Mailbag: Teepad Surfaces, Ratings Shrinkage, McBeth Merch, Ricky at Majors

Welcome to Ultiworld Disc Golf’s mailbag!

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You can email me anytime at mailbag@ultiworld.com with questions, comments, ideas — whatever you’ve got.

Q: I’m a 3rd generation mason with 40 years in the trade. I want to have a conversation about tee pads — why we are seeing so many slips, players putting towels down, and something we can do to prevent it.

The solution for at least two courses that I will use as an example is simple, yet the idea encounters resistance. There is an old way of thinking that is getting in the way of progress.

I think of all the bad shots or near misses we have witnessed over the past two seasons due to slippery tees. As a simple example, let’s talk Brewster Ridge and Maple Hill, specifically from 2021.

The problem is they used a residential paver like a class 3. However, these are highly absorbent, more porous pavers that get saturated and then slick. It can take them a very long time to dry.

But architectural pavers are either class 4 or 5. They are more dense, absorb less moisture, and offer a good non-slip surface for use in public spaces where liability is a concern. If courses that chose to use pavers would just install the appropriate paver on tee pads that don’t get a lot of sunlight and therefore never really dry out, we would see a massive reduction of slips.

As I offer this info, I am met with hasty resistance rather than acceptance or even willingness to look into it or try one tee and test it: why?

Before someone gets seriously injured, we should start a dialogue about using professional building materials when building tees.

The only change is simply a different paver to be installed, one designed for heavy foot traffic in all weather conditions. We currently use these outdoors in major cities, open public spaces, roads, walks, etc…The cost is only slightly more per paver: everything else is the same..

The benefits outweigh the added cost in more durability, reduced injuries, and fewer errant shots during competitive rounds.

It’s time for final touches in our sport, a more professional look and feel. We seek media coverage, greater sponsors, etc., but we need to invest in our infrastructure to create standards that we stick by to make the game we love even better.

Mailbag: Teepad Surfaces, Ratings Shrinkage, McBeth Merch, Ricky at Majors is only available to Ultiworld Subscribers

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  1. Charlie Eisenhood
    Charlie Eisenhood

    Charlie Eisenhood is the publisher of Ultiworld Disc Golf. You can contact him at charlie@ultiworld.com.

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Recent Comments

  • Gary Goulet

    He's deserves it. No longer the future of the sport, his time is now!

    Anthony Barela Re-Signs with Discraft Through 2027 · 8 hours ago

  • Robbie Newcomrr

    Look here's the deal , there a lot of good plastic flying out there!! The truth is guys like Paul and ricky could score well with eney brand with a little practice, yes there are several disc like the buzz and destroyer that are staples in our sport, but the elite players could get a par with a garbage can lid, short par 3,,, the plastic has improved so much in the last few years !! If you win on Sunday sales are good on Monday, that why's team try to gobble up the best players, it the bisness. Discraft doing a great job on acquiring the best team., just my opinion!! Mr new world.

    2024 Fandom Survey: How Fans Feel about Disc Manufacturers · 4 days ago

  • Robbie Newcomrr

    First of all wills a great guy. He will have his hands full to turn things around for sure.,, Will is respected in the disc golf community, i wish him the best, Mr new world

    Will Schusterick Named CEO of Prodigy · 1 week ago

  • BobinPA

    At one point they had so many big names, Big Jerm, Paige, Uli, Catrina, Chris Dickerson, Will Schustrick when he was active (shame for his injury), Ricky, etc. They did start a new era of these players making big switches to try to make a living versus just taking what the Innova's and Discraft's offered them.

    Will Schusterick Named CEO of Prodigy · 1 week ago

  • Eric K

    It's the marketing dollar dude! Your analogy doesn't make any sense considering the different dollar amounts involved. If Kenny can make $200K guaranteed per year, and that is significantly more than Innova is willing to pay, why the hell wouldn't he switch over? Because of loyatly to Dave Dunnipace? That won't pay his bills or help his family! For Jordan, who is a billionare, a few 10s of millions one way or another doesn't matter, he can afford to be as loyal as he wants to be!

    Ken Climo to Ink Deal with Discraft After Shock Innova Departure · 2 weeks ago

  • Eric K

    As everyone always forgets, sponsoring players is strictly a marketing function. Clearly Innova's marketing strategy doesn't strictly rely on sponsoring players, it really never did (save for KC maybe). Sponsoring players is really a more recent thing, no one was making good sponsorship money more than like 10 years ago. Understood that Discraft's more recent marketing strategy does rely on sponsoring top players.

    Ken Climo to Ink Deal with Discraft After Shock Innova Departure · 2 weeks ago

  • Eric K

    Not sure where you got your information from, but some simple online research does not bear out your arguement about relative revenues between Discraft and Innova. But yes, if you play Ultimate, then you will be more familiar with Discraft over Innova.

    Ken Climo to Ink Deal with Discraft After Shock Innova Departure · 2 weeks ago

  • PizzaGod

    Ok, I always thought Ivan Pudge signed that one day agreement with the Rangers so he would wear the Ranger Cap in the Baseball HOF. Actually, he wanted to retired as a Ranger, the team he first started playing for when he was just 19.

    Nolan Ryan was offered an office job after he retired from playing for the Rangers for only 4 years of his 27 years of playing.

    Nolan was the first Ranger HOF to wear the Rangers Cap, it was his choice, there was bad blood between him and the Astros. But he wanted to be in the HOF with a Texas Team. Plus he did make most of his milestones while playing for the Rangers.

    Turns out the player does get to choose which cap they wear if it makes sense. Tampa Bay apparently wanted Boggs to wear the Devil Rays cap and the HOF changed the rule and Boggs wears a Boston cap in the HOF.

    Ken Climo to Ink Deal with Discraft After Shock Innova Departure · 2 weeks ago

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