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Adam: I would have to say the guys I look up to were mostly local. I remember when I started playing names like Tisue, Duncan, Peyton, Harper, Sprague, Clue, and Ramsey were always being talked about. So then when I saw them play, that was who I knew I wanted to compete against. I also remember watching 2004 Marshall Street DVD and also wanting to compete with that level. The things I see on that video still amaze me. The way I learned disc golf was all from conversations with friends, lots of practice, the internet, and tournament play. The more I've played the more I've learned and then tried to incorporate into my game. As for the guys I compete against on tour, I like the disc golfers who compete at a high level and keep there egos and behaviors in check. Some are good at it and others... not so much.

QCDG.com: You obviously have a lot of talent and a bright future in disc golf. What do you feel you need to do in order to take that next step to winning big events consistently?

Adam: I feel I need to continue to have a good practice routine and stay healthy by eating right and exercising. In order to take it to the next level I think I would have to quit my job and go on tour. I did this two months in 2008 and it was an awesome experience. I just don't know if I could or would want to go on tour for an entire season. I know if I was able to focus all my attention to disc golf I would improve more, it's just not the life style I want to live.

QCDG.com: You are currently sponsored by Discraft. What has that sponsorship meant to your success?

Adam: I take a lot of pride being with Team Discraft and I would never think of leaving the team. Discraft has always treated me really well and a man named Pad Timmons asked me to join after the 2005 USADGC. During Major events the company provides us with plastic, clothing, provides dinners, and food and snacks for the rounds. I also get a yearly allocation of plastic and clothing which sometimes I sell and other times I provide for tournament directors to use as prizes. The plastic that I sell I use for traveling expenses and entry fees. I also earn bonuses for strong performances. For C and B tier wins I earn plastic and A tiers and up I earn money with strong finishes. Entry fees are also reimbursed by Discraft if I win an A tier and up.

QCDG.com: What are your favorite “go-to” discs?

Adam: Buzzz! In my opinion it's one of the all time best discs. I've been throwing it since it came out. I also really like the Predator and Drone. I like them because they are over stable and trustworthy. They can be used for flex shots, hyzers, and can handle pretty much any wind.

QCDG.com: When playing a round during a tournament, would you consider yourself an aggressive player or a more conservative player? What things do you take into consideration before you decide whether to go for the birdie chance or take the smart par and can you give an example of how that played out for you?

Adam: I feel I am an aggressive disc golfer and I will not stop being aggressive. When I've played conservative I play soft and make mistakes. I do play smart when there are hazards but I don't think that is being conservative. I am always trying to go for course birdies. If there are hazards or dangerous lines I'm not as aggressive because my goal is to get the best score possible but also to not bomb or mess up. This has taken some time to learn and I still make mistakes but part of competing with some of these disc golfers is minimizing your mistakes and taking advantage of your breaks. I don't have specific examples but many, if not almost all courses have these challenges in some sort of way.

QCDG.com: Every player, no matter their level of play, has a bad shot or round from time to time. What do you do to refocus yourself after a bad shot and what advice would you give to other players in that same situation. Can you give an example of where you were able to put that to good use and overcome a bad shot?

Adam: This is one of the hardest things to do because when you make an error or get a bad kick the first thing that goes through my mind is how to make up for the distance or bad shot. This can lead to bad decisions stacking up quickly. If you've made an error, slow down, look at your options, and then choose what will help you get the best score. I've had good responses to bad shots and bad responses to bad shots. A good experience I remember was playing in the final 9 at the Des Moines Challenge at Walnut Ridge in 2007. We were on the 2nd hole, Ken Franks and several others were nipping at my heals, I hit a 25ft putt dead center of the basket, and it spit back at me. My mind raced a little but accepted it, gathered myself, and finished the last 7 holes strong and I won. Another good learning experience happened last year at Wildcat Springs Open. My group, which consisted of Jenkins, Doss, and Reading, teed off from the wrong pad with 9 holes left. I got a 2 on the hole but it had to be scored a 4. Again, my mind started to wind up and I panicked some. I took a step back on the next hole, refocused, and finished out the round birdying 5 of the final 9 holes. I was proud how I dealt with this situation and ended up shooting a 1015ish round. Two times come to mind where I had brutal learning experiences. These experiences humble you quickly and make you look back like "Holy Shit! What just happened?" My 1st happened in 2006 at the Buckhorn Open. My 1st pro tourney of the season and I was shooting well. I was in 2nd or 3rd place and shooting 1010 golf. On hole 17 of the last round I took a triple circle 9 or some mess and went from 2nd or 3rd to 9th. I will never forget that feeling and taught me a good lesson on never giving up and making better choices. My other experience happened in 2008 at the Green Mountain Open in Vermont. This time I was in 2nd place in a really strong field after 4 rounds and was shooting 1025 rated golf. In the final 9 I started off with a 4 on the first hole and the 2nd hole I took an 9 or 10 after one of my favorite discs was last seen flying down the mountain side. I never recovered and went from 2nd to 8th and lost out on about $800. That was a miserable feeling...wow!

QCDG.com: What has been your favorite tourney up to this point and why?

Adam: Probably #1 is Legion of Doom Doug Peyton runs a good show and it's all about disc golfers. Food on site, it's in the city but secluded, the 2 courses are fun, prizes, it's local, player's party, and this was one of the my first truly well run events. #2 is the Vibram Open. Same reasons as Legion and Steven Dodge is a really good person. I also wanted to become a disc golfer after watching 2004 MSDGC and when I played there in 08 it was everything the DVD's hype it up to be. AMAZING! #3 is probably the River Cities Rumble. There's something about the courses and the people in the Quad Cities that I really like. #4 Des Moines Challenge- the courses speak for themselves

QCDG.com: You had such a great run at the 2008 Vibram Open, finishing fifth. Describe what that experience was like for you, and what your highs and lows were there.

Adam: Steven Dodge knows what how to run a tournament. It's all about the disc golfers and he does everything he can to make sure people come back and love his event. I've watched all of the DVD's and they made me want to be a disc golfer, especially 2004. I actually told Steven this was how I felt the first time I met him and I think that meant a lot to him. For some reason the Vibram Open felt like home away from home. Very comforting. My highs were being so competitive throughout the tournament and the disc golfers I got to play with. I was on tour at this time and this was probably the best and most relaxed I had ever felt playing disc golf. I also got an eagle on the 16th hole of the last round which is on youtube...that was pretty sweet. The low was going for 3 on the last hole after a poor drive which dropped me out of a top 4 finish and cost around $500 for a poor disc golf decision.

QCDG.com: What do you feel is the strongest aspect of your game and what type of training or practice do you do to maintain that advantage?

Adam: I would say the strongest part of my game is my mental game. I'm usually focused and trying to win and do my best. I also have good health, good practice routine, and I have a lot of experience in sports. This I think has given me an advantage over many disc golfers. As for practicing, I like to throw in fields and I putt at home or at a basket at a course. When I play rounds it is usually by myself. I also do not play much league. I think league is time to just to shoot the breeze, chill, and is ineffective practice. I think your best practice, if your a tournament player, is play in tournaments and learn from the experience.

QCDG.com: Do you have a specific practice routine that you use to stay in playing shape, and what advice would you give other players when training?

Adam: I don't have anything specific. I eat really well, run, play a lot of basketball, and throw a lot of plastic to stay on top. I lost a little of that focus last season but this winter I did a good job regrouping and preparing for 2010. I think I will have a strong year and I am mentally ready to play well and challenge Sprague, Duncan, and a couple other top local golfers. It's going to be a good season.

QCDG.com: Do you have any “pre-shot” routines that you go through while on the tee or getting ready to putt, or perhaps any superstitions or routines you go through before a big tournament?

Adam: Pre-shot routines are simple...go to the front of the pad, take a couple follow through motions, find my line or target, take a few steps back, and execute the shot. For putting I step up, find my best stance for the putt, find the target, take a few deep breathes, take three practice motions to the basket, putt, follow through. I don't have superstitions, don't believe in it what so ever. I control the disc and my mental game. Sometimes you get good breaks, others times not so good. It's all part of the game. I do like to warm up before a tournament, get some putting in, stretch, maybe run a little, and get some practice throws in.

QCDG.com: What type of course do you feel best suits your style of play and may give you an advantage over other players (i.e. tight, technical courses or long open courses for the big arms) , and is there a favorite course that you’ve played that really fits your style?

Adam: I feel like can play any course. I like playing shorter par 54 deuce-or-die courses and I can play the big higher course par courses. I feel like I know my plastic, can throw drivers, mids, putters, and have a strong mental game. I think this gives me the advantage over many disc golfers. I also didn't give in and keep trying every single shot. I don't think there is any particular course that fits my style. I am comfortable playing most courses. I will say though I really dislike what some may call "technical courses." Absolutely can't stand courses that have "fairways" which have trees scattered throughout the "fairway." This is poke 'n hope disc golf and does not give an advantage to anyone. I tend to get most frustrated when I execute a shot, hit the line I want, and a tree or limb knocks down my disc. I don't like it and I am learning what tournaments not to go to which have these courses.

QCDG.com: Iowa has such a wealth of talented players with more coming up every year. What things do you feel has made that possible and where do you see disc golf going in the area in the next few years?

Adam: There are lots of courses and a lot of tournaments in Iowa and the midwest. Disc golf is being exposed more and more on tv and local papers. As for where I see disc golf going? I really don't know. I used to think it was gaining strength and moving forward and other than more people joining the PDGA I don't know if much has changed since 2005. I feel like things have been at a stand still and at the same time I don't know how it can move forward.

QCDG.com: What are your disc golf goals for 2010 and is there any one tournament that you would like to win more than others?

Adam: I think it's the same for every year and every tournament. Practice, play tournaments I enjoy, stay healthy, and try to win as much as I can. I would love to get a top 10 at Worlds, overcome my issues at the USDGC, and win bigger tournaments, none in particular.

QCDG.com: What advice would you give to new players looking to improve their games?

Adam: Read these kind of interviews, get online, ask questions, get lessons, log on to a local disc golf forum, practice a good routine, take care or your body, try new discs and shots, play tournaments, and practice all kinds of courses and conditions.

QCDG.com: What is one thing most people don’t know about Adam Olsen?

Adam: I don't know what people know or don't know about me..I have a girlfriend that lives with me. She supports me playing disc golf, comes to watch, and also helps run tournaments. I don't like politics or religion. I own a lot of music and watch a lot of movies but little tv. Really dislike tv and the stuff that people watch and buy into. HUGE FAN of stand up comedy. I'm a good cook, like a clean house, and I'm organized. I also used to be pretty wild...lol...wait...that sometimes still happens.

Here is my 2010 season I scheduled:

Mar 26-28 Ocala FL? NT
Apr 3-Ia State Team Championships NS
Apr 9-10 Walk Plank and Spring Fling both B
Apr 17-18 Emporia Glass Blown Open A
Apr 24-25 Graceland and J. B. Dubs both C
May 1-2 St. Louis Open A
May 8 Iron Lion Safari B
May 15-16 Legion of Doom C
May 22-23 Crown Pointe, IN A
May 29-30 Des Moines Challenge A
Jun 5-6 River Cities Rumble A
Jun 19-20 Greater Peoria Open A
Jun 25-27 MN Majestic NT
July 10-11 Brent Hamrick ?NT
July 17-18 Ia State Championships , Iowa City C
July 24 Illinois State Championships B
July 27-31 Worlds M
Aug 7-8 Mad City Open A
Aug 14-15 Cedar Creek or Vibram ? B/NT
Aug 21-22 Wildcat Springs ? Don't know if it is going to happen
Aug 28-29 St. Joseph Open, MN A
Sept 4-5 Lac du Flambuea, WI A
Sept 11 K9 Carnival B
Sept 18-19 Hub City Open B
Sep 25-26 Topeka KS A
Oct 1-3 US Dubs? A
Oct 6-9 USDGC M

Thanks so much to Adam for sharing his time with us at QuadCityDiscGolf.com!