The GBO is unique among disc golf tournaments. We go to great lengths to make sure it is an experience unlike any other. From the player’s pack to the trophies, we craft the GBO to stand out in every respect.
One of the ways the GBO is different for many players is its length. If you come early and play both single day warm up tournaments , you will have played 5 rounds of competitive golf in 5 days. The only place most players will ever face this type of challenge is here in Emporia. By the time they start their 4th and 5th rounds, they soon realize what a drain playing that much tournament golf can be. For the unprepared, it can often show up in their scores.
The first thing to realize is that competitive golf and casual golf are not the same thing. Even for those that play daily casual rounds, 3-5 consecutive days of tournament golf is a completely different affair. It’s both physically and mentally demanding. The rounds are longer and the decisions harder. It all adds up quickly. Endurance is a truly important component to doing well at the Glass Blown. If you want to be prepared for this aspect of your experience, there is no better time to start than now.
Here are our top 5 tips for training to finish as strong as you start:
- Start playing regularly now. We know it’s cold out for many of you, but it takes time for your body to adjust to regular activity. If you can’t get outside and play disc golf, do something indoors. Regular indoor activities like basketball or soccer can go a long way towards building your stamina.
- Take Eric McCabe’s #1 piece of fitness advice and start stretching every day. 15 minutes of daily stretching and flexibility work will have you in great shape for the tournament.
- Reducing your body weight can have a dramatic impact. According to Harvard Medical School: “When you walk across level ground, the force on your knees is the equivalent of 1½ times your body weight. … Add an incline and the force is greater. The force on each knee is … four to five times your body weight when you squat to tie a shoelace or pick up an item you dropped.” That means that losing as little as 10 lbs. takes 50 lbs. of stress off of your knees every time you bend down to pick up a disc. Not to mention, the less energy you spend getting yourself around the course, the more you’ll have to devote to your throws. If you start now, 10lbs. is a very achievable target to reach by the end of April.
- Treat your casual rounds like tournament rounds. Slow down, play and score by the rules, and putt out each putt. Make every round between now and the GBO a simulated tournament round.
- Play in as many local tournaments and leagues as you can. We’ve found it’s very helpful if the GBO is not your first competitive event of the year. That’s why we offer two C-tier warm up tournaments that week.
Building your endurance isn’t something you can do overnight. You have almost 2 full months before your first round here in Emporia. Make the most of that time and start preparing now. You’ll be happy you did!
