Disc Golf by Dynamic Discs

Friday, September 20, 2019

Introducing The Last Disc Golf Product You'll Ever Need To Buy - The Transit Cart

Perhaps you’ve been playing disc golf for a while and your shoulders are begging for a much-needed break from wearing your bag or you’re just starting the sport but want to enjoy the low-impact nature that a round can bring, but one thing is for sure - a disc golf cart sounds like the best thing since sliced bread. A quick search online could potentially dash all of your hopes, however, as you find out that you not only have to buy the cart frame, but need a backpack to put your discs in, and should probably even buy a few extra tires while you’re at it.

Suddenly, the thing that seemed like the answer to your prayers suddenly got really expensive, and you wonder if #cartlife is for you. It’s been a long time coming but we’ve finally given disc golfers what they’ve been looking for with our brand new Transit Cart. You don’t have to give up the idea of using a cart, especially if finances are tight, with this beauty!

Our First Independent Cart

The crew at Dynamic Discs have long been fans of using carts during a round - they save your back, they often offer a built-in seat, and are functional enough to use for both casual and competitive play. It was only a matter of time before something like the Transit Cart came into fruition, but what exactly makes it so special?

The Transit Cart offers a ZÜCA frame that supports up to 300 pounds along with a bag built right in. It can hold up to 25 discs with ease, plus the extra storage space on the bottom can act as another section for plastic if you need to bring tons with you. The bag is made from water-resistant polyester and removes easily if you need to hand wash it and includes a large zippered front pocket to store your keys, phone, scorecards, and more.

Built To Last

A huge issue that people often have with disc golf carts, aside from having to purchase a bag if they don’t already have one, is the fact that tires can go flat at the least convenient of times. The Transit Cart solves that problem with all-season tubeless foam performance tires that roll right over rocks, through the snow, and over the roughest terrain you can imagine. If needed, the wheels remove very easily for storage purposes but keep in mind that the cart doesn’t currently meet FAA specifications for carry-on baggage.

If you’ve been on the fence about transitioning from a bag to a cart and aren’t sure if you want to make the investment, the Transit Cart is by far the best bang for your buck. Everything you need retails for one price of $249 and is designed to last you for years. This item has just been released as of September 18th, so make sure you head over to the Dynamic Discs website and place an order soon.

Want to see the Transit Cart in its full glory? You can watch Anthony do a full unboxing here!

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

New Marketing Director at Dynamic Discs

As you all have heard time and time again, at Dynamic Discs, we are always working on something! Today, that “something” is a shift in personnel and roles. Since the beginning of Dynamic Discs, we have largely handled our marketing by committee - multiple people have completed marketing pieces while simultaneously completing their full-time assigned job responsibilities. I have felt the need to consolidate Dynamic Discs’ marketing efforts for some time so that all employees are able to focus more of their time on their specific roles - Bobby can focus on media, Clay can focus on technology, Kris can focus on product development, Jamie can focus on sales… the list goes on and on. I’m happy to say that Dynamic Discs will be filling this role today.

Moving forward, Robert McCall will be transitioning to a brand new role for Dynamic Discs as the Marketing Director. Robert has loved serving as Team Manager and Team Director for the last two-and-a-half years, but he is thrilled to take on these new responsibilities and new challenges! This new role also gives Robert new availability for media responsibilities such as live and post-produced commentary and some potential new projects.

As Robert moves away from his team role, I am also thrilled to announce a change in Team Management for the sponsored teams of Dynamic Discs, Latitude 64, and Westside Discs along with an exciting new structure. Brian Shintaku will continue in his role as Team Manager, but he will now manage Team Latitude 64 and Team Westside. Brian has worked with the three teams for the last 18 months, and if you know Tako, you know that we’re excited for him to continue with a new focus on Latitude 64 and Westside!

Team Dynamic Discs’ new Team Manager is a familiar face and knows the history of Dynamic Discs as well or better than anyone: Eric McCabe. Eric has been with Dynamic Discs since the beginning and has worked in several different capacities at Dynamic Discs, most recently as World Champion Course Designer. Eric is excited to assist Dynamic Discs’ sponsored players and has firsthand experience performing the tasks and achieving the goals of every level of sponsorship, including the highest level of competition. He is looking forward to working more closely with the team while continuing to install championship-level courses all over the world!

After a brief time away from team-related responsibilities, I’m also excited to welcome Denise Cameron back as Team Support Specialist. Denise has previously worked as Latitude 64’s Team Manager, so she is extremely familiar with team processes and needs. While Eric, Brian, and Denise will have some team-specific responsibilities, we are confident that any of these three will be able to take care of any team member’s needs at any time, regardless of the team they represent.

Dynamic Discs is looking forward to the future of these new roles for our employees. Please join us in welcoming them to their new positions!

Monday, September 9, 2019

School's Back In Session - Are Your Kids Learning Disc Golf?

Many students across the United States are in a school system that incorporates physical education into their curriculum, and that usually takes the form of basketball, running, or for younger kids, some form of dodge ball. While it’s wonderful to get kids active and engaged in the habit of exercise, just how many of our youth are being exposed to disc golf?

Unless a child’s parent happens to be obsessed with the sport, there’s a good chance that many will not even hear about disc golf until their later teen years or even well into adulthood. Driving by a local course to see oddly shaped metal contraptions doesn’t exactly lead to massive amounts of excitement, so how can we, as adult players, encourage more kids to play?

Living Life On The EDGE

Founded by a group of diverse individuals with backgrounds ranging from professional disc golf affiliation to educators, recreational therapists and more, the Educational Disc Golf Experience (EDGE) aims to promote an active lifestyle through disc golf to kids around the nation. Packages of equipment along with an easy to follow curriculum are available at multiple price points, making it easy for schools to integrate disc golf into their classrooms.

EDGE functions as a non-profit and along with promoting disc golf within schools, their team works to install courses around the world. They also have a Tournament Charity Program that has awarded over $100,000 in grants to schools and youth programs across the United States.

Do UPlayDG?

EDGE isn’t the only group working to infuse schools with the disc golf spirit, as Dynamic Discs’ very own team members Zoe AnDyke and Dustin Keegan have also created a non-profit that works to teach kids fundamentals of the game. Universal Play Disc Golf, or UPlayDG, has reached students in over a dozen schools and provides a comprehensive overview of disc golf skills and techniques.

A long-time coach and teacher, Zoe was recently honored with the 2018 EDGE/PDGA Educational Award. She’s put her blood, sweat, and tears into building UPlay DG into an incredible organization and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. During her acceptance speech, Zoe noted that the impact she’s been able to make through UPlayDG wouldn’t have been possible if not for Dustin and her amazing team of supporters.

Taking The First Step

Whether you have school-aged kids or not, the desire to expose the next generation to disc golf is real. If you’re not sure how to approach your local school or even if you want to set up some sort of after school club or clinic, consider reaching out to those who have already paved the way. The team at EDGE as well as those at UPlayDG can offer tips and guidance along with the tools you need to succeed.

Disc golf fans always say that it’s never too late to pick up the sport, and in the same way, it’s also never too early. From kindergarten all the way to the final year of high school, incorporating disc golf into a physical education curriculum can bring nothing but benefits!

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Dynamic Discs Month In Review - August 2019

Dynamic Discs employees and fans are often asked, “Which of your discs are the most popular?” We tend to think that we know the answers, but some of our ideas may or may not be biased depending on our personal favorites. It’s time to put all that speculation to rest with some COLD, HARD FACTS. It’s time for the Dynamic Discs Month In Review.

Some discs may appear twice or more because of different plastic types. Here are August's top sellers:

Trilogy Challenges are alive and well, and the Gatekeeper, Keystone, and Vandal are creeping into players’ bags. Even with Trilogy Challenges driving sales, the Fuzion Raider nearly caught them this month. The Raider may be looking at dethroning those discs in September, and the Lucid Raider's much-anticipated release will likely compete for the throne as well. The Judge closes out another strong month with three appearances, and alongside the Trilogy Challenge Keystone, it’s the only putter on the list. The BioFuzion Raider and Gold Pioneer are bolstered by USAMPC Doubles, and they’re likely to make a splash for competitors and fans alike. Let’s take a moment to talk about the unsung hero here - the River. The River doesn’t get a ton of recognition, but it finds a spot on the Top 20 list more often than you might think. Check one out! The River is joined by fellow easier-to-throw discs, the Diamond and Jade, and two great fairway complements, the Opto Explorer and Lucid Maverick. The VIP King shot up the list in August, and the Lucid Trespass continues its quiet consistency. Last but not least, could it be a Month in Review without at least one version of the EMAC Truth? I think not.

Thanks for joining us in looking at a snapshot of our best sellers. Which discs are you surprised to see off the list? Leave a comment below, and let us know why your favorite disc should make September’s Month in Review!

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Have You Met Tako? We'll Introduce You To DD Employee Brian Shintaku

Anyone who goes by the nickname of Tako likely has a pretty great personality, but his awesome sense of humor is just a fraction of what makes Brian Shintaku such a great addition to the DD company team. We’re continuing to learn about each of the people who help to spread the disc golf love under the DD roof, so let’s find out more about Brian!

Starting Off On The Right Foot

Brian has lived in several places across the United States, but in 2018 he made the trek from California to Emporia and started working for Dynamic Discs that January. As the Team Manager for DD/Latitude 64/Westside, he’s got his hands full with a variety of tasks each and every day, but finds that the atmosphere and people he’s around is really what sets Dynamic Discs apart from other jobs he’s had:

“The best thing about working for DD is working in and around the sport and activity I love most, disc golf! I initially applied to DD to try to be a part of a exciting, booming, trustworthy company that is at the top of the market in disc golf.”

Tako has been playing disc golf since his teens, so for him, getting to be a part of the industry is a pretty amazing thing.

Making A Difference

One thing that’s so powerful about the employees at Dynamic Discs is that their passion for the sport extends beyond a 40-hour workweek. Shintaku is active throughout Emporia and loves to teach others about the sport:

“When outside of work, I try to grow the sport by volunteering at events to explain basic principles of disc golf. One example would be reaching out to local schools to give presentations during a PE period; during these events, each person/student gets a chance to throw a disc and make a putt in the basket.

The difference I try to make to disc golfers everywhere is to be a positive supporter, teaching others about ways to get involved with their community, helping with social media posts to show what programs and equipment are available, and being a good ambassador for disc golf. Hopefully leading by example is contagious and others will follow suit.”

A Family Event

Tako is clearly immersed within the disc golf world, but how does the rest of his family feel about it? He shared with us a pretty awesome story that goes to show just how amazing it is when the disc golf love extends to others:

“About five years ago my family (me, my wife Carly, and daughter Hayleigh) lived in Colorado. During a ladies' league with five other ladies at Ghostown DGC, I decided to film all the ladies’ drives on the ninth hole. After the first five ladies threw, it was then Carly’s turn and she threw a drive 235’ directly into the basket and it was filmed! On the drive back down the mountain, Carly felt dizzy and uneasy.

She sometimes gets altitude sickness so we thought nothing of it, but the symptoms continued after we arrived home that afternoon. She decided to take a pregnancy test and sure enough, baby number two was in her belly! So on the same day, we had twice the amount of joy for Carly’s second ace and child number two.”

Brian is a true part of the DD family and we couldn’t imagine working without him!

Thursday, August 29, 2019

An Example of Determination and Dedication - Let's Learn More About DD Player Robbie Olson

Most of the time when you head out to the disc golf course, you run into at least a handful of players who just recently discovered the sport. Their enthusiasm is fresh and contagious, and they’re working on developing a variety of aspects of their game. It’s rarer to find, however, the people who have stuck with disc golf through thick and thin, no matter what life brings.

One such player is Robbie Olson, a DD team member who lives in Wisconsin. He started playing disc golf at age 11 and has been a PDGA member for the last 12 years. Let’s take a look into his game and see how he balances the sport with life’s demands.

Dynamic From The Start

Robbie credits his mom and stepdad for helping to introduce disc golf into his life, and he truly loved it right away because his first few times playing weren’t even with any baskets! “We picked different trees to try and hit,” he explained. “Two months later I got to finally play a course with baskets.” During his first handful of tournaments in 2007, Olson competed in the Advanced division but he soon moved to Open and hasn’t looked back since.

The next year brought a big change for him that would shape his disc golf involvement for the next decade, and then some:

“At 2008 Pro Worlds I stayed with [Jeremy] Rusco and Greg Schwartz. We hung out all week [and] I helped vend at the fly mart. The week came to a close and Rusco shook my hand and said ‘let me know if you ever need anything’ and ever since I’ve worn DD pretty much every day.

It’s an honor to represent Dynamic Discs each year, not just because I’ve always thought the logo was cool, but because I believe in the company and Dynamic Discs’ ability to grow the sport. It means a lot to be a part of the Dynamic Discs family because everyone is so dedicated to growing the sport and helping others.”

An Established Routine

Olson has been playing long enough now that he has his routine dialed in and tends to favor wooded courses like the ones used at the Mad City Open, his most anticipated event each year. So far in 2019, he’s taken home a first-place win at the Skyline Classic and ran a clinic at a local sports show. Despite working 7-5 Monday through Friday, Robbie still finds time to play several rounds per week.

What’s he bagging these days? Here are his top three discs:

“The Lucid EMAC Truth because it is my go-to midrange and I can use this disc for many different shots. The Fuzion Raider because it is so fun to throw max distance with, and is a very versatile distance driver. I can throw any shot I need off the tee with the Raider. The Hard Mercy because it’s a great feeling putter for my spin putt and it throws well off the tee.”

When Robbie isn’t on the course he often spends time outdoors running and hiking or working on cars. Between his passion for disc golf and his ability to balance it with life’s other demands, he’s a true ambassador of DD and the sport as a whole!

Friday, August 16, 2019

Spreading The Word Locally - How To Promote Disc Golf In The Media

One of the main messages that people in the disc golf community promote regularly is trying to get more people involved in the sport. Whether it’s an effort to drum up participants for a local clinic or wanting to get spectators to come out to a large event, there’s always a push to expose as many people as possible to this wonderful game we’ve fallen in love with.

Many times these efforts are successful, as the use of social media has allowed people to spread the message much farther than ever before. Between online event posting sites, word of mouth, and even relying on using good old fashioned posters, it seems like you’d have your bases covered, right?

Additional Opportunities

We’re often so quick to turn to social media as a way to promote disc golf that we forget about the other type of media that’s out there. More “traditional” methods of communication including newspaper and radio are still alive and well, providing a great place to inform your community about the event you’re hosting.

Just recently, we had several DD team members on the local station in Emporia, KVOE, to discuss Junior Worlds and all that it entails. While a huge event like this is certainly ideal for additional media exposure, it’s not required in order for your local media outlets to give you some airtime or a spot in the paper.

Where To Begin?

The idea of having your C-tier or after school clinic featured in the media might seem like a pretty tall task, and for some, it could be pretty intimidating. First, remember that the people on the radio or the ones writing the articles are just like you - they’re dedicated to the community and want to expose residents to new and exciting activities.

It might sound too easy, but all you really have to do is reach out to the town newspaper or radio station and have a friendly conversation with them. Tell them a little bit about disc golf, the event you’re having, and how it’s great for the community. If you need to, make yourself some notes and practice your pitch a little bit first, because the goal is to get them interested enough to actually report on your event.

Prepare For The Best

How often do you scroll through social media and stop when you see someone sharing a clip about disc golf from their local news station? It doesn’t happen nearly as often as we’d all like it to, so when it does, it’s a major event. Consider just how many more people you could add to your disc golf community with the simple act of getting some coverage from local media - not only would your tournament likely see more competitors but you may even have greater success in getting businesses to donate prizes. Local government may be more keen to hear proposals for new courses if they have seen disc golf featured in a positive light and ultimately, disc golf will touch the lives of many thanks to your efforts.

Have you gotten disc golf featured in your town’s newspaper or on the radio before? Share your tips and tricks with us in the comments below!

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

The Ins And Outs Of Disc Golf Clubs Part 6 - Bringing It All Together

If you thought setting up a disc golf club was easy, think again - there’s a reason we’ve devoted time and attention to this process across six separate blogs. In this final installment of our latest blog series, we’re going to take a look at some of the final considerations that every club member should keep in mind. From being able to partner with your city government to taking an analytical approach to the people in charge, there’s a ton of moving parts in any disc golf club!

Divide and conquer - If your club becomes so large that you don’t think you can handle it, consider breaking tasks up across various groups of people and reach out to those who can help to integrate solutions. Latitude 64 player Luke Wessel explained that their huge club has had to get creative: “Because of [our] massive size, we have a group of league directors that help out with different areas such as scoring, treasury, websites, and more. We still remain one of the most played leagues in Minnesota and currently are working with the city on expanding the course to accommodate the traffic!”
Make friends with the city - Anyone who has tried to install or expand a course knows that unless you have city officials on your side, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle. Chris Eads, part of the DD team, gave us his advice on the matter: “When seeking new courses one thing we always provide is the labor to install the course, helping to lower the cost of the installation to the city or county. And we now have multiple courses where our target audience is the youth - cities love to hear that each course has a different audience it targets.”
Don’t play favorites - A disc golf club sounds like a great way to make a difference with your best friends, but keep in mind that your team should function more like a small business rather than a fraternity house. Ray Woodruff, President of the Mile High Disc Golf Club, offers some sage wisdom: “Gather your board together, these should not just be your friends with the same opinions; you want differing opinions, sit down and take your time. Remember why you want to start a new club - think about what you want to accomplish this year, next year, and 5 years down the road.”
Think outside the box - Your club doesn’t have to function in a specific way, as Dynamic Discs player Jake Key quickly discovered. “A lot of colleges don’t offer disc golf but when the course is on school property - how can I get them to the course?” he asked himself. The solution? “I set up a box of rental equipment and left it at hole one.” People signed out the discs they used during a 12 week league period and Jake got to expose tons of people to the sport.

Each disc golf club will bring its own unique challenges and opportunities to the table, so while it’s important to consider everything we’ve discussed in the last six blogs, remember that what works for one group may not work for the rest. If you’ve recently started a club in your area, comment below and tell us about your goals for the rest of the season!

Friday, August 9, 2019

The Ins And Outs Of Disc Golf Clubs Part 5 - More Money, More Problems?

If you’ve been following along with our blog series that outlines how to start and run a disc golf club, you’re probably pretty motivated to get things moving! So far, we’ve covered everything from the initial stages of getting your club going to some of the finer details concerning what you’re actually supposed to do at each meeting you hold.

However, like any good organization, you won’t get very far without financial support. In Part 5 of The Ins And Outs Of Disc Golf Clubs, we’re going to explore all things related to money and find out just how important this piece of the puzzle truly is.

Who Keeps The Cash?

Even if your disc golf club consists of members that you’ve known for decades, figuring out who actually hangs onto the money you raise can become a bit of a challenge. Many people don’t want to take on that level of responsibility, and one look at news headlines will prove just how easy it is for people in positions of power to take advantage of financial access.

So, who gets to keep the cash? We’ve received some great advice so far from Ray Woodruff, President of the Mile High Disc Golf Club in Denver, CO, and his wisdom extends into this all-important area:

“If you can wait for nonprofit status to be blessed by the IRS, wait for your Federal EIN before opening a bank account so that one person from the board isn’t left holding the financial baggage of the club if anything goes wrong. It does help to have a board member that knows finances, but this can be outsourced should you need it.”

Keep in mind that if your club gets large enough, it will operate much like its own small business, and it would be unfortunate for one person to be left financially liable should anything go amiss.

Raising And Using The Money

While having a huge balance in the bank account is certainly a sign of success, how does a club get to that point and then what can the money actually do for you? Latitude 64 team member Luke Wessel, who offered some insightful ideas in Part 4 of the series, shared that his group holds raffles and sells both discs and shirts to raise money for their various goals.

As a member of the Western Arkansas Flying Disc Association, Chris Eads offers a lot of insight as to how financial matters can positively affect one’s disc golf community:

“One thing we have always done is to raise money through raffles and disc sales for charities like EDGE (Education Disc Golf Experience) that helps grow disc golf in our state at the youth level. As far as raising funds for events and new course development - this is one of the hardest things to do and something every club struggles with. We do tee sign sales for both day of events and year-round permanent signs. This helps with course improvements.”

We still have a few more topics to tackle, so make sure to check back in to learn more about how to start and grow a successful disc golf club in your area!

Monday, August 5, 2019

Dynamic Discs Month In Review - July 2019

The Trilogy Challenges discs remain atop July’s list, but the Fuzion Raider is creeping in on them. The Lucid EMAC Truth and Justice were the only midranges to make the list, and the River, Escape, and Underworld are proving that slightly to very understable fairway drivers will always be popular. The Judge appears on July’s list 5(!) times in different plastics, and as a Warden thrower, I Robert would just like to implore all Warden throwers: Buy more Wardens. We can’t be bested like this again. The Trespass, Ballista Pro, and Renegade round out the distance drivers, while the Explorer retains the stable fairway driver spot on the list and in people’s hearts.

Thanks for joining us in looking at a snapshot of our best sellers. Which discs are you surprised to see off the list? Leave a comment below, and let us know why your favorite disc should make August’s Month in Review!