Disc Golf Restored My Faith in People

After my last post, I figured something more positive was called for…….

Late last summer I had the joyful experience of visiting a Disc Golf store - https://www.briadiscgolf.com/ - yes, an entire store dedicated to the sport! Always looking for a stable driver (a disc built for distance that will fly straight with minimal tail-off as it gets near end of flight). Such discs can be hard to find as most drivers are designed for high speed flight and fade quite a bit at slower speeds. (Golf discs are designed like golf clubs, long range drivers, mid-range, approach, and putters. There are also specialized flight designs and even discs designed to roll on their edge.) The person in the store asked a few questions about how I threw and what I had already, then suggested a disc that turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. It became my favorite disc as soon as I threw it.

I played several rounds with it at local courses through early fall and then IT happened. On an innocent looking fairway that my tee shot should have been well clear of woods and brush, the disc sailed into heavy brush. Oh no! It was brightly colored so I figured I’d be able to find it easily. Not so much. After several minutes of thrashing through thick brush and cursing myself for the poor throw, I had to give up and move on to finish the round without my beloved disc. Still smarting when I got home, I ordered 2 more so I would have a spare in case tragedy struck again.

Fast forward to mid-May of this year. My cell phone buzzed late one Monday afternoon with a number I didn’t recognize. When I picked up the message, I was beyond happy to hear a fellow disc golfer letting me know he found my disc (while looking for his, which he also recovered). Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! My name and cell phone number are on the bottom of all of my discs, just for such situations. Many disc golfers do this as lost discs are not uncommon. I have used that information myself to get wayward discs back to their rightful owners (much like a micro-chipped pet).

I called him back right away and he told me where he had stashed the disc for me to pick-up, in a spot not visible to keep it safe. Thanks Aiden, you made my day! I picked it up the next morning and got in a quick 9 holes for my first round of the year. Buoyed by having my favorite disc back thanks to a good Samaritan, I did better than expected, particularly with putting (like regular golf, the toughest part of the game). He even texted me that afternoon to check to see if I had gotten my disc. Those simple gestures restored my faith in people after the rough several years we have been through – and the disregard for each other that continues to grow.

Paying it forward, I gave one of the 2 replacements I bought last fall to a friend who is new to the sport. Still keeping one, just in case. I hope he will like it as much as I do. I also hope he will mark his discs for that inevitable day when one finds its way into deep woods or brush.

Two other examples that make me believe in the goodness of people come to mind. The first is from the friend who received the disc above. While discussing this post, he told me about an incident in which he was trying to put his bike into its roof rack after a ride. He slipped and the bike put a small scratch in the side of the car next to him. He left his card with a note of apology and offer to pay for repair. He got a call shortly after from the car’s owner who was so impressed about my friend taking ownership of the accident that he told him not to worry about it. The man said that my friend’s action had restored his faith in humanity and that was worth more than it would take to repair the scratch.

The second example is something that happens fairly often while I am riding my bike. I obey traffic signals, stop signs, etc. and don’t expect drivers to treat me any differently than another car. Frequently though, drivers will yield for me to make a turn, allow me to cross in front of them (on a green light) at a busy offset intersection, or pedal through a narrow spot in the road without trying to pass me at the same time. All those little considerate acts make my rides more enjoyable, makeup for those drivers who are not cyclist-friendly, and give me hints that there is hope for us yet.

As you go about your daily routines look for opportunities to make someone’s day. It will give them a boost, may even restore their faith in people, and will make you feel good too. A rare win-win in this crazy world.

A picture of my beloved disc, now back in my golf bag

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com 6-06-2022