Paige Pierce "Why MPO Is More Popular Than FPO" | Tour Life

Paige Pierce is back in the winner circle after a dominate performance at The Open at Austin. She discusses what lead to her success, how she has been developing a power forehand, and what her goals for the 2023 season are.
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[@pdderek]

I'd wager 90 percent or more disc golf players are...men ... Stop asking why men don't like watching women's sports and start asking why women don't like watching women's sports.

[@CommonSenseCriticism]

This is the best answer. It's not about how many guys watch or don't watch women's sports, it's about how many women DON'T watch women's sports. Bill Burr had a great bit about this. And you're 100% correct IMHO.

[@Pisgahmts]

Fantastic response. But disc golf demographics lean heavy to the woke, so unfortunately this will never be taken seriously and men will be to blame.

[@TheSoftwareTutor1]

Wow. Nice answer, and yeah, I'm sure we all wish more women played disc golf!

[@chrisgirth7373]

As someone who watches FPO regularly I think the reason is numerous factors. The higher level of competition and skill being an obvious. Before you get upset about that look at Paige's circle 2 putting. I believe it was 5% in this tournament and she won. You wouldn't stand a chance in MPO with that stat. Also most of the women are rated 900-950 and I can go to my local league and play with people on that level. Alot of times in the women's rounds there is someone who has a 7 or 8 stroke lead going into the final round and it doesn't make for an exciting watch. This year has been alot better and Tattar was the shot in the arm FPO needed. Before her it was really just Paige and Allen with a few others occasionally winning. To be blunt its just not as exciting or engaging as MPO most of the time and thats not taking away from anyone's skill as Paige is far better than most of us could dream of. As the sport evolves there is no doubt FPO will become more engaging but even as someone who watches it regularly, I understand why the viewership is lower.

[@pdderek]

If you say "the reason" then don't follow with a plural statement like "is numerous" The reasons are numerous is what you meant to say.

[@chrisgirth7373]

@@pdderek I apologize for my grammatical error

[@rageoid]

I was going to post some of the same thoughts, kind of, but you did it so well I'll just say thanks for the articulation, could not have said it better myself ! I feel guilty for not watching more FPO, but... you know....yeah.

[@charlied904]

I mean it’s obvious why. It’s the same with every sport. I will say tho. I am wayyy more into FPO than the females sides of other sports. I like other sports too: basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, etc., but I don’t pay much attention to the female sides of those sports whereas I actually do follow and watch fpo dg. So hey.

[@tommyboy4835]

I must say, other than women’s tennis 😋 I’ve never ever once been excited to watch women play a sport. I absolutely love watching the FPO play and I set a timer on my phone so I don’t miss any of the action. And, it’s getting more and more exciting to watch every year

[@PyneTreeInTheForest]

Professional Athletes are expected to be the best in every aspect of their sport. The number of FPO players that are still only comfortable throwing one style versus 90%+ MPO field having all the tools in the bag is a huge reason for the disparity of interest. The more versatile and effective a pro athlete is, the more exciting it is to watch. Simple.

[@PC8905]

I mean James conrad.

[@PyneTreeInTheForest]

Hence 90%

[@PC8905]

@@PyneTreeInTheForest oh I took it that not having a backhand or forehand is boring. When James Conrad Is someone people enjoy watching. Thus meaning that not having all the tools doesn’t really affect poeples desire to watch. Unless you are saying he has the personally/character to overcome that.

[@steveolie985]

Chandler Kramer is fun to watch as a forearm only player.

[@PyneTreeInTheForest]

@@PC8905 I'm saying it is more exciting to watch professional athletes at the top of their sport with proficiency in all the abilities you would expect are required to in fact be at the top of the sport. There will always be exceptions like conrad, kramer and other marginal cases in MPO hence the 90%. FPO, however, is seemingly a large majority of the field that has yet to commit themselves to a versatile approach to the game resulting in a less exciting viewing experience in most cases. If you are a professional athlete, it is your full time job to be as competitive as possible in your sport, and you get paid to do so, then viewership develops certain expectations for that level of competition. It can come across to many viewers as lacking on multiple fronts if they feel those expectations are not being met. There will always be the marginal cases and is why I am speaking in broader strokes here that apply to the majority. Best example I can think of is Calvin going from using forehand primarily for scramble and obvious approach shots as recent as just a couple seasons ago, to clearly recognizing the need and putting in the work to develop an accurate and powerful forehand he is now comfortable using off the tee or really any situation. Simply put, it feels like we are seeing MPO players more regularly get outside their comfort zones to adapt and improve while FPO players are slower to adopt that type of change. To paraphrase Paige from this interview, "MPO players are less fearful on the course while FPO players may let their emotions dictate on-course decision making more" and that shows in play often with less exciting results. The FPO field is becoming more competitive quickly and in an exciting way, I do still watch every event and am simply speaking from a viewer standpoint. I love watching all DG events and all players, Conrad is at the top of the list of fun to watch especially because he is throwing lines most are not, but how consistently is he in the hunt to win and in the mix for top player conversations? I will never discredit any players dedication to the game but would challenge their ability to be more confident versatile players to level up their game. Almost all of the new, young talent coming into the sport are doing so with almost every shot in the bag because that's what the level of competition and most courses on tour now demand. If a player is not willing to adapt to those demands, then they are likely to see themselves falling behind the field.

[@mattsmith1260]

The only thing I'd do different, while interviewing. Is have Brodie, and Uli flip flop questions. Take turns with 1 or 2 questions coming from either one, and then have the other ask 1 or 2 questions. That way, both of y'all get to be engaged in the conversation. Besides that, great interview.

[@bradwurst8141]

Thought it was very candid of Paige to admit that MPO players simply take more risks. Risk/reward makes competition awesome from both player and fan perspective.

[@bsmithhammer]

Great conversation. I'm purely speculating here, but I'd be willing to bet there is much higher male audience viewing FPO than most other female sports. I've heard the sentiment, "I don't really watch women's sports, but I definitely watch FPO disc golf" numerous times from male fans, and I'd include myself in that group. At the same time, I think Paige brings up some really valid points about how to improve FPO in general.

[@richarddingledy8619]

from the heart: I love to see Brodie happy, sharp as a tack, and the utmost professional on the course and on the mike.

[@jasoncook6832]

I watch the FPO way more. Go Sai ! All these ladies are better than me , so trying to get pointers from them versus thinking I can go from beginner to throwing 600 ft like the top guys!

[@drlehman73]

I've been really enjoying FPO. Before last year I would never watch. Now I can't wait to get FPO streaming!

[@CommonSenseCriticism]

My problem with watching FPO is that it's not exciting. I can throw farther and make some of the same putts they make (or in evellina sollonen's case... not make) whereas with MPO, they throw farther than me (75% of them anyway), make way longer putts than me and are overall better than I am at the sport. I'm not saying I'd beat paige or kristin evedry single time, but aside from them and a couple others, I could probably hold my own in the FPO field. And since I'm a 43 year old man with possible low t, I could throw FPO and show you all what I'm talking about. :)

[@jii-ro7083]

Mens sports in general are more watched and is better competition. There is a reason why females play in Female pro open and mens are playing MIXED pro open. If women were good enough they could play with men but they are not.

[@Notimp0rtant523]

Some have before, there are examples dating back 25+ years

[@blipblopride9024]

@@Notimp0rtant523 some play, but they arent competitive, right?

[@jamesbenton4123]

The tight tricky greens without enough practice is what it felt like. A year or more of play will make this course more score able.

[@jgray2718]

Paige is 100% right about the women playing a lot safer than the men.** It could be a societal thing, but I kind of think it's a lack of competition, where if they just kept a round from falling apart they could get a really good placement. I can't count the number of times I've seen an FPO leaderboard with first place 5 shots clear of second, and #10 was like 18 shots back or even more. So if you're in 6th place you can't catch first and all you have to do to maintain a top 10 is not fall to pieces and get a triple bogey, so it's just smart to lay up. But you don't get as many blowout wins in FPO any more. I think the days of Paige winning every tournament by 3 strokes over Catrina and 12 strokes over 3rd are gone forever and the top women are much more bunched up now. On a similar note, I've always had a great time watching Paige specifically because she just doesn't lay up. She's borderline crazy in what she'll try, which is super fun to watch, especially when she pulls off some amazing shot. She reminds me of Ricky in that she'll get some bogies but more than make up for it with a truckload of birdies. That's been pretty lacking in FPO until very recently. Now I see players like Holyn and Hailey and Kat and Ohn being pretty willing to try things I never used to see. It's fantastic for the viewers. I also think it's generally been more fun to watch the men because it's more physically impressive to watch Eagle throw a 700 foot roller than it is to watch Catrina throw a still impressive 400 footer. Or to watch McBeth drain an 80 foot putt rather than Valerie draining a 50 footer. That's probably something the women won't ever be able to fix; it's the reason the NBA will likely always be more popular than the WNBA - the men are bigger, stronger, faster, and just a more impressive spectacle. The women's game is still fun to watch and their skill is impressive _(particularly for a bad player like me; I sure wish I could throw laser straight drives like Missy)_ but it'll be hard to match the men just in terms of physical capability. **: it annoys me that the women's announcers _always_ describe a lay up as "the smart play". It's very often not the smart play. A lay up is just a shot you miss intentionally. That's not always the smart play, and Paige is proof. One way she got to be the greatest of all time is by not letting fear rob her of birdies.

[@cup_and_cone]

The #1 reason for the FPO popularity issue is we men (who make up the bulk of disc golf participation) are constantly trying to compare ourselves to others, which makes watching FPO hard. I have not been playing disc golf very long at all, yet when I objectively look at all the FPO player statistics, ratings, courses, all various data, I would be a mid-pack FPO player. It's mind boggling that I would be comfortably in the cash payout on any given weekend at an Elite Series/Silver Series event in FPO, which is supposed to be the best players in the world. But that's the reality of male/female differences. Chances are the top local male players near most people are higher rated than the best FPO players like Paige or Kristin. It is what it is, and I think that's what puts off viewers, especially in today's society where everyone values their time. Men don't want to watch three hours of live FPO coverage when they can go down to their local doubles and see better golf.

[@chupapiman3628]

The answer is no mystery. It is the same reason why nobody watches womans basketball... the product is much worse. It's largely a participation problem. Of the total PDGA membership, woman comprise 8 percent furthermore, the elite series field size is much smaller than MPO. FPO has along way to go before people show up for more than moral support.

[@Discsforbaskets]

Why does the number of players matter? I've never understood why more players means more people watch...there can only be so many players on coverage anyway. If it's all the best females then the amount doesn't matter. It wouldn't matter to a lot of people if there were 15 men at each tournament, if the best of the best were there.

[@MegaLaban12345]

​@@Discsforbaskets casual

[@chupapiman3628]

@@Discsforbaskets I could not disagree more

[@shortsmcgee7134]

The same reason men shouldn’t compete in fpo.

[@postscript3150]

Las Vegas Challenge should do chaps as a trophy.

[@scottbasal9749]

For me it comes down to putting. The putting skill level in FPO used to be nonexistent as of a few years ago and it made watching a drag. The women have definitely improved their putting but still have a ways to go. I do enjoy watching FPO now, but for me, it is only because the putting skill level has visibly increased. Tbh, some of the FPO field shouldn't even be out there with their level of putting...my gf doesn't even play disc golf but would probably have a better C1X percentage than Evelina 😒

[@DougBartonLHS]

100% agree

[@kencritchley5546]

Would you say the large percentage of disc golf viewers are men? I think the fpo needs to get more women viewers.

[@BobbySlackem-fd1uh]

No ….. it’s that men’s field is fun to watch .. have you watched a fpo? There’s like 3 that are good and the rest suck

[@Gekayshaman]

I understand what people mean when they say what you're saying, but the reality of it is, as it is today, the amount of women watching sports will never be close to how many men watch sports, basically across the board. In general, men are the majority of viewers for most sports, so getting more women to watch would mean you have to convince women to start watching sports in general. It's not like there is a huge populace of women that are out there willing to watch sports and just don't choose FPO disc golf, it's just that the majority of women don't care about sports in general. Just looking at the women in my life, I know a handful that would sit and watch a sporting event in their free time, usually if there are other people watching with them and maybe even just by themselves, and that would probably be the NFL. Compare that to the men I know. Almost all the guys I know will watch some sports in their free time, regardless of who is around. If someone wants more people to watch FPO, they either have to convince a group of people that don't usually watch sports anyway to start watching, or start finding ways to appeal to the mass of the audience that is out there.

[@TyCampbellTX]

People want to watch top competition. MPO throws further, can scramble better, and are way more accurate at putting. FPO is good for what it is, but it's the same reason people don't watch the WNBA. Just not the top level of competition.

[@chrisbondi5887]

I'm sorry but this is an absolute unrealistic comment because what you don't understand is that these women actually throw farther than every single one of us in the comments. Definitely come back to this comment section after you defeat the top 10 women in a round of disc golf until that moment these women are champions specifically of their division. Do not ever compare WNBA to women's disc golf absolutely fucking ludicrous

[@readingthewaters]

You don’t think WNBA players are better than the average man you are crazy. He’s 100% correct in the fact that the competition is clearly higher in MPO

[@pkjacobg]

@@chrisbondi5887 If you read that again, you'll realize he wasn't saying HE could do those things better than FPO. He said MPO. There is a major skill gap between divisions; that's not even a debatable topic.

[@nautilusshell940]

@@chrisbondi5887 You sound mad

[@shortsmcgee7134]

@@chrisbondi5887 sit down 😂

[@lukesdayoff9753]

Paige I feel like you were in the hot seat. You are my fav FPO player and I think you handled the hard questions well. Best wishes. It's not easy being one of the best. You crush it though! Brodie and Paul, keep up the hard questions. It let's us see what our fav pros are made of. Best wishes

[@shannoncrossley9973]

Dang. What a great interview. I commend Paige's honesty, and the guys for asking some really tough (and sometimes cringe) questions. For example, she hasn't won in 8 months? It's the beginning of the season, for goodness sake. 😂 And OH MAN an end of the season players meeting/award ceremony would be so cool. I hope someone gets that going.

[@djksan1]

We see this in all professional sports, the men's side of the sport draws the most viewership. (The only exception I can think of in recent memory might be in the UFC, but that may have been shortlived). In general, you have more males playing more sports at higher levels. It's most likely simply due to personality trait differences between men and women, where men are more likely to be aggressive, and express that aggression through physical means, rather than social. This would mean that men are probably more interested in playing sports than women, so when you have a larger pool of athletes having to compete at a higher level, you get a deeper field of athletes who are performing at a higher level - and THAT is ultimately what people want to watch. I'd also wager dollars-to-donuts that sports audiences are comprised of a male majority... the interest levels are just different between men and women. So, you're also going to have men who are more interested in watching other men play their sport than women, since at a physical level, they're also trying to ascertain what the standard of play is for their physical peers.

[@brianmassman6016]

love paiges thoughts on difference between difference between fpo and mpo

[@DougBartonLHS]

Putting. Putting. Putting. It should be the area of least difference between men and women. There are great putters on the women's tour (Ohn, Missy, Kristin) and I keep watching when they are in the running (Sai's win last week was a great, positive example). When nobody can make a putt, and there is no clear reason why that is happening other than a lack of preparation and practice, I lose interest. The distance shot and recovery shot differences between MPO and FPO doesn't affect my viewership.

[@neverlayup]

This ^ I can't stand watching the women choke on their putting. Sometime it seems like I am watching a beer league. You will never see that on the lead MPO card.

[@davidfoster2629]

Its so frustrating because putting is the easiest thing to get better at. You can rep it anywhere and it isn't harmful to your body. You just can't go out and chuck 1000 full power forehands in an afternoon but you absolutely can with putts. The FPO commentators mentioned as a joke many times this year that Ohn spends hours practicing putting. They almost say it as a negative thing, like look at this moron practicing putting so much. That's why she is near the top and you guys aren't. This tiny woman who is over 40 years old and only throws 300 feet competes at the top of the tour because she putts better and further than everyone on the FPO tour. This is so replicable right now and its maddening how bad the FPO putting still remains.

[@haunguyen2001]

They need a cowboy boot

[@Jase-ul5yi]

I watch them both about equally. But the men's is always a bit more exciting. More players competing at high levels. It's the same in every sport. And just like other people said, it's not men's fault. Get more women watching disc golf. I do my part, have a Paige Passion, scoggins leopard 3, finley Mako 3, Hokom Trace, Allen Sail, Tattar Grace, and a Cox Glory. Lol

[@logant9437]

I actually usually watch both too, but I will only watch FPO when it is fair.

[@Tsxtasy1]

Nah, don’t listen to the internet. Paige is the best FPO player ever. The field is constantly changing, you literally can’t win every event. With her work ethic she’ll be on top for a long time

[@logant9437]

If there is a TPO in a few years, how will that affect things?

[@pdderek]

It's a desperate reach to say "Women are chicken and men play with less fear" and that's why men's is more popular. No one cares about your scramble game. Dudes like watching dudes. It's more relatable. Simple as that! If men JUST wanted to watch sports then the WNBA and Women's Soccer would be popular rather than suing their employers. And Kevin Jones played safe and lost like Ella. No one in my friend zone said, "HE PLAYED LIKE A GIRL!" This is a dumb conversation imo. Dudes like dudes. We always have and always will.

[@NFS305]

Yeh but no homo

[@uda1185]

Waahhhhh😢😢😢 We want more views and likes. This is what older stand up comics are talkin about. (re:Bill Burr Live at Red Rocks on womens basketball) Its not on us ladies! lol ... And this is from someone who loooves coverage this year with the "Two Hot Geese!!". Just dont complain about it is my point. You're hurting your cause with men.

[@nicks6313]

Yeah, so it's a skill gap. The top men usually make long putts. Unfortunately, women usually miss by a long shot. Not being sexist, but the proof is in the pudding

[@NFS305]

It’s ok to be “sexist”. No need to apologize

[@frog23988]

I totally disagree I prefer watching the women because of some of the MPO show their Ass when they have a bad shot or something does not go their way. The women for me show a much better show by just having fun while doing their job. I am 70 years young and do like both fields play but I seem to enjoy watching the womens game better.

[@NFS305]

Not all of them but it shows it means more! They actually care where as the women are far too casual in a professional setting. This ain’t 5th grade recess

[@justinlongley9058]

I prefer to watch the FPO... not only because the women are beautiful but because they take similar lines on the course that I could take.... I can't throw 600 so I don't want to only watch MPO throw bombers...

[@Discsforbaskets]

So you watch high school sports instead of professional sports, so you can watch what closer to average people play, right?.. I watch FPO but that's crazy to not watch MPO just because you can't play the sport like they do...

[@NFS305]

They are beautiful? Many are feminists and not even close to being in shape. Besides Tattar, sai, Kona…name an attractive fpo. You should aspire to throw as well as mpo not fpo.

[@jerek2114]

Wow, I don't listen to disc golf podcasts to listen to a therapy session... This is painful to listen to

[@captainbornfree]

Their only hope is cuter outfits...

[@DougBartonLHS]

Putt better.

[@NFS305]

Diet

[@msog2349]

Womens sports will never be cool. Disc golf people need to realize that

[@NFS305]

Let them have their fun and see the truth

[@Mustardthrone]

The top women are throwing further relative to body mass than men. It has to come down to technique. I think we could all benefit from watching their form and timing.

[@shortsmcgee7134]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Jacob-Simonsen]

relative? Do you know the last 100ft is much harder than the first?

[@Mustardthrone]

@@Jacob-Simonsen What? Paige throwing 400' requires better timing and form than Barela throwing a 400' shot. He has longer levers and more mass. Plain and simple. I'm not saying it's exciting, just that the top women are worth looking at for correct timing.

[@Jacob-Simonsen]

@@Mustardthrone But she is not throwing anything near what Barela is throwing both forhand and backhand. The max distance difference is probable 200ft, and at his armspeed the timing gets much harder. He can throw just as far with the same armspeed as her, so I wont say her timing is better. You need proof of that.

[@Mustardthrone]

@@Jacob-Simonsen My main point, which is often overlooked in comment sections, is that the top FPO coverage is more applicable to the average disc golfer than MPO. It is, in no way, more entertaining. I love watching Calvin lace a 500' low ceiling golf shot, but I'd probably learn more from watching Ohn flex a forehand, or Sarah Hokum break down a par 4. Hell, Juliana Korver probably knows more about the flight of a frisbee than almost anyone. It is a unique situation in comparison to say the WNBA, which is often brought up, in that the FPO is perhaps less exciting to watch, but maybe more beneficial to learn from.

[@Discsforbaskets]

Paige's LGBTQIA+÷ bias is showing with this subject... She's clearly trying to figure out every way possible people would prefer to watch MPO over FPO, that doesn't entail that it's simply more entertaining to watch more impressive shots that the women just can't accomplish. I love Paige, but she knows good and well what the reason is.

[@DougBartonLHS]

I didn't get the impression that her identity had anything to do with her answers in the interview. What are you referring to?

[@Discsforbaskets]

@@DougBartonLHS she's lesbian. I wouldn't think anyone would argue that that community is all about men and women being equal and just as good at everything...

[@Discsforbaskets]

@DougBartonLHS it's not even close to women being scared to run putts lol they simply can't putt half the distance the men can or not consistently at all with power and accuracy.

[@NFS305]

They putt afraid men don’t. Her views will be skewed due to her beliefs. She would rather justify sleeping with another woman then give full credit to men being better. She, at her core, doesn’t respect men & and she 💯 has daddy issues.

[@paulgrice5013]

I prefer to watch fpo

[@Discsforbaskets]

I bet your reasoning would also lead you to prefer watching the WNBA or women's tennis?

[@NFS305]

Because of the tight pants?

[@mrpoopoohead7668]

I am surprised that neither the FPO or MPO players are trying to learn to throw with their non-dominant hand?? If you suffer an injury of some sort like Ricky is suffering through right now, you could still have a serviceable left or right hand to at least go out and play with. I have only been throwing with my left hand for just over a year and have made great progress

[@logant9437]

It's because our body and brain aren't really designed to have the same capacity from both sides. Sure you have to do both in soccer, but this is not as easy to do in arm sports hence the lack of tennis players just having a left and right forehand.