On the way back from Orlando Airport my Sister and Brother in Law (G&J) asked what kind of day we had had. We told them about our play at Turkey Lake and explained about our obsession with Disc Golf.
As they had played Ten Pin Bowling in the past and now played Crown Green Bowling and Indoor Bowls we knew they would be possibly be open to the suggestion of playing Disc Golf, even though it was nothing like anything they had played before. They were staying with us for 2 weeks and this would be something different to do with them during their holiday (vacation).
Once settled in and rested from their travel, the next day they asked us more about the sport of Disc Golf. We explained the aim of the game and about the discs. Showed them our disc collection and told them about the courses within 30mins drive that we had played. We asked if they would like to give it a try at Bob Gardner Park, as this was good for beginners and they actually said yes. So off we went.
We explained how best to hold the disc and how to stand and let them have a throw. We worked our way down the first fairway before joining in. I'm sure it was that satisfying clang of those basket chains that did it! They wanted to continue and we played the full 9 holes.
They then asked if we could go round again!!
Although a little muscle sore the next day, G&J started to ask about the possibility of playing more during their stay. We told them we could play as often as they liked. We had other activities planned and places to go but we were happy to be flexible and play Disc Golf. Conversations revolved around discs and the courses we had played. After a couple more times at Bob Gardener Park, we decided to take them to G.T. Bray Disc Golf Course. We did explain that it was different to what they had seen so far, with lots of trees. They were up for the challenge, we must have done a good sell!
Despite it taking us a long time, with four of us going round the course, we had a great time. Hitting trees, watching discs fly in wrong directions and laughing a lot. G&J were having a blast and we could see that with some further encouragement they would improve, even during the time they were with us. We played here a few more times during their stay, They asked if they could have a go at playing North Water Tower Disc Golf Course. Well of course we were up for it. We did tell them that we might spend a bit of time looking for discs because of the difference in environment, namely the scrub and bushes. No problem, let's go.
I never expected during the 2 weeks that G&J were with us, that they would have wanted to play Disc Golf so much. They really did get hooked to the point that they started to ask what we knew about courses back in the UK, and which was our nearest course. I was thrilled that I could play a sport with my Sister.
I'd already started looking into where our nearest registered course was in the UK, and checking out UDisc it was only 20mins drive from our UK home at Myerscough College. Great. Unfortunately, I then found that it had been reported unplayable and the Facebook page was also stating the same thing. I would need to look into that when we got back to the UK. The next nearest course was a little over an hours drive away near Manchester. G&J said they would wait until we got back to start looking into playing on a course in the UK.
I'm beginning to learn that people who are introduced to Disc Golf either take to it straight away with or without the need for perfect technique and throwing miles down the fairway, or they really are very indifferent and its not their thing. There's no in between. If you do take to it, it really does get a hold of you very quickly and you soon love it. I continued with my obsession, even to the point of buying a new Tshirt!!
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