While disc golfing alone might not be the MOST fun or ideal situation,
playing by yourself can provide a lot of opportunities for learning and growth that you wouldn't get while playing with a group.
Let's take a look at these opportunities and see how you can make the most out of a lonely day out on the course.
Practice With Multiple Discs
Playing casual rounds is really just a form of practice, right?
Right!
When you're out on the course playing solo, it's a great time to take multiple shots..
Unless you're playing with close friends who don't mind waiting, you're likely not going to take several shots with several discs on each hole you play.
Have you ever been playing a round and when faced with a particular shot get stuck deciding between 2 or more discs or approaches? Probably several times per round if you're being honest!
Well now's your chance to throw both of the options in your head and see which one works out better.
Practice and experience make perfect, and these practice shots could mean the difference between a birdie and a bogey your next time playing an official scored round.
Additionally,
more drives off the tee can help increase muscle memory for release points and testing more discs in your bag verses just the one you might use if you're playing with others and immediately have to move on.
MORE scrambling!
So your tee off or tee offs land off the fairway, likely into the edging wood lines,
well...
now you can practice scrambling back to the fairway and pushing the basket from these spots with multiple discs in your bag and on different angles or throws, such as backhand, forehand, or even overhand.
Never tried a patent pending step out throw?
Here's your time to practice it rather than when you're with a group of people and have no idea how to go about it.
How's your 'out of the woods roller' game?? Well, here you go again, time to try it!
Awkward shots, lines, or positions, such as the one pictured above, are common in nearly every round of disc golf. Practice sessions are a great time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and figure out what you're good at when it comes to getting out of these situations and salvaging a quality score.
Similar to practicing with different discs, a practice round is also the perfect chance to practice skills you may not feel comfortable or confident enough with just yet to try during a scored round.
Iron out these skills when playing alone!
To Score or Not to Score?
Getting out for a solo round can be as relaxing as you want to make it.
Want to keep score on UDisc? Then do it!
Play the round straight up and see how it goes. Follow your score or try not to watch it and perhaps surprise yourself with a really good casual round.
OR...
Don't score it and allow yourself those mulligans to see what you're capable of when you can just erase those mistakes and relieve some pressure.
Take more time
A large part of loving disc golf is being out in nature and not confined to some sort of field, court, or other small space used for a sporting event.
We get to play on all kinds of terrains, elevation, and with various different kinds of scenery all over the country.
Take your round slow.
Soak in the scenery.
Look at your fairways longer and learn where those pesky tree branches are hiding that somehow come into play after you've hit the "perfect line."
Examine each shot more carefully and learn to dissect everything about it: the wind, the distance, the direction, etc. Taking your time to do so during a solo round will make it come second nature during a scored round.
When all is said and done, getting out to play should always be a learning experience with a bonus of taking in the scenery and wildlife.
Make the most of your round whether it's from practicing or just relaxing your mind a bit by distracting yourself with a casual round away from the toxic things that bring you down.
You're In Control!
All in all, playing a round of disc golf with friends and family is a lot of fun. But playing alone has it's advantages as well and many of them revolve around the concept of being in control.
"Calling the shots" per se.
When you have full control in how you play, where you play, and the pace you play at,
you'll surprise yourself with how much you can learn and improve, even if you're missing out on the social aspect of the game.
At the end of the day, if you get a chance to play, take it!
Because playing disc golf alone is a MUCH better option than not playing disc golf at all.
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