Nina Caldwell
Disc golf is a sport that is similar to traditional golf, but instead of using golf clubs and balls, players use discs (commonly known as frisbees) and aim for a basket (instead of a hole). The discs used in disc golf are smaller in diameter and denser than regular frisbees, allowing them to fly faster and sharper. Disc golf courses can be set up on a wide variety of terrains and typically consist of 9 or 18 holes. The objective of the game is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws, starting from a designated tee area and aiming to land the disc in the basket. Disc golf is a fun, accessible, and user-friendly game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Objective | Complete the course in the fewest throws |
| Equipment | Disc golf discs, baskets, tees |
| Course | 9 or 18 holes |
| Starting point | Tee area |
| Ending point | Disc comes to rest in the basket |
| Tee off order | Determined by score on the previous hole |
| Subsequent shots | Played from behind the spot where the previous shot came to rest ("lie")> |
| Putt | A throw from within 10 meters (32.8 ft) of the target |
| Out-of-bounds shots | Play from the last in-bounds location with a 1-stroke penalty or re-tee with a 1-stroke penalty |
| Techniques | Backhand approach, proper grip, release, body mechanics, run-up, disc mold selection |
| Rules | No set way to select who throws first on the first hole; non-throwers remain quiet and avoid moving around |
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Choosing the right disc
Disc golf discs fall into three main groups based on their use: putters, mid-range discs, and drivers. Putters are primarily used for putting or approaching and require a slow speed for better control. Mid-range discs are used for control on approaches and drives and cover a wide variety of shots. Drivers are used for shots that need to fly far.
Within these three main groups, discs are classified by how fast they "fly" or cut through the air. A disc's speed is listed from 1 to 15, with higher numbers being "faster". The higher the speed, the more air resistance is overcome, but the stronger the throw needs to be.
The discs' flight characteristics are also important to consider. A disc's glide number, ranging from 1 to 7, represents how long it will glide in the air. A disc's turn, ranging from 1 to -5, indicates its tendency to turn during flight, with higher absolute values resulting in more turn and making the disc "flippier". A disc's fade, ranging from 0 to 5, shows how much the disc deviates from the throwing direction at the end of its flight, with smaller numbers indicating less deviation.
When talking about the flight characteristics of discs, their stability is also considered. A stable disc fades to the left at the end of its flight, an overstable disc starts fading left in the middle of its flight, and an understable disc "flips" in the middle of its flight by turning right before fading left. For new disc golfers, it is recommended to start with understable discs with high (negative) turn ratings as they provide maximum distance and are easier to throw straight with less power.
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How to throw
Disc golf, or frisbee golf, is a fun sport that anyone can play. The backhand and forehand are the primary throws used in the game, and both are quick and easy to learn.
To throw a backhand, stand sideways to the target with your dominant shoulder pointing towards it, in the same way as if you were hitting a baseball. This helps the disc to fly in a straight line. Point your feet straight in front of your body so that they form a 90-degree angle with the target. Avoid facing your body towards the target, as this will cause the disc to veer off on an angle.
Hold the disc in your dominant hand, placing your thumb on top and your fingers underneath. Then, stretch your arm behind you and hold the disc flat. Keep your eye on the target, rather than on the disc, to improve accuracy.
Quickly swing your arm forward and release the disc when it’s lined up with the target. Transfer your weight to your front foot as you make the throw, bending your leg slightly if you feel off-balance. Allow your arm to continue swinging after you release the disc to increase the distance and prevent injuries.
Improving Distance
To increase the distance of your throw, experiment with different weights and molds of discs. Lighter discs tend to fly further, and lighter weight plastic will add distance for most players in no wind or a tailwind. In a tailwind, throw a disc that is less stable. Learning your angles is key to playing in the wind. As a general rule, do not expose the bottom of the flight plate to the wind, as this will cause the disc to get lifted and carried.
To ensure the disc comes out with the nose down, over-exaggerate the nose-down angle in your hand before you start the throw. With time, you can use varying nose angles to control distance.
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Rules and penalties
Disc golf is played like traditional golf but with discs instead of balls and clubs. The objective is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible, with the player with the lowest total strokes for the entire course winning the game.
- One stroke is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred.
- Tee throws must be completed within the designated tee areas.
- After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first.
- Fairway throws must be made with the foot closest to the hole on the spot where the last throw landed. The other foot may not be closer to the hole than the foot on this lie.
- A run-up and normal follow-through, after the release, are allowed more than 10 meters from the hole.
- Inside 10 meters, a player may not step past their lie before the disc comes to rest. "Falling" or "jumping" putts are not allowed inside 10 meters.
- A disc that comes to rest inside the Disc Pole Hole basket or chains constitutes successful completion of that hole.
- If a disc lands out-of-bounds, the player must play from the point where the disc went out-of-bounds, incurring a 1-stroke penalty. Water, roads, pavilions, and walkways are normal disc golf out-of-bounds hazards.
- If a disc lands above the ground (e.g., in a tree or bush) in an in-bounds area, the player puts down a marker on the ground directly below the disc and continues playing from there with no penalty.
- The two-meter rule is a rare exception to the previous rule, where a disc is two meters or more above the ground or playing surface. In this case, the player has the chance for multiple lines of play, with the line of play extending one meter perpendicular to the OB/relief area line.
- A player receives two penalty throws if observed using an illegal device, such as unauthorised gloves, tape, or braces.
- In team play, penalties incurred by a throw apply only to the team member who made the throw. All other warnings and penalties are incurred by the team as a whole.
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Course types
Disc golf, or frisbee golf, is played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, although courses with 6, 10, 12, 21, 24, or 27 holes are not uncommon. The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) recommends that courses average 200–400 ft (61–122 m) per hole, with holes no shorter than 100 ft (30 m). The longest holes in the world are over 1,500 ft (460 m) long.
Courses can be designed for beginners, intermediates, or competitive players, and can be tailored to coincide with hiking and biking trails. The amount of land required for a course depends on the type of course, with recreational courses requiring 5 to 10 acres, and competition courses requiring 17 to 25 acres.
When designing a course, safety should be the first consideration. Disc golfers throw with a lot of force and can sometimes throw in the wrong direction, so it's important to consider how the course might impact other park users. Courses should be designed to avoid areas with a lot of pedestrian or car traffic, such as soccer fields, temporary parking lots, picnic areas, and rivers.
Course designers use trees, bushes, elevation changes, water hazards, and distance variation, along with out-of-bounds zones and mandatory flight paths ("Mandos") to make each hole challenging and unique. Many courses include multiple tee positions or multiple target positions to cater to players of different ability levels.
Some courses are designed to be challenging and to attract players from out of town, while others are designed to be fun and accessible for beginners.
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Putting
Choosing a Putting Style
Before stepping onto the course, it's essential to decide on a putting style that suits you. There are various styles to choose from, including the spin putt, push putt, step putt, jump putt, spush putt, turbo putt, scoober, and kneeling putt. Each style has its advantages and disadvantages, so consider the situation and your preferences. For instance, the spin putt emphasizes creating a lot of spin to achieve longer distances, while the push putt focuses on lofting the disc with minimal spin.
Practicing Your Technique
Whichever style you choose, practice is key. Repeat your putting technique to develop consistency and confidence. Try different styles to prepare for various situations on the course. Focus on the fundamentals, such as stance, form, follow-through, grip, and release. Observe the environment and layout of the course to strategize your putts effectively.
Mental Focus and Accuracy
Common Putting Techniques
- Step Putt: Used outside of 10 meters from the basket, this technique involves stepping toward the basket and releasing the disc before your foot touches the ground. It provides more power but requires skill and timing to execute without a foot fault.
- Jump Putt: Similar to the step putt, but instead, you jump toward the basket with both feet and release the disc as you leave the ground for maximum power.
- Spin Putt: This technique emphasizes creating a lot of spin by snapping the disc toward the basket. It's useful in windy conditions and can be used with a straddle or stagger stance.
Remember, putting is a skill that requires both physical and mental mastery. Choose a style, practice diligently, and focus on your target to become a proficient disc golf putter.
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Frequently asked questions
All you need to play disc golf is a disc golf disc, which can be purchased online or at sports stores. Disc golf discs are smaller and denser than regular frisbees, and come in different shapes and sizes.
Disc golf is similar to traditional golf, except instead of using clubs to hit a ball into a hole, players throw discs into a basket, which is a pole extending from the ground with chains and a basket where the disc lands. The aim of the game is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws. Courses are usually made up of 9 or 18 holes.
There are over 7,500 disc golf courses in the United States. You can use the UDisc app or website to find your nearest course.
