Beyond the game Archives

End of an Era

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Ladies First

Beginning of Ladies First Disc Golf

Upon the arrival of my 33rd birthday, my husband asked me what I wanted for my upcoming March 28th birthday. In March 2015, I was dreaming up plans for a women’s disc golf business. At first, I thought it was all a dream or just ideas—as I have LOTS of ideas. However, the more I talked about it, the more I wanted to make it happen. Therefore, when he asked me what I wanted for my birthday in March 2015, I said I wanted a domain name. With that domain name, I would start the women’s disc golf website Ladies First Disc Golf.

Well, on my 33rd birthday, Jason made my wish come true. My gift that year was the domain name www.ladiesfirstdiscgolf.com. This started the launch of my small business. The weeks and months that followed were action-related to actually starting this business. We moved beyond just a domain name on the internet.

Inventory was purchased. A talented friend of ours built a beautiful website to prepare for the business to launch in August of 2015. August 15, 2015 was the official date that the Ladies First Disc Golf website was open to the public.

Women’s disc golf was BOOMING!

During this timeframe, women’s disc golf initiatives were gaining momentum. New women’s leagues and disc golf tournaments were forming across the US and the world. Websites like Throw Pink and Discgolf4women.com offered resources and women’s disc golf merchandise to represent the growing cause for getting more women out on the disc golf course. I wanted in on this action!

How I Got Involved in Women’s Disc Golf

My eager 33-year-old self had started a women’s disc golf league in 2013 in the Milwaukee area. In 2014, with help from friends, I coordinated the first women’s disc golf tournament in Wisconsin, the Wisco Disco. At the beginning of 2015, I was regularly playing disc golf tournaments, just returning from The Discraft Memorial in Arizona earlier in the month. I was also a member of the PDGA women’s committee. To say I was all in on growing and promoting women’s disc golf during this time is an understatement. At this time in my life, promoting women’s disc golf was my main mission, and it took on a life of its own in the form of Ladies First Disc Golf.

Why I started Ladies First Disc Golf

The about page on the Ladies First Disc Golf website details why I started the business. I wanted a website that women and girls could go to for their disc golf shopping needs. Buying discs when you first start can be confusing and overwhelming. If you start with the wrong disc for your skill level, it can easily lead to quitting playing over frustration and disappointment. I wanted to solve that problem by offering the discs I felt were best for women. I selected discs I used but also discs I observed women using at leagues and tournaments.

When the business first started, the initial goal was women friendly discs made easy. Apparel was part of the initial launch, as I found most of the disc golf apparel available at the time was geared towards men. As a woman with hips and a large caboose, I found most of these shirts did not fit me. It was frustrating getting a shirt for a player pack item I would never wear. I wanted to provide women’s disc golf apparel that they would want to wear. Colors and clothing styles that appeal to a range of women disc golfers, as I know we all have different styles.

The initial launch and months to follow were slow in sales; however, over time, word got out and our customer base grew. We accumulated support among some of the pioneers of women’s disc golf, like Valerie Jenkins, Sara Nicholson, Erin Oakely, and Barrett White. At the time, most of the pro’s knew about our business and several were featured in our Lady of the Month blogs.

Up and Running…

Over the next 6 years, from 2015 to 2021, steady growth was seen in our business. We expanded our apparel and accessory offerings. Our tournament in October, the Sparkle Open, consistently sold out starting in 2019, with 80 women coming to Milwaukee in October. All of this growth was happening while I was working, selling flower bulbs full-time and part-time. I used all of my spare time to focus on growing Ladies First Disc Golf.

Disc Golf and Sciatica

November of 2021 happened, and I had a strange pain in my lower back, buttocks, and leg. I thought it was temporary, but it persisted. 2022 came, and a lot of my free time was dedicated to finding out how to fix this debilitating pain. I eventually learned in March of 2022 that I had a herniated disc in L5-S1. I tried steroid injections and physical therapy, and they only offered little relief. This injury knocked me out. I could hardly play disc golf, and when I did, my pain was so great it was not worth the trouble. Sciatica is no joke, the burning, searing pain made it impossible to even sit comfortably. It’s a maddening condition. Between appointments taking up my free time and my herniated disc causing me not to be able to play, this was the beginning of Ladies First Disc Golf slipping away from me. I did have surgery in August of 2022, a microdiscectomy to repair the herniated disc. It gave me my life back, although I do still have some lingering nerve pain to this day.

Recovery and Surprises

At the end of 2022, when I was recovering from surgery, I was gearing up to get back into Ladies First and was happy to be able to focus on the business again more.

2023 arrived, and a new opportunity to vend at a pet expo for disc golfing with your dog presented itself. I did venture into dog-related disc golf products, but they weren’t as popular as I thought they would be. However, this slight shift in focus didn’t take me away too much, and by that spring I had some new items available and was happy to continue working on the business.

June of 2023 arrived, and the day before hosting the 2023 Wisco Disco, I was feeling a bit off. On a whim, I took an expired pregnancy test I had in my closet. Due to my PCOS, I had never been pregnant in my life before; I was 41 at the time. I was shocked when the positive sign turned bright blue immediately.

Over the summer, I was embracing pregnancy and also dealing with first-trimester exhaustion. But, I was also questioning what this would mean for the future of Ladies First Disc Golf. My heart wanted desperately to keep it going and keep on with my mission I started in 2015. My head wasn’t sure if this was possible, but my heart won out for 2023 and the rest of 2024. I ran a mixed doubles tournament, the Sparkle Open and continued to work on the business, just not as much as in the past.

Becoming a Mom

In early 2024, our healthy baby boy was born. I quickly realized that working 30 hours a week selling flower bulbs and caring for an infant allowed little to no time for much else, including Ladies First Disc Golf. Every opportunity I got to do something for the business I took. However, those opportunities were few and far between. Towards fall of 2024, my brain won the battle with my heart. I knew that the time had come to make the decision that I could no longer operate Ladies First Disc Golf.

Therefore, I have decided that 2025 will be the last year that I will be owning and operating Ladies First Disc Golf.

Future of Ladies First Disc Golf

In an ideal world, someone would want to take over the business and purchase it from me. The option to purchase the business will be available through July 15th, 2025. If no offers or interest come in, I will begin liquidating inventory. We will still host the Sparkle Open in 2025. By the end of 2025, if no person or entity comes forward to buy the business, it will be closed indefinitely.

I am not leaving women’s disc golf and plan to continue running the women’s tournaments and mixed doubles events in the future. Providing opportunities for women and girls to compete, socialize, and form bonds through disc golf is still and will always be important to me.

If keeping one of the only women’s disc golf businesses alive and part of the disc golf world is important to you or someone you know, please reach out. Contact me by phone at 262-366-1789, email at [email protected], or through our social media profile on Facebook.

Disc Golf With Your Dog!

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Ladies First

Why Should I Disc Golf with my Dog?

If you like parks, playing games, and spending time outdoors with your four-legged friend disc golf is the perfect new activity for your life! Disc golf is often played in public parks where dogs are allowed. It is a walk in the park with a purpose and your pooch. You can get exercise for you and your dog while testing your skills and playing a game. Your dog will get to explore new places, scents, and sounds as you travel to new disc golf courses. We all know that dogs need their brains stimulated but so do humans and playing disc golf is the perfect way to challenge yourself and stimulate your brain!

Roscoe’s first-time disc golfing with elder momma Ellie.

10 Tips for Disc Golfing with My Dog

Make sure the course you are playing allows dogs. Check UDisc and local disc golf Facebook groups to locate dog-friendly courses.
Keep your dog on a leash. Even if your dog is well-behaved off-leash most parks require dogs to be always on a leash. Also, dogs who are reactive and not friendly with other dogs may have issues with an unleashed dog. It’s just safer for everyone!
Keep your dog hydrated. Bring extra water and a container for them to drink out of. If you don’t have an extra container, a spare disc golf disc works perfectly as a dish.
Protect your dog with flea and tick repellent. Follow your veterinarian’s advice for which products are best. For added protection, all-natural flea and tick spray can be applied to a bandana or collar before you start your round of disc golf.
Bring a friend! Since you will need to keep your dog on a leash at all times having someone to help hold the leash while you are on the tee pad is helpful.
Start small. Visit a 9-hole course if you are just starting out and play a couple of holes to see how your dog does with the starting and stopping that is involved while being on the disc golf course.
Don’t ever throw your disc when your dog is ahead of you. Make sure they are behind you or anyone else in your group while you are throwing.
Clean up after yourself and your dog. Make sure any trash you bring you dispose of in a garbage can or take with you when you leave the course. That includes picking up your dog’s waste as well.
Give your dog its own frisbee or dog disc to carry with them. If your dog likes to chase or play fetch make sure they have their own equipment so they won’t be tempted by yours. Dog discs are designed for dogs to catch and hold in their mouth without causing damage.
Take your dog on a walk before they go to the course so they have some of their energy burned. This is especially helpful for young, high-energy dogs who just can’t get enough of a good time!

Disc Dogs in Action!
Join the new Facebook Group Disc Golf Dogs to share your pics and connect with our disc golf dog parents!

5 Reasons Women with PCOS Should Play Disc Golf

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Ladies First

PCOS Awareness

September is Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness (PCOS) awareness month. According to the PCOS Awareness Association PCOS affects over 10 million women in the world. I am one of the 10 million women affected by PCOS. Disc golf and the symptoms of PCOS became present in my life around the same time. They are both important to me, which is why I think other women with PCOS can benefit from playing disc golf.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that typically causes disturbances in a women’s menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS may go months without having their period. When it finally returns it usually lasts eight or more weeks. PCOS is different for every woman; some affected may have a regular cycle, but may not ovulate. For couples trying to make a family, the lack of ovulation can make this difficult. Even if ovulation does occur if cycles are not regular conceiving can be difficult.

Weight gain is common in women with PCOS. The old chicken or egg question may arise when dealing with PCOS and weight gain. Did I have PCOS because I gained weight in my 20’s or after having my first baby? Alternatively, did I always have PCOS even at a healthy weight, but now PCOS symptoms are showing more and making weight loss a challenge? Both are common scenarios of women with PCOS experience.

The weight gain that occurs often increases the risk of diabetes in women with PCOS. Insulin resistance is prevalent in women with PCOS and can, therefore, lead to added weight, difficulties losing weight, and diabetes.

Other symptoms that relate to appearances such as increased acne and hirsutism are common in women with PCOS. Hirsutism is when hair appears in places it typically doesn’t on a woman such as the face, stomach, and lower back. The opposite of excess hair growth can also be a problem, which would be losing hair from your head and male pattern baldness.

In addition to physical changes mentioned above, women with PCOS are more prone to depression, anxiety, mood swings, and headaches. Often these invisible symptoms can be even worse than the physical symptoms as they are easy to mask and bottle inside.

All of the factors listed above: inability to get pregnant, weight gain, acne, facial hair, hair loss, and increased headaches can undoubtedly contribute to depression and anxiety. Women with PCOS should not let PCOS and it’s symptoms control or get them down.

If you are feeling down, want to get in better shape, and meet new friends continue reading to see why you should play disc golf.

5 Reasons Women with PCOS Should Play Disc Golf

1.) Get Active Lose Weight

Disc golf is a low impact activity for people of any age. If you haven’t been too participating in any physical activity for a while disc golf is a walk in the park with a purpose. If you enjoy low impact exercise of walking but also like to play games, disc golf is the perfect activity. Disc golf could be the jump start to increased physical activity. Increased physical activity can lead to weight loss which can help control your PCOS symptoms.

2.) Nature Can Help With Depression

I don’t know about you, but whenever green spaces surround me I feel better. Disc golf is played in public parks and on private properties. Disc golf courses are always in a green space, some wide open and some filled with trees, moss, and ferns. If you are feeling depressed, or anxious getting out in nature often helps to lift your spirits.

3.) Meet Friends

Let’s face it as an adult meeting new friends can be a challenge. Once your are graduate from school, the only people we may interact with are family and co-workers. Depending on where you work, you may not have many co-workers. Or you may prefer to keep your work life separate from your private life. Disc golf women come from all walks of life and are some of the most welcoming people I have ever met. There are women’s disc golf leagues and Facebook groups in nearly every state. Finding a group of ladies to learn disc golf from is an excellent start to your new hobby, and new support system of friends!

4.) Take Your Mind Off PCOS

Picking up a new hobby that you can do alone or with friends is a great way to remind yourself that PCOS does not define who you are. Don’t let your mind spiral into focusing solely on your PCOS symptoms and how they affect your life.

5.) Challenge Yourself

I firmly believe getting out in nature can help with the depression-related symptoms of PCOS. Challenging yourself can also help with this. If you feel like you aren’t “athletic” and are nervous about play disc golf forget that thought. Disc golf is so much more than throwing a disc at a basket. Yes, good form will help, but you can always work to improve your skills and form. When you learn the basics of disc golf, you have challenged yourself to learn something new, and that always feels good. Once you have learned the basics of throwing a disc and start to play more, you will use mental strength to attack the course! Challenging yourself, you against the course and improving is a great way to boost your self-esteem and feel in control.

Take Control of PCOS and Discover a New You

PCOS often can seem like it runs our lives. It is a silent syndrome that many people may not realize you have, which can make it even more challenging. Adding a fun hobby like disc golf to your life can help remind you that PCOS is only one part of who you are and does not define you as a person.

If you are a woman with PCOS and have never played disc golf, please reach out to me. I am happy to provide resources on how to play disc golf, equipment needed, and I can even help you find some new disc golf friends.

If you are a woman who already plays disc golf and doesn’t have PCOS I thank you for taking the time to read this article. Hopefully, you learned something new, and perhaps you know someone who has PCOS that this article will help!

The Importance of Small Business Saturday

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Ladies First

The journey to Ladies First Disc Golf all started with my Kool aid stand as a kid along with the love of games and the outdoors. From a young age, it was important to me to help others and if people were thirsty, I was ready to help with a refreshing beverage. I was there to help them quench their thirst. As a kid I also enjoyed the fun and competition of bowling, card games, softball, soccer and playing neighborhood games with the other kids on my block. All these activities shaped my love for disc golf, the outdoors, business and ultimately helping others.

Why do small businesses matter to me? Since I have been in the workforce I have worked for small businesses. I spent the first 8 years of my adult career working at a garden center, which was owned by a father and his sons. I appreciated the freedom and trust in me from this company to make decisions at such a young age. My position as assistant manager provided knowledge on sales, merchandising and being a helpful representative to the local gardeners.

Jenny as the assistant manager of the Garden Mart in 2004

I started playing disc golf tournaments in 2009 and the garden center work schedule made it difficult for me to play weekend events. I sought out a job that would allow for a better work schedule and still allow me to work with plants. In 2010 I found my dream job (and still have it) at Holland Beauty where I sell flower bulbs & plants through our two websites Holland Bulb Farms and Tulip World. Holland Beauty is a small business started 35 years ago by a Dutch man named Art, it is still owned and operated by him and his son in law (who is my boss). Holland Beauty is a small company where everyone helps out, ideas run freely and we are able to hear our customer’s needs. From this job I have learned about e-commerce, social media, customer service, and providing products and resources for people who have a hobby that is also a lifestyle.

Why women’s disc golf matters to me? I first started playing disc golf in 2008 it was me, my boyfriend (now husband) and a group of great guys who would play together. We all played in our first disc golf tournament in 2009. At this tournament there was only other woman in my division. Other events I played that year had anywhere from 3-4 women to compete with; so more than the first tournament but nowhere near the amount of men who were competing. In 2010 there were more women playing, but still a smaller amount than the male divisions. I realized that in order to get more women playing, the ladies in the area needed to be connected somehow. I created a Facebook group called the Upper Midwest Women’s Disc Golf Group. I wanted a place where women could post events they are playing in an effort to get more women at that event, and this group certainly helped with that. Creating this Facebook group was only the beginning for me.

In 2012 I worked with some other ladies in the Milwaukee area to form a group called Brew City Ladies Disc Golf. It was intended to be a local ladies league in Milwaukee, WI. At that same time the Brew City Ladies Disc Golf was forming a group of ladies in Appleton, WI had formed the Disc On! Ladies League (DOLLs). Our groups met up for a travel league in fall of 2012 and decided to merge our groups into one. Other women through out the state also wanted to host ladies leagues, and the DOLLS became a state wide league.

Disc On! Ladies League End of Season Party 2013

One of our goals was to have a women’s only tournament in Wisconsin, and we accomplished that goal with the Wisco Disco in August of 2014. The Wisco Disco is now successful and fun annual event in Wisconsin. Disc On! Ladies League currently has leagues in Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.

Disc On! Ladies Leagues bring great joy to the women who play in them. The ladies who participate in these leagues have a group of ladies to play casual, league and tournament rounds with. Meeting and playing with women of all different skill levels combined with my love for making people happy, is how and why Ladies First Disc Golf was formed.

In 2015 things were in a transition period at my day job selling flower bulbs and the company was scaling back to its roots and became even smaller than the team of 20 we had. During this transition period it certainly put some things into perspective for me. I have always enjoyed coming up with new business or products ideas. I started thinking about women’s disc golf and how confusing it can be to purchase discs when you are first starting out. Also, how frustrating it was for me when to trying to purchase light weight or female friendly discs either in person or online. There are certainly companies out there that carry women friendly discs, but no one was specializing in carrying an assortment of discs that were best for female players.

Apparel is an important part of Ladies First Disc Golf. Over the several years of playing tournaments I had accumulated a lot of disc golf t-shirts that were men’s sizes and just didn’t fit the right way. Or women’s shirts that were too small or not figure flattering and ended up sitting in a drawer not being worn.

I had determined that there needed to be a company that had products focused only on the women of disc golf, discs we throw, and apparel that we wear. Apparel that is not only comfortable but stylish as well.

Disc golfers like to accessorize and show their disc golf pride in any way they can. On social media I was connected with women who had talents and items they were creating like disc golf necklaces, knit goods and other accessories. Including and working with other small business owners to provide a place they can sell their hand made accessories is important for growth on all levels.

Disc golf is family to many and families support each other. Whether you are doing your part by purchasing from your favorite local disc golf shop or shopping online at your favorite disc golf website it is important to support those who are family. Disc golf is life for me, pleasing the ladies of disc golf is what I strive for every day. I look forward to serving our customers, creating beautiful items, while growing disc golf for ladies, and that is why small businesses matter to me.

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