Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Rising To The Occasion - Paige Pierce Wins Her Fourth World Title


It’s the event that players and spectators alike look forward to for months - the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Held earlier in the season than normal in Augusta, Georgia, 205 pro players fought their way through humidity and tough courses to see who would take this year’s title.

Coming off of her fourth world champion win, we talked with Paige Pierce to get her perspective on this year’s event, how she handled the pressure, and what comes next.

Practice With The Right Tools

Despite not arriving in Georgia as early as she wanted, Paige was able to get in multiple rounds before the event’s mid-week start. With both courses offering different types of challenges, she found that several of her discs became her go-to’s throughout the four-day event.

“The discs I relied on the most were my Paige Pierce Lucid Convict, the Lucid EMAC Truth, the Classic Blend Marshal, the Prime Deputy, and the BioFuzion Defender. The Jackson course called for a lot of putter shots hence the Marshal and Deputy, but at Fort Gordon, it was all about my favorite driver, the Bio Defender!” she said.

Not one to come into an event without a game plan, Pierce attacked each day with the determination to pull ahead of defending champion Valarie Jenkins. Though she would’ve liked to have more strokes as a buffer during her final round, perhaps it was what everyone needed: “It gave Val and I the battle that fueled us both and everyone that was watching,” said Pierce.

Stepping Up To The Challenge

Every player has their own particular preferences when it comes to course design, and for Paige, Fort Gordon didn’t quite check enough boxes on her list. Yet, noting that everyone had to play the course whether they liked it or not, Paige did find the four rounds to be a test of her skills:

“The most challenging part of the courses I would say would be that no matter where a tee shot landed you had to be on your toes and had to scramble. There was nothing easy about any given shot. Each individual shot was so demanding that it really tested all of your skill set. I think they suited my game well; honestly with the tools at my fingertips and the confidence I have in them it is hard to find a course I don't feel confident on.”

Having The Right Mentality

It would be easy to say that with her track record so far this year, Paige was a shoe-in for winning Worlds. However, she doesn’t rely on her previous successes to carry her to victory. “I try to completely wipe the slate clean after each tournament,” said Pierce. “This was no different. It didn't matter what happened the week before or even 3 months before, it was about 4 rounds that were yet to happen. So I told myself to stick to my game plan and execute the shots. If I did I knew I would at least be in contention.”

Her plan worked, as she bested the competition by a total of 5 strokes to win the 2017 title. Paige’s next goals for the year include taking home the NT Championship and even the Pro Tour Championship. As for her cycle of only winning Worlds on the odd years? “I definitely think about that often, it’s funny how that works out. Honestly, all I can do is try to put myself in position next year and give myself the chance to get up on that podium,” she said.

Congratulations on the win, Paige! Everyone at Dynamic Discs is proud to have you on our team.

Exploring Clover Cliff Ranch - A New Disc Golf Destination

It’s just about summertime, which means it’s time to start making plans for your next disc golf destination. One of the up and coming spots in the Kansas area is the gorgeous Clover Cliff Ranch, located just outside of Cottonwood Falls.

It’s a short 20-minute drive from Emporia and is complete with eighteen pristine Veteran basket. This beautiful disc golf course provides open holes and can be very windy. With hills and valleys that offer a variety of elevation, it’s a challenging experience for experts and beginners alike.

Check out the property!

Fine Tuning The Course

So what kind of work has gone into making Clover Cliff Ranch so spectacular? With many years under his belt designing countless courses, Eric noted that he looked at a few specific elements when playing the initial 9 hole layout.

When playing with a group, seeing a lot of errant shots or crossing fairways can raise a red flag. Eric, Bobby, and many other DD employees visited the course to discuss basket placement and made sure the setup was worthy of upcoming tournaments.

See their round here!

A Little Rest And Relaxation

After your round is done, you can cozy up and experience the old-fashioned hospitality that Clover Cliff Ranch Bed and Breakfast has to offer. As an elegant late Victorian era empire-style stone home, it boasts beautiful design elements with themed rooms.

Visitors are often in awe of the bedrooms, as they are filled with authentic period-specific furniture and decor. You can put your feet up and relax in the family parlor and get lost in the panoramic views of Flint Hills. The next time you’re up for a disc golf getaway, check out Clover Cliff Ranch.
Monday, June 19, 2017

Are The Trilogy Challenge Discs Right For You?


Are you on the fence about playing in a Trilogy Challenge and wonder if the discs included might be right for you? Bobby and Eric go over each of the molds included in the 2017 Challenge and describe how they might fly if you’re a pro player or someone who plays casually.

The Pine

Westside Discs has a new stable midrange as part of the Challenge package this year. The Pine gives you control with a really nice feel in your hand and holds up great during windy conditions. It’s a nice compliment to the Warship in the Westside lineup and it’s a great disc for all skill levels. If you need to get a predictable flight path out of your disc, the Pine is the way to go.

The Deputy

Next up is the latest putter from Dynamic Discs - the Deputy. It’s an easy to throw beadless disc that’s great if you have smaller hands, and it’s the putter of choice for 3X World Champion Paige Pierce. The Deputy is a classic understable putter that will give you a straight line and an awesome glide. Casual players will be excited to see this disc flip up to flat, and those with higher arm speeds will find it holds whatever line you put it on.

The River Pro

Finally, we have a pro version of The River! As one of Latitude 64’s best-selling discs of all time, the River Pro is an easy to grip fairway driver that offers a domey profile and a smaller rim. This disc offers a great amount of glide and will be really predictable for a casual player. Pros will find this disc works great when you need an overstable go-to.

Remember, the only way to try these discs is to participate in a Trilogy Challenge, so visit the website to find an event near you.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Will It Hyzer?

Have you ever been at a store or just walked through your house and saw everyday items and wondered if that item would fly if given the chance?

Well, even if you haven't, we are here to answer the question with, "Will It Hyzer?"

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

A Part-Time Disc Golfer With Full-Time Passion - That's Team Member Zach Newhouse


Think that it’s impossible to work full-time and compete as a part-time disc golfer? It’s doable, but it’s not easy. In fact, there are more people achieving it than you might realize, and Dynamic Discs team member Zach Newhouse is one of them. Newhouse, a Canada resident, has taken his love of the sport and throttled himself toward success, but it wasn’t actually disc golf that started his interest in sports.

Zach’s love of athletics actually began when he played tennis in college, and this passion translated over into disc golf when his friend Tony introduced him to the game. Eventually, Newhouse was introduced to Sergio & Carla Correa, who encouraged him to compete in disc golf tournaments and sharpen his skills as a player. After college Zach made a huge decision and moved to Charlotte, NC where the combination of quality courses and players in the area pushed him into the pro ranks.

Now as a long-time member of the PDGA, Zach has a total of 5 wins under his belt and his current rating is a smoldering 1004. His excitement for this year’s GBO was evident, as his skills landed him on the lead card for round 2 and resulted in a 7th place finish.

A True Part Of The Disc Golf Family

Landing a spot on the Dynamic Discs team is a huge milestone for Zach. “It means so much to be a part of a great group of disc golfers,” he said. Zach has been fortunate enough to know many of his teammates for several years and they have become some of his closest friends. His relationships with members of the team are further evidence that disc golf isn’t just a sport, it’s a family.

Those of us who have been in the sport for a long time know that having such a strong community not only helps to promote the game, but it helps to develop your skills as a player too. Lately, Zach has really been into throwing shorter forehand flex shots, describing that “it has been extremely valuable in helping me save strokes on the course and is just fun to watch fly.”

A large part of Zach’s success as a disc golfer has to do with his mental game, and having awesome card mates during a tournament definitely helps to keep the vibes positive. Zach enjoys playing with golfers like Eric McCabe and Cale Leiviska, saying: “They are both incredible golfers and fun to be around. They are extremely competitive but also genuinely nice guys that are always rooting for everyone to play well.”

Setting His Sights Higher

Always looking to improve his game, Newhouse is currently focused on one key element: “Consistency for me is the biggest thing. Not playing as much makes it tough to stay sharp with all aspects of the game, so I really try to maximize the quality of practice I get when I have the time.”

The weather in Calgary doesn’t always agree with Zach’s love of disc golf, so he often ends up spending time practice putting in his basement and uses the off-season to rest up. While he doesn’t tour as much as many of the other pros, he looks forward to playing in the larger events each year to stay competitive.

We hope to see Zach out on the course more as the weather is finally starting to improve this year. Keep your eyes out for him to make some moves in the 2017 season!
Friday, June 9, 2017

Eric McCabe 2017 Disc Golf In The Bag

We sat down with 2010 PDGA Pro World Champion, Eric McCabe, to film his 2017 In The Bag.


You can find out more on Eric McCabe's team page.

Follow Eric McCabe on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thursday, June 8, 2017

Disc Golf Answer Man Episode 173

In this episode, we discuss different grips for putters, concrete versus turf teepads, and we have a special guest call in to help us with a question.


You can find the audio only version here.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Jeremy rides in the Dirty Kanza

Starting Line
The Dirty Kanza was an event that started in Emporia, Kansas back in 2006 with 34 participants and has grown to over 2,200 riders in 2017. The main event consists of a 200-mile bike ride through the gravel roads of the Flint Hills. The Dirty Kanza also offers a 100-mile course.

In 2016, Jeremy Rusco decided he wanted to participate in the 100-mile event and after many months of training he was able to successfully complete the event. Fast forward to 2017 and Jeremy decided he needed to conquer the gravel roads again and this time, he wanted to bring along his wife, Wendy.

We ask Jeremy a few questions about his 2017 Dirty Kanza experience.

Why was this something you wanted to do?

When people think of Emporia, disc golf and biking come to mind for many. We host the largest disc golf event in the world, the Glass Blown Open, and we host one of the largest and best gravel bike races, the Dirty Kanza. I guess you could say that I want to be involved with what is important in our community and also hopefully learn a thing or two from the event and incorporate that into our disc golf events. On a more personal level, I am always looking for a challenge, and this is quite a challenge that gives me something to train for and stay more active and healthy.

How did you train for it?

Wendy and I spend about an hour or so each day going to the gym, so we are somewhat physically fit anyway. To train for the race, we just added some saddle time on our bikes, but it certainly could have been more. The furthest that we rode prior to the race in one setting was 62 miles and a dozen rides in the 30-45 mile range. We probably should have done more, but life is busy and the spring rains in Emporia made for a lot of challenges to getting on the gravel.

Did you ever feel yourself giving up at any time during the 100 miles?

Halfway Check Point
Nope, not once! Wendy and I had our mind on crossing the finish line together, and the only thing that was going to get in the way of that would have been a mechanical issue. I'll have to admit that I struggled quite a bit last year during the race from mile 60-80 as I was cramping like crazy and was wondering at times what I was doing.

How did it feel accomplishing such a goal?

It feels great to work towards something and actually accomplish that goal! 100 miles on a bike on gravel roads is no easy feat and brings a sense of accomplishment to mind. I have always been a believer in the saying that you can do anything that you put your mind to and I encourage others to find something that they think is slightly out of reach today to accomplish tomorrow. This can be on a personal level or on a business level as there are many goals to accomplish in both.
Monday, June 5, 2017

Disc Golf Answer Man Episode 172

In this episode we discuss PDGA Worlds going to a 4-day event, what to keep in mind when designing a disc golf course, biggest mistakes Ams make in their driving technique, and much more.


You can check out the audio only version here.
Friday, June 2, 2017

Don't miss your chance for a disc golf experience like no other.

Disc Golf Experience at Nissan Stadium

Excitement is steadily brewing for the 2017 Disc Golf Experience at Nissan Stadium presented by Dynamic Discs. This much-anticipated event will be held in Nashville, Tennessee on July 15th, and after building on the success of hosting events the last three years at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX, we’ve decided to take things outside.

We are once again offering an incredible opportunity to step onto the home field of an NFL football team and take part in a disc golf adventure like nothing else out there. Come join the Dynamic Discs team and staff as we play nine holes of disc golf with one-of-a-kind discs specially created to commemorate the event. You’ll even have the opportunity to hear your name announced at the first tee on the home turf of the Tennessee Titans!

What’s It Like?

You get to select your own tee time when you register for the Disc Golf Experience online at Discgolfscene.com, plus you have the opportunity to play with a group of your choosing, in groups
Disc Golf Experience at Nissan Stadium
Dynamic Discs Fluid Slammer
no larger than eight. As if playing in the event wasn’t appealing enough, each player will receive the Dynamic Discs Limited Edition Slammer in Fluid plastic (the exclusive source for this disc) as well as a Latitude 64 Sarek, an overmold disc.

Other take home goodies include a Disc Golf Experience badge and lanyard, plus the chance to tell some epic stories to your co-workers on Monday morning.

Is Your Disc Golf Obsession Insatiable?

Participating in this event can be as casual or as involved as you want. Families have the option to purchase field access for only $10 per person, and although you won’t receive any discs, you’ll get the chance to walk along with a friend or have your kids watch as you crush the course.

Want to watch and get some cool discs, but don’t have enough time to play? Our $40 Player Pack Experience offers just that, with field access and all of the same take home items as the higher price point packages.

Those who are ready to test their skills on this 9-hole setup are looking at purchasing Player Experience packages, priced at $70 a piece. This option is by far one of the more prized of the day, as
Disc Golf Experience at Nissan Stadium
Latitude 64 Sarek
you’ll get field and stadium clearance as well as be able to try out your two new discs!

For the disc golfer that can never get enough, we developed the $125 VIP package which tees off between 3 pm and 4 pm. After the golf, the VIP’s will join us for a party on the upper terrace of the stadium with a beautiful view of Nashville. You’ll also get to play an extra tenth hole from the upper terrace to the 50-yard line!

At the end of the event, the actual portable Patriot baskets will be available for purchase, and as a VIP player, you’ll get first dibs. Our past Disc Golf Experiences have been phenomenal, and we’re really excited to bring this adventure to disc golf lovers in Tennessee. Be sure to grab your tickets soon before they’re gone!
Thursday, June 1, 2017

Junior Sized Equipment - Is It How We #GrowTheSport?

Are junior size discs and baskets the answer for helping to grow the sport and spread it to younger generations? Perhaps we can best answer this question by looking at sports that have shown a high rate of child retention. When teaching kids soccer, for example, instructors use a field length that is shortened and a smaller ball is used.


It’s this method that teaches children all the concepts of the game on a smaller scale, one that better fits their world and improves their experience. And as young participants grow in size, so does the field and the equipment they engage with. It’s important that when we introduce children to disc golf, we also teach them with age and size appropriate equipment.

This One’s For The Kids

This methodology is at the heart of what Dynamic Discs has developed in the Junior Recruit disc golf basket. This basket is the optimal choice for a budding disc golfer looking to have a practice putting basket on par with their own size and scale. Combine the Junior Recruit with new junior-sized discs and you’ve got a recipe to #GrowTheSport.



Many of us that have a passion for the sport know that making disc golf exciting for younger age groups is the key to the sport’s retention and growth, and by making products accessible for literally all ages, Dynamic Discs proves that they are on a mission to spread disc golf everywhere.

Growing Disc Golf In Schools And Youth Group

Both the Junior Recruit and junior sized discs are designed for smaller hands and shorter heights, so not only does this translate into them being easier for kids, but ultimately means the kiddos will have more fun using it. Plus, the Junior Recruit is less expensive and easier to store than a traditional sized basket, making it more affordable and convenient for elementary schools and youth groups alike. This focus on youth activities is subsequently empowering community groups and after school programs to create new curriculum that’s easy for all kids to enjoy.

Small Hands & Short Legs

Since kids’ hands are significantly smaller than ours, it makes sense to manufacture a smaller disc that allows them to have a more comfortable grip and is lighter weight for maximum distance. The Junior Recruit addresses the desire for children to be able to reach in and retrieve their discs themselves after making a putt, so when you combine these items together it’s the perfect setup even for kids who can just barely walk!

Elementary and middle school aged kids cover a lot less ground with each step too, so what about combining our equipment with a junior’s course that has a proportionate length? It’s not unreasonable for a junior course length to average 150’-200’ a hole, and the sky’s the limit in terms of what course designers can do with this in the future. Women’s tees are a hot issue right now - what about junior’s tees as well?

Ultimately, the growth of the sport is moving exponentially in the right direction with the introduction of this smaller sized equipment. The next time you need to buy a gift for a kiddo in your life, why not try introducing them to disc golf and purchasing their very own equipment that’s just their size!

Let us know your thoughts on this approach to growing the sport with kids in the comments below.