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

ADG invite you to join us for the inaugural ADG Women’s Workshop to be held via zoom on Thursday 24^th March at 8:30pm AEDT.

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The workshop will build on the momentum of the last few years to grow women’s participation in disc golf here in Australia. We have four great speakers lined up covering topics from running events to getting more from your game. There will also be time for questions and sharing ideas.

Everyone wanting to support women’s disc golf is welcome to attend.

To join the meeting use Zoom link

https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/j/87281752472?pwd=eE1kMXQ0eEZLMWQ0amZLaHJwSUx3Zz09

    Meeting ID: 87281752472
    Password: 246367

Jonathan Jonas – NSW – PDGA#36449

Playing Division MP40

Current Rating: 934

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

A: I’m ADG member #39 – I started playing in Sydney in 2006 back when Albert Munoz, Sally Hill, Luke Williams and Kurt Karlsson were setting up a temporary course on campus grounds at Macquarie Uni. It had some fun shots, including a throw through the fountain.

Q: What are your strengths as a player?

A: I’m consistent and accurate, hit most fairways and approach well. I have less distance off the tee than most pro players.

Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?

A: Winning the first Jesmond Jam in a playoff against Martin Ryland-Adair in the pouring rain was a highlight, also it was so exciting representing Australia at the previous World Teams event in Estonia and competing against the big European teams with my friends and team mates.

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

A: I’m excited to keep growing disc golf in the Newcastle and Central Coast areas, we put in a new (short) course at East Maitland in January which has been really popular and I’d like to keep that momentum going.Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play. A: To echo Dave Bandy, “I just like watching it fly’.

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

A: Pro Cobra is my favourite for straight approach shots with glide, I have 2 very well used copies and will be sad when they break as I think they’re out of production in Pro plastic now.

Thanks JJ, fantastic to have you representing Australia for a second time.

by David Kynaston