An interview with the Croatian Disc Golf team

by croatiaweek
December 7, 2024
in Sport

The Croatian Disc Golf Team in Mundaring, Australia, before the first training session

Interview by: Zoran Rajn

Disc golf, though still a relatively young sport in Croatia, is gaining increasing popularity thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS) and the passion of individuals promoting the sport both nationally and internationally.

We spoke with Dinko Šimenc, President of HFDS; Aleksandar Aki Vucković, Coordinator of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) for Croatia; Danica Pajtak, Croatia’s most decorated disc golf player and HFDS Vice President; and Vjeran Tuhtan, also an HFDS Vice President. They shared their experiences from the recent World Championship in Australia, discussed the challenges and opportunities for the sport’s development, and offered their personal insights and plans for the future. Learn more about how they prepared for this prestigious event, what makes disc golf so unique, and how anyone interested can join this growing community.

Dinko Šimenc, president of the Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS)

Dinko Šimenc, president of the Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS)

How did the Croatian team perform at the World Championship in Australia?

Before the competition, Croatia held the 16th position on the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) rankings, so our goal was to maintain that position, which we successfully did by finishing 16th out of 23 teams. In the second phase of the competition, we faced teams that were ranked higher than us.

Although we hoped for a surprise that would place us around 10th to 12th, we weren’t able to take advantage of the opportunities we had. This was our fourth appearance at the World Team Championships, where we gained additional valuable experience, and we’re hopeful as we look towards the next championship in two years, which will be held in Lithuania.

Opening of the World Team Disc Golf Championship in Australia

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the donors who, through the Bona Fides Invest global crowdfunding platform, supported the crowdfunding campaign “Support the Croatian Disc Golf Team’s journey to the World Championships in Australia!” and helped the team to proudly represent Croatia at this prestigious sporting event. We covered part of the costs, and given that the campaign is still ongoing, anyone who wants to can still donate, and the Federation will refund the collected funds to the players.

For readers who might not be familiar with disc golf, can you explain the basic rules?

Disc golf is a version of golf played with discs (Frisbees) instead of balls, and the goal is to throw the disc into special metal baskets. The principle is similar to traditional golf—the aim is to complete all 18 holes with as few throws as possible. A typical game lasts around two to three hours, offering a great combination of challenge and relaxation.

Croatia take on Estonia

How does the team format work at the World Championship? What are the key differences compared to individual competitions?

In individual competitions, each player competes for themselves, and the final ranking is based on the total number of throws across all the holes on the course. In the team format, things are different.

A team consists of six players (three men, two women, and one player aged over 40), and the results are compared between the members of our team and those of the opposing team. This creates a completely different game dynamic and emphasizes a shared strategy.

What are the current activities of the Federation, and how can interested individuals get involved in disc golf in Croatia?

The Croatian Flying Disc Federation promotes and popularizes the sport through its own activities and support for clubs. The Federation’s main activity is organizing the Croatian Disc Golf League, which consists of 10 tournaments held from March to December, regularly gathering between 50 and 90 players.

In addition to the league, we organize the Croatian Championship, doubles tournaments, and national team appearances at major international events. Anyone interested can contact us at [email protected], and we will direct them to the nearest clubs and opportunities to play, as well as help with equipment purchases.

Aleksandar Aki Vucković, PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) Croatian Country Coordinator

Aleksandar Aki Vucković, PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) Croatian Country Coordinator

Since you are experienced in various sports, how does disc golf rank in terms of mental and physical demands compared to other sports?

We like to say that disc golf is 90% mental and 10% physical, but we often say that the remaining 10% is as much mental as a round or tournament can squeeze out of us. Disc golf is a sport in which there is no extreme physical effort and pushing the body to the maximum in the classic sense, but being fit and durable certainly helps.

Our rounds on Championship courses often last over four hours, and sometimes there are two in one day, up to four on a weekend if we don’t count the training sessions before the tournament. During a round, we throw the disc over 3000 m in total and cover up to 10 km per round. We play in all weather conditions except when there is fog and thunder, and if it is a terrain on ski resorts, you can feel the physical aspect of the sport.

However, compared to most other sports that I have had contact with, it is less physically demanding. Technique is the key to success, which is why it can be played at a high level by both children and slightly “older” players and why it is an attractive sport for an increasing number of recreational players, regardless of age.

Croatia take on Thailand

Mentally, it is certainly the most difficult sport I have tried, and I recommend it to anyone who does not like to depend on others and wants to keep the strings in their own hands. Many books have been written about the mental aspect of disc golf and golf in general, but everyone must find their own path and routines for the goal that all disc golfers have: to make the next throw as we imagined it and hit the target.

How was your preparation for such a big competition as the World Championship?

We prepared as we do for all other tournaments. For this World Championship, we put in extra effort to secure funds for the performance in Australia. We didn’t want to miss out because by passing the group, we could secure Croatia’s performance next year at the World Games in China, where disc golf will be included in the program for the first time.

So we invested energy in a crowdfunding campaign at the Bona Fides Invest platform and in finding several sponsors who supported us. It was important to us that the Croatian camp in Perth had everything we needed for maximum performance on the field. Given that this is a format that we encounter only at this competition, we did several team training sessions.

Mostly to test tactics and strategy and to determine the best combinations for playing in pairs. The Varaždin part of the national team regularly plays a mini league every Wednesday, during which approach and putt shots are mostly practiced. We are active all year round; we have a disc golf scene in Croatia and surrounding countries, and there is a tournament almost every week, to which we often travel and test our game.

This was your fourth World Team Championship. What experiences do you have from the championship?

So far, we have participated in the World Championships in Great Britain and Estonia, and we hosted them in Varaždin two years ago. The experience of the previous championships was useful to all of us, but I see the biggest difference in the fact that we had to travel by plane to another continent, which was logistically demanding and physically exhausting.

The unity of the Croatian Disc Golf Team after the match with Singapore

Three members of the national team got sick on the way, but we gave it our all. I have positive memories of the competition. I simply love this format because it is more forgiving of serious mistakes, and it is completely different for me to play for Croatia than for myself.

It is a great honor and responsibility, and the Croatian jersey brings out the maximum in me, so I also remember the victories against the favorites in previous competitions, which adds to my self-confidence. The Australian team showed great team spirit and desire to organize the championship at the last championship, so everything went well in terms of organization.

Your throwing style is very recognizable, especially your forehand technique. How did you develop that skill, and how much did it help you in tournaments? What aspects of the game are you working on the most?

When I started playing disc golf in 2011, there were no quality players in Croatia who would correct beginners’ mistakes in technique and thereby speed up our development. There was no video content available like today. We went to tournaments in Austria and learned little by little from the better ones.

The backhand is the basis and much easier to master than other shots, and we tell all beginners that today, but at that stage I could throw the forehand farther than the backhand, so I forced that shot and perfected it with the advice of players who were better than me.

I often played courses designed for backhand with forehand shots and used multiple angles in one shot, which gives extra distance and sometimes an advantage over the opponent if the execution is good. My forehand is still far from perfect technique, but that only shows how difficult disc golf really is to play well. It is a sport that is learned quickly, but you need years to perfect it.

Knowing the forehand shot is often a big advantage when you are in a tight spot; it gives you more options to get out of difficult situations.

Today my game is more balanced and simplified, but I still like to surprise my opponents with a forehand shot where no one expects it and get a few meters more on the course or a better chance for a putt (the final shot into the basket). As I mentioned before, I work on my shots the most, which I consider to be the worst at that moment, but I don’t neglect the other aspects of the game.

Danica Pajtak, Vice President of the Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS)

Danica, you are the most awarded Croatian disc golf player and an advocate for greater inclusion of women in the sport. What are your tips for women who want to start playing disc golf?

Disc golf is a sport that offers much more than physical activity—it’s a sport that requires both mental and physical preparedness, all while being immersed in nature, which makes it a truly unique experience. Once you get “hooked” on disc golf, it feels like there’s no going back.

My advice to women who want to start playing is not to be afraid to give it a try, to join local clubs, and just start playing. It’s also important not to be intimidated by the fact that most players on the course are still men. Men generally progress faster and throw farther, but that’s no reason to give up.

So, my message is: “If you enjoy the game, stay persistent—progress will come. It’s essential to remember that, regardless of experience or skill level, every beginning is tough, but it’s also an opportunity for personal growth, new experiences, new friendships, and new skills.”

You have participated in many international tournaments. How have these experiences shaped you? What has been your favorite moment or greatest achievement in your disc golf career so far?

Participating in international tournaments has been crucial for my progress—not just in a technical sense but also for connecting with players from around the world. It’s hard to pick a single favorite moment as there have been many. I would say my favorite aspect is that despite numerous obstacles I’ve faced and continue to face, I haven’t given up but continue to find ways to overcome them.

How did you come to the decision to launch a crowdfunding campaign? How much does community support mean to you at this time? How can the campaign be supported? Do you have a message for those who support you or plan to?

We decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign, “Support the Croatian Disc Golf Team on their Journey to the World Team Championship in Australia!” on the Bona Fides Invest platform to at least try to help the team financially. So far, we have raised just over three and a half thousand euros, which we are happy about, but this is only a fraction of the actual travel costs for the entire team. Anyone who wants to help our team can still do so. Every donation is valuable to us, and we thank everyone in advance for their support.

Are there any players or teams that you particularly follow or learn from?

I follow many international female players who have achieved incredible success in the sport, such as Estonian Kristin Tattar and Finnish Eveliina Salonen. Their play and dedication are an inspiration to me and many others. I also follow numerous players from the USA, which is the birthplace of disc golf, so it logically has the most players.

Vjeran Tuhtan, vice president of the Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS)

How do you see the development of disc golf in Croatia? What do you think is the key to popularizing this sport?

The Croatian Flying Disc Federation (HFDS) and local clubs are conducting promotional activities in accordance with the possibilities. The current centers of development are Varaždin, Rijeka (Platak), Stubičke Toplice, Nova Gradiška, and Zagreb, but we also have indications that several more clubs will be founded soon.

The biggest incentive would be the development of infrastructure by local governments, and in the last few years we have noticed the interest of private investors in setting up smaller disc golf courses as a complement to their tourist offerings. I certainly invite everyone who sees/hears about disc golf activities nearby—go and try it; you will discover a fantastic combination of being in nature and competitiveness.

What is the most important lesson you have learned throughout your disc golf career that you would share with young players just starting out?

Disc golf is a marathon, not a sprint! Mistakes happen to everyone, and we shouldn’t let them affect the rest of the game. I apply this rule in my life outside of disc golf.

The Croatian Disc Golf Team in Mundaring, Australia, before the first training session

If you could add a “power-up” element to disc golf, what would it be and how would it change the game?

The perfection of disc golf lies in many different things that affect the result: the configuration of the course, the angle and speed of the throw, the landing surface, atmospheric conditions, and even luck. It’s hard to find some power to overcome all those small natural obstacles. That’s the additional charm of the game!

To conclude, can you tell us how disc golf became an important part of your life? What attracted you to this sport? What does participating in this tournament mean to you personally?

Disc golf is the perfect combination of being outdoors and sport, and it attracted me from day one. In addition to being a fun sport, the community of players in Croatia and the surrounding area is extremely friendly and open.

Over the years, these acquaintances developed into true friendships, and participating in numerous tournaments across Europe became an indispensable part of my life. This tournament represents a significant experience and an opportunity to compete against top names in the sport. Every new encounter with elite players inspires me to keep working on myself and to continue improving.