Please Be Kind to Women Disc Golf Players

It takes a lot to get out of your comfort zone for anyone. Especially when you are first starting something new. Guys, you remember how awkward it was to play through a group or when you went to your first mini. Remember those feelings when a lady comes to play.

She is scared. She is embarrassed. It probably took every ounce of courage before she forced herself out the car door when she saw no other ladies. She wants to run away. She doesn't want to be a burden. Depending on how she is treated, this might be the first and last mini/tournament/group round she'll ever play.

We have eyes and ears. We can sense the disappointment in some of those that get partnered up with us. We can see the eye rolls and hear the aggravation in your voices when we missed that putt. It brings us down in a bad way. I am not saying everyone treats women in disc golf this way, but there are enough instances this has happened that it needs to be talked about.

Everyone says they want the sport to grow, and it is. But I think making women feel more comfortable and being more supportive of the women that do come out will help to grow the sport even more. At most tournaments, we dont have good turnouts. I've spoke to several women on what would drive more ladies out and here are some of the responses:

1. Please ensure that there are restrooms available at all events. Why are we having large tournaments and there is not an available portapotty or restroom anywhere near the course?? Sometimes we can go in the woods, sometimes there are no woods to hide in...and sometimes we have our monthly and there NEEDS to be an available restroom.
2. Please give a shout out and thank you to the women that did show. Recognize them in some way. Showing that you care could be enough to keep her coming back and will let others know how welcoming everyone was.
3. Please make sure you have trophies for the ladies. If the guys get trophies the girls should too. I've seen at least twice now that a girl received a generic trophy. The guys trophy lists what division Mens Advanced 2018 winner blah blah and the ladies get a 1st place... 1st place in what??? I've even saw when the ladies trophy said nothing at all.
4. Please make it a point to talk to the ladies. They may not know anyone there and feel like an outcast. Go up and introduce yourselves and let them know you are happy that she was able to make it.
5. When a girl gets placed on your card because there are not enough in her division, please give her the same courtesy you give everyone else, even if she is taking twice as many throws per hole as you are. This is also a patience exercise for all involved. Be encouraging as much as you can.

There are many other ways we can make this sport more enjoyable for the ladies. Do you have any ideas? I'd love to hear them.