Growing Disc Golf in Japan
The international growth of disc golf has been as big as the boom across the US over the past few years. Today, there are disc golf courses in over 85 countries worldwide.
One country with a rich disc golf history that still has the potential for significant development is Japan. Though they have held high-level events such as the Japan Open, Tokyo Open, and Japan Nationals for decades, the number of disc golfers per capita is still quite small compared to other disc golf destinations. We sent Team Innova’s Nate Sexton and Jeremy Koling, two of disc golf’s best ambassadors and most-beloved personalities, halfway across the globe to help spread the sport. Their trip hopefully ignited a spark in aspiring Japanese disc golfers who now want to throw as far and accurately as Big Sexy.
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The Clinics
Led by Japanese legend Kozo Shimbo and his volunteers, Nate and Jerm taught disc golf to hundreds of students in central Japan. With the help of translators, hand gestures, and the universal language of the sound of chains, they were able to teach across the language barrier. They went to eight schools, running clinics that lasted from 1-2 hours each. The students ranged from kindergarteners to high school seniors and the class sizes ranged from 15-85 kids.
Nate and Jerm were greeted with a tea ceremony and a meeting with the principal at each school, then headed to the gym or field to meet the students. The schools had enough targets and discs so everyone could stay engaged for the duration of the clinic. Many of the teachers picked up discs and learned alongside their students.
For students who want to continue playing, the schools’ PE programs have the equipment available. The clinics all took place nearby to local courses where interested students can go practice their new skills. When asked if he thought any of the students he taught would stick with disc golf, Nate Sexton said definitely – especially those kids who threw a magic shot and heard their classmates cheer.
A couple kids hit aces in practice between 75 and 125 feet. When those shots happen, everyone goes crazy! We brought them up and said what an amazing shot it was. They got to hear all those cheers and see everyone impressed. It’s a great chance to be a hero for a sec.
-Nate Sexton
The 8th Fukui Open
In addition to running clinics, Nate and Jerm were able to compete in the 8th Fukui Open, held in Sakai-shi, Fukui, Japan. The course in Fukui is one of Japan’s finest, with epic holes that look out over the Sea of Japan. Nate won the event by 9 strokes over Jerm who finished 19 strokes ahead of 3rd place.
Competing in the local tournament gave the area’s top pros a chance to go up against two legends of our sport. Local pros got to see what truly world-class players can do with the disc. Pros, Ams, and spectators alike had their minds blown by shots they’ve only seen pulled off on coverage. Nate also met multiple Juniors with plans to attend Junior Worlds this year; exciting the next generation of Japanese talent is exactly what we hoped to accomplish with this trip.
The Importance of International Ambassadors in Disc Golf
Sending ambassadors like Nate and Jeremy to emerging disc golf scenes can change the trajectory of the sport in that area. When someone sees a disc golf disc fly the entire length of a field for the first time, it lights a fire – “How did they do that?! How can I learn how to do that?” If you light a fire in the right person, it can turn into something much bigger. It takes just a few motivated individuals to champion disc golf in an area for it to catch on.
Further, when young players find role models in the sport who they can look up to (quite literally in Jerm’s case), they delve deeper into disc golf, find videos online, and begin to model their game after the best in the world. International ambassadors establish new scenes and make existing scenes more motivated.
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For the players themselves traveling internationally, the experience is invaluable. Nate and Jerm had the honor of participating in the Mikuni Festival, a tradition spanning over 300 years. They were given the special honor of carrying floats in the parade wearing the traditional Happi, a Japanese festival garment which is a huge privilege for outsiders to put on. Nate was able to visit Tokyo, see Mt. Fuji, go up the tallest tower in the world, and have a wealth of unique experiences he couldn’t have had in the States. Sending Nate and Jeremy abroad not only spreads disc golf, but also levels up their experience and knowledge. As two of disc golf’s most-trusted, well-known voices, the more Nate and Jerm understand about global disc golf the better.
I have gotten immeasurable joy from disc golf in my life so the desire to share that with other people is natural and obvious to me. I like hearing all these kids go ‘oh no way’ as we’re ripping discs. Showing off the skills I’ve spent my life developing, connecting with other cultures, and spreading the game I love is super easy and fun from my perspective.
-Nate Sexton
Grow the Sport When You Travel
You don’t need to be a top pro or an amazing teacher to grow the sport. If you are traveling somewhere that disc golf is small or non-existent, bring a few extra discs to leave behind. Play catch with a putter somewhere people can see you and let them know about disc golf when they come asking. You will make new friends in new places and introduce a fun activity that just might catch on.
