🏆 A *new* disc golf tradition unlike any other

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where today’s date isn’t just the Thursday before Earth Day.

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If you missed BRC’s recap, then I got you: Future Premier Event

Let’s get into it.

PDGA CHAMPIONS CUP

PREVIEW (4/20-23)

Major disc golf starts now. Located deep inside the Wildwood Park of Appling, GA, the International Disc Golf Center is home to the Hall of Fame, “Steady” Ed Headrick Memorial, and 3 championship courses.

For 4 days, the WR Jackson course will challenge 155 players with long, heavily wooded holes and not-so-fun rough. This year, the course has a few changes including shortened holes (not to some players’ benefit) and a revitalized final hole with grandstand bleachers.

This course is always on the list of pros’ favorites among the other great Tour stops. But even if some know it like their home course, there are a few keys needed to succeed: course management, patience, and a little luck per Simon.

The weather looks mostly prime. The course looks prime. The competition looks prime. If you don’t have your Sunday watch party planned or your DGN subscription on lock, then what are you doing?

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Chris Dickerson (-39) 🥈Ricky Wysocki (-37) 🥉Calvin Heimburg (-36)

At the start of Final Round, it was a toss-up on who would take it home. But mistakes were made, and Dickerson managed the course to maintain his 2-stroke lead and win his 2nd Major title.

FPO/ 🥇Paige Pierce (-9) 🥈Kristin Tattar (-7) 🥉Sarah Hokom (-4)

It was a heartbreak finish for Tattar who had her 2nd Major tied up in a bow. She 4-putted on Hole 18’s green to give Pierce a 3-stroke swing and the mixed emotions victory.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Even though this year has been a comeback dream, there has yet to be a chase card winner in a 4-round event. With more holes and Major vibes, it’s safe to say the cream will rise to the top.

So it may be low-hanging fruit, but there’s a reason you don’t bet against the generational GOATs for an event with a capital “M”. Paul McBeth & Paige Pierce are both going for the tie of most Majors held by Ken Climo - 18 total.

Keep your eyes on Pierce as she plays through tendinitis in her rotator cuff. And on McBeth as he attempts to recreate his course record round from last year.

RAVEN NEWSOM’S INJURY LESSONS

Ricky Wysocki’s return from injury has been the talk of the town lately. Since All-Star weekend, he’s been dealing with a Lyme disease flare-up in his right wrist and has missed all but 2 events (now including Champs Cup).

While his is unique, injuries are just part of a pro athlete’s job. But there’s something we can take away from another’s injury journey.

On the Chain Clankers podcast, Raven Newsom explained what went down…

• Hitting the Tour full-time in 2021, he played a tournament every single weekend from Feb through Oct

• Unknowingly, he developed injuries that became very severe in a short amount of time

• Due to the “amount of torque we’re giving on Tour”, he had a UCL strain, triceps tendinitis, and required an elbow adjustment due to a shifted bone

• One of the factors that triggered his injuries was his FH distance increase (440’ → 500’) around the time of USDGC

• His doctor said that was the equivalent of going from a 90mph fastball to 130mph in a month

• In 2022, Newsom sat out for 6 months while working with a physical therapist 3x a week

• He finally got to full power for Green Mountain Championship (9/15-18) and led MVP Open after the 1st round

• Now, he follows a very strict playing schedule - 3 weeks on, 1 week off

The conversation surrounding course design affecting pros’ health bubbled up with Kona’s DNF last weekend. She dropped mid-round because of shoulder soreness from “throwing really long drives” at MCO.

Now, she’s diagnosed with a Brachial Plexus Hyperextension injury and dropped out of Champs Cup. With many courses on Tour, par 3’s over 500ft aren’t uncommon.

Typically, these holes only test max distance and strain pros’ arms. The decision to play or rest will only get more difficult as the Tour gets bigger and better.

RUN, DON’T WALK TO POWERGRIP USA

Kastaplast’s 1st new release since the Järn is available starting today - K1 Stig. In addition to completing your 1st run mint collection, start hoarding your Last Run plastic.

• K1 Soft Kaze Z Last Run (6|5|0|2)

• K1 Grym Last Run (13|5|-1|2)

• K1 Grym X Last Run (12|5|0|3)

Run, don’t walk to PowergripUSA.com for more than just Kastaplast’s Swedish plastic… Still available are McMahon’s Horizon Cloud Breaker & Tattar’s Orbit Grace.

RANDOM DUBS

1️⃣ It’s going to be a long weekend. We’ve got Champs Cup, Earth Day, AND International Course Cleanup weekend courtesy of UDisc & Trash Panda.

You’ve seen the ads and heard the sound bites but still haven’t bothered looking into it. Here’s all you need to know:

• Click here for a list of events already created near you

• Pick one at your home course or nearby

• Meet up with everyone else at the date & time specified

So what’s in it for you? Nothing… But you’ll get to join friends and show some love to your local course. Go touch some grass this weekend.

2️⃣ It’s not uncommon for new players to gravitate towards being FH-dominant with its relatable throwing motion. But there are those who never seem to get the hang of the FH snap and nose angle.

If you’re in the latter group, then this drill is for you. Caroline Henderson’s track record as a softball instructor and player allowed her to quickly develop a valuable FH.

Take her advice and follow this drill:

1. Start at a standstill with your front heel up

2. Snap the disc straight into the ground

3. Once you’ve nailed down the weight transfer and can pop the disc with force, then slowly move your aim upwards

4. Add in the run-up for more snap as you gain confidence

Pro tip: Do this drill on concrete to turn a beefy Destroyer into a beautiful max-distance thrower.

MEME OF THE WEEK

Thanks for reading today. Get out and take your shot this weekend!

- Charlie