Balancing Parenthood and Pro Disc Golf: A Conversation with the Shue Family

As a new parent, you know that feeling of euphoria when you welcome your child into the world. But for disc golf pros Paige and Grady Shue, life has taken on a whole new level of excitement and challenge. With a young daughter, Savannah, at home, they're learning to balance their competitive careers with the demands of parenthood.

The key to their success lies in teamwork. "One of us will stay home while the other goes out to practice," explains Paige. "Or maybe if the course and weather allow for it, I might carry Savannah while Grady throws and vice versa." This flexible approach has allowed them to make time for both parenting duties and disc golf practice.

At a recent tournament, the Dynamic Discs Open, they found a way to make it work. With different tee times, they were able to swap duties and make it back to their daughter in time. "It was still challenging," admits Paige, "but we made it happen because we share competitive goals and had more family around to help out."

Finding time to practice is an everyday challenge for the Shues. With a young child, it's not always easy to get on the course. But they're determined to stay on top of their game. "We certainly get even more use out of the basket in the backyard these days," says Paige with a laugh.

One of the biggest parallels between disc golf and parenting is the importance of a positive mindset. According to Paige, "You need to be positive if you want to be really successful." This applies not only on the course but also in the nursery. "Being positive with the baby is also important," she notes. "It's essential to watch how you behave and react in front of your child."

The Shues are also finding ways to involve their daughter in disc golf, teaching her the basics from a young age. Savannah has already made several trips out to the course, and Paige jokes that it's a "flex" to have a low PDGA number at such a young age.

As they navigate the ups and downs of parenting and competitive careers, Paige and Grady are learning valuable lessons about teamwork, flexibility, and the importance of having fun. And for new mothers who want to return to disc golf, their advice is simple: "Bring out the kids! Just have patience and know that disc golf for kids is mostly about being outside and being with their parents."

Ultimately, the Shues believe that it's all a blessing – whether you're playing disc golf for fun, competition, or just to spend quality time with your family. As Paige puts it, "It's essential to remember to have fun."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/parenthood-chronicles