw Trash Panda's own Inner Core and Dune. Check them out for yourself too!

💧 Conclusion

In reevaluating my connection to disc golf, I've learned an important lesson that I hope can apply to anyone: hobbies are wonderful and should be low-stress, healthy outlets - they shouldn't move into a space of overconsumption. Instead, they should work in parallel and uplift other areas of life. I like to think that minimalism can be applied to any hobby.

About the Author

Josh is a practicing minimalist for over a decade who loves the game of disc golf. He is a father of new born and works at a local brewing company. He is happy to talk with others in the comments! His passions include growing the game of disc golf and spreading how minimalism is a guiding pillar for his new family.