In 2016 the ADG engaged the public relations firm of Upshot, Chain & Cutroll to assist us in growing the sport of Disc Golf. They presented their findings to us last week. UC&C made it clear that there was one barrier to mainstream participation that stood out over all others – too many discs. It was UC&C’s position that new players are intimidated and discouraged by the ‘bewildering array of frisbees’. Some surveyed newcomers reported ‘being seized with the urge to run away’ when experienced players start talking discs. As UC&C stated clearly ‘new players actively fleeing is not good for Disc Golf’s brand awareness’. UC&C also helpfully pointed out that all the sports disc golf aspires to be more popular than, are played with a single, standard projectile: The Sherrin, The Duke, The Pigskin, The Spalding, The Gilbert, The Ultrastar – even Quiddich uses a standard broom.

Following these recommendations and in the interests of growing the sport. The ADG, after lengthy consideration, has decided to restrict all sanctioned events to the use of one disc. We’ve decided this disc will be the Innova Wombat.

The benefits to our game will be immediate: Trophy presentations will be shorter because pros will no longer give speeches thanking their discs. Retailers won’t need so many display racks. Disc Golfers will now have the cognitive bandwidth to talk about art, music, poetry and world affairs. There will also be less long-term orthopaedic issues arising from the carrying of heavy bags and pushing carts.

We understand that this will cause some minor inconveniences. Wombat supplies may be a short-term issue. Some disc and bag manufacturers will need to find jobs. Some 250m+ holes will need to be redesigned or made par-9. Plus, no doubt, several other consequences that we haven’t properly thought through. Adjustment to the Wombat Only Rule (WOR) will take some time.  This is why we are giving everyone until the middle of next week, April 6 2022, before we ban all other discs and step bravely into Australian Disc Golf’s Wombat-only golden age.  

We expect that the Aussie Disc Golf community will once again band together and embrace this new era in our sport with the same resilience and community spirit that we’ve always shown.

#growthesport #nowombatnoplay

Darren Stace-Smith – VIC – PDGA #92242

Playing Division: MPO

Current Rating: 958

How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?

5 years in Australia. But I actually got my start back in Canada where I grew up. Used to work as a lifeguard near a course, and once found a disc on the roof of the pool guardhouse. Went and gave a few throws a try, and was instantly interested. We used to play with one disc only, until we lost it, and had to buy a new one from the local video store! Always fun rounds, never kept score officially. Pretty soon after I started playing a lot with my brother and buddies.

What are your strengths as a player?

A reasonable amount of power and spin, allows me to throw slower discs on holes that others might require a higher speed disc. Being lefty can also be a blessing (or a curse) depending on the course we are playing. I see holes and lines that are often different than my right-handed compatriots.

What is your best or favourite competition result to date?

Back in my days of amateur play, winning back-to-back MA1 Aussie champs was pretty special. As an MPO player, I would have to say getting my first win in an Aussie A-Tier (2021 Two Heads Open) was up there too.

What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?

Consistency is always where I’m trying to improve. Keeping the mental fortitude throughout all tournament or comp rounds. I hope to help with being the driving force behind getting more courses installed in and around Melbourne, and developing programs aimed at youngsters who are trying the game for the first time.

Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play?

Work on angles, no matter what sort of power you have. Get used to being able to shape shots with different discs. The more options you have, the less you’ll be frightened by the conditions or difficulty of the course!

What top pro player do you look up to and why?

Nate Sexton. He plays the game with so much thought and is able to be pinpoint accurate to overcome perhaps some shortfalls in power by thinking through his rounds so well.

What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?

I am loving my strata RPM Kotuku at moment. Such a great workable midrange. Hard to look past an RPM Tui though, everyone needs one of those in their bag!

Thanks Darren, can’t wait to see you tear it up in Croatia!

🖋 David Kynaston

It’s time for Australian Disc Golf’s night of nights. A glittering, gala occasion where we all swap the disc golf polo for our finest evening wear (from the waist up at least), pop the champagne, get the limo to do a lap around the block, and then strut the red carpet across our lounge rooms to log in here.

https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/j/84080446612…

Join us this January 20th at 8:30pm (AEDT) as we celebrate our first Australian Disc Golf Tour winners since the last decade and launch the 2022 tour. It’s a chance to honor those that have maintained a consistently high standard all year while dodging covid to travel far and wide to support our game.

See you on January the 20th.