Harper Lin
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a sport that involves throwing a disc at a target, using rules similar to golf. The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, and players aim to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws. While disc golf is the most common name for the sport, some players also use other names such as frolf, chain golf, or simply frisbee golf, especially in countries outside the US. The variety of names for the sport reflects its lighthearted and casual nature, which has attracted players of all ages and skill levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Disc golf, Frolf, Frisbee golf |
| History | Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s by students at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and players in Pendleton King Park in Augusta, Georgia. The sport was formalized in the 1970s by Ed Headrick, also known as "Steady" Ed Headrick, who is considered the father of the sport. |
| Trademark | The U.S. company Wham-O has owned the trademark for the word "Frisbee" since 1959, which is why sports organizations like the PDGA discourage the use of the term "Frisbee golf". |
| Popularity | Disc golf is played in about 40 countries, and as of 2023, there are over 100,000 active members of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) worldwide. |
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What You'll Learn
Disc golf
The sport was formalised in the 1970s by Ed Headrick, also known as "Steady" Ed Headrick, who is considered the father of modern-day frisbee and disc golf. Headrick helped redesign the flying disc for Wham-O, which owned the federal trademark for the word "Frisbee" in the US since 1959. Due to this trademark, sports organisations in the US, such as the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), discourage the use of the term "frisbee golf" to avoid potential trademark disputes. However, outside the US, "Frisbee golf" is commonly used and accepted by players.
The ideal location for a disc golf course combines wooded and open terrains with topographical variation. A nine-hole course can be established on as little as five acres of land, while an 18-hole championship-level course typically requires 30 to 40 acres. Disc golf courses are often integrated into existing park facilities and activity areas, and some city parks offer free-to-play courses.
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Frolf
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a sport in which players throw a disc at a target, following rules similar to golf. The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, with each hole consisting of a teeing area and a target. The target is often a basket equipped with chains to catch the disc.
The term "Frolf" is a portmanteau of "Frisbee" and "golf". It is a casual term used by some players to refer to the sport of disc golf. While some people use this term casually, others may find it irritating or even offensive. Some players prefer to use the terms "disc golf" or "frisbee golf" to describe the sport more formally and accurately.
The use of the term "Frisbee" in relation to the sport is discouraged by organisations such as the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) due to potential trademark disputes with Wham-O, the company that owns the trademark rights to the Frisbee name. However, due to the success of Wham-O's flying discs, the brand name "Frisbee" has become synonymous with any flying disc for many people. This genericisation has led to the common use of the term "Frisbee golf" outside of the United States, even among serious players.
Disc golf has a variety of names and terms, and players are free to use the terminology they prefer as long as they are not using it in an official capacity inside the U.S. Some other names for the sport include "chain golf", referring to the baskets used as targets, and "throw and catch", emphasising the throwing and catching of the disc.
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The history of frisbee golf
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a sport in which players throw a disc at a target, using rules similar to golf. The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, each consisting of a teeing area and a target. The target is often a basket equipped with chains to catch the disc.
The person behind the modern frisbee and the grassroots efforts to establish disc golf as a popular sport is Ed Headrick (1924-2002), also known as "Steady" Ed Headrick. He worked at Wham-O and helped redesign the flying disc known as the frisbee. Headrick left Wham-O in 1975 to focus on his new interest, which he coined and trademarked "Disc Golf". In 1976, he and his son Ken Headrick started the first disc golf company, the Disc Golf Association (DGA). The purpose of the DGA was to manufacture discs and baskets and to formalize the sport. The first disc golf target was Ed's pole hole design, which consisted of a pole sticking out of the ground.
The term "Frisbee golf" is discouraged by sports organizations such as the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) due to potential trademark infringement disputes with Wham-O, which has owned the trademark for the word "Frisbee" since 1959. However, Wham-O's flying discs were so successful that "Frisbee" became synonymous with any flying disc for many people worldwide. As a result, "Frisbee golf" is still commonly used to refer to the sport, especially outside of the United States.
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The trademark of the name Frisbee
The name "Frisbee" is a registered trademark owned by WHAM-O HOLDING, LTD. The trademark was first used in 1957 and registered in 1959. The name "Frisbee" originated from the Frisbie Pie Company, founded by William Frisbie in 1871 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. College students in the late 19th and early 20th centuries would toss empty pie tins and shout "Frisbie!" as they flew.
In the 1940s, Walter Frederick Morrison and Warren Franscioni designed an improved version of the flying tin, calling it the "Flying Saucer." They sold the design to Wham-O, which was initially marketed as the Pluto Platter. After a few years, Wham-O decided to rebrand and renamed their flying disc "Frisbee," paying homage to the popular college pastime involving the pie tins.
The Frisbee quickly gained popularity, thanks to Wham-O's marketing prowess and the rise of outdoor leisure culture in the 1960s. It evolved from a simple toy to a cultural icon, with the emergence of organised sports such as Ultimate Frisbee and disc golf. The trademark "Frisbee" is specifically associated with flying discs, and Wham-O has actively protected this trademark for its products.
However, there has been some debate about using the term "Frisbee" in the names of groups or organisations. While some believe that the trademark only applies to the physical product itself, others are cautious about potential legal repercussions. As a result, some organisations choose to use alternative terms such as "flying disc" or "ultimate." Despite this, the term "Frisbee" has become synonymous with flying discs and is deeply rooted in recreational and competitive play.
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Rules of the game
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a sport that originated in the early 1960s. It involves players throwing a disc at a target, following rules similar to traditional golf. The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, each consisting of a teeing area and a target.
Tee Throws
Each hole begins with a tee throw, which must be completed within or behind the designated teeing area. The player must position at least one foot on the tee pad, while the other can be either behind the line or in mid-air. Stepping past the tee line before launching the disc is not allowed.
Lie
The "lie" is the spot where the player's previous throw has landed. Subsequent shots are played from behind this spot. Mark each lie with a mini marker disc or leave the thrown disc on the ground. If the disc lands in a tree or bush, the lie is the spot directly below it on the ground.
Fairway Throws
Fairway throws are made post-tee-off toward the hole. Players make these throws from the exact spot their previous throw landed, placing one foot as close as possible to this spot. Stepping beyond the disc before it is thrown can result in a penalty.
Putt Throws
A putt is a throw from within 10 meters (32.8 ft) of the target. When putting, the player may not step past the lie until the disc comes to rest.
Holing Out
A hole is completed when the disc successfully lands and rests in the basket or chains, a term referred to as "holing out." The goal is to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible. The player with the lowest total throws for the entire course wins.
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Frequently asked questions
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target, using rules similar to golf. The discs used are made with varying characteristics that allow for different flight patterns.
The U.S. company Wham-O has owned a federal trademark for the word "Frisbee" since 1959 and started using the word for its products as early as 1957. Due to Wham-O's trademark, "Frisbee" cannot be used in any official capacity to reference flying discs or games/equipment involving them in the United States without Wham-O's permission.
Yes, some people refer to the sport as frolf or chain golf.
