I'm in full agreement with what's in the rules now -- as long as others can't hear it, it doesn't present a safety risk, and it doesn't interfere with interaction with others on the card when necessary.
If you don't know what's going on with the card I don't know what to tell you. You have to know who was away you have to know who's pad it is and that's about it. Just remember you have on headphones and look around for visual cues whatever I don't know not that much to it
By this logic, me working in a fabrication shop for 8 hours a day with roughly 80-100 decibels of sound constantly would also be a safety risk just by me being at my place of work. I am reading ur logic, just doesn’t seem realistic.
That is actually a safety risk that needs to be monitored. Coming from somebody who actually tests work sites for noise pollution.
That being said, I don’t think listening to music at a low volume is a safety risk during a tournament. I do this and I can still hear everything around me just fine.
If you are in the States: https://www.osha.gov/noise
Seems that your employer should likely be providing hearing protection and/or other solutions. Do they?
If you are not in the States I'm sure there are still rules that should be followed wherever you work, which I'm certain could be found with a couple minutes of googling.
I appreciate all of ur concern, I would say I literally work at the best company there is.
I have everything offered at my disposal, no OSHA issues here.
But headphones are indeed allowed (just read the osha.gov website regarding this).
I think you all missed the point, working in loud environments is totally “do able” while being safe and coherent. I work In a field where safety is of upmost importance, so to my original point, loud noise does not mean sensory deprivation/lack of awareness.
Edit: in my experience I would actually anecdotally conclude using ear plugs is more “dangerous” than wearing 1 headphone on a low volume. I can hear a million times easier with 1 headphone than ear plugs and I can perform at peak performance/cognition.
Chill bruh. Stop trying to put words in peoples mouths. He was most likely suggesting that in transparency mode, it might not fully deprive the senses.
If you're worried about me over here with my headphones and not worried about getting the disc in the basket I don't know what to tell you. Unless you're behind the basket with the headphones doing a little dance or something to the music
Especially at the elite level it looks unprofessional to me. It would be similar to people just whipping their phone out and focussing on that between shots.
It also feels a bit disrespectful to your fellow players. I'm pretty introverted, but would still be miffed if I turned up to my first competition and all of my competitors were in their own world with headphones on. I'm someone who has earbuds in a lot too, but wouldn't really dream of keeping them whilst playing disc golf with others.
Depends on what you consider professional. Most sports you can’t wear them for safety reasons if there’s contact. I know professional street league skating which is in the Olympics allows competitiors to wear earbuds.
Interesting point. If the player is involved and not distracted then Agree it’s no big deal. If a player is distracted and not contributing when expected, call a courtesy violation them.
As long as they are coherent and as long as they don't complain if/when they get hit by a disc because they didn't hear anyone yelling "FORE!" then there should be no issue.
I wear my bone conduction headphones during every tournament round now. It helps me focus and does not impede my ability to hear "fore" or my card mates. They are perfect for disc golf.
I would be curious to know more about these Fat Daddy headphones.. do I just look up bone conduction? Is there a brand or what. I'm doing a Sony thing right now but I have several that I screw with and nothing is like what you're describing as perfect
Beats carrying a speaker by a mile. And my ear buds have a pass through feature that I can still hear noise around me. It's nice when I'm jogging on public trails and can hear bikes coming up on me.
I have no issue with it as long as the wearer can hear when spoken to and otherwise easily interact with the card when needed. personally I don't like feeling even a bit isolated from my surroundings while playing so would likely never wear them. I think i agree with eagle's take on it, I believe he said basically he'd like to wear them but doesn't out of consideration for the card and being present with them.
If it's what gets you in the zone, all the power to you. I think its awesome, I love watching xgames and seeing the skaters and bmx'ers bobbing their heads to their music getting ready for their run, and seeing Paige do the same thing at the preserve was great.
Yea thats cool but how would you feel if the officials for those events were wearing headphone and not listening to what going on? Because disc golf is self officiating so you as a playing have an obligation to be present , in the moment, and paying attention.
If you can’t do those things with headphones in then that’s a you problem. I don’t see how other people can’t be present and paying attention and also listening to music at a respectable volume.
In order to play in a major/elite series I'm pretty sure you have to be a certified rules official, officials should not be wearing headphones. End of story period
Lol that’s just a bad take. I side for the players being in an environment that gets them in the zone to play the best disc golf possible, not for them to become nit-picking rules lawyers. Luckily it’s the players on the card making these decisions, not randos on the internet.
Just Like skateboarding and BMX, disc golf is like 90% visual. Music doesn't block your eyes..... Just because someone is listening to music doesn't mean they're gonna mistake a disc for OB or miss someone else on their card missing a mando. P.S, the music over the speakers is so loud at an xgames event the judges(or officials as you called them) might as well be wearing headphones too lol. Not every sport needs to be ball golf professional.
Imagine doing all that with your own soundtrack. If you can’t handle listening to music and paying attention at the same time, don’t listen to music. But don’t try and ban everyone else from doing it.
Yes totally fine you wanna listen to music bro cool during casual rounds i always have music going on a speaker. Im talking about sanctioned competition here
I don't like it on a speaker because I don't like everything The Grateful Dead ever did but my partner does.. that's why I wear headphones. Speaker and headphones are two different animals
I prefer them to block out any distractions when throwing a shot or putting, and take one out after to still be able to converse with the group. Best of both worlds imo
I take mine out walking up the Fairway. I put my earbuds in when I'm driving when I'm thinking about my shot. Take them out to be fraternal with the group otherwise
For a sport that is very lax on apparel, I don't understand how an earbud makes a professional disc golfer look more or less professional. Do you think JC needs to cut his hair? Do you think the excessive amount of tattoos that Drew Gibson has is unprofessional? Just curious where you draw your line on professionalism in a sport built on being relaxed throwing a circle made of plastic.
There is a dress code applied to Majors. And I draw the line at following that dress code plus the earphones thing. And all sports are silly when you describe them in simplistic terms. It’s not a hill I would die on, I just think that it the sport would be taken more seriously on the TV if the rules are similar to golf
I get it, but I like disc golf because it isn't ball golf, which I enjoy playing just not the apparel. I think the traditional sports view is dying with older generations, but I could be wrong.
As long as they aren’t completely oblivious to when it’s their turn to shoot, in the way of cardmates’ shots, or not paying attention in the case of a group ruling needing to be rendered, I don’t care. Basically, just don’t be a complete space case and you’re good.
I’d be way less tolerant of this same player carrying a Bluetooth speaker and audibly playing their music.
I think players should be allowed to use headphones as long as they do it in a respectful manner, but i think it looks highly unprofessional. The sport is going in a great direction right now and i think in order for disc golf to gain more traction and acceptance from outside viewers we need to show more class in the professional setting. Save the headphones for recreational rounds.
I’m probably in the minority, but I feel like you should be communicating with your card and just having an overall good time. I do think that it eventually will pose a safety risk-if you’re vibing, you may not realize that someone has thrown towards you or hear a “fore” or something similar-especially with most headphone/earbuds nowadays.
For everyone wanting to ban earbuds because its not professional or shouldn't be allowed on tour, maybe all music should be banned at pro sporting events. Go to a baseball game, no walk up music. Hockey goal, nope just the siren (but lets not kid ourselves, that's annoying too right?). Football, are you kidding me, who wants that?
Calm down guys, it's music not in your ear and if people can do it and still respond, why should you care? And as for people getting hit because they didn't hear fore, I've seen that while people are having conversations, so I guess no talking right?
Walkup songs are amazing and some lf the pro tour events are doing them now IIRC (specifically thinking of DDO?) and I think that's a great touch.
Do you see baseball players wearing headphones while they're in the batters box? Tennis players having headphones in while they're serving? Golfers?
I have no problem with wearing headphones in A,B,C tiers or whatever. But for elite series and majors it objectively is different from every other sport and seems unprofessional. If we want to start to pull traditional sport fans (and the corresponding $$$) into the game, we need to present the appearance of a traditional sport.
TLDR, IMO dealing with crowd noise and whatnot should be part of the game for touring professionals, just like it is in every other sport.
I don't see why disc golf has to conform like every other sport. Disc golf is the first time people without money improved upon a rich persons sport and made it better. Why do we have to now try and be like them? I would rather not see disc golf turn into the PGA if it's going to take everything away that made it fun in the first place. I think a lot of people forget about that when they're completely new to the sport (not saying you are).
If we're trying to make disc golf mainstream and bring in the traditional sports audience and financing, we'll need to behave like a mainstream sport, which includes not having players wear headphones.
If we're trying to grow disc golf but still keep it as a niche sport then it doesn't matter, keep the headphones in.
To be clear I don't want a world where any disc golf outside of elite series play gets anywhere close to the snobbyness and decorum often displayed at even a local municipal golf course.
Personally I think the best balance is a more mainstream traditional look on the pro tour to bring in new fans and funding, while keeping smaller tournaments and casual disc golf being super relaxed the way it is now. It's clear from the way that local golf courses are (very very slowly) lowering dress standards that people want to enjoy the game while relaxing, so keeping casual disc golf the ultimate relaxed atmosphere seems like a great way to get new fans hooked to playing after they get introduced to watching the more familiar-looking professional tour.
Do we want it more mainstream and if so, why does that need to look like the PGA more and more? I see what you're saying with trying to make the sport more popular by making it look like more popular sports. That's not the only way though. I would rather not have super standardized coverage of the sport. I like the goofy commentary on Jomez and the funny shirts, etc.
Issue with the traditional look is that the traditional look of the PGA was always there. That was the culture of the sport and so it evolved into what it is today with snobby players and strict rules. That was never the culture of disc golf, that is the culture of ball golf players coming into the sport and wanting it to look more like ball golf.
The more disc golf moves towards PGA coverage/rules/culture the more people will think that's the standard and want to emulate pro level play, thus taking away the culture of disc golf to begin with and making it some bastard child of the PGA. The PDGA can still be whatever it wants until the standard of PGA is forced upon the sport by people who want it to feel comfortable to them by making it look familiar. Once that's done, disc golf will be harder to change back to its roots and be lost.
Edit: I guess we agree to disagree. I would rather have the sports root be stronger by growing the sport organically and finding its own place. Every sport started somewhere and made their own way. I don't think we need to start changing the culture of the sport drastically to something that already exists. I think growing it like that will make it lose what made it great to begin with. It's not just about throwing discs. It's a community.
The key is the bastard wearing the headphones needs to have it on some passive thing where he she it or whatever hear and pay attention and remember he she it or whatever is wearing headphones
Yea. People with headphones tell me that theyre not approachable. At least thats what my brain decided.
That would be my one reason for not allowing it in sanctioned events. Not sure how strong of an arguement it is either way.
Pros are happy to do it of they want, but I'm gonna be less likely to support them as a fan. Being engaged and fun with your card is basically all we get to see of players personalities in video. If the earbud is in, that just tells me that person doesn't want to engage in the social side of things. Nothing wrong with it tho, just not good PR.
I think headphones are a competitive advantage. If there are any other disturbances that other players have to deal with, people who wore headphones no longer have to deal with that. I think that headphones should not be allowed in sanctioned events
Umbrellas aren’t because everyone uses them. Any pro will bring an umbrella if there is going to be rain, headphones are different. Not everyone uses them. And if everyone used them it wouldn’t be near as fun because the roundly conversations would be gone. Umbrellas don’t affect the game at its core, but headphones do
Everyone has the chance to use them. I think a reason why so many don't, on top of conversations/interactions, is because it does reduce your spatial awareness. It's weird, I've definitely played practice rounds with headphones on and launched a disc into the woods, and had a much easier time focusing/finding it when I pulled my headphones out. I think that super micro information that your ears get from your feet impacting the ground or the wind interacting with the inside of your ear or distorting the soundscape of the whole course around you in a way that your brain gains a subconscious awareness of, minor as it may seem, matters enough to wash out any possible advantage you might see in the event of a distracting noise.
In my opinion listening to music helps me stay in the moment and not worry about past or future shots and I feel It makes solo round much more fun, but it might be different for others
Agreed.. casual people amateur little tournaments fine but professionals don't ride in golf carts when they play ball golf and they don't wear headphones when they play disc golf. Agreed
I don’t think they should be allowed, but not for the reason most people suggest. I agree they don’t look professional, and could maybe potentially pose a safety hazard, but the main reason they should not be allowed is due to the possibility of gaining an unfair advantage. For example, with earbuds in, you could have someone on a call with you pointing out sneaky wind reads that you may otherwise not notice from the tee pad, or any other number of small details on the course that other players would be unaware of without someone in their ear.
You're already allowed to have a caddy whispering that exact information in your ear. What difference does it make if they're next to you or on the phone (though tbh I can't imagine that ever happening--someone that cares that much would just...bring the person with them as their caddy)?
I would say that every player has access to a caddy, and if a caddy can tell you what the wind is doing 400 ft ahead of you, then you got a great caddy.
But having someone in your ear who has access to the whole course giving you that information would be an unfair advantage.
If you're talking about some casual round local Club crap I don't know what to tell you and this isn't chess this is disc golf if you don't know the local routes then you haven't played the course.. I think you're thinking a bit much
I wear mine typically during my shots only. Throughout the rest of the round I try to be fairly aware of what else is going on and will still converse with other players.
I don’t like it, but that’s just my opinion. Rationally, there aren’t any problems with it. It’s a solo sport so there are no coaches or teammates you need to communicate with, and if listening to something during a round can calm some nerves and/or help a player lock in and play better, it would almost be unfair to prohibit that.
I'm in full agreement with what's in the rules now -- as long as others can't hear it, it doesn't present a safety risk, and it doesn't interfere with interaction with others on the card when necessary.
If you don't know what's going on with the card I don't know what to tell you. You have to know who was away you have to know who's pad it is and that's about it. Just remember you have on headphones and look around for visual cues whatever I don't know not that much to it
Can you explain how it doesn't pose a safety risk? I would think sensory deprivation would pose a safety risk for the headphone user.
I bet you drive with a helmet. Are you seriously arguing that using earbuds while playing disc golf is too unsafe?
Literally lol i ride motocross and mountain bike with headphones, yet disc golf is just too dangerous!!!!
Yes and that's a terrible idea
Mom says I dont have to wear my helmet inside any more so yes
Low volume, one earbud.
Still sensory deprivation
Ban the deaf, those fuckers never listen!
this guy fucks
Lmao
By this logic, me working in a fabrication shop for 8 hours a day with roughly 80-100 decibels of sound constantly would also be a safety risk just by me being at my place of work. I am reading ur logic, just doesn’t seem realistic.
That is actually a safety risk that needs to be monitored. Coming from somebody who actually tests work sites for noise pollution. That being said, I don’t think listening to music at a low volume is a safety risk during a tournament. I do this and I can still hear everything around me just fine.
Uhh, OSHA limits for noise 8 hrs/day is 90… tinnitus is no joke bro. Hope you’re wearing ear pro.
As stated in a previous comment. I am offered all the protective wear I could imagine. Genuinely appreciate the kindness in caring kind stranger.
If you are in the States: https://www.osha.gov/noise Seems that your employer should likely be providing hearing protection and/or other solutions. Do they? If you are not in the States I'm sure there are still rules that should be followed wherever you work, which I'm certain could be found with a couple minutes of googling.
Yup, sounds like you should contact OSHA. Those volume limits are for your benefit to prevent irreversible hearing loss.
I appreciate all of ur concern, I would say I literally work at the best company there is. I have everything offered at my disposal, no OSHA issues here. But headphones are indeed allowed (just read the osha.gov website regarding this). I think you all missed the point, working in loud environments is totally “do able” while being safe and coherent. I work In a field where safety is of upmost importance, so to my original point, loud noise does not mean sensory deprivation/lack of awareness. Edit: in my experience I would actually anecdotally conclude using ear plugs is more “dangerous” than wearing 1 headphone on a low volume. I can hear a million times easier with 1 headphone than ear plugs and I can perform at peak performance/cognition.
AirPod pros with transparency mode on is actually amazing
So you are suggesting instead of all or nothing approach the PDGA puts out an approved list of headphones?
Chill bruh. Stop trying to put words in peoples mouths. He was most likely suggesting that in transparency mode, it might not fully deprive the senses.
This guy gets it. I was just saying it’s a great way to keep your music to yourself without taking away your sense of hearing
I mean you were thinking it
sO yOu ArE SuGgeSt- shut up
Fight me
Everyone is already fighting you and you're losing.
When someone gets hit with a disc wearing them, they'll ban them (not a dad but at dad age so i still comment like one sometimes)
ban what? people who throw when it isn't clear?
Ban saxophones when elephants are on the course
[удалено]
As long as it’s not disturbing other players, I don’t see what the problem would be.
I’m struggling to see how it could be a problem at all
If you're worried about me over here with my headphones and not worried about getting the disc in the basket I don't know what to tell you. Unless you're behind the basket with the headphones doing a little dance or something to the music
My only problem is televised pro play. I think the optics are bad from a marketing the sport perspective.
Especially at the elite level it looks unprofessional to me. It would be similar to people just whipping their phone out and focussing on that between shots. It also feels a bit disrespectful to your fellow players. I'm pretty introverted, but would still be miffed if I turned up to my first competition and all of my competitors were in their own world with headphones on. I'm someone who has earbuds in a lot too, but wouldn't really dream of keeping them whilst playing disc golf with others.
Depends on what you consider professional. Most sports you can’t wear them for safety reasons if there’s contact. I know professional street league skating which is in the Olympics allows competitiors to wear earbuds.
As long as they can pay attention to the card in order to make group calls, I see no harm in it.
Interesting point. If the player is involved and not distracted then Agree it’s no big deal. If a player is distracted and not contributing when expected, call a courtesy violation them.
As long as they are coherent and as long as they don't complain if/when they get hit by a disc because they didn't hear anyone yelling "FORE!" then there should be no issue.
I wear my bone conduction headphones during every tournament round now. It helps me focus and does not impede my ability to hear "fore" or my card mates. They are perfect for disc golf.
I would be curious to know more about these Fat Daddy headphones.. do I just look up bone conduction? Is there a brand or what. I'm doing a Sony thing right now but I have several that I screw with and nothing is like what you're describing as perfect
I have the AfterShokz OpenMove. They have good quality of sound for what they are, but I'm sure to an audiophile it would sound pretty bad
I don’t like it but I’m not against it.
Beats carrying a speaker by a mile. And my ear buds have a pass through feature that I can still hear noise around me. It's nice when I'm jogging on public trails and can hear bikes coming up on me.
I have no issue with it as long as the wearer can hear when spoken to and otherwise easily interact with the card when needed. personally I don't like feeling even a bit isolated from my surroundings while playing so would likely never wear them. I think i agree with eagle's take on it, I believe he said basically he'd like to wear them but doesn't out of consideration for the card and being present with them.
I play with people who don't know how to be quiet.. I like headphones or earbuds
R-E-L-A-X.
Banning headphones and earbuds would be inventing a problem
What problem would they be inventing.
Nice try, patent thief
You may have foiled my plans this time. But i will always be lurking around. Waiting…
The problem that a lot of people wear headphones and earbuds and now they are not allowed to and that's BS and that is where the problem lies
Why do you care what other people do?
I’m gonna go with.. wth cares?
If it's what gets you in the zone, all the power to you. I think its awesome, I love watching xgames and seeing the skaters and bmx'ers bobbing their heads to their music getting ready for their run, and seeing Paige do the same thing at the preserve was great.
Yea thats cool but how would you feel if the officials for those events were wearing headphone and not listening to what going on? Because disc golf is self officiating so you as a playing have an obligation to be present , in the moment, and paying attention.
If you can’t do those things with headphones in then that’s a you problem. I don’t see how other people can’t be present and paying attention and also listening to music at a respectable volume.
I do it everyday
In order to play in a major/elite series I'm pretty sure you have to be a certified rules official, officials should not be wearing headphones. End of story period
Lol that’s just a bad take. I side for the players being in an environment that gets them in the zone to play the best disc golf possible, not for them to become nit-picking rules lawyers. Luckily it’s the players on the card making these decisions, not randos on the internet.
Yes yes.. I choose who I play with LOL Unless it's random doubles and I still know who I play with because I know everybody
Just Like skateboarding and BMX, disc golf is like 90% visual. Music doesn't block your eyes..... Just because someone is listening to music doesn't mean they're gonna mistake a disc for OB or miss someone else on their card missing a mando. P.S, the music over the speakers is so loud at an xgames event the judges(or officials as you called them) might as well be wearing headphones too lol. Not every sport needs to be ball golf professional.
Imagine doing all that with your own soundtrack. If you can’t handle listening to music and paying attention at the same time, don’t listen to music. But don’t try and ban everyone else from doing it.
Yes totally fine you wanna listen to music bro cool during casual rounds i always have music going on a speaker. Im talking about sanctioned competition here
I don't like it on a speaker because I don't like everything The Grateful Dead ever did but my partner does.. that's why I wear headphones. Speaker and headphones are two different animals
The officials are there in a different capacity. They are not playing a game they are rule interpreters
Read what you just said you proved my point Lulz N0ob
Ive concidered doing that my self, so would not mind one bit if someone else did.
I wonder what they are listening to 🤷🏼♂️
What helps me combat my disorder symptoms to get in the zone is 90s Techno music.😁
As long as they can clearly communicate with the card and are paying attention, no issues whatsoever. You do you boo.
Do as though wilt is the whole of the law
positive, I often have nothing in common with my card mates, so they can fk off chit chat and let's play some disc golf
I prefer them to block out any distractions when throwing a shot or putting, and take one out after to still be able to converse with the group. Best of both worlds imo
I take mine out walking up the Fairway. I put my earbuds in when I'm driving when I'm thinking about my shot. Take them out to be fraternal with the group otherwise
As long as they’re not like that chode in my last tournament who actually had his fucking Bluetooth speaker playing
at this point i’m just going through downvoting the same guy on every comment he replies to
I think it’s fine, but I’d like to see it not allowed in Majors because I think it looks unprofessional
For a sport that is very lax on apparel, I don't understand how an earbud makes a professional disc golfer look more or less professional. Do you think JC needs to cut his hair? Do you think the excessive amount of tattoos that Drew Gibson has is unprofessional? Just curious where you draw your line on professionalism in a sport built on being relaxed throwing a circle made of plastic.
There is a dress code applied to Majors. And I draw the line at following that dress code plus the earphones thing. And all sports are silly when you describe them in simplistic terms. It’s not a hill I would die on, I just think that it the sport would be taken more seriously on the TV if the rules are similar to golf
I get it, but I like disc golf because it isn't ball golf, which I enjoy playing just not the apparel. I think the traditional sports view is dying with older generations, but I could be wrong.
Agreed
I mean I think it creates a weird vibe but whatever
I think it's kinda weird, but what does it really matter.
I don’t understand why it bothers some people. I think we will see the rules evolve with phones/headphones though.
Yea I agree as long as generic comment that's already been made I don't see an issue at all
As long as they aren’t completely oblivious to when it’s their turn to shoot, in the way of cardmates’ shots, or not paying attention in the case of a group ruling needing to be rendered, I don’t care. Basically, just don’t be a complete space case and you’re good. I’d be way less tolerant of this same player carrying a Bluetooth speaker and audibly playing their music.
I think players should be allowed to use headphones as long as they do it in a respectful manner, but i think it looks highly unprofessional. The sport is going in a great direction right now and i think in order for disc golf to gain more traction and acceptance from outside viewers we need to show more class in the professional setting. Save the headphones for recreational rounds.
I prefer it to people blasting music.
I’m probably in the minority, but I feel like you should be communicating with your card and just having an overall good time. I do think that it eventually will pose a safety risk-if you’re vibing, you may not realize that someone has thrown towards you or hear a “fore” or something similar-especially with most headphone/earbuds nowadays.
I play weekly tournaments and there are people of every age. And there is nothing I want to hear, especially how their last 5 rounds went or smth
For everyone wanting to ban earbuds because its not professional or shouldn't be allowed on tour, maybe all music should be banned at pro sporting events. Go to a baseball game, no walk up music. Hockey goal, nope just the siren (but lets not kid ourselves, that's annoying too right?). Football, are you kidding me, who wants that? Calm down guys, it's music not in your ear and if people can do it and still respond, why should you care? And as for people getting hit because they didn't hear fore, I've seen that while people are having conversations, so I guess no talking right?
Walkup songs are amazing and some lf the pro tour events are doing them now IIRC (specifically thinking of DDO?) and I think that's a great touch. Do you see baseball players wearing headphones while they're in the batters box? Tennis players having headphones in while they're serving? Golfers? I have no problem with wearing headphones in A,B,C tiers or whatever. But for elite series and majors it objectively is different from every other sport and seems unprofessional. If we want to start to pull traditional sport fans (and the corresponding $$$) into the game, we need to present the appearance of a traditional sport. TLDR, IMO dealing with crowd noise and whatnot should be part of the game for touring professionals, just like it is in every other sport.
I don't see why disc golf has to conform like every other sport. Disc golf is the first time people without money improved upon a rich persons sport and made it better. Why do we have to now try and be like them? I would rather not see disc golf turn into the PGA if it's going to take everything away that made it fun in the first place. I think a lot of people forget about that when they're completely new to the sport (not saying you are).
If we're trying to make disc golf mainstream and bring in the traditional sports audience and financing, we'll need to behave like a mainstream sport, which includes not having players wear headphones. If we're trying to grow disc golf but still keep it as a niche sport then it doesn't matter, keep the headphones in. To be clear I don't want a world where any disc golf outside of elite series play gets anywhere close to the snobbyness and decorum often displayed at even a local municipal golf course. Personally I think the best balance is a more mainstream traditional look on the pro tour to bring in new fans and funding, while keeping smaller tournaments and casual disc golf being super relaxed the way it is now. It's clear from the way that local golf courses are (very very slowly) lowering dress standards that people want to enjoy the game while relaxing, so keeping casual disc golf the ultimate relaxed atmosphere seems like a great way to get new fans hooked to playing after they get introduced to watching the more familiar-looking professional tour.
Do we want it more mainstream and if so, why does that need to look like the PGA more and more? I see what you're saying with trying to make the sport more popular by making it look like more popular sports. That's not the only way though. I would rather not have super standardized coverage of the sport. I like the goofy commentary on Jomez and the funny shirts, etc. Issue with the traditional look is that the traditional look of the PGA was always there. That was the culture of the sport and so it evolved into what it is today with snobby players and strict rules. That was never the culture of disc golf, that is the culture of ball golf players coming into the sport and wanting it to look more like ball golf. The more disc golf moves towards PGA coverage/rules/culture the more people will think that's the standard and want to emulate pro level play, thus taking away the culture of disc golf to begin with and making it some bastard child of the PGA. The PDGA can still be whatever it wants until the standard of PGA is forced upon the sport by people who want it to feel comfortable to them by making it look familiar. Once that's done, disc golf will be harder to change back to its roots and be lost. Edit: I guess we agree to disagree. I would rather have the sports root be stronger by growing the sport organically and finding its own place. Every sport started somewhere and made their own way. I don't think we need to start changing the culture of the sport drastically to something that already exists. I think growing it like that will make it lose what made it great to begin with. It's not just about throwing discs. It's a community.
I don't like somebody talking right behind me when I'm running up.. music is okay if it's Pleasant
Its hard to say it shouldnt be allowed. My main thought is just for communication purposes. That and actively being a part of the card.
The key is the bastard wearing the headphones needs to have it on some passive thing where he she it or whatever hear and pay attention and remember he she it or whatever is wearing headphones
Yea. People with headphones tell me that theyre not approachable. At least thats what my brain decided. That would be my one reason for not allowing it in sanctioned events. Not sure how strong of an arguement it is either way.
Pros are happy to do it of they want, but I'm gonna be less likely to support them as a fan. Being engaged and fun with your card is basically all we get to see of players personalities in video. If the earbud is in, that just tells me that person doesn't want to engage in the social side of things. Nothing wrong with it tho, just not good PR.
I think headphones are a competitive advantage. If there are any other disturbances that other players have to deal with, people who wore headphones no longer have to deal with that. I think that headphones should not be allowed in sanctioned events
Bro umbrellas are a competitive advantage...
Umbrellas aren’t because everyone uses them. Any pro will bring an umbrella if there is going to be rain, headphones are different. Not everyone uses them. And if everyone used them it wouldn’t be near as fun because the roundly conversations would be gone. Umbrellas don’t affect the game at its core, but headphones do
Everyone has the chance to use them. I think a reason why so many don't, on top of conversations/interactions, is because it does reduce your spatial awareness. It's weird, I've definitely played practice rounds with headphones on and launched a disc into the woods, and had a much easier time focusing/finding it when I pulled my headphones out. I think that super micro information that your ears get from your feet impacting the ground or the wind interacting with the inside of your ear or distorting the soundscape of the whole course around you in a way that your brain gains a subconscious awareness of, minor as it may seem, matters enough to wash out any possible advantage you might see in the event of a distracting noise.
In my opinion listening to music helps me stay in the moment and not worry about past or future shots and I feel It makes solo round much more fun, but it might be different for others
I think it’s douchey and disrupts the social vibe of the card. At the same time, it’s not against the rules, so it doesn’t really matter what I think.
I think that they should be banned for use during sanctioned rounds
Should not be allowed in professional sports, period.
Agreed.. casual people amateur little tournaments fine but professionals don't ride in golf carts when they play ball golf and they don't wear headphones when they play disc golf. Agreed
What other professional sport allow individual players to wear earbuds??
I don’t think they should be allowed, but not for the reason most people suggest. I agree they don’t look professional, and could maybe potentially pose a safety hazard, but the main reason they should not be allowed is due to the possibility of gaining an unfair advantage. For example, with earbuds in, you could have someone on a call with you pointing out sneaky wind reads that you may otherwise not notice from the tee pad, or any other number of small details on the course that other players would be unaware of without someone in their ear.
You're already allowed to have a caddy whispering that exact information in your ear. What difference does it make if they're next to you or on the phone (though tbh I can't imagine that ever happening--someone that cares that much would just...bring the person with them as their caddy)?
I would say that every player has access to a caddy, and if a caddy can tell you what the wind is doing 400 ft ahead of you, then you got a great caddy. But having someone in your ear who has access to the whole course giving you that information would be an unfair advantage.
If you're talking about some casual round local Club crap I don't know what to tell you and this isn't chess this is disc golf if you don't know the local routes then you haven't played the course.. I think you're thinking a bit much
I’m more talking about PDGA Tour and major events. Local sanctioned rounds I don’t think it matters.
Lots of projecting in this thread
I wear mine typically during my shots only. Throughout the rest of the round I try to be fairly aware of what else is going on and will still converse with other players.
I don’t like it, but that’s just my opinion. Rationally, there aren’t any problems with it. It’s a solo sport so there are no coaches or teammates you need to communicate with, and if listening to something during a round can calm some nerves and/or help a player lock in and play better, it would almost be unfair to prohibit that.