I am very fortunate to live in a city with a perennial top dozen or so player in the national PDGA rankings. As small as Tulsa is, it is great to be able to go out on most weekends and see one of the top current players competing against the field. This weekend, I got the chance to follow Coda Hatfield around during the final round of the Hunter Park leg of the Tulsa City Championship.

Aside from playing a round with a pro, watching a round in tournament play is probably the best way measure your own game and see what areas need the most improvement. When you aren't playing with them, you also get the chance to study proper approach and focus. In some areas, I was surprised to see the top players making some of the same mistakes that I do. On the other hand, I was able to see how my approach differs and should be corrected in order to achieve more consistency in scoring.

One thing cannot be disputed. These guys can throw long and do it with accuracy. I saw tight shots that sailed almost 400 feet. I remember thinking that, while I have hit some of these shots on this same course, I can't do so consistently and under pressure.

You'd be surprised just how many good players probably live close enough to regularly compete in local tournaments. 1000rated.com lists regularly updated rankings with location and your local disc golf association will post tournament dates and locations. If you're interested in elevating your game, you should consider leaving the discs in the car and walking a round behind some pros. Just remember to be quiet and stay behind the players. I was surprised to be thanked by one of the players in the top group as I walked back to my car after the round. Believe me, the feeling was mutual.

Congratulations to Devan Owens (ranked #146) for pulling off the upset and running away with the tournament in the final holes.