Post #2: THE PLAN!
Currently, The outline of the plan looks like this:
Playing The Game
Fitness and Nutrition
Mechanics and Form
Game Skills
Competition Prep
Performance Analysis
Representing The Game
Weekly Blog Posts
Goal Updates
Topics Specific to My Journey
Current Topics in the Sport
"Artful Images"
Tournament Videos
Playing the Game: After all, that’s what all of this focus is about: Playing the Game. My goal is to get better, in all aspects and using every tool and trick that I can find to improve.
Fitness and Nutrition: Well, let's just say that the extra 45 pounds that I carry around on my 5 foot, 9 inch frame doesn't help my game at all; it simply shows that neither fitness nor nutrition have been a focus of mine for the last few years. And at 60, getting leaner, stronger, and more flexible will not only help my game, but will also increase my chances of playing in the 70+ and 80+ tournament brackets in the future! My early season focus will be on intensive training -- both on and off the course -- and a calisthenics/body weight-based workout regimen which prioritizes flexibility and endurance over strength.
Mechanics and Form: Off-season tournaments (including at least 3 unsanctioned "Ice Bowls") will be used to uncover and highlight weaknesses to be addressed during practice sessions. The goal will be to hit the "regular" season (about March) with a much better understanding of physical and mechanical limits, and the confidence that only comes from constant repetition and analysis.
(Dang -- That makes me sound all knowledgeable and shit!)
I already know some of the areas that will need work, based on my performance (such as it was) at the end of last year.
My drive mechanics still give me a slight nose-up disc angle, which I believe I can address with a tweak to my grip.
I still lift my right shoulder when trying to power up a backhand, which gives me lots of (unnecessary) height and kills my distance.
My timing needs some refinement and consistency after adjusting to my injury.
Putting, putting, PUTTING! Especially straddle putting (which I hate), jump putting (which I hate MORE), and Circle 2 putting.
Game Skills: I’m looking at the various shots that I either don’t have in my arsenal currently, or where my proficiency is limited. I am about 60%/40% backhand to forehand, so my main shots are covered, but there are some holes in my shot selection.
Backhand Rollers: I can throw a forehand roller pretty well, but I have no consistency with the backhand roller — especially when trying to throw it for distance.
“Thumber”/Tomahawk: A racquetball injury keeps me from throwing any overhand shot with a lot of power, but this technique would be helpful, even at lower power, for recovery shots and obstructed approaches.
Competition Prep: I have a good routine for preparing for competition, involving analysis of the course, studying videos and scores from past years, and looking at my own notes (if I’ve played that course/tournament before.) There may be times when I’ll get to physically play the course(s) right before the tournament, but most of the time my 9-to-5 will prevent me from doing any first-hand preparation.
Performance Analysis: As a self-professed “data geek”, I love to gather data and break it down. looking for patterns and trends that I can use to improve my game. I already have years of data on most of the area courses that hold tournaments, as well as scorecards from my own performances on those courses (both practice and tournament rounds), so I’ll be able to break down my rounds after the fact and compare the numbers with the data that I already have.
Game Representation: Another aspect of my year will be a focus on the "game representation" aspect of the sport. My goal here will be to make myself a constant presence, both on the course as well as on social media, in the hopes that I can share the things that I learn over the course of the year with a wider audience. I plan on posting as much as I can regarding my workouts, training tips, tournament preparations, and round commentaries; in textual, image, and video forms.
Weekly Blog Posts: This is a goal, but since I’ve never attempted this before, I’m not too sure how much time I will need to spend in front of the computer to maintain a weekly presence — along with the post-production of any videos or images that I will want to upload. The goal here, however, is to use social media to help keep myself on track and focused on improvement, while having a little fun along the way. Usually, the topics will focus on my training goals and progress, as well as my tournament prep and analysis — but who knows what topic might creep into my soliloquy…
“Artful” Images and Tournament Videos": I am notorious for taking pictures when I should be paying attention to other things, so I’ll probably have lots to post. They won’t be professional quality, but they’re fun to take, nice to look at, and a good reminder of the location and/or event. I plan on using my GoPro cart rig to video — from form videos and practice sessions to tournament rounds. These videos are my play only (unlike the tournament videos from the professional production companies), but they help me see, after the fact, what I missed at the time.
Finally, I am going to try to play at least 40 tournaments over the course of the year, including a planned 9 A-Tiers!
4/1-4/2
2021 White Rose Open
Hanover, PA.4/28-4/30
Lake Marshall Open
Montross, VA.6/16-6/18
The Birdie Open
Newark, DE.7/11-7/15
Master's World Championships
Flagstaff, AZ.7/21-7/23
Kinder Crusher
Millersville, MD.8/26-8/27
West Virginia Open
Paw Paw, WV.9/8-9/10
Butler County Disc Golf Classic
Cranberry Twp, PA.9/29-10/1
The LoCo Open
Leesburg, VA.11/4-11/5
Colonial Fall Colors
Williamsburg, VA.
I will do my best to keep my tournament and event calendar updated with my schedule, which is pretty sparse at the moment, since most clubs have not yet published their tournament schedules; however, I will be trying to play at least one tournament every week, unless it conflicts with a family event.