DGA has said in their initial comments they feel confident in their new disc:

The Pipeline will hold any line you commit to. Give it a slight hyzer release and watch the predictable left finish. Turn it over and watch it take a controlled right turn. Throw it straight down the pipe and watch this disc truly shine. Throwers will trust the flight of the Pipeline within the first round of use.

DGA sent us a Pipeline for this review and we’ve put it to the test in various conditions on the course.

With our first throws, a unique combination of flight characteristics stood out. We instantly felt a little more speed in the throw. The Pipeline got up to speed quickly and with little effort. Then, we saw the very controllable flight. It held lines and gave us confidence in each and every throw. Finally, we saw very consistent results that even gave faster discs a run for their money.

Let’s first start with the speed. Like we said before, it is faster than your typical fairway driver. It is no where near a Speed 13 driver, or even a Speed 10 for that matter. You shouldn’t feel intimidated by this Pipeline at all. Nearly every skill level in our testing group could get the Pipeline up to speed. A disc like this shouldn’t be hard to throw and the Pipeline isn’t. The rim size is very manageable and the disc itself shows its true colors once up to speed.

Those who typically throw a lot of fairway drivers did like the added distance they were able to get without sacrificing other aspects of the flight. We heard comments about how they like a faster disc, but can’t keep them as straight, or they are too understable and don’t fade as much as they’d like. The Pipeline had just the right mix for many in the group.

Secondly, the flight itself is actually quite boring… in a good way. For all intents and purposes, it is easy to give the Pipeline a Turn rating of 0. It isn’t the most high speed stable disc we’ve thrown, but it really has no desire in most conditions to show any turn. Into a decent headwind we saw a little movement and the strongest arms could get a little turn, but it would float a little from left to right instead of showing major movement.

If thrown straight, it will just go straight. The disc remains flat, glides forward, and softly fades. It is nearly a point-and-shoot type disc. The fade is there, which you need to account for, but you can figure it out quickly to help shape your shot.

On a few hyzer shots the Pipeline would hold that angle for nearly the entire flight from start to finish. If you ever find yourself calling for a slight sweeping hyzer shot, the Pipeline could pull it out. It won’t have a very dramatic finish, but you can expect a finish to the left each and every time.

What surprised us the most was when we used the Pipeline on anhyzer shots. On tight anhyzer shots the Pipeline would hold the angle for most of the flight before moving back to a flat angle and transitioning into a soft fade. These were great little s-curve type shots that helped us hit some tight lines. We then gave it some more room to fly and gave it a bigger anhyzer angle. This produced even more left to right movement that would continue to hold that line and not break out as early. The fade would come, but it would be so late in the flight, it wouldn’t do much.

The final part we wanted to highlight was the idea of throwing “too much disc” on the course. If you’re throwing Speed 10-13 discs and the results are inconsistent, it might be too much disc to handle. In our testing group we were seeing distances closer to discs faster than the Pipeline and with more accuracy. With the combination of a little more speed and above average glide, we saw many throws with great control, but were up to the speed the disc itself craves. If you can reach that threshold, the results will come.

Overall, we’d rate the DGA Pipeline at 8.5, 5, 0, 2. It has a little more speed than most fairway drivers, great glide, and a very neutral flight. It is a very easy disc to learn and a very easy disc to throw.

The flight chart from inbounds Disc Golf shows a flight nearly identical to what we saw. Nice and straight to get things started before a soft fade. Note the distances though. Longer than normal for most fairway drivers.

With all of that said, the easiest way to describe the DGA Pipeline is this: a slightly faster Innova Teebird. The Teebird tends to be the benchmark for most fairway drivers. We’ve called the Innova Thunderbird or other discs a “longer Teebird” — which is still true. The Pipeline slots right in between those. A little easier to control than a Thunderbird, due to the slower speed, and a little longer than a Teebird, due to well.. the faster speed. The fade won’t do anything to destroy a good throw and the turn early in the flight will allow you to maintain your lines.

These “slightly faster” fairway drivers are hard to dislike. A little added distance with a similar effort and you still maintain control? That is the DGA Pipeline.

The post DGA Pipeline Review appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.

Organizers of both the USDGC and Disc Golf World Tour, which uses the event as their finale for the season, have been quite busy leading up to the tournament.

The last few weeks have been filled with news about course changes, media announcements, and more. Every announcement has been followed by strong opinions on both side of every announcement. For example, while we won’t have a true dedicated live broadcast, DGWT’s Avery Jenkins will be live on Facebook following the action every day. This is enough for some, but has also left others wanting more.

To get a deeper look at what to expect this week and answers to some of the decisions that have been made, we talked with DGWT Tour Director Jussi Meresmaa for details.

We’re finally here. The United States Disc Golf Championship, not only the last PDGA Major of the year, but the finale of the inagural year of the Disc Golf World Tour. A year ago you first announced the Disc Golf World Tour. You had big plans and expectations. How have things played out when you compare reality to what you had in your mind?

“What can I say: It’s been crazy year. This job grabbed me two years ago and there has been awesome moments and lots of learning curves. Our announcement last year took us into the spotlight for sure. All that was intentional—we wanted to create something bigger. Our first season has been successful in many ways. We have been able to execute our plans pretty much on point. This year we have been proofing the concept. Off course I would have liked to reach more with our promotion, but it is hard. I thought we would have little more media exposure, but La Mirada showed straight from the bat that we have longs ways to go in US. Our European events have been much more presented by local medias and we have reached much more people in Europe.”

Disc golfers have grown to know the prestige that the USDGC has. What will the DGWT bring to it to bring it to another level?

“We will bring our A-team. DGWT Media production is built from a different perspective than regular disc golf event media: We need to offer richer media content to potentially wider audience.”

“We are not just making one sort of coverage to one sort of target audience: We announced our media plan last week I encourage you to check it out.”

In regards to the media plan, we’ll talk about the live streaming in a moment, but how did you and your team come up with this specific approach?

“At this years USDGC, we concentrate on Quality and Reach. By providing a scripted and hosted high quality video content we serve larger masses that we plan to reach through our productions. This is our fifth event this year. After LaMirada, we tweaked our media production plan and I have been really happy with that. We have been executing it precisely and on each event we have done something special. For example, at the Konopiste Open, Czech Republic, we produced videos to two Czech TV stations (Česká televize and TV Sport5) and were able to reach out to half a dozen papers and magazines. Our reach outside the regular disc golf fan was well over 200,000+ people. And best of all what a show we were able to offer them! One more time, here´s the insane eagle shot from Simon.”

“At the European Open, we advertised the event on national TV to 280,000+ people in our target group (people between 18 to 45 years). DGWTs plan is to get Disc Golf in front of more people, internationally. We will release our numbers later after the USDGC.”

The thing that many have been vocal about is the lack of a true online live-stream of the tournament. Ever since you and I have had a working relationship, you’ve been very consistent in your stance on the use of live streaming during a tournament. After doing a live stream last year at the USDGC, and one at the La Mirada Open as the first event of the DGWT, why are you opting to go without one this year?

“After LaMirada it was pretty clear for us that we want to put our media efforts to elsewhere than multi-camera live stream. The numbers are not there. You need to remember that we do offer live stream through our Facebook channel where the most enthusiastic fans can tune in. This year, we want to reach out from our traditional viewers. While I can feel the frustration of a hard-core disc golf fan, I trust that we both share the same goal to make disc golf bigger. Getting more eyeballs makes it possible. People should look this as what is best for the sport.”

It was announced by SmashBoxxTV that they were part of an approach by the PDGA to livestream the event. If the PDGA approached you earlier, would you have done the deal?

“Shortly: no. As stated above, we tweaked our plan and stuck with it. I started discussions with the PDGA in May 2015 and presented them well-thought cooperation proposal. The time was not right then. Now, we have set a meeting with Brian Graham and Company for Championship week and I’m looking for a fruitful future with the PDGA.”

Let’s talk course changes. Were you involved with the tweaks to the course this year? Do you like what the end result became?

“I was not. I’m looking forward to test the course and get a better feel of the changes. I’m a USDGC veteran (10 events played and 2 witnessed from Media professional’s perspective) and I’m used for tweaks. This is the science lab for disc golf.”

The PDGA recently announced the decision to not count the round ratings for this year’s USDGC into the overall PDGA ratings. What are your thoughts on this decision? Are you in support, or no?

“The PDGA clearly stated earlier in the year that events and courses with stroke-and-distance holes will not get PDGA ratings. That is clear decision from their end. I do not personally care much about ratings. Lowest score wins. Always.”

What is one thing you are bringing new to this year’s event—not necessarily on the course, but what is a new challenge for you at this year’s USDGC?

“We will introduce the new and improved Metrix. Harold wanted to introduce that already for the Championship so here we are. More info to come shortly. We are also bringing in new social media producer to strengthen that team. Both these enhancements will make Championship more enjoyable to follow.”

“We also have a new, improved production team. I think this crew has really good potential to make this year’s Championship truly special. It almost hard to understand how fast and far things have elevated. It was few years ago, when there were only few events in the season that had any coverage. The biggest winner this year has been disc golf fan: think about how many events they have been able to follow and speculate this season! Steve Dodge and the Disc Golf Pro Tour is doing a great job serving both touring US players and disc golf fans. PDGA and their National Tour have been producing great events. We at DGWT have little different approach by reaching out to the new, larger audiences. That does not mean we turn our back to existing disc golf fans. If that would be the case, we would not have over quarter million views on our 2016 European Open Final Round videos, right? To me, those numbers do not lie. I’m happy that there are several promotions who offer events where fans can choose from.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“Meeting all the people on and off the course. USDGC has a special place to my hart. One thing that I’m specially proud of this year is the attendance of Finnish players. We have a team of 18 players making the trip. That is simply awesome. That also shows how prestige USDGC is: very few player will turn that offer down.”

For the 2016 USDGC to be considered a success when everything is over, what needs to happen?

“I want to see my customers happy. We are doing this because of a support of Innova. I could not be more thankful for their support. Dave, Harold and Jonathan. Amazing people.”

“I want also to thank our Tour Partners, Grip-EQ, DUDE, Discmania and DiscGolfPark. On a smaller level, I want to see our numbers going up.”

Are you ready to go?

“Kyllä!”

Anything else you want to include?

“If you want to support Disc Golf become bigger and the Championship, follow us, watch and share. If you want to see more post-produced videos, watch and share those. If you want to see more live stream, watch and share. Simple.”

We always appreciate the conversation with Meresmaa. We further appreciate his candidness and honesty with some of the topics discussed.

We won’t be able to be at USDGC this year, but we’ll be taking it all in from home. We can’t wait to see how the course changes play out and how the top pros attack it!

The post Meresmaa brings A-Team for 2016 USDGC media, focuses on ‘quality and reach’ appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.

Nate Doss (Photo: Disc Golf Pro Tour)

Coming into the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s final event, the Green Mountain Championship, Nate Doss was one of only two on the DGPT to finish in the top 10 in the previous five events. Easily one of the most consistent on the tour, Doss had locked up a bye into the Tour Championship’s semifinals.

Even with the clear path into the Tour Championship, Doss didn’t take the GMC for granted. He was able to grind out a finish in a tie for 9th in the GMC before being rewarded with that bye and a little time off.

In the semifinals on Sunday, Doss got caught behind a red hot Peter McBride and finished just a hair short of making the finals. As he hit the road earlier this week we talked with Doss about the Tour Championship format, the GMC, and the DGPT as a whole.

You knew you had the bye into the Tour Championship virtually locked up. How did you approach the start of the week with the Green Mountain Championship? 

“We started off on Thursday at Brewster Ridge, the wooded course, and it felt really good. Came out super solid. Six down through nine holes and the entire group was playing well. We all realized he had to push it the whole time.”

“The GMC is a three round tournament and when it was all said and done I was quite frustrated. My putting drives my success, but struggled at times even though I drove the disc great. I was very rarely in trouble. Only a few penalties at Fox Run. I just missed so many 25 foot putts. That proved too difficult to recover from.”

“That was frustrating, but it was nice to see the driving side come together.”

Let’s move to the Tour Championship. How valuable was the bye into the Semifinals?

“I can’t speak for others, but that bye was really nice for me. There was going to be a lot of disc golf to be played in order to win the Tour Championship. Having a chance to relax was great. It was my first time there to relax after the kids clinic, the beer release, practice rounds, and the tournament, this was my first time to chill.”

“I wanted to come on Sunday and wipe the slate clean and give it my all. The bye helped a ton.”

In the Semifinals, it was winner of the card moves onto the finals. How did you approach it? 

“My mindset was on Fox Run. I knew I would play those holes. I had all the shots figured out. I had a little wind, but that didn’t play a big factor. I played with James Conrad and two great young players with Drew Gibson and Peter McBride. I was looking forward to it.”

“We shook hands on the first tee and it was clear we all came prepared to play. The scores proved it. I thought it was a great format and an exciting factor to beat the group and you’re in.”

“The wildcard factor was good too. You never gave up until the end.”

How did the round itself go?  

“It was an early morning start and I had the box, but slipped on the first teepad. It was in great shape, but a little moisture caused me to slip and I was able to bounce back.”

“It was a great group. Peter McBride played great, Drew, and Conrad too. For me personally, it was interesting. The way I would explain it was I was consistently inconsistent all week. I’ll work on that going to Winthrop for USDGC. The frustration was there, but made some big shots and made some big putts. I was able to connect a few together and that helped.”

“It was one of those things that Peter McBride was playing great and coming down to the last few holes we knew if he birdied out he would win the card. We didn’t know what it would take for the wild card.”

What are your thoughts on the format of the Tour Championship? Did it meet your expectations?

“I think it did. I might have exceeded them in quite a few ways. I thought the bye was a tricky piece of it. That did reward people. I thought it was cool that down to the finals we had three that came from the quarterfinals on Saturday. That was a great storyline.”

“The integration of the uDisc live scoring allowed fans to really keep track of things. The early return from SmashboxxTV was positive. That was the first Pro Tour with multiple commentators on cards. While I don’t go back and watch it, I know those guys were hustling. They were moving from card to card and followed the storylines. That was cool.”

“It met my expectations for sure. I look forward to seeing this being built on. Maybe more players, a couple days, a standalone event, who knows.”

What about the Pro Tour as a whole? 

“I felt like all the TDs, Steve Dodge included, all did a wonderful job at creating some consistency in the Pro Tour. The integration of uDisc was great with the live scoring. The payouts were phenomenal. I’d applaud that up and down the line. They brought some money to the table and allowed us to play for a good amount of cash each weekend.”

“I was thrilled. We’d all admit there are some things that need to change, but that is what happens when you try something new. That will always happen. IF the Tour was 50 years old, you’ll still go out and make things better. I trust Steve Dodge will do that and I look forward to many more seasons on the Pro Tour.”

We can’t thank Doss enough for all our conversations during the Disc Golf Pro Tour. Coordinating a time to chat between practice rounds, players meetings, clinics, and more, can be tough, but Doss always made time to take  look at the DGPT from his view.

While the win on the DGPT evaded Doss this year, every time we talked prior to a tournament he felt he could win it. After a tournament he was always finding that one thing he needed to work on, but walked away with a smile on his face.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more complete professional than Nate Doss.

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

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Paul Ulibarri (Photo: Disc Golf Pro Tour)

Confidence was high for Paul Ulibarri going into the three-round Green Mountain Championship this past weekend. The final event before the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s Tour Championship was an important one for Ulibarri. Not only did he crave a top finish, he needed one at the top of the leaderboard to give him a shot at a bye into the semifinals of the Tour Championship.

Ulibarri finished in third, the position he thought he needed for the bye, but fell just a few points short and was forced into the quarterfinals with a chance to qualify with a late afternoon round. While his weekend came to a close in the semifinals, Ulibarri left everything on the course when everything was said and done.

We talked to Ulibarri Monday afternoon as hit the road.

You said before the Green Mountain Championships, you needed a third place finish to hit secure the bye into the Tour Championship semifinals. You did finish third, but just missed out on the bye and were forced to play the in the quarterfinals. Talk about the GMC. 

“I knew I was playing well going into it. I had a lot of confidence. I got on one of the featured cards in that first round and that helped put me in the right mood. Good start though, but the whole card actually beat me by a few shots. I played ok in the second round, but it ended up being better than I thought and turned out to be the second best of the day. That moved me to the lead card and in the mix.”

“I played well the second day. Coming down the stretch I knew it was close. Coming into the last hole I didn’t know the scores. I asked someone who was around me and I knew Jeremy Koling was close, but wasn’t as close as I thought. I had a low ceiling putt and knew I could three putt it and be safe. I missed the first attempt and made second shot but that cost me second place. Michael Johansen had a great round and jumped up to second that that was enough points to make the difference.”

“After all the math I did, I thought third would get me the bye and in the end I missed it by two points. I had to play the qualifying round for the semifinal.”

With the solid performance in the bag, were you feeling good after the GMC?

“I did. I fell apart at the end a bit though. Ricky Wysocki played really well for the win and I was bummed I didn’t catch him. Overall though, I was really happy. I was really in control of my mental game and my physical game. My finger held up too.”

Knowing you had to play the quarterfinals of the Tour Championship, was it nice to start fresh again?

“Honestly, I was bummed. I wish I would have known the scores better during my round. I would have had the bye. I thought I had some room, but didn’t check the scores myself. I put so much effort into the round, I was mentally drained going into the quarterfinals.”

“I didn’t start very hot. I think I was tired, but dug deep on the back nine and ended up qualifying for the semifinals. That felt great, but I think that took it out of me. I didn’t have a lot left in me. I lost my focus on a hole and that was the difference. Ended up taking the highest score on a hole I have all week.”

“The bye was important to me and not getting it was something that set the rest of the weekend for me.”

Let’s talk about those few holes in the semifinals. You had an ok start before a couple high scores.

“That’s when things set in. I caught a bad break and it rolled, and another break and it rolled. I ended up taking a seven. That was the first quadruple bogey of the year and I haven’t taken anything over a double bogey all year. That hurt.”

“I might have only taken two double bogeys the entire Pro Tour. That was tough. Luckily my group was really cool to play with. I still felt I had a chance. No one was really playing that hot. I was down six to James Cole, but had a chance to come back. A birdie before the par five was good, but then caught another bad break. A good shot was followed by a kick off the basket out of bounds and before I knew it, a double bogey was on the card.”

“It was tough. I don’t take numbers like that. That was new for me. Even then, I still think I had a chance. No one got hot. I kept pushing and birdied 8 of the last 10 holes to get back to under par. I didn’t come close to those guys, but played really good except for a few bad breaks. Otherwise, I would have been in the finals.”

“A couple bad breaks. Laps in concentration. Physically and mentally worn out. It came down to that.”

Did you like the like the format of the Tour Championship?

“I didn’t. I didn’t like it at all to be honest. One thing I didn’t like was Ricky Wysocki not getting into the finals with a bye. The winner of the Pro Tour, the one with the highest point total, wasn’t in the finals. I wish that would have happened. He out played everyone the entire Pro Tour and should have been in the mix for the finals.”

“The ‘beat your card and get in’ wasn’t the best. It should have been the best scores.”

“I wasn’t sure about the one round quarterfinals. If you play the whole series and get top 16 in points, you should be in, or the top 10 and then a qualifier on top. It took away from how prestigious it could be.”

What do you think of the Pro Tour as a whole?

“I have some mixed feelings. I love what they are trying to do and they have accomplished a lot. I need some time to review everything before further comments.”

A big “thank you” to Ulibarri for talking all year long. We always welcomed the candid answers and the chance to get into the head of someone traveling the country playing on the Disc Golf Pro Tour. Hearing about the physical issues with a bad finger, the mental struggles, and what it takes to compete at the highest level was a great experience.

It is hard to open up to someone like this on a regular basis and each and every week we feel Ulibarri delivered a great look into his time on the Disc Golf Pro Tour.

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

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The post Ulibarri just misses bye, ends Pro Tour in semifinals appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.

Nate Doss (Photo: Disc Golf Pro Tour)

Consistency on the Disc Golf Pro Tour is designed to have a payoff in the end. Leading into this weekend’s Green Mountain Championship, Nate Doss sits in third place in the DGPT standings. Anyone in the top eight automatically qualify for the Tour Championship Semifinals and avoid an extra qualifying round.

Obviously winning the Tour Championship is an enticing goal at the end of the weekend. For Doss though, he isn’t looking ahead. Along with some craft beer fun with Fiddlehead Brewing, Doss has his main focus first on the GMC. One step at a time is the plan for Doss as he competes at one of his favorite events of the year.

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked and you’ve had some time off… what has been going on?

“Since the last time we talked after the Ledgestone Insurance Open, we’ve been busy and still found time away from the course. Right after Ledgestone, we came up to Vermont, brewed a beer with Fiddlehead Brewing which has become a bit of a tradition. Can’t wait to release that this weekend.”

“Then flew back to Ohio and for Val (his wife) and I, that was the end of a long stretch of events. Minds and bodies gave up a bit so we spent the last few weeks at home in Ohio with Val’s parents. It was nice having some time off and put the discs away for a bit.”

“Then we had a wedding last weekend and found ourselves back in Vermont. We both had some time to recharge and get ready for the end of the season.”

The Green Mountain Championship was where you released one of your first beer projects… fun being back?

“There are a few weekends throughout the year I really look forward to and this is one of them. If you never been to Vermont this is one of the most beautiful states in the US. This tournament is at the epicenter of the beauty. We’re lucky to be here.”

“Jeff Spring and the whole Smuggs’ crew treat us like family. It isn’t a typical weekend too. It’s exciting. Both of the courses are great and look forward to playing really well and to help promote the event through craft beer.”

It looks like you’ve locked in a spot in the semifinals of the Tour Championship. Do you approach the GMC any differently?

“For me, I really try and keep my eye off of the Tour Championship. I want to focus on each weekend for what it is. I was just telling someone else my main focus is the GMC. I want to try and win this tournament and I’ve come really close. Ricky Wysocki has won the last two years I’ve taken second each time.”

“Once that is all said and done, I’ll then focus on the Tour Championship. Those will be tough rounds against the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to all of it.”

“As I mentioned earlier, at the Brent Hambrick Memorial Open, I wasn’t stellar. Maybe that was a good thing. I’ve had a great year and while that performance hurt, it showed me I need to keep working hard. Good play is right around the corner.”

Do you think this weekend is too much golf in a short period of time or does it feel about right?

“I think as a spectator, I think they are fortunate. Let’s take the Ryder Cup for example. A lot of matches, story lines, etc… going on. I love that. So much to take in and it makes it exciting.”

“For the fans who aren’t able to be here, they can follow everything from home. That is such a plus.”

“I try and prepare myself for what is coming next. I have to stay focused and play every hole for what it is. I feel I can go out and play great, even have a few bad holes, but I’ll stick with it until it is all done. Once it is over, I can decompress and reflect on the end of the Pro Tour. First though it is staying in the moment.”

What is your prediction for the weekend?

“I think the four days here in Vermont will be some of the best we’ve seen on the Pro Tour this year. That isn’t to knock any other tournament and their TDs, staffs, and everything. This place is special.”

“On the course, there will be a lot of players who bring their A-Game. The courses are difficult in their own right. One wooded. One open. This will force the best players to raise their game and go for it. Historically, Ricky Wysocki has played phenomenally at Smugglers’ Notch. Other top players we haven’t seen here before. A lot of unknowns. Can’t wait.”

“My boldest prediction: people will have a great time and a story to tell. This will be fun.”

Just like we talked to Paul Ulibarri this week, you can almost hear the extra buzz about this event coming from Doss. If the Disc Golf Pro Tour wanted a final event with some added excitement, we think they found it.

Check back next week as talk to Doss after all the action is complete on the DGPT!

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

Advertisement: Disc Golf Pro Tour coverage on ATDG is sponsored by Vibram Disc Golf

The post Doss: ‘This will be a fun weekend’ appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.

Ulibarri has stated before every tournament he has felt really good going into it, but hasn’t been able to put together a complete tournament. Strong finishes have been common, but often have been paired with slower starts.

As his confidence was higher than ever going into the PDGA World Championships, an injury to a finger on his throwing hand slowed things down. Recovery has gone well and Ulibarri is ready to take on the Green Mountain Championships which lead into the Tour Championships this weekend at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont. On top of the confidence, Ulibarri is coming off a win at the Nantucket Disc Golf Open last weekend.

We talked with Ulibarri last night after another day of practice before the Disc Golf Pro Tour finale.

What have you been up to the last few weeks? How’s the finger?

“Went to Toronto for a tournament and then to Nantucket for another one. Toronto was tough with the finger still being a little injured. Took third and was happy considering everything. The win in Nantucket felt great.”

“I woke up on my birthday, walked to the course in Nantucket and was for the first time was pain free. That was a great birthday present form the disc golf gods.”

“The finger is about 80% right now. It gets sore quickly. I played two rounds Tuesday and when I throw it will aggravate it at times, but it doesn’t effect it much.”

You are now at the final event on the Pro Tour, the Green Mountain Championships. You currently sit 13th in the Pro Tour Standings, just outside the top 8 which automatically make the semifinals. Taking this as two events and first looking for a strong finish in the GMC?

“My focus first is to make sure I’m healthy. If I’m healthy, I’ll play great. Full of confidence right now and played great last weekend with the win. As long as I’m healthy, I can do just fine.”

“I’ll play this tournament and finish top three. If I stay focused, I can do that. That will help me get into that top 8 and get in the semifinals and avoid one round in the Tour Championship. That top 8 get a bye and I’d love that.”

“The only way I can automatically get into that semifinals is with a top three finish. Otherwise, I’m going to have to play another whole round to get into the semis, then one more round before the finals. A bye would be amazing.”

“It comes down to playing good first and then take care of the rest.”

If you are able to qualify for the Tour Championship, can you treat it as mini tournaments? Win your card and move on? What is your mindset?

“I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to get that top three. I don’t typically do that unless its a major. I’m hungry. I want to get into the semifinals and perform well. I was trending well before my injury and playing maybe the best I ever have. I’ve been down, but I  want to get back on the horse from where I started.”

“I have so much confidence. If I show up, it will happen. I don’t think anyone is throwing the disc better than me right now. My putting is good too. I’m treating this as an important tournament, but I’m already keeping an eye on USDGC.”

“It comes down to a strong mental game too. When I’m throwing as well as I am, confidence is high. I don’t hide it. I know when I’m going to play good or bad and I really feel like I’m going to play well this week.”

Give us a prediction or the weekend.

“I play well in the GMC to get super close to making the semifinals. I feel like I’m going to have a chance to win the entire Tour. It will come down to the last few holes and I’ll be right there. It’s one thing to say I’m playing great, but with so many great players, anything can happen with just one round.”

During our conversation with Ulibarri we could easily hear the confidence in his voice. You can tell how focused he is and how determined he is to make those semifinals to take one extra round out of the picture. There is a quick turnaround between the end of the Green Mountain Championships and the start of the Tour Championships and the condition of Ulibarri’s finger will certainly play a factor.

We can’t wait to see how this plays out!

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

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Nate Doss (Photo: Disc Golf Pro Tour)

As Nate Doss walked off the course at Lake Eureka to finish the final round of the 2016 Ledgestone Insurance Open on the Disc Golf Pro Tour, he had a smile on his face, but also look exhausted. The previous three hours took him through a fight on a tough course that saw many birdies, but also its fair share of bogeys.

The strong performance put Doss in fourth place at the DGPT’s fourth event of the year. He was in the mix for second and within a few shots of the lead at one point, but couldn’t maintain the momentum in the final round.

We talked with Doss as he finished the tournament.

Another strong finish at the Ledgestone Insurance Open and on the Pro Tour… thoughts on the weekend? 

“I had opportunities to do better, but I’m proud of the performance. Four day tournament on two difficult courses. It was a battle. Up and down for a while and a good nickname for the Lake Eureka course is the Snake Pit. You can get through without getting bit, but if you get caught it sticks with you for a couple holes.”

“That happened to me right in the middle of the course. I took fives on Holes 9, 10, and 11. That turned my round from a really good one to one where I had to battle it out. I stuck with it and finished strong and proud of where I ended up.”

What does that do to your mental game when you do get bit like that? You had a good round in round three on this same course, started strong in the final round, but then ran into the trouble while you were sitting in second place. Does anything change at that point? 

“Yesterday’s round was difficult with some tough conditions. It was a little wet after some rain earlier in the day, but was windier than it was today. Mental game was strong coming into this course since I knew I can’t let the little things get to me. The one thing that bothered me was an upshot on Hole 16. I should have thrown a side arm, but threw a backhand. Not sure why I did that. That bothered me more than anything else. On a place like this, anywhere for that matter, but especially here, you have to have that strong mental game and I’m happy to finish strong. With five holes to go I had a chance to finish in second. Just didn’t do what I needed to do.”

Another Pro Tour event with a solid finish. You’ve been one of the most consistent on the Pro Tour, but even this year as a whole you’ve been very consistent. Are you playing some of the best golf you’ve ever played? 

“It’s hard to say. I’ve had seasons where everything was really easy, but over the last five years, this is some of the best golf I’ve played. A lot of it has to do with my putting. This week I’ve putted really well from close range. I didn’t throw away any easy strokes. It’s been a solid season. I’m still hungry and driven for that win against the best in the world wherever that might be. I want to continue to build on it leading into the Brent Hambrick Memorial Open this coming weekend and then the big tournaments to finish the year with Smuggler’s Notch and the Pro Tour finals and later at USDGC. It seems like the season is coming to an end, but this is when the veterans step up and take their game to another level.”

We could tell Doss is still hungry for that win. He’s been in the mix in every DGPT event so far, but hasn’t had that extra gear to take it over the edge.

We’ll continue to follow Doss and catch up with him just before the final DGPT event in a few weeks.

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

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The post Doss survives ‘snake pit’ style course at Ledgestone Insurance Open appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.

He ended up getting the clearance to compete, but had to use a modified grip all week long which led to a finish in a tie for 46th. Being forced to balance recovery and competition can be hard for any athlete. After Ulibarri finished up his final round we got the details on the finger and his performance.

How’s the finger?

“It’s alright. I went and got it x-rayed before I played this week to make sure I didn’t do further damage to it or I’d be risking more injury by playing. I figured out what was wrong. It’s actually a small fracture called a Mallet Fracture. The doctor said as soon as it wasn’t sore I could play again. I asked if I could play this week and as long as I wouldn’t be putting extra stress on it I would be ok to play.”

All things considered after you played with a modified grip all weekend and you still finished in the cash are you feeling good about the weekend?

“Kind of, yeah. It was an up and down struggle. I met a lot of new people! I gave me a good perspective of playing with guys outside of the top 30. It was fun to battle and to cash. I had to play as good as I could just to finish where I did. Good experience!”

Finger feeling any better now than at the start?

“Yeah, I think so. I didn’t put any pressure on it at all except for an occasional side arm, but even then it was just resting on the disc. Hopefully this coming weekend I’ll be closer to 100%. I don’t know how good I’ll be after basically two weeks away from top form and playing with this modified grip.”

“My hope is I can bounce back quickly. I’m sore, no doubt there. My shoulder is sore too from all the side arms. Just takes time.”

Ulibarri hopes to feel better for this weekend’s Brent Hambrick Memorial Open so he can regain the form he was previously in prior to the injury. He said he still has the drive to get a win in the final Disc Golf Pro Tour stop in a few weeks and hopefully qualify for the Tour Championship.

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

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Paul McBeth (Photo: Disc Golf Pro Tour)

After finishing in second at the 2016 PDGA World Championships, Paul McBeth didn’t take long to get back on the winning side of things. McBeth took down the Ledgestone Insurance Open which marked the fourth stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour. McBeth took the lead right out of the gate and never slowed down. A blistering hot final round at the challenging Lake Eurkea course propelled McBeth to a twelve shot win.

McBeth finished in second last year to Simon Lizotte who did not attend this year’s event. We talked with McBeth after claiming the win.

The Ledgestone Insurance Open evaded you last year. Is it nice to not only win, but win by the margin that you did?

“Yeah, it felt great to play well for four full days, especially right after the World Championships. It felt good to win, but Simon Lizotte isn’t here and he’s the defending champ so thats a little weird. I have a feeling, if he was here, he would have had a battle on his hands.”

Talk about the four days overall. Weather was only a factor on Saturday. How do you sum up your performance?

“I’m feeing really good. Feeling confident in all my drives. Still trying to work on the putt. I’ve been working on that the longest and have had to been patient with it. Starting to get that back to where it should be and make my inside the circle putts which is important with all the Majors we’ve had and these long events like this one. My game is feeling really good right now and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

Worlds obviously wasn’t what you wanted. Is it nice to bounce back right away? 

“It does feel good. In my mind, Worlds is just another tournament. The title of World Champion is nice to have, but I’m fighting and trying to get on top of my game again. It showed up a week later than I would have liked, but I like where I’m at looking forward to the next few events and then USDGC.”

How are you doing physically?

“I feel great. I wouldn’t say I was 100% at the Vibram Open, I physically felt 100%, but my skill level and game wasn’t there. I had to putt a lot more and drive a lot more since I was able to fully practice. It’s taken a little bit, but with a few weeks off I was able to get back physically where I wanted to be.”

After last year’s Ledgestone Insurance Open, tournament director Nate Heinold took a lot of feedback and a lot of opinions on the layout, stroke and distance rules, and more. What are your thoughts walking away this year? 

“For stroke and distance… It works on some holes and doesn’t work on others. One of the par fives wasn’t a good hole for it. I think the stroke and distance thing started at USDGC and they had it on every hole and now they’ve slimmed it down to just a few holes and it works great. In this case, I think he needs to rethink some of his OBs with how he has some as a hazard or some as stroke and distance. Course looked a lot better this year than it did last year, but the OB rules need a little more work.”

What is up next?

“We’re going straight to the Brent Hambrick Memorial Open this weekend for the final NT of the year. Want to play well there. Then the Pro Tour finale and then USDGC to wrap up the World Tour.”

Thanks to McBeth for taking the moment to chat as he walked off the course. We saw many walk off the final hole and almost look relieved to be done. The final two days at the Ledgestone Insurance Open can be a grind on a difficult course. As the final holes came to a close, McBeth looked calmer than ever and nearly made that course look easy.

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Doss found himself among the leaders for the entire tournament, but the lead card was just out of reach in the end before finishing in a tie for sixth place. After a quick trip from Kansas to the Peoria, Illinois area, Doss is ready to take on the Ledgestone Insurance Open, the penultimate event on the Disc Golf Pro Tour before the Tour Championship.

We talked with Doss after his final practice round.

You finished tied for sixth at Worlds after finding yourself in the hunt for most of the tournament. Whatare your overall thoughts on the weekend?

“Going into any tournament, especially Worlds, you always want to be up there and win it. With my preparation I thought I was going to be there more in the end than what played out.”

“It came down to putting. I had a dozen or so putts that I should have made that chained out, hit the top, or hit the basket. Just too many errors inside the circle.”

“To come out with a sixth place finish though and to be there to support Val [Jenkins] on her final nine was important to me. Weekend couldn’t have been much better.”

As you just mentioned, your wife, Val, took home her fourth World Championship… talk about that experience.

“I love to use the word surreal. It was a surreal moment. For the past seven years, since 2009, we’ve been dating or married and we go through everything together. We know what we put into this sport and I’ve seen Val have so many close calls, especially in Worlds. Three last hole finishes where it could have gone either way and it hasn’t. It was amazing and took some frustration away from either of us to just enjoy it.”

The Disc Golf Pro Tour resumes with its second to last event, the Ledgestone Insurance Open in central Illinois. You were in the mix last year. Thoughts on coming back?

“The weekend after Worlds can always be a tough week. Even in the last couple of days with travel and practice it can be hard. We’ve prepared for this though. We’ve prepped for this part of the year by taking time off earlier. It’s fun being back at this tournament and being able to play for a big purse with the best players in the world here too. Super happy to be here.”

“Last year, Paul McBeth and Simon Lizotte pulled away from the field, and Cam Colglazier, JohnE McCray and I had a battle for third. Once we got over some of the tricky things, it was a fun weekend.”

We talked after the event last year and you spoke about the use of a Final Nine to close the tournament and the amount of rope to mark the out-of-bounds areas along with the stroke and distance rules. The Final Nine has been removed this year and the Lake Eureka course has been tweaked. Are you happy to see the updates? 

“I’m happy there isn’t a final nine. As a player I enjoy that more. As a spectator, you should see better competition going down the stretch this way. People are pushing right until the end.”

“For the rope and OB. I just played the Lake Eureka course today with Paul McBeth and Nate Sexton. They’ve made some improvements and moved to some parts of the park we didn’t play last year. There are still some places that have stroke and distance including an island hole with no drop zone. Which will be interesting to see how that plays out.”

“Overall, the jury is still out though. This is act two. The tournament has been around for a few years, but this is the second year in this format. We all appreciate how tournament director Nate Heinold works and everyone had strong opinions last year after he event. Most importantly though nearly everyone has come back. We’ll see how it turns out. This time around. I’m looking forward to it.”

Thanks to Nate for the conversation during another busy week. Each and every time we’ve talked through his trip on the Disc Golf Pro Tour, Doss has been everything you would want from a professional.

We have to say too… when he was talking about Val’s World Championship, it was easy to hear his smile on his face. Certainly was proud to experience that with her.

We’ll catch up with Doss on site the Ledgestone Insurance Open this weekend.

Vibram Disc Golf

Vibram is excited to be an inaugural partner with the Pro Tour. When you watch, watch the Pro Tour. When you throw, Throw Rubber.

Advertisement: Disc Golf Pro Tour coverage on ATDG is sponsored by Vibram Disc Golf

The post Doss ready to take on Ledgestone Insurance Open again appeared first on All Things Disc Golf.