Play, Play and Play Becoming a professional at anything takes a lot of hard work and dedication. However, becoming a professional at a sport takes some skill also. But like the old saying goes “Hard work beats raw talent any day.” All pros take their sport very seriously and to gain a profes-sional rank in Disc Golf then you will have to do the same.

To compete at any level you will have to play a lot. Play-ing is the only way to improve. The people you play with are very crucial to your skill lev-el too. When you begin you should play with other begin-ners and people around that level. As you get better and

“Hard work beats raw talent

any day.”

Get to Know the Pros

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start beating the beginner level competitors then you should move up to a group of more experienced players like a area club or a school organization.

Once you start competing and chal-lenging in-side of that group then join a high-er group if you can but if not then keep dominating the club. Another helpful thing to do is play by yourself with multiple discs and throw 5 drives from the same tee or putt 10 times from the same spot and just keep try-ing to improve on your skill level.

Nikko LocastroAge: 23

Home town: St. Louis, MO2010 Earinings: $46757.00

Sponsor: GatewayRank: 4th

David FeldbergAge: 33

Home town: Springfield, OR2010 Earinings: $46757.00

Sponsor: InnovaRank: 3rd

Will SchusterickAge: 19

Home town: Knoxville, TN2010 Earinings: $46757.00

Sponsor: InnovaRank: 2nd

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Contacting Brands An unsponsored player can become a professional but to become an elite competitor getting a brand sponsor is very crucial. Sponsors supply the player with disc, clothing, and pay for tournament dues. This allows the player to have the best gear and go to the best tournaments at lit-tle or no charge to them.

Getting a ma-jor disc sponsor can be extremely hard and can take a long time but once it happens it can change the future of a player. However, local sponsorships can be easier to get. Local compa-

nies and stores will attend tournaments and sometimes can offer sponsorships. Most of these sponsors will con-tact you if they are interested but seeking them out also can never hurt your chances.

Disc sponsors only look at the top p l a y e r s to seek out and

pursue but will often talk to other players that contact them first. To get in contact with any brand you could usu-ally contact them through their

website or email. Another op-tion is finding their booths or representatives at ma-jor tournaments you attend.

Often sponsors will first expect you to buy a spon-sorship package, like Innova, which sometimes can be pricy but by buying it you show the brand that you are very interested in them sponsor-ing you full time. These pack-ages include a bag, shirts, and many discs. These packages are not actual sponsorships but they persuade the com-pany to keep up with your play and watch your moves.

“It can change the future of a

player”

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Tournament Play Playing in tour-naments is the abso-lute most important step to becoming a professional disc golf-er. Playing in tourna-ments is how you rank up in the disc golf world. Tournaments are held everywhere that there is a disc golf course and players that will play. Playing in tourna-ment brings you together with the best players in the area.

Playing in tournaments is not easy at first because you might feel like your skills aren’t up to par with these more elite players, but that is be-cause they aren’t. Competing in tournaments should make your drive to improve get even stronger and stronger. Howev-er, after a few tournaments and

hundreds of prac-tice rounds you will be able to compete with the others.

Playing in tournaments will also get you the attention of the local disc golf stores and the at-tending brands. This attention will help with getting a spon-sorship like previously stated.

Winning these tourna-ments will get you anything from cash prizes to free discs

“The absolute most important step to becom-

ing a profession-al disc golfer.”

or gear. These winnings can help you pay for your future tournaments or the better discs can help you drive fur-ther or putt better. Another bonus is the raffles and free giveaways; it’s always nice to win free stuff no matter if you place or not in the tournament.