3 months, 90 hours, 60,000 words, countless edits, a little bit of sweat, and a whole lotta’ perseverance. That’s what it took for me to write my first disc golf book. Man, it was a task. But I’m so glad I did it. I felt like I had contributed something more than just a few blog posts about disc golf.
That was a couple a couple of years ago now. The book has had time to be read and it’s had a couple of good reviews. I’m happy with it and I definitely plan on writing another. But the first one was tough so I have no clue when I’ll write the second. Until then, I’ll just have to settle for my book and a few others that have been written by members of the #discgolfcommunity.
So in this post, I’m going to be going over 10 of the absolute best disc golf books on the internet today and giving you a little bit of a rundown on all of them so that you can grab one or two (or all of them) to read. But real quick, let’s talk about three reasons why disc golf books are important to your disc golf game.
3 reasons why disc golf books are important
They can teach you the game
This is a really important reason why you should read through a couple of the books on this list. If your a newer player, some of the books on this list can teach you about disc golf, how it’s played, what kind of gear you need to play, and how to improve. If you’re more skilled, you can learn how to continue improving and how to handle the mental side of disc golf (including mindset during competitive play and strategy on the course). There’s a lot to learn, y’all.
They can help you learn drills/how to practice
In my book especially, you can learn very informative drills and how to practice different parts of your game. Drills and practice are extremely important so read up.
They can help you learn the rules
In all of the books, you’ll probably learn some of the rules of disc golf. That’s great. But once you start playing competitively, you’ll need to know all of the official rules of the sport. So once you’ve thoroughly read through all of the interesting books, you’ll be left with the last book on this list: the PDGA’s Official Rules of Disc Golf.
All in all, these books are really important so let’s get the list!
The 10 all-time best disc golf books
My #1 pick – The Disc Golf Player’s Manual (by Chris “Red” Bittner)
Now this is an obvious one. I wrote this ebook so I definitely had to put it at the top spot. This is my shameless plug for the book and I don’t even feel bad about it.
But on a more serious note, I put this book at the top because I believe that it’s the best disc golf ebook on the market. I put a lot of time into this ebook so that it would contain a ton of information. I’d say 60,000 words and 200+ pages is a good chunk of information.
If you’re a beginner or a mid-level player, which I’d say most players probably are, you will in some way benefit from this book. Whether it’s gear and disc recommendations, tips to improve, drills, or technique that you want to learn about, this awesome ebook has you covered from the first page to the last.
The Disc Golf Player’s Manual is one helluva book. If you’d like to check it out, hit up my ebook page here on the site. This page will show you every reason why it’s awesome AND why you should get a copy today!
2. The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf (by Justin Menickelli and Ryan “Slim” Pickens)
This guide is awesome. Justin and Ryan really highlight and explain A LOT of stuff pertaining to disc golf. I mean, they absolutely crushed it and put together a guide that can potentially help you out on the course for years.
This book is a reference guide for all types of players on the course and covers topics such as disc golf history, technique and form, shot visualization, mental aspects of the game, stretching, the physical play itself, and a lot more. Any skill level will benefit, from first day out beginners to highly-skilled vets. In my opinion, there’s always something that you can learn and this book demonstrates that well.
Here’s what the summary states about this book:
“The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf provides readers all the essential information they need to get started playing disc golf, but it is much more than just a basic ‘how to’ manual – it is a thoughtful, fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration into the history, nature, science, and skills of disc golf. Featuring more than 80 instructional photos, this is a comprehensive book about disc golf that would be enjoyed by all players, from beginners to aspiring professionals.”
If you’d like to check out The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf, grab the ebook or the paperback book here on Amazon.
3. Zen and the Art of Disc Golf (by Patrick D. McCormick)
This book is probably the most famous book, or at least the most well known book, in the #discgolfcommunity. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, do it now.
I just want to forewarn you, though. This book isn’t your typical instruction manual on disc golf. In fact, Pat states at the beginning of this book, “This book is not an instruction manual on how to play disc golf….You can find many tutorials on the internet on how to properly throw…” He also suggests that you check out YouTube for how to throw, proper technique, etc.
But the book itself is about more than just your physical play on the course. It’s a deep dive into how to mentally center yourself around your play, learn mindfulness around the game itself, and figure out how to master your mind when you play. Overall, a very interesting read that probably won’t take you more than 2-3 hours of reading time.
Here’s what the summary states about the book:
“Disc golf is more than a game, Patrick D. McCormick carefully argues; it can be a window that shows us how we interact with the world. The way we play is the way we live.
This book is about the sport of disc golf, but it also is about so much more than throwing a disc at a basket. For the passionate practitioner, disc golf becomes a meditation, and practicing has the potential to make us not only better players but better people. We begin to focus on what we are doing on the course that is working or not working versus what we are doing at home or in the office.
Zen and the Art of Disc Golf is about becoming the best players we can be and in turn becoming the best possible version of ourselves through cultivation of attitude, focus, determination, and mental strength. It is about mastering the mind, body, and spirit in such a way that we score better and live better.”
If you’d like to check out Zen and the Art of Disc Golf, find the ebook, audiobook, or paperback book here on Amazon.
4. The Disc Golf Revolution (by Jack Tupp)
The Disc Golf Revolution is an interesting read from the mind of author Jack Tupp. It explores the history of disc golf, the insane growth of the sport, disc golf lingo, and a small emphasis on technique and how disc flight works. Pretty good book overall.
Here’s the book summary:
“In The Disc Golf Revolution author Jack Tupp interviews key figures and experts and uses a diverse range of sources to explain disc golf’s surging popularity. In addition to learning why, where, and how to play the game, within these pages you’ll also discover:
- The link between disc golf’s history and its enviable grassroots network
- How disc golf eliminates all 6 major issues that plague traditional golf
- The physics of disc flight, and why discs intensify the golf experience
- Why disc golf works where other forms of exercise fail
- 15.5 predictions about the future of disc golf, and much more!
If you’re interested in disc golf as a recreational activity, excited but skeptical about the prospect of golf without the drawbacks, or love to track developing trends, this book is for you.”
Like I said, this book is interesting and will offer you a decent glimpse into why disc golf is exploding in popularity. It’s a little bit lengthier than the first couple of books on this list.
You can get the Kindle version or a paperback copy here on Amazon.
5. Growing Up Disc Golf (by Scott Stokely)
With Growing Up Disc Golf, Scott writes a biography about his life while growing up. He tells the story of his life, from troubled teen and successful disc golfer to just an all-around good dude. This book is a well written memoir of Scott and his view on the history of disc golf, from small hobby to respected professional sport.
Here’s the summary of this book:
“Before he was a national disc golf champion, Scott Stokely was a latch-key kid, a troubled teen, an arrogant punk. Before his entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, he was a black-market dealer, an addict, a fugitive from justice. Scott would become a devoted teacher, a dedicated advocate, a team leader, and one of the toughest competitors in the history of disc golf. But first, he would have to grow up.The story begins in 1976, when a 7-year-old Scott discovers the world’s only disc golf course, Oak Grove Park in Pasadena, California. There he quickly falls in love with the sport and becomes a junior member of the world’s first disc golf club, the Oak Grove Gophers. Soon he begins to compete. Over the next 25 turbulent years, the one constant in Scott’s life will be disc golf, as his career develops from child prodigy into a decade-long successful professional disc golf tour.During those years the sport of disc golf will itself come of age, growing from obscure infancy through adolescent growth pains to respectable adulthood. See this history through the eyes of a man who lived it, beginning with the early “Wild West” highlights all the way through its establishment as a professional sport. Scott’s story covers decades of stars, legends, and misfits of the Frisbee family, hundreds of tournaments, and tens of thousands of miles as he tells about his highs and lows, successes and failures, and every aspect of life on the disc golf tour.”
Overall, a good biography about Scott Stokely. If you’d like to give it a read, check out the Kindle, audiobook, or paperback version here on Amazon.
6. Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket (by Michelle Jones)
Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket is the very first children’s book on disc golf. In this fully illustrated book, Michelle does a great job introducing kids to the game of disc golf through a fun story that shows kids the sport and how to play. Any age will enjoy this book.
Here’s a quick summary of the book:
“Gracie and her friends find a mysterious metal basket in the park. As they investigate further they learn the great game of disc golf.”
If you’d like to check it out, you can get the Kindle or paperback version here on Amazon.
7. Discs and Zen: More Writing on Disc Golf and Life (by Patrick D. McCormick)
Discs and Zen is basically a continuation of Patrick’s first book, Zen and the Art of Disc Golf. This second book seeks to further persuade the reader on how disc golf is a way of life and how many mental and moral lessons can be translated to both disc golf and life. Patrick has done well in both books to show you how disc golf is more than just a game you play, but a way of life. Overall, great follow-up book.
Here’s the summary on this book:
“After creating a movement in the disc golf world with his cultural classic, Zen & the Art of Disc Golf, author Patrick McCormick returns with Discs & Zen, a more in depth look at how disc golf can be seen as a microcosm of life. New and old fans alike will love McCormick’s clever use of insight and humor in hopes to make you never see disc golf the same way again. Discs & Zen is destined to sit along side Zen & the Art of Disc Golf as a treatise on self-growth and personal potential seen throw the eyes of a disc golfer.”
If you’d like to grab this book, check out the Kindle or paperback version here on Amazon.
8. Three Paths to Better Disc Golf (by Jack Tupp)
Jack is back with another disc golf book. Three Paths to Better Disc Golf is a great instructional manual, though the author states that it is more than just a typical how-to book. Jack includes three different ways to approach the game (philosophical, tactical, and strategic) so that you’ll undoubtedly play better after you read his disc golf wisdom. Loaded with insights, technical knowledge, and a lot of different psychological disc golf concepts, Three Paths to Better Disc Golf is definitely worth a read. Overall, an interesting take on the game.
Here is the summary of the book:
“Packed with dozens of well-written tips, tricks, and techniques, Three Paths to Better Disc Golf is organized to help you find the instructional material that will help most. Although it includes chapters on how to throw backhand, sidearm, turnover shots and rollers, this is much more than your typical ‘How-To’ book. Recreational players and touring pros alike will appreciate the three distinct approaches to scoring better while also having more fun. Use the philosophical path to examine broad patterns and identify – then change – systemic issues in your game.The strategic path will help you play smarter through analysis and planning.On the tactical path you’ll learn basic techniques as well as specific tips to improve both the physical and mental sides of your game.If you are the type of person who seeks out every possible way to get better at Disc Golf, this book is definitely for you. As a bonus, the author’s “Disc Golf in a Vacuum” philosophy can help you enjoy the game even more- no matter how you perform on any given day.”
If you’d like to give Three Paths to Better Disc Golf a shot, check out the Kindle or paperback version here on Amazon.
9. Disc Golf Strategy and Tactics: a Zen Disc Golf Field Manual (by Patrick D. McCormick)
In his latest book, Patrick McCormick brings us an extensive collection of beginner-level information from technique to disc stability and more. If you’re a newer player, you will benefit tremendously from this book.
Here’s a summary of the book:
“Zen & The Art of Disc Golf author Patrick McCormick returns to tackle the game’s physical tactics and strategy. Strategy & Tactics begins with everything you ever need to know about discs: types, stability, ratings, and weight. McCormick then takes an in-depth look at each throwing tactic and when to use each to improve your round: sunshine, wind, or rain. Finally, McCormick reveals keys to disc golf strategy from the course level down to strategizing each shot.In this book, you will learn:-Why different types of discs exist.-The science of disc stability.-How disc weight affects throwing distance-Tips and tricks for backhands, forehands, rollers, and more!-How to throw in different wind conditions.-The difference between training, practice, and play.-Many field, accuracy, and putting drills to prepare you for victory.-Many disc golf challenge ideas to keep your friendly rounds interesting-How to use the gym to improve your game.-Mental tools and tricks to get out of your own head when playing competitively.-Learning the course, competition, and yourself to aid in determining course strategy.”
If you’d like to grab a copy, you can find the Kindle or paperback version here on Amazon.
10. The Official Rules of Disc Golf (by the Professional Disc Golf)
This last book is not really a casual read. It’s the PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf rulebook. If you tried to read this like a regular book, you’d probably go to sleep. If you’re brand new to the game, I would just learn the basics. But once you become a competitive player, you need to read this cover to cover. Because understanding the rules of disc golf can mean the difference between a win and a loss. This book is EXTREMELY important to your disc golf game and should be read once your skills improve past the beginner-level. But, honestly, anyone can read this. If you want to be an elite disc golfer, you need to memorize this book.
You can get a copy of the Official Rules of Disc Golf here on Amazon.
So that’s all of them
All of the books on this list are crucial for understanding the game, learning how to play, and becoming a great disc golfer. If you’re serious about this sport, every book on this list offers you some form of improvement. So get to reading and then go hit the course! Thanks for reading, disc golfers!
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