What is Disc Golf (And Why is it So Awesome)?

A lot of people lately seem to be curious about disc golf and the trend that is only getting hotter. Disc golf today has grown into something huge, but what is disc golf exactly?

What is disc golf?

Disc golf is a game in which players attempt to throw a frisbee disc from a tee box into a standing basket hole. It’s similar to ball golf, in that players try to get their disc into the basket in the least number of throws, or strokes. The player with the least number of strokes in a round, which is 18 holes, wins.

But disc golf differs immensely from ball golf and is a fun alternative to the monotony that can be seen in many of ball golf’s rounds of play.

Disc golf can also show you a new, exciting way to spend your time, a way to engage socially and make new friends, a path to exercising and better physical health, a lot of competition, a way to relax, a way to save some money, and just an overall awesome atmosphere that stands out from almost every other activity out there.

A fun way to spend your time

First of all, disc golf is a very fun, unique way to spend your time. Like other sports, you have to spend a little bit of time in each game. But I’ve never felt like I’m wasting my time playing. Whenever you play, you learn and continue growing, but the time commitment is very moderate. You can spend as little or as much time as you want.

“In disc golf, as in life, it is the follow through that makes the difference.” –Throwpink.com

Rounds normally consist of 18 holes, but unless you are competing in tournaments, you can play as many holes as you want to. Sometimes a solid 9 holes is all you need to have some fun. Most holes are somewhat shorter than ball golf holes making rounds in disc golf much shorter.

In fact, I went out the other day to play and only got through about seven holes. My friends and I took our time and ended up spending about an hour total playing in the woods. That round of seven was all we needed to have a little bit of fun.

But here’s some quick advice: Don’t let those pesky trees ruin your round…

Grab an Innova Discs starter set here on Amazon to help you turn up the fun when you start playing.

A fantastic way to hang out with friends (and family)

Disc golf is a great way to engage socially and connect with people. We often underestimate activities that revolve around friends, but disc golf is great in that the connection you get makes the games you play even better.

Disc golf, for starters, offers a way to go and hang out with your friends. Me and my buddies are always looking for cool things to do and disc golf ranks at the top of the list. Don’t be afraid to mention that you play disc golf to your buddies that have never played. Disc golf is great and you might show somebody something that they really love. Just be careful not to force too much of your your legitness on anybody. Check out this cool do’s and don’t list for taking new friends to the disc golf course here at discgolf.ultiworld.com.

Having friends go with you is awesome, but I often go out just because I’m introduced to someone new almost every time I play a round. That’s one of the best parts of the game. Even if you don’t have someone new in your party, other disc golfers are almost always out on the course and I often talk to and meet other players when I’m out. Disc golf is about the community and almost everyone that plays is super friendly.

The game is for friends and family alike, so spending some time with my family on the disc golf course is a must. Disc golf can offer a chance for you to bond with family members and have some fun while spending time with each other. Many families have gotten involved in disc golf and spend lots of time together. If you’re looking for a good way to spend more time with anyone in your family, suggest some disc golf!

You can grab an awesome Dynamic Discs starter set here on Amazon.

A great way to exercise

On top of the fun and family, disc golf is a sport that can help you get fit and get some high quality exercise in. While the average length of a disc golf course is around a mile long, the terrain can range from flat, rocky, mountainous, or extremely uneven. This makes walking the course almost as much of a challenge as playing it (It’s really not that bad, though). Every time you play you get exercise, so take advantage of this and help yourself get fit by playing more!

With disc golf being so good for you, why not use it to lose weight? Nobody likes to just walk to get healthy. That sucks. Use your time on the disc golf course to walk for exercise. The length of the course, along with the uneven terrain will give you a great workout that can lead to weight loss over time.

Discgolfanswerman.com has a great post called, “How to lose 70 lbs with playing disc golf,” that’s very inspiring. They interview an avid disc golfer from Memphis, Tennessee, named Ben Taylor and ask him about his weight loss journey.

Ben suggested disc golf as exercise to lose weight and he even states that losing some weight can help you play better! Who wouldn’t want that? Just remember to try and supplement your weight loss by eating healthier, cutting out junk food, and drinking more water!

Aside from the weight loss, disc golf is generally just good for you. It’s a fantastic way to improve your health and it gets you outside into the fresh air. Videogames can be fun, but why not get out and play a round? Go get some sun and stop being cooped up all day long.

You don’t have to be in poor shape. Make a commitment today to start getting healthier. If you’re interested in becoming stronger and healthier for disc golf, check out our great strength, flexibility, and recovery posts below:

• “The 12 Best Disc Golf Exercises to Keep You Fit.”

• “The Only Disc Golf Core Workout You’ll Ever Need”

• “The 17 Best Disc Golf Stretches to Improve Ypur Game”

• “The 11 Step Plan to Recover After a Disc Golf Workout”

A competitive sport

If you’re not worried the health aspects of disc golf, you can get into disc golf for the competition. One of the things that makes disc golf so great is its diverse play. What I mean by that is you can hit the course for a friendly game or you can get as serious as you want. I normally just play for fun and add in just a little bit of competition.

A great reference article on this is our post, “Is Disc Golf a Real Sport.”

Some players take disc golf extremely serious because it’s all about the win. There are a ton of players who have even gone professional in the sport. They play in tournaments for trophies, championship discs, and prize money. It’s tough to compete, but it could be worth it.

Disc golf’s popularity is really taking off, too. The sport is growing at a rapid pace according to discmania.net.

With that growth comes more competition. The players are getting better, the techniques are becoming more sophisticated, and the prize-winning purses for championship players are reaching all-time highs! All of that will show you that disc golf itself is an absolute adrenaline rush. Every time you step out on the course, you can either play for fun or play for the win. If you’re looking to get a lot better, check out our awesome tips post, “101 Disc Golf Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level.”

Because you never know when you’ll sink that first ace…

A way to relax (unless you hit a tree)

On the flip side (no pun intended), disc golf is a phenomenal way to relax. Mellow rounds can help out even the most serious of players, and for those that play more for fun, disc golf can offer a zen-like state of enjoyment unlike almost all other sports.

Disc golf is a calming game. Even through the competition, the majority of rounds are played with the laughter and enjoyment of your friends by your side (we promise they’re laughing with you, not at you).

If you’re stressed out, why not head out to the disc golf course for a relaxing round of 9? The ugliness of the day can be put behind you as you heave that first disc toward the target. Then the stress gets wiped away as you sink the following putt.

Pure zen.

For a great book to take your zen further, check out, “Zen and the Art of Disc Golf,” by Patrick McCormick here on Amazon.

A way to save money

What I like most of about disc golf is its ability to be played for almost no money at all. Disc golf is truly a way to have fun and save some money. The most you have to buy is a couple of discs to get started, which you can get on Amazon for around $25 dollars and you can also get a bag on Amazon for around the same price and be playing for less than $40 bucks! I’d call that awesome. Just don’t forget that you will occasionally lose some discs and may need to replace them.

Here’s some simple advice: as soon as you get a disc, take a sharpie and write your name and your telephone numbers on it. This way, if you lose any of your discs, a player can return it if found!”

Next up, you have your courses. Almost all disc golf courses are free with the exception of some really nice professional courses. A lot of parks have installed disc golf holes throughout their park, making disc golf accessible to a lot of people. See our quick references at the bottom of the page for more information on where to go to play.

Disc Golf is Awesome

So as you can see, disc golf is just awesome. It’s a great game for you to have fun, but it can be extremely beneficial as well. A lot of people have taken to the sport for at least one of the above reasons and some have stuck with disc golf for years. Some have lost weight and gotten fit, while others enjoy the competitive nature of the sport. Some use it to relax, while a few players, including myself, have gotten into disc golf because it’s an activity that does not cost a lot of money. In fact, in the last year, I have played many times and have spent literally $0 dollars on the rounds in that time period (except for maybe some beer and gas). That’s pretty cool.

Disc golf is awesome, y’all. But don’t just take my word for it. Get out there and throw.

Where to go to play – Quick References

The PDGA Course Directory on pdga.com is a fantastic reference.
DGCourseReview.com has some great information and reviews on local courses.
DiscGolfScene.com also has good info on courses near you.
a Google search of “disc golf” will bring up courses in your area
a Google search of “best disc golf courses” will bring up the top courses near you.
Check your local park – there may be some disc golf baskets set up.

Don’t forget

You can also grab a copy of our book, “The Disc Golf Player’s Manual,” here on the site. It’s packed full of extremely practical tips and tricks to help you immediately start improving on the course!