What is Disc Golf?

For those of you who only knows two kinds of golf – the 18 holes of gorgeous outdoor landscapes kind (that is super fun and can be crazy frustrating) AND the mini golf kind which is a fun outdoor activity for all ages that may not require quite as much skill - there is another type of golf out there in the world. It's called Disc Golf.

Disc Golf's origins are not easy to nail down. If you've ever held a frisbee or played with one for a while, it's almost a natural next step to try and aim it at something as a target. Many people are said to have started playing the game in various locations. However, according to pdga.com, George Sappenfield worked as a recreation counselor and really ran with the sport. During the summer break in 1965 from Fresno State University while playing golf one afternoon, he thought perhaps the kids on his playground could play golf using Frisbees. The kids liked the idea. In 1966, George found out that his recreation class instructor, Kevin Donnelly, had also promoted Frisbee golf for children a few years earlier. Sappenfield and Donnelly became friends and shared their ideas about golfing with Frisbees. They worked together to convince a local frisbee company to host a frisbee tournament that eventually led to disc golf becoming an organized sport as early as 1974. And the rest is well, disc golf!

So what is Disc Golf?

According to alapark.com, Disc Golf is played much like golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, though, players use a flying disc or Frisbee. It shares with golf the object of completing each hole in the fewest strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws). A disc golf is thrown from a tee area to a target, which is a "hole." The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive throw from the spot where the previous throw landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the "putt" lands in the basket and the hole is completed.

Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are a few differences, though: Disc golf is often free to play in public parks, although pay-to-play courses are trending upward; you probably won't need to rent a cart, but converted golf course layouts are also on the rise; and your "tee time" will usually come during tournament competition, not casual play.

Who Plays?

Disc golf is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages and economic status, making it a great lifetime fitness activity. Because disc golf is so easy to learn, no one is excluded; players merely match their pace to their capabilities and proceed from there.

Why Play?

Disc golf provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and mental stimulation. Concentration skill increase by mastering shots and negotiating obstacles, and players of limited fitness levels can slowly and gradually increase their level of play. Scheduling is also flexible: A casual round takes one to two hours and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the sport is the low barrier to entry. A professional quality disc costs roughly $15, and it only takes one for basic play.

For true beginners, the best way to start is with three discs; one fairway driver, one mid-range, and one putter. Make sure these discs are straight to under stable so that you learn proper technique. From roguediscs.com/blog/how-many-discs-should-i-carry.

By Angie Stryker