Ken Climo Settles the GOAT Debate and Wants To Play Again | Tour Life

We had the honor to interview the 12 time World Champion, Ken Climo last week for Tour Life. This is the full interview.
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[@SouthernRG]

Jomez needs to do a practice round with Klimo before a tournament

[@discaddicts]

ok, this man is a GEM! Uli, thanks for getting this man hooked up to the podcast and thanks Brodie for showing us that time travel exists, because your smile at the beginning of podcast was like Brodie 7 years old meets Tiger Woods! And how refreshing to hear straight answers to good questions...please people with influence get this man his DUES! Every sport stands on the shoulders of those who's come before and this man was a main pillar of disc golf. Also, would love to see him share his knowledge at a variety of settings, come on lets make something happen where he can come and share and at the same time doesn't have to make to long time commitments.

[@bpkelleyliveproductions]

Met him on a few occasions back in the 90s, as I was just a lowly Am. He was a cool guy, but very serious at the time, as it can be intimidating to approach these big time Pros. I even videotaped a few holes with him and Steve Valencia and a couple others on an old 8mm camera. The batteries didn't last that long back then lol, so even fully charged, I still only got maybe half of one round. He took no time at all to set up and throw on the tee pad. He was locked in 110% on his shots. Back then, throwing anywhere near 400 feet was a huge deal! Everybody was in awe of him and his playing. He was mostly an unstoppable force through the 90s, as he did win a whopping NINE Worlds in a row! Almost eleven in a row, if not for losing by 4 to Ron Russell in '99. That mark will never be beat. McBeth did FOUR in a row from 2012-2015, as the MPO field is waaaay more competitive than 20-30 years ago. Only time will tell with McBeth, but he is the current active GOAT, yet Ken Climo will always be the all time GOAT in my book.

[@PWheat23]

This interview was great! If y'all could get Ken to play a round with the Foundation Crew at New London, I think that would be awesome!

[@tallgrayandgruesome]

Wow, this is fantastic! I discovered disc golf a little over 3 yrs ago. This podcast is the best GOAT interview I've ever seen! What a great guy (actual 3 great guys)! Thx to all of you.

[@wmolders8160]

Great interview! Thanks for providing it!

[@hillsdalemc]

This is an incredible interview and the most I’ve ever seen of the champ!

[@gfuqua70]

What an amazing interview!!! Climo has done some commentary, and when I've heard him he was phenomenal. Great guy who deserves more love and compensation

[@artgarba3108]

The champ !!! He’s the reason I got into the game . He will always be my favorite player . Love hearing stories from players in his era .

[@ronjones-6977]

I had the honor of playing on a third-round lead card with Ken back in '96. I held the tee for the first 6 holes from The Champ, Stevie Rico, and Johnny Lissaman. Evidently, that pissed him off and he shot 16 under for the hot round of the tournament and beat my ass by 7 strokes. Most of the people that don't think Kenny was that good never got to see him play. He just didn't make mistakes. I really hope he's able to get more involved in the game today. He has a ton of knowledge and some great stories. (#6977)

[@MSFB4EVER]

This is pure GOLD!! Thank you!!

[@Sassmusic1]

Much love for you KC. Thanks for inspiring me for 27 seasons! I’d love to see more of you on the DG scene!!! Give this man the keys to the PDGA!!!!

[@stuartwilliams2373]

It's amazing to see the love of the sport that Ken has. He needs to get on youtube and spread his knowledge with this new generation. Need More!

[@howifixit6206]

Loved this interview! Great guy

[@CorimDanex]

This was a wonderful interview to watch. I am so grateful that Ken did this interview and that he was asked by this channel to do the interview. I really liked how well the questions were selected and asked. I would love to see Ken more, whether to teach or commentate, or even play a round.

[@skymanchronicles8936]

I started in 88’ and he was the benchmark to strive for. His accuracy and consistency was what needed to be taught not just the special throws. We had very little access to any content or instruction. Great to see this interview. I’d like to see major win % among the best ever.

[@Frank-wr7vj]

my favorite disc when i started playing was a Ken Climo 2X world champion stingray. Man i wish i still had that disc.

[@antconn761]

AWESOME!!!! Ken Climo! You can learn a lot from the best that's ever been!! Let's just hope the PDGA AND all tournament TD's TAKE NOTES!!!!!

[@devlin76]

Great interview with The Champ! I am sure everyone would love to see Climo as the special guest for a Jomez Practice Round.

[@joshuaedwards7644]

The Champ!!! Great Interview fellas!

[@trollskogpaker9599]

Great interview! I got into disc golf a year ago and I can't get enough of it. Allready, to me Ken Klimo seems like kind of a mythical legend just from the way he's referenced and talked about in the community. I really hope to see more of him in future disc golf coverage. He should be rewarded more for his effort and inspiration through the years. He's obviously really nowlegeable and engaged in the sport still. Think he will get some good offers coming after this though..😊

[@prattacaster]

Wow, this should be mandatory for every disc golfer to watch. I could listen to him talk about discs for an hour. Good on ya guys

[@omahonda]

Ken Climo is an interesting guy! Loved the interview, and I learned much about this legend.

[@ChadDore]

I learned to play from that video he and Dave did for now I'm finding out no money. If he gets involved with something in the future and I have the opportunity and money to throw at it I definitely will. Thanks for the interview Ken you are appreciated.

[@arnoldgalvan430]

Great episode. Hope you all get to play a practice round together

[@Notimp0rtant523]

Quality edit job team

[@brockjohnson5180]

hell yeah, need this man in action.

[@jacobphillips4333]

My first and only ace is with a 10X Climo Firebird, it's cool to see the biggest professionals in the game show the respect to such a legend of the game. Great interview!

[@Christopher-Lenz]

Sweet man. How far was it? I just took my firebird out for now and replaced it w the predator

[@untrustworthyshelfing9953]

Damn. Dude's kind of a tragic figure. For over 20 years, everybody has thrown at least one disc with his signature on it. He's the GOAT, but maybe more importantly, he was the first NAME in disc golf. Taking something as minor as disc golf in the 90s as seriously as Climo took it is the ultimate sign of passion. A legend.

[@PhilGeissler]

Awesome!

[@kevinrounds5764]

that hole at shelly sharp was a dogleg left...i was present for that "drive"...it is still the most amazing throw in our history...in relation to how far guys were throwing at the time...

[@matthewsetzer362]

Climo nails every point.

[@TreLimes]

Great interview Champ !! Bag a Climo Teebird 🎉 YES! Climo in a Skins Match 🎉 Bring it!

[@artgarba3108]

Ken is disc golf royalty. He was like a machine on the course . He was so fun to watch play . His drives were beautiful. And his putting was automatic. Modern disc golf needs someone like Ken . He’s a true master of the game .

[@Christopher-Lenz]

Macbeth, Wysocki, Eagle, Lizotte, etc

[@astroblast785]

KC Pro for life!! We from the old school gang!! Hope to see you out there soon!!

[@robschoenung9543]

Ken seems a little bitter, and I get it. Jack Nicklaus earned about 7M from golf, Tiger about 130M. Both are now worth close to 1B. Ken made about 150k from Disc Golf. Simon Lizotte just signed a 10M dollar contract.

[@steveolie985]

Simon is always smiling and never trying to say hes the bestest ever tho. Ken doesnt want to give anyone any complements other than himself.

[@robschoenung9543]

@@steveolie985 Simon deserves everything he's earned. The point is that Ken is considered the best ever and earned basically nothing.

[@BryceRogers_]

Couldn’t have said it better.

[@jerebere19]

If he came back I’m someone would be dying to pay him

[@LittlePimp2024]

@@steveolie985probably a subconscious defense because he feels like he’s been slighted by the game. Can you really blame him? Obviously he “could” act like he doesn’t care but he laid the groundwork for all of these new contracts and I’m sure he wishes he had a piece of what he helped create.

[@eonslimafoxtrotgolf1759]

BRODIE, when Ken would show up to the tournament, all the players were like, "who's gettin second"!

[@Andyb427]

I play with integrity and call myself all the time I love that kenny said that. I will stroke myself before anyone else will.

[@cosmolean]

Very interesting interview and insight into a legend's career. It seems the disc golf community may be under utilizing Mr. Climo but it won't be suprising if now he pops up on Jomez or Foundation videos in the near future. It's a shame his back won't allow him to compete more often.

[@evanstowers8529]

Posts were VERY common in thr beginning from my understanding. My Grandmother played it with my mother and uncle with Frisbees. The first time I played in 2009 the course we went to still had posts.

[@oncerodea300ex]

It’s a bummer Ken wasn’t monetarily rewarded for his efforts. He helped to popularize the sport we love. I hope down the road the sport can find a way to reward him.

[@bossmonster3319]

LOVED him commentating USDGC a few years ago

[@Andyb427]

We need Dave Greenwell interview sometime. I'm fortunate enough to be taught by Greenwell as a kid and even now being from the same town. I get to see him still play at our local courses and Leagues.

[@wheresurritethumb]

It would be great to see him and mcbeth shoot a round

[@BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHX7]

Walk and run movement in the pool is very good for the back.

[@robertkitchens6341]

Omg you got Ken on the channel dude is god

[@randonbennett1322]

Distraction rule convo makes me think of Happy Gilmore when the tower falls over on the green lol

[@merk345]

Social media should be going to Ken. Ken has so much to offer the dg community. If Ken builds it they will come. Innova call Ken!!!

[@VesaHanhisalo]

Had to stop the video to comment, we NEED a skins match with KC and other og disc golfers that are up to it. Also I would love to see some content from Brody/Simon/Uli with KC, casual rounds, challenges, anything really - I'll watch it RIGHT away.

[@adamkorner4046]

I bag a 12x Climo Teebrid, you must praise the champ

[@50StichesSteel]

I would LOVE to watch Ken play a tournament... I wouldn't even care if he came in last place, I just wanna see him give it a go

[@MK212074]

no chance he's come in last, dude can still slang it!

[@scottshepardson1196]

definitely the goat. always will be! and a class act, appreaciate your honesty about disc golf not taking care of him as perhaps it should have...but the game was so new, or young so to speak... what about that stupid argument about it being a tougher field now, perhaps that is not even worth discussing...yes well said gentleman from 12667

[@Linky609]

I hope Kenny gets into course design and comes back to commentary because he was great at USDGC. Itd be great to have him come get involved like Stokely has to keep the history involved in the modern day.

[@lovebloomsfromafar6302]

Great interview. Just wondering if changing the title repeatedly results in more views and watch hours...

[@adamisrollingstoned]

got into disc golf last summer and realized i went to high school with his son Keegan. sounds like there's some salt in the wounds around that subject but i rmember his son being a good dude

[@markdennyritner7851]

I played a round with Ken, Keegan and Reese Swinae (RIP) on opening day of the course in Lutz (now defunct). One of my fondest disc golf memories.

[@no_name4aday]

Going to the grocery store with a camera told the dog im going goat hunting

[@_moses_980]

Brodie is gonna try and pull a Climo practice round for the USDGC 😂. I think we would all love to see it.

[@moforyguy6803]

It weighs both ways. Back then the technology like Climo said wasn't what it is today. So everyone was throwing with understable discs. Sport is much bigger now so you have a lot more people coming in with big talent cuz they are able to make money playing and not having to have another job

[@mchankerhoff853]

Fuckin best dad ever

[@buhrj66]

I would love to see ken throw roc’s on camera again. I’d definitely tune in

[@tonyoliva8488]

get this man paid

[@BryceRogers_]

Fr!! DG should be ashamed that this living legend is not well compensated for his work

[@adamiljazi2035]

I’ve been lucky enough to play a few rounds with Kenny and he is an awesome guy. You’re right though, it is very nerve racking throwing in front of him, especially your first ever drive with him watching. He parked it under the basket on hole 16 at Cliff Stephens park with a tee bird about 450’ over water, made me want to quit playing 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheSlambert123]

🎉

[@Beaglefaust]

Can tell KC is a traditional golfer giving that advice on putting speed and sometimes laying up. I see a lot of disc golfers throwing away shots. But like you all said, you have to be aggressive to win and it sometimes works well. Having said that though, a saved stroke is a saved stroke. No style strokes are subtracted for aggression.

[@wtoole1]

Ken Climo could get a sponsorship from any manufacturer, release a Climo disc today, and all parties would make money. There's so much money in the sport now, how is there no place for Ken Climo? He says he watches live coverage, at the very least he could be in the both. The Gruden of Disc Golf.

[@olddognewtricks2818]

King Ken!! My favorite of all time! But Emerson Kieth has been putting from his left hip forever!! Way before Gannon Buhr!

[@toenailtom654]

Avery Jenkins... Aviar My first disc was a Condor,. Then the Viper. Then the big deal was the Cyclone. Then the Tsunami. My first disc was in 91

[@bossmonster3319]

Please Kenny!! Please play USDGC PLEASE!

[@Worldwar3TV]

I challenge Ken to one round to settle this once and for all….

[@brendanzedlitz7303]

😂

[@blazorro2558]

Who are you?

[@plasticplanetdiscgolf]

Get him to throw a practice round w you guys on JoMez!

[@ERICWAGNERSLUCID]

Another reason the PDGA sucks … This was a great interview. Ken has been overlooked for far too long. He should be the biggest contributor to the PDGA for $$$$$$$$&$$$$$$

[@jrmygbbs]

The reason Worlds is different is because of the history. It’s the consistent measurable over time. How else would we compare Ken and Paul?

[@wtforce5512]

Holy shit it’s KC 😮 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Ihminen]

GOD!

[@lukesdayoff9753]

Let's see Climo on Jomez! I know he doesn't want full time but the guest speaker.

[@thomasjohansen9968]

Innova make the videos happen!!

[@andrewfarrar1786]

Heard a really funny story the other day about a tournament, Ken Climo, Cocaine and a McDonalds rep. He's the goat hands down

[@smp1396]

Would be so cool if McBeth teamed up with Kenny to build courses.

[@arthurgegan3523]

Kenny and philo were the best commentary for usdgc

[@robertkitchens6341]

Philo sucks at commentary keep it real

[@olddognewtricks2818]

Ken, Paul and Tom Monroe. 3 goats

[@callawaycass5148]

Nikko doesn't look like the bad guy for calling Ricky. He looks like the bad guy because of his reaction after not getting a second.

[@barrypeirson3710]

Good ol Nikko!

[@rickyk9088]

Get Climo on some stem cell therapy! I started playing 2 years ago an sadly don't know much about Climo, but dude seems freaking awesome.

[@justinrogers7421]

Wisdom

[@robschoenung9543]

He's right that he would have won more majors. But you have to take into account the depth of the field now.

[@50StichesSteel]

For sure... There's NO WAY he would have 12 world Championships in today's field

[@evangronlund5072]

I think it’s less that he has less its more that Paul has 10 and probably surpasses if worlds was still 10 rounds. He only started losing when it was shortened.

[@kevinmoehring8259]

@@evangronlund5072 I think there's another fair point in there too. The more rounds, the harder it is for underdogs to be carried by a hot round (or 2). The higher level players will play better on average, and when you add more and more rounds, that average will become more apparent. I think trying to compare eras in sports is pretty pointless especially in disc golf, but we can certainly agree like Climo said - the only two that can really have that conversation are the ones who are up for the GOAT status themselves.

[@Linky609]

There's no question that Ken wouldn't have dominated the way he did then if he played now but Ken's game was pretty similar to Paul's. Incredibly consistent, hitting tight lines, and ice cold on the putting green.

[@jonathanperrone4813]

Somebody get climo to design the property across the street from mill ridge at mco. Like 300 acres of land

[@pallew]

Let's say that the competition is 50% harder now than when Climo played. That would give him 6 world titles, and I would argue that competition is like 500% harder today. If Climo had played during Pauls era, would he had beaten both him and Ricky? Imo that's a no

[@steveolie985]

He would be competeing with them for sure. Noone can win em all, but the top talents always rise up. I think the competition now is far harder than 20 years ago. You have literally 25x more registered players now than then, and thats not even counting the non competitive guys that have been playing for 20-30 years now that exist outside the tournament world.

[@aaronwaggoner8014]

100% on enforcing the rules!!!! Disc golf pro tour needs to get the point where there is an official assigned to EVERY hole, cards don't call their own violations, and the official calls everything. They have a stop watch and enforce the 30 second rule. They call foot faults, they call everything. Otherwise, what's the point of having rules if they aren't enforced?

[@jimmiepauley197]

Get him in on a practice round

[@timchuk4916]

They just need a senior division like real golf.

[@danalawton2986]

I think you are wrong about Ratings! Sure, there are some countries where ratings are out of whack with ratings in the USA but ratings are a fine measurement of skill level overall. Sometimes you need to look into a rating, especially for someone that has not played many rounds but if the person has played multiple tournaments on various courses, the rating should be accurate. And... ratings give people something to measure themselves by along with something to shoot for. I would probably take a big win over having a rating but since ratings exist without and real detractor and cost... why not... and again, most of the time they are quite accurate.

[@Andyb427]

I think Paul Mcbeth should hire Kenny to design courses.

[@markdennyritner7851]

The GOAT question is impossible to answer absolutely. One thing for sure, though: if you put the 17 year old Kenny in 2005ish and introduced him to the game and then brought the 1995 Keny into 2014 to compete against himself, the new Ken would kick the crap out of the old Ken. We'd need a holographic George Carlin to call the action.

[@loreno1317]

First time listening to the podcast. Got some feedback for brodie: you seem like a simpathetic guy. As an interviewer, i think you ask too closed questions, talking abit to much in general, even interrupting your opposite.. the way you ask questions, you limite the answers your opposite can give. Try more open questions. Thanks for the podcast. Intersting topics.

[@crusher26638]

Even golf with more cameras has many cheaters. It’s great to have integrity but I think the rules need to be changed so players aren’t calling each other. The circle could be bigger. Only stand still shots off fairways or in the trees are behind bushes. Have a bigger spot for your foot to plant when you are in the fairway and it doesn’t matter.

[@johnshepherd6925]

This is kinda sad honestly. He gave soooo much. Innova should make it right. Get this guy paid for how often they used his name on discs. Edit: Ok...sounds like he's good with Innova...seems so strange.

[@lukestrachan3677]

Dude's shoulders look like theyre 6 feet wide

[@stianaxp]

Ken Climo won his 12 worlds between 1990 and 2006 where there were 10k to 30k pdga members. Paul Mcbeth won his 6 between 2010 and 2222. In that time the pdga member count was from 45k to 250k. So if Climo is using Numbers to claim he is the goat, then the Numbers clearly state that Pauls 6 wins is atleast twice as hard to win, and probably more than twice as hard. I do believe most of the DiscGolf community is thinking like this. And if this sport has 10 million members in 2040, a guy will not need 6 worlds to be in the conversation. The goat debate is not settled.

[@1isone]

The thing with the Goat-Debate is that there is no way to compare them fairly. If you gonna use world titles then it’s like saying Bill Russell is the goat over Michael Jordan in the NBA, because ironically they are also 12 vs 6 rings. But Bill won when it was new and nobody was on his level, just like Ken Climo. The difference in competition is what sets them apart. I think McBeth is the greatest player ever, just like i think Jordan is.

[@michaelmaniloff9297]

No, it's not the same because a team sport is nothing similar.

[@BelRiose2000]

There is a problem here. Brodie just want to talk all the time. I want to listen to Uli, but Brodie is just takes the spotlight. For Christ's sake, let Uli be heard.

[@aaronwaggoner8014]

I understand when he says "As far as I'm concerned Paul is halfway there", but to be fair, Ken didn't have anywhere near the parody to contend with in regards to top level players. There were maybe 5 or fewer guys each tournament that could have been in the running. Nowdays, there are at minimum 20 that could be in contention at every tournament. With that in mind, I'd think the GOAT conversation is less "settled" than Ken thinks it is.

[@Discsforbaskets]

The title for this is all wrong lol How does he settle the debate without the other person in the discussion for goat, being there? Also, sorry, people don't say MJ is the greatest of all time because he claims he's the greatest. Paul can throw shots Ken can't but Ken can't throw shots that Paul can't. Pretty simple. Plus the whole harder competition thing.

[@Discsforbaskets]

@markjohnson7488 lol if you are saying that just him and Paul get to talk about which one is the best then that's just silly in my opinion and if you needed him to settle the fact that there's no one else in the conversation as the goat, then you're an idiot to begin with. Ken's amazing and would have to be the second best but regardless of technology, you can't just "what if" him 475' side arm.

[@matthewsetzer362]

There’s no debate. Climo is the GOAT.

[@cliftonluce1534]

If they gave rings to the disc golf world champions Ken would have to put some on his toes while Paul has plenty of fingers left to fill

[@Discsforbaskets]

@cliftonluce1534 Ken could put them all on his toes though, because they mean less.

[@cliftonluce1534]

@@Discsforbaskets 12>6 Same as Ken > Paul