*Featured Photo by Kacey O'Brien
Get ready to ‘tee off’ (or shall we say ‘frisbee off’). Disc Golf has become quite the talk around over the last decade or so, with popularity growing exponentially. Locally, hundreds are ready to compete on nearby courses.
First things first, though, some of you may not know how to play or, furthermore, what disc golf even is. To get you more familiar, here’s a helpful guide on the fundamentals of disc golf, plus check out below for a list of available disc golf courses in the Lake George Area.
Introducing… Disc Golf!
If you’re familiar with golf, then you’ve already got a good head start on the concept of disc golf. Instead of hitting balls with clubs, you’re throwing discs. And, instead of holes, you have baskets.
The idea behind disc golf came from “Steady” Ed Headrick, an American toy inventor who began his career at Wham-O. Headrick, working his way up to research and development, soon turned Wham-O’s ‘flying saucer’ into the patented and beloved frisbee design still used to this day. Headrick sought out more creative ways to use the frisbee though, which led to him independently experimenting (with help from his son) with the game that soon became known as disc golf in 1975. Having worked out all the logistics and mechanics of the game, Headrick’s concepts and ideas are still used in the sport today.
The game uses discs (slightly different from the standard frisbee), which are then thrown by the players in an attempt to land them in a pole extending from the ground with chains and a basket, or what is called a disc golf basket.
Much like golf, disc golf is played on courses consisting of either 9 or 18 holes, though disc golf can also be played on a wide variety of terrain that would otherwise be unused for recreational activities.
Understanding the Basics
The main objective of disc golf is to complete each hole with the fewest number of throws needed to land your disk in the basket. The player with the lowest score at the end of all the holes on the course is the winner.
The player who throws first, or ‘tees off’ is determined by the score on the previous hole. Therefore, whoever scored the lowest on the previous hole goes first. However, on the very first hole, tee off can be decided by a disc flip, coin toss, or simply a mutual agreement.
A mini marker disc, different from your throwing disc, is used to mark where each throw lies, directly in front of and in line with the basket. Whichever foot you use to plant for your throw must be as close as reasonable to the front line of the marker (or tee, if first throw). Meanwhile, the other foot can be anywhere as long as it’s behind the rear of the marker (or tee).
As disc golf can be played on a wide assortment of terrain, nature can, of course, get in the way. If your disc gets stuck in a tree or bush, or happens to fall in a water hazard, make sure to place your marker directly beneath (or around) the surrounding area and proceed to reclaim your disc. You can throw from where your marker was just placed, but there will be a 1-point penalty added for that hole.
This covers the main fundamentals of disc golf. The majority of the basics play very similarly to standard golf, so any pre-existing knowledge can prove useful. Regardless, disc golf has been characterized as an easy-to-learn sport that accommodates beginners. And of course, as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.”
Besides the rules above, here are a few tips on basic course etiquette to ensure a safe and friendly environment:
- Always leave the course in better condition than when you found it.
- Remain quiet while others are throwing their discs.
- Do not throw discs when other players are in play.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Do not change or alter the course in any way.
Disc Golf’s Popularity: Par for the Course
As mentioned earlier, disc golf’s popularity has grown substantially over the past decade. A report from the DGA (Disc Golf Association) states that there are over 10,000 disc golf courses across the U.S. as of 2021, with that number continuing to rise. But why is this so? Well, here are a few thoughts to consider.
Inclusive and Healthy
Due to its pretty straightforward rules and style of play, disc golf is a sport that can be played by all ages. All that you really need is a disc, a marker, and the ability to throw.
This recreational game is relatively low-impact, creating safe and friendly exercise for all. Though considered a physical activity, disc golf is also a cognitive sport, utilizing mental training through visualization, planning, special judging, and problem-solving.
So, not only is disc golf inviting to everyone, but it also provides key physical and mental fitness that are extremely beneficial.
Environmentally Friendly
On top of getting people outdoors (especially through parks and preserves), disc golf is an activity that does not require specialized facilities or buildings. As briefly mentioned earlier, this game can be played on a wide variety of terrain, such as forests, fields, campgrounds, and more. As such, a course doesn’t assume the need for clear-cutting trees or grading land to be serviceable. Land that would be unsuitable for other revenues can be repurposed in an environmentally friendly manner.
Affordability
From a business perspective, disc golf tends to use the surrounding nature; courses are relatively inexpensive to install (baskets and discs are also the only equipment needed). Correlating with that, maintenance and upkeep costs are also minimal since there’s no need for court or facility installation.
Meanwhile, from a player standpoint, purchasing discs (and/or markers) is really all the equipment needed. There’s no need for specific gear or clothing, and practicing can really be done on your own time. This eliminates much of the expenses associated with other sports like baseball or soccer and is therefore easier to approach.
Of course, these are just a few points to consider. There may be more ideas and possibilities for why disc golf has become so beloved, but it should be agreed that there’s a lot to love.
Let’s Hit the Green!
Now that you’ve grown more familiar with the concept of disc golf, why not get out there and play a few rounds? But where exactly can you play? Check out below for a list of local parks and facilities offering disc golf courses (and don’t forget to click on the listings for more information).
