Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This is a unique resource for disc golfers (and their boon companions AKA loved ones) who struggle to find content and products that meet their needs and suit their lifestyle.

The solution offered is founded on a whimsical “spin” on the sport of disc golf, one which plays with the history of the sport.

Short answer: A Person and a Character.

Long Answer: It’s me, Kevin McClain, the site’s founder.

I started playing disc golf seriously in 2020 and because I am left-handed took the username ‘Southpaw’.  One of the things that separates me from others is that I am somewhat ‘old fashioned’; that is just my way.

Sometime in 2022, after a round in which I made a fabulous C2 putt, one of my cardmates called me ‘McChainz’ and it was big joke in our little league.  And so soon after, I embraced it.  However, I only occasionally employed it, as it seemed to me that I was not really ‘McChainz’, but rather that ‘McChainz’ was another person who may or may not appear for the round. This is why I typically refers to myself as ‘Southpaw / McChainz’ (Note the slash).   Some (most?) rounds I’m ‘Southpaw’, other rounds I am ‘McChainz’.  

This idea, that there is a ‘spirit of McChainz’ that I only occasionally embodied, and my realization that focusing too much on performance gains was robbing me of the joy inherent to the game, was what then led me to seek whimsy and develop a fictional story about the original ‘McChainz’, a man I named Harper McClaine, born in 1876. It was this man who was a great ‘disc enthusiast’, and who worked so hard to develop the sport in a bygone era, and whose enduring spirit is evoked. This story was then the impetus for all kinds of imaginative output revolving around a hypothetical turn-of-century disc sport culture.

See the timeline: A Short History of a Disc Golf Relationship.

The modern game of targeted disc throwing originated in the 1970s and it became common to explain it to others as a game that is ‘like golf’.   Some hold that the association to golf contributes to the notion that the sport need not be taken seriously. You may recall the Seinfeld joke (and now the memes) about ‘Frolf’, short for ‘Frisbee Golf’.  Ultimately I find this joke funny; I am not against a little self deprecation. But at the same time I want the sport to be recognized as worthy of one’s time.

Disc golf’s association with golf exists in reality (and is, ultimately helpful to some degree). But in my imaginative history, the turn of the century disc enthusiasts do not use the turn of the century game of golf to explain the object of their enthusiasm. In fact, they actively work to avoid associating the the sport of disc with golf; they do not use the golf terms “teepad”, “hole”, “driver”, “putter” or even “birdie”, as these are not inherent (and so are non-sensical) to disc sport. Turn of the century disc enthusiasts are, in fact, religiously blind to the similarities! And when pressed, would respond that the game of disc “has nothing in common with golf!”  Of course that is somewhat silly, and therefore humorous.   

Disc golf as we know it emerged in the 70s in California. But the origin of the sport is really unknown. According to Disc Golf Hall of Fame member Jim Palmeri (PDGA #23) :

“There are many historical accounts of people playing golf with a flying disc, some of which pre-date the advent of the plastic flying discs by many years. Each account was an isolated instance of recreational disc golf play, and none of the participants knew of anyone else playing disc golf. Indeed, most of these instances were isolated not only geographically, but also isolated in time, so they couldn’t have known about each other.”

In short, in the late 1800s classical sport had a revival and the first modern Olympics in 1896 had a discus throwing competition. After that there is evidence that versions of a flying disc game existed.  For example, Victor A. Malafronte’s 1999 book ‘Complete Book of Frisbee: The History of the Sport and the First Official Price Guide‘ tells the story of Walter Darby of Great Neck New York, who in 1937 patented a fly disc game.

Essentially, yes. Fantasy plays a big part in sport. Today, sport enthusiasts create fantasy team rosters compromised of their favorite players. These fantasy leagues work the imagination asking questions like: ‘Just how effective/cool would it be if these players were on the same team?’

This is just a different kind sports fantasy, one that explores history and culture. It works the imagination asking questions like: ‘What if the game existed during that time? How might it have been played? How would it have developed? What would the culture surrounding it be like? I enjoy imagining the answers.

No. My goal is simply to encourage disc golfers. I am seeking to offer unique goods & services that bring the disc enthusiast joy. Some, like me, will enjoy the whimsy of vintage-styled products. But others will have more modern tastes. I hope I can also serve their needs. See for example the Strong Side Collection.