If you have played disc golf seriously for any length of time, you have undoubtedly experienced disc burnout. Nothing is worse than declining a round because you have just thrown too much lately. So how can you avoid getting to the point where the game isn’t fun? Plan a little time off? No way.

Maybe lock your discs in the closet and give the key to your significant other, ask them not to give it back for at least three or four weeks, start jonesing after a week, ask for the key, get turned down, resort to popping the hinges off the door, stealing your own discs from your own house, playing, and doing it all over again to put your bag back in time to not get found out?

No. Don’t do that.

Planning time off is best, but taking a break once in a while before you get to the last straw is okay as well. Winter works, but any time will do. Oh, and remember the people you live with like to see you during the summer months as well, not just when you are home for food. You married folks out there know what I’m talking about. Your wife calling you for the 5th time and you ignoring it for the 500th time. Answer the phone and communicate. It will be better than waiting ’til you get home to get yelled at. Yelling isn’t as bad over the phone anyway.

So what could you do for the week or so you plan to take off during the season to get your drive back? Travelling is always a good option. The only problem is almost anywhere you go you will find a disc golf course. Only, you didn’t bring your discs. They are still locked in the closet. You didn’t even bring an Aviar, Roc, and Teebird just in case. REMINDER: Never travel without grabbing your favorite putter, mid, fairway, and maybe distance driver. Remember that. You will thank me when you do.

Winter is always a great time to exorcise the disc golf demons of the summer past. In the northern part of the country it is easy to take time off over the winter, especially if you don’t like the frigid climate. If you take a look at the calendar and plan more than a week or two in advance, you will find yourself looking forward to much needed down time. Hey, you might even get to know your kids again.

As for the asking your spouse to lock your discs away? Just make sure you have a backup bag for those times you just have to play.

Burnout is not fun. Avoid it if you can.

And yes, Nikko does get tired of disc golf, just not very often.

Throw It Long!