Today’s player is John out of Michigan where he built and 9 hole course in Allengan. He is on the board of Disc Downtown in Grand Rapids. Can throw with both hands and probably enjoys maintaining and creating courses as much as he loves to play them.
Name: John H Clark III
Country: United States
Home Course: Tough question. I play Bluegill DGC for league. I designed and built a 9 hole course in Downtown Allegan Michigan.
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How did you get into disc golf and how long have you been playing?
My friend Dennis brought us to Shore Acres, Saugatuk MI in the fall of 2015. I started playing with my frisbee throwing skills.
Later in the fall after only playing a few times Dennis told me about Littlejohn Lake County Park. Underused and lots of wonderful land with trees and elevation change.
I went to the County Parks Advisory Board meeting and asked to put in a course ourselves.
Littlejohn Lake County Park is still on the agenda. 2016 summer I started playing regularly after physical therapy on my knees. Every course I play I consider maintenance, design and construction.
What is your dominant hand?
Right hand. Practice and throw/drive lefty also.
Are you Backhand or forehand dominate?
Backhand both hands
What was the first disc you threw and where is it now?
I’ve lost and given away at least 50 discs so far. I can’t remember which one I threw first.
You’re on the first hole at your local course, what disc do you reach for?
My Innova Dragon because my 154 g MVP Relay and Signal are both lost. I could throw a putter at Jaycee Allegan. The holes are very short.
What is your favourite course and why?
Bluegill DGC. A very demanding and beautiful course. Try to play 2 rounds each week as tee times start at noon and end at 6 pm. Some of the best players in Southwestern Michigan play and l am honored to throw with some of them. This year I am a floater not on a regular card.
Your disc golf bag catches on fire. You can only save 3 discs, What are those discs and why?
BlowFly I, my main putter.
Soft Zone because it’s overstable and feels great to throw both sidearm and forehand.
151g Jade because I can drive and shape my shots with it.
What is your favourite disc and why?
BlowFly I. It’s safe to teach children and beginners with. It usually does not roll after it hits the ground. It bounces off trees much more gently. I like to throw it in parks without baskets and especially at rest areas along the highway.
What is your favorite throw to play during a round of disc golf?
When the Disc follows the path I chose for it.
Are you part of a league, if so what is your handicap?
Bluegill DGC Hook, Line and Sinker League. About 28 strokes over par on 24 holes.
How many times a week do you get to play or do field work?
Almost daily. Mr. Joe Gill commented to me that I probably enjoy maintaining and creating courses as much as I love to play. Correct!
The discs that you regularly bag are they all one manufacturer or a mix bag? Name the brand / moulds Mix so far.
DGA: BlowFly I and II.
Westside Megasoft Shield.
Gateway Wizard SSSS.
Discraft Soft Zone.
Disc Downtown Buzzz 151g (Lost).
Innova Dragon.
Latitude 64 Jade 151g.
MVP Signal and Relay weight in 150’s both lost and to be replaced.
MVP Volt 156g.
Various Innova drivers in Starlite and Blizzard plastics.
Do you have any superstitions or quirks when on the course. Such as like flipping your disc 3 times before a putt or special hat?
None
What part of disc golf do you find the most challenging?
Design. I am constantly looking for how great players throw, where the discs fly in shaped shots. I labor with safety concerns.
I work hard to suppress my own ego to be a better listener and observer, not always successfully. I ask for and am receiving excellent advice from great experienced designers here in Michigan.
Looking at every course design with a creative mind, I study and consider what I like and what can be improved upon.
What has been your greatest achievement to date in disc golf?
Learning about maintenance and design from many of the greatest designers of courses. Joining the board of directors at Disc Downtown in Grand Rapids. Teaching skills to beginners
If you could change anything about disc golf what would it be?
I am trying to help the change. 3DISCgolf: safer, smarter and more sustainable is a Facebook group I joined, contribute to and participated in the committees in the process of creating an International association of Disc Golf clubs and an International association of course designers. I will serve with my beginners perspective in any manner that I am able and asked to.
If you could play any course in the world, what would that course be and who are the other three players on your card?
At Jaycee Park in Allegan with my 3 brothers who have never played Disc Golf.
What advice would you give to a new player starting out?
Have fun while playing safely. Start with a putter. When you are able to throw 150 to 200 ft fairly accurately then start with drivers.
Midrange is good to work with in the beginning as well.
Drivers need to be thrown out of hand very fast to do what they are designed for. They are very sensitive.
If you are throwing RHBH and the Disc curves hard left every throw the disc is designed to be thrown faster than what you are throwing it.