How five years with the Mud Bugs Disc Golf League taught me that the best part of disc golf isn’t the score.
When most people start playing disc golf, they focus on getting better.
They practice putting.
They buy new discs.
They watch YouTube videos.
They chase birdies.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But if you really want to experience everything this sport has to offer, I believe every disc golfer should try a league.
Five years ago, my husband and I started playing Sunday league with the Mud Bugs Disc Golf League.
At the time, we thought we were signing up for a few competitive rounds.
What we didn’t realize was that we were joining a community.
Disc Golf Is Better Together
One of the biggest misconceptions about league play is that you need to be “good enough” before you join.
You don’t.
Every player was new once.
Whether you’re throwing 200 feet or 500 feet, whether you’ve been playing for two weeks or twenty years, there is a place for you.
That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Mud Bugs.
Every Sunday, players of all ages and skill levels come together for a few hours of competition, laughs, encouragement, and good golf.
Some players are chasing ratings.
Some are preparing for tournaments.
Some are simply looking for a fun round and great company.
The beauty of a good league is that everyone belongs.
Five Years Later, We’re Still Showing Up
For the past five years, Sunday mornings have often meant one thing:
Mud Bugs.
Week after week, players show up ready to compete, laugh, encourage one another, and enjoy a round of disc golf.
Some weeks you’re battling for a win.
Some weeks you’re battling your own game.
And some weeks you’re simply battling the Florida weather.
If you’ve ever played a summer round at Springfield Disc Golf Course, you know exactly what I mean.
It’s not just the heat.
It’s the humidity.
The kind that has you sweating before you even throw your first drive.
The kind that makes every patch of shade feel like a blessing.
Yet somehow, week after week, people keep showing up.
Because the community is worth it.
Competition That Helps You Grow
One of the best things about league play is how much it helps your game.
You’ll learn new shots.
You’ll discover different ways to attack holes.
You’ll play under pressure.
You’ll watch better players and pick up things you never would have learned on your own.
Mud Bugs does an excellent job creating fair divisions and maintaining a transparent system that gives everyone a chance to compete.
Whether you’re having the best round of your life or one of those rounds you’d rather forget, league has a way of helping you grow.
And let’s be honest…
The Sunday battles can get pretty entertaining.
And Then There’s the Ace Pot
Now, if I’m being completely honest, there’s one more reason we get excited every Sunday.
The ace pot.
For just a dollar, you get a chance at that magical moment every disc golfer dreams about.
It’s basically the disc golf version of a lottery ticket.
Every time you step up to a hole with ace potential, your brain starts doing the math.
“If this goes in…”
The basket suddenly looks a little bigger.
The chains sound a little louder.
And for a few seconds, you’re already imagining what you’re going to do with your winnings.
Most weeks, the ace pot survives.
But when someone finally cashes it in?
The entire course celebrates.
For a dollar, it’s hard not to dream a little.
The Real Reward Isn’t the Payout
Mud Bugs is known for having some of the best payouts around.
But the payouts aren’t why we’ve kept showing up for five years.
The real reward is the people.
The friendships.
The road trips.
The tournaments.
The team events.
The laughs.
The stories.
The memories.
Over the years, we’ve watched new players become strong competitors. We’ve celebrated tournament wins, supported each other through tough rounds, traveled together, and shared experiences that had nothing to do with scores.
Disc golf has given us far more than a hobby.
It’s given us lifelong friendships.
The Ladies of Mud Bugs
One of my favorite things that has developed over the years is the growth of the Lady Mud Bugs.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you’ll often find the ladies out on the course together, playing, learning, competing, and encouraging one another.
And yes… the husbands usually end up following behind. 😆
The ladies play ahead, the spouses bring up the rear, and somehow everyone has a great time.
What I love most is seeing women of different skill levels come together to support one another.
Some are brand new to the sport.
Some have years of experience.
But everyone remembers what it was like to be the new player.
Questions get answered.
Advice gets shared.
Good shots get celebrated.
And before long, strangers become friends.
Disc golf can sometimes feel intimidating when you’re first starting out, especially as a woman. Having a group of ladies who genuinely want to see each other succeed makes a huge difference.
The Lady Mud Bugs have helped create an environment where women can grow their game, build confidence, and enjoy the sport together.
And that’s something really special.
A League That Welcomes Everyone
One thing I appreciate most about Mud Bugs is that you don’t have to be a professional player to feel like you belong.
Whether it’s your first league round or your five-hundredth, you’ll find people willing to answer questions, help you find a lost disc, explain the format, or simply make you feel welcome.
That’s how communities grow.
That’s how the sport grows.
And that’s one of the reasons we’ve continued showing up for the last five years.
Thank You to the People Who Make It Happen
Leagues don’t run themselves.
Someone has to organize events, track scores, handle payouts, answer questions, and keep everything moving week after week.
The people behind Mud Bugs have done an incredible job creating a welcoming and competitive environment for players of all skill levels.
Most players only see the round itself. They don’t always see the work happening behind the scenes.
The local disc golf community is stronger because of the time and effort invested by those willing to serve it.
For that, we’re grateful.
More Than a League
What started as a Sunday round has grown into something much bigger.
Between Sunday league, tournaments, team events, and the Lady Mud Bugs rounds on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are opportunities all week long to connect with other players and become part of the community.
That’s one of the things that makes disc golf special.
No matter where you go, you’ll usually find people willing to help you feel at home.
Thinking About Trying League?
This is your sign.
Come out.
Bring your favorite discs.
Bring some water.
Bring a good attitude.
Five years ago, we showed up for a league round.
What we didn’t realize was that we were joining a community.
Some of our closest friendships, favorite tournaments, biggest laughs, travel adventures, and best memories started with a simple Sunday round.
That’s the beauty of disc golf.
It’s more than a game.
It’s a community.
And if you’ve been thinking about giving league a try, there’s a good chance you’ll find exactly what we found five years ago.
We’ll see you on the course.
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