The State of the Union (Onion) episode of the Unstable Discourse podcast is live now. It is Season 2 Episode 11. You can find it here on Spotify or on any podcast outlet.

Without a doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an exponential growth for outdoor activities, with disc golf being a major player in that category. In this episode, the state of the union is discussed and how it is affecting disc golf globally and locally - the growth of the sport, disc manufacturers, technology, and the ever present supply chain issues.

Sean Callahan explains his process in this episode for keeping the Dellwood Disc Golf shop fully stocked and part of that is making sure that he buys discs everyday... even at 4:00am!

Every part about this business is a hustle. "If you sleep and you are not in the know with all these different manufacturers and all the different ways (to buy discs). You will just miss out." Checking emails is such a high priority at Dellwood Disc Golf because the disc golf manufacturers will send out their releases this way. In years past it was easier to place orders but with all the growth that has happened, it may forever be changed.

"It is such a unique thing to be a disc golf brick and mortar. It's so niche. We have our little (Facebook) groups where we talk (as shop owners). Probably my biggest confidant with what I am doing is Mike Batka of Glide Disc Golf in Madison, WI. Great dude. He's one of the reasons I got into what I am doing now after seeing what he had going on."

Adapting to all of this growth is imperative. "There's releases where things will come out and every dealer is only allowed to get 20 of the new releases."

It's funny being so niche. "I always ask, where do I rank (as a shop owner to the manufacturers)?" There are just certain limitations as a brick and mortar owner.

Seeing people come into the shop and pick out the perfect disc, is one of Sean's favorite things about being a shop owner. "I love when they walk in and their eyes light up." It was never about the money, it was always about providing a service to the community that he could have only dreamed about when he was starting out in disc golf.

You could compare the disc golf pro shop to the modern day record store, after all the discs do spin. "It's like a snack-tivity" watching people pick out a disc. There is nothing like having a stack to pick through just to find one that is just right.

But the shortages in products are across the board, it is not just the discs but it is bags and accessories as well. In every way possible all of the disc golf companies are adapting to the influx that the growth has caused.

Listen to the full episode of Unstable Discourse now right here.

Article by Lauren Lakeberg, The Disc Golf Photographer.