Disc Golf 2022 Season Outlook
As January slowly creeps into February, the disc golf season looms around the corner.
There were plenty of interesting storylines around the disc golf world throughout the offseason, including some of the game’s biggest stars switching up their sponsorships and joining new teams.
As the touring pros begin to release their schedules, the sound of chains draws even closer.
One of the biggest moves, not only of the offseason, but in disc golf history came when two-time world champion Ricky Wysocki announced who he’ll be representing for the next four years.
A huge surprise to many, Wysocki announced a massive four-year, $4 million deal with Dynamic Discs.
The deal was unique for the disc golf world in another sense, too, as Wysocki was given a $250,000 signing bonus, but it was to be paid out in Bitcoin.
Wysocki put his Innova days behind him after representing the largest manufacturer from only 2019-2021.
Outside of the world’s current highest-rated player leaving, other big names were on the move, too, including Chris Dickerson, who left Prodigy Discs to join Discraft with the likes of Paul McBeth and Adam Hammes.
Similar to Wysocki, Dickerson inked his deal for four years, but for significantly less. While still getting a sizable amount, Dickerson said he projects his deal to be worth a little over $1 million.
On top of just the money, Discraft threw in an RV to sweeten the pot and attract the 1045-rated Dickerson, including all gas, maintenance and insurance paid for.
While some of the biggest stars were on the move, others stayed put, including Paul Ulibarri and Kevin Jones, who decided to re-up with Discraft and Prodigy, respectively.
No matter who's representing what company, most players will get their season underway in just about a month when the Pro Tour kicks off in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Challenge on Feb. 24.
The Pro Tour will look slightly different this season after the major announcement of the removal of the National Tour.
Most of the former National Tour events have now been turned into either Elite Series or Silver Series events on the Pro Tour, giving players more opportunities to earn points and give themselves a higher seed come the Pro Tour Championship in Charlotte in October.
There are also a few different stops along the Elite Series of the Pro Tour for this season, totaling 15 tournaments as opposed to the 13 that 2021 boasted.
The Texas State Championship, which was usually a staple of the National Tour, is now an Elite Series event, along with the Dynamic Discs Open.
There are plenty of storylines heading into the 2022 season, such as how the impact of the lack of a National Tour will impact the disc golf world, as well as how players will play with new bags and who will find their way into the elusive 1050 club and perhaps, the 1060 club.
With an exciting season is on tap — as Ulibarri says, “Let’s see how it plays out.”
Zech Lambert is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zbl5146@psu.edu.
