Disc Golf - Check it Out!

[Johan]

Disc Golf. (http://www.pdga.com/)

Anyone into it? I absolutely love it, but don't get out often enough. It's golf. With discs (weightier frisbees). At local parks. For free.

What's not to like? :) Find your local course! Go PLAY! (http://www.discgolfdirectory.com/)

[Zrikz]

I started getting into it quite a bit this past summer with a few friends. We ended up going a couple times a week, and lucky for me the park is one of the best in the state and only and 5 miles from me.

Course is in a forest, they cut trees out just to make a ridiculous course. Next time I go I will have to take some pictures.

[Loki_09]

I played a TON when I was going to Virginia Tech for undergrad. There was a course in woods about 15 minutes from campus. Free to play, but a very challenging course. Great to get away from it all and hike/golf in the moutains of southwest VA.

[shunoshi]

I've been meaning to try this some day since there are courses scattered all about the Twin Cities. I should make it a point to try it out this Spring.

[Backseat Killer]

Bone and I are avid disk golf players but I wouldn't have pegged Johan for one... :)

We have a ton of city supported courses in Austin. The best ones were designed by John Houck - one of the best in the world! And this is the best time of the year to get out there. If you haven't tried it - go, go, go!

[shunoshi]

And this is the best time of the year to get out there. If you haven't tried it - go, go, go!

You obviously don't visit Minnesota too often. ;)

[Backseat Killer]

Nope - but in Texas it is the best time to get outside! But it is getting cold here - I think it might get up to 75 today. Hehe - trust me, that is getting cold around here!

[Deimos]

Nope - but in Texas it is the best time to get outside! But it is getting cold here - I think it might get up to 75 today. Hehe - trust me, that is getting cold around here!

Backseat is right on this on. My cousin and I hit the course this weekend and it was packed! I think the group playing behind us was about 15-20 people. It was terrific weather for hiking and tossing discs around. Only way it can get better is if I could just get my dog trained to sniff lost discs out of the woods.

[Bone]

Johan, I never would have pegged you for a disc golf fan (no offense!). As BK said, we've been huge fans of it since we moved to Austin at the end of '99. It's a great sport, easy to learn and difficult to master. My parents and little sister have joined us on occasion and really enjoyed themselves. It's also really cheap to get into- I usually recommend buying a single driver disc and a putter- that's all you need until you really start to master multiple kinds of throws. Then you can get long distance, mid-range, approach, and other specialty discs, but you really don't have to.

Both of our favorite courses were designed by John Houck- one is close to downtown Austin, the other is his personal ranch (Circle R Ranch in Wimberley, TX) that has two 18-hole courses and excellent campgrounds. Camp for the weekend and play both courses, it's a blast.

[Typical Michael]

I was driving to school today and on campus I saw a sign with an arrow that said "Disc Golf Course" and I thought "what the heck is that?" and then this thread pops up. Weird.

[pseudopseudo]

I play disc golf all the damn time! We've got a few great courses here in Vegas, and we can play year round. :D

It's a nice excuse to get outside, for one. It's also decent exercise, especially walking an 18-hole course.

Also, Johan - I don't know if I'd call it entirely "free". You do still have to pay the discs you use, and depending what you get, they can be more expensive than most people think. (I know my driver alone cost about $18, and my mid-range ran me another $9.)

[Deimos]

It's true you do have to buy your set of discs but if you just pick up a driver and a putter your entry fee is $20 or less. I just read about a 9 hole course here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that actually does do a disc rental and has a "driving range". I haven't been by yet to know any specific details though.

[OldeWolf]

I play disc golfing at a place called "Riverside" by the Mississippi river.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/WeirdPoe/IMG_3499.jpg

As you can see, all the trees and hills all over the place creates a very awesome challenge plus it's a peaceful surreal place. I took the picture while walking to the river, didn't think about taking pictures of the disc golfing net hole thingie (forgot what they called it).

Here's another picture that the disc golfing area overlooks the Mississippi river.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/WeirdPoe/IMG_3501.jpg

[rinichanraar]

Holy crap, I didn't know it was an actual game. I played it (I think) on Super Monkey Ball once for Wii. Sounds fun (and a hell of a lot easier to learn than regular golf).

[Loki_09]

Holy crap, I didn't know it was an actual game. I played it (I think) on Super Monkey Ball once for Wii. Sounds fun (and a hell of a lot easier to learn than regular golf).

The fact people still dont know this is an actual game makes me sad. FYI, its an absolute blast, and a hell of a lot easier than regular golf.

[rinichanraar]

The fact people still dont know this is an actual game makes me sad. FYI, its an absolute blast, and a hell of a lot easier than regular golf.

Yeah, I feel really out of the loop not knowing about it. I think it's because I never go anywhere near any of the golf courses in San Francisco to begin with, so the odds of me seeing a disc golf course are very low.

[Subversion]

I always have a great time playing disc golf. A lot of great courses in Austin, no doubt. I love having one of my favorites 5 minutes from my house.

Night disc golf is the best though. Tape the little fishing LEDs to your discs, and you can keep playing after the sun goes down! Nice during the summer when it's hot and the courses are crazy crowded. A great thing to do on a weekday after work. Can usually get done with 18 holes with friends, in about 2 hours.

Disc Nation is one of the best disc golf stores around. I highly recommend ordering from them online or stopping by, for those lucky enough to live in the A-town.

[Bone]

Yeah, I feel really out of the loop not knowing about it. I think it's because I never go anywhere near any of the golf courses in San Francisco to begin with, so the odds of me seeing a disc golf course are very low.


Yep, you'd have to look for them or be told by another player. The game isn't exactly taking the world by storm and is often considered a stoner sport, which is sometimes true but hardly speaks for all the people who play.

Here's a picture of the basket, which is the "hole" you're trying to eventually get the disc into:

http://arieljvan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/disc-golf.jpg

The chains hanging down are there to slow the disc down and direct it into the basket. They make a satisfying "ching!" when you make a shot.

[Johan]

There's nothing more satisfying that tossing an approach shot from a hundred feet from the basket and hearing the "ching" when it goes in. Well, if it had been me, it would have been more satisfying, but watching my friend hit that one was, to say the least, memorable.

It's a terrifically fun sport. You're outdoors, it's basically free (two discs and you're set...or go to a local course and dig around in the dense underbrush and find a few for free! Seriously!), it's social, and it's a challenge for the pro while being accessible for the amateur as well.

I love it. I have four courses within thirty minutes of my home, which is quite nice. :)

[TheKeck]

I have been known to play. I own a few discs. It's enjoyable.

[pseudopseudo]

There's nothing more satisfying that tossing an approach shot from a hundred feet from the basket and hearing the "ching" when it goes in. Well, if it had been me, it would have been more satisfying, but watching my friend hit that one was, to say the least, memorable.

It *is* satisfying to see a partner do it. It's even fun to watch a miss sometimes - my brother almost holed a par three, only to have it bounce off the top of the basket. We both had a good laugh. :D

What discs do you all use? I use a Innova Distance Wraith (Champion) as my driver, and a Mid-Range Coyote (Star) for everything else. Seems to have been working out fairly well, so far.

[TheKeck]

I will say that the WORST thing about disc golf is losing your discs. :( Doesn't feel so free when that happens.

[pseudopseudo]

I will say that the WORST thing about disc golf is losing your discs. :( Doesn't feel so free when that happens.

The first time we (my brother, his wife and I) ever played, we lost 3 of our 4 discs. (It was a new course - I don't think they factored in how heavy the side brush was when they plotted it all out.) Sad part was, 1 of the ones we lost was someone else's.

Definitely not fun to lose a disc - at all. At least at the courses in Vegas here, it's REALLY hard to lose a disc, as none of the courses lie around heavy brush. Your biggest chance of losing a disc is throwing it on top of a building, or over a fence into private property. You have to be REALLY off to do that though. (Usually.) ;)

[Johan]

I will say that the WORST thing about disc golf is losing your discs. :( Doesn't feel so free when that happens.

If you can lose one, you can find someone else's too! If you're not highly allergic to poison ivy, digging around in the brush can turn up a disc or two.

[TheKeck]

If you can lose one, you can find someone else's too! If you're not highly allergic to poison ivy, digging around in the brush can turn up a disc or two.
I have found one or two. I tend to search and search and SEARCH before actually accepting that I've lost one, though. Now, though, I always make sure to PUT MY PHONE NUMBER on the back of my discs. I have also returned a disc I found that had a phone number on it.

[Cupelix]

As an Ultimate Player, I go to the local disc golf course and play it with a standard Ultimate disc. It's good practice even for Ultimate players, learning how to control the arc of your throw, and get some distance going. I haven't gone a damn long while though, which makes me sad.

[Soap]

Yeah, I feel really out of the loop not knowing about it. I think it's because I never go anywhere near any of the golf courses in San Francisco to begin with, so the odds of me seeing a disc golf course are very low.

I believe there is a course in the middle of GGP (golden gate park). There's also one off of 80, next to the pond by University. If you do some searching, you can find a couple more in the bay area.

I've been thinking about playing myself, since I live in the East bay.

[Johan]

Now, though, I always make sure to PUT MY PHONE NUMBER on the back of my discs. I have also returned a disc I found that had a phone number on it.

Many people do that. I have my number from like two moves ago on my discs, so I either need to change that, or they're lost for good. I think it's "good form" to return them if there's a number. No number? Up for grabs! :)

[Bone]

There's nothing more satisfying that tossing an approach shot from a hundred feet from the basket and hearing the "ching" when it goes in. Well, if it had been me, it would have been more satisfying, but watching my friend hit that one was, to say the least, memorable.
Man, my best moment was when I threw an approach shot, purposely throwing a curve so I could go around the tree and get near the basket that I couldn't see. It was probably 80 feet away, and the disc curved, disappeared behind the tree and went CHING for a two-shot birdie. I was on a high from that all day :)


What discs do you all use? I use a Innova Distance Wraith (Champion) as my driver, and a Mid-Range Coyote (Star) for everything else. Seems to have been working out fairly well, so far.I use the Discraft Z XL (http://www.discraft.com/prod_xl_z.html) series almost exclusively- I love the "new" plastic they use that is extremely hard to damage when I hit the inevitable tree.

Also- I just noticed my quote in your sig. I feel special :)

I have found one or two. I tend to search and search and SEARCH before actually accepting that I've lost one, though. Now, though, I always make sure to PUT MY PHONE NUMBER on the back of my discs. I have also returned a disc I found that had a phone number on it.Funny, I had my number on a disc I lost. A year later, someone calls me while I'm playing at the same course I lost the disc at- and it was one of my favorite discs so I knew the one he was describing immediately! But it turns out he was calling from a course far north of Austin, so my disc had already been recovered and lost again. I thanked him for the call and told him to keep the disc for his honesty.

[TheKeck]

Funny, I had my number on a disc I lost. A year later, someone calls me while I'm playing at the same course I lost the disc at- and it was one of my favorite discs so I knew the one he was describing immediately! But it turns out he was calling from a course far north of Austin, so my disc had already been recovered and lost again. I thanked him for the call and told him to keep the disc for his honesty.
Ha ha. Nice.

[Gormanimal]

When a friend and I were playing late last fall he tossed his prized disc in the river on a tough hole. There was snow on the ground but he still went and got it.

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

Whunpo and I play a game called Ultimate, using very similar discs.

It is great exercise, and tons of fun. You guys should try it.

[pomeroy]

Disc Golf.

Anyone into it? I absolutely love it, but don't get out often enough. It's golf. With discs (weightier frisbees). At local parks. For free.

What's not to like? Find your local course! Go PLAY!

Whunpo and I play a game called Ultimate, using very similar discs.

It is great exercise, and tons of fun. You guys should try it.

Oh you kids and your frisbee sports (http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/09/23/110-frisbee-sports/). How very white of you. :p

[maharahaj]

I used to play once a week during the summer with a friend of mine several years ago when I still lived by him. They had a (tough) course that was dismantled after two years and a new one erected across the street. the next year, they rebuilt the first one as people complained the new one wasn't hard enough.

I was never that good at it but it was a great excuse to get out and walk. We always skipped the one water hole for fear of losing our disks. A coworker initially introduced me to the game by taking me along when he played. He would go twice a day (as soon as he woke up and after work) and the course was 8 miles from our houses. He loved it that much.

[Loki]

I feel as if I just discovered a family that was separated from me at birth.

I play disc golf 5-7 times a week, all year long. There is a photo floating around with me and a couple buddies having a smoke in the middle of January on a bench that was on a creek that had frozen over the last couple of weeks.

I have bought more discs than I care to know and have lost all but 8 of them. Grrr. I need to go buy a new Destroyer, Valk, and Avenger this weekend.:(

[KingGorilla]

Disc Golf is pretty big near me. I played it a bit as a kid, played a fair amount this past summer. There is a 18 hole course very near me, it is brutal.

[Inspector Fowler]

There is only one decent course in my city anymore. The college tore theirs up. There is a crappy one to the south of campus, but it's REALLY crappy.

I never play anyway. I don't have my own discs and every time I played I would lose a friend's disc into the lake. :(

[Whunpo]

Whunpo and I play a game called Ultimate, using very similar discs.

It is great exercise, and tons of fun. You guys should try it.
Have I taken you Disc Golfing? There's a decent course down by Churchill. I've played a few times.

Johan, the fact that you play Disc Golf makes you awesome. If you're ever in the Eugene area, I would love to play a round or two.

[Cactaur]

Played it at summer camp up in Big Bear. We only had poles stuck in the ground though. Great way to while away the afternoon.

[Vandabo]

I used to be a very avid disc golfer, I haven't played at all this year, mainly because I have no car and all my friends who used to play moved away...

It's probably the sport that I am most competitive at, I have nearly equaled my home course record a couple times.

I have lost probably 10 discs and found around 20, most of which I give to my friends who are playing or want to try it. I keep telling myself I'm gonna take a machete to the huge blackberry bush right behind the 11th hole, it has swallowed 2 of my discs and must hold a treasure of overthrown drivers and approach discs.

[Loki]

Quick question: Has anyone used the XCalibur? Is it like the Destroyer (long distance, but a mean left hook)?

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

Have I taken you Disc Golfing? There's a decent course down by Churchill. I've played a few times.

Johan, the fact that you play Disc Golf makes you awesome. If you're ever in the Eugene area, I would love to play a round or two.

I have been before, but never with you.

I went up in Corvallis. It was pretty sweet.

[Backseat Killer]

I throw right handed so when I need a disk to go right (right handed throws generally hook left), I use my super light Cheetah (140g). That will curve right every time!

[Bone]

I just use my standard disc, and tilt my whole hand to the right to force a right turn. Of course sometimes that just makes me shank it right into the trees.

Whunpo and I play a game called Ultimate, using very similar discs.

It is great exercise, and tons of fun. You guys should try it.Is it similar to soccer or football rules? I've seen people outside of my office playing in our soccer field with discs.

Although Ultimate has specialized discs, I don't think they are too similar to disc golf drivers. These are very hard, sharp edged discs that you would NOT want to catch without risking breaking your hand.

[GunnyMo]

I love playing. If anyone in the Cincinnati area ever wants to hit the courses out here just drop me a line. :)

[pseudopseudo]

These are very hard, sharp edged discs that you would NOT want to catch without risking breaking your hand.

Yeah, not fun to catch.

Fun story: last night my brother and I went out for 18 holes. We were trailing behind this group of 4 that was taking their sweet-ass time, which was pretty aggravating. When we were teeing off on hole 4, they were on the tee of hole 5 - a good 75-80 yards away. Maybe closer to 90. We had another group of two waiting on us to tee off, so we were feeling a little rushed. We didn't think we'd even come close to hitting the group on 5, so we teed off.

My brother throws - and it's near-perfect. The wind takes it WAAAY up... and then it starts curving right. And then we realize that it probably DOES have enough distance to hit the guys in front of us. We both yell "FORE!!!" as loud as we can, but they weren't paying attention. The disc starts coming down, fast... and shanks one of their guys RIGHT in the ankle. Full speed. It looked like it almost knocked him over. They were PISSED. One of 'em screamed, "What the fuck asshole, why are you throwing it this way?" - like my brother was aiming at them or something. My brother screamed his apologies - but no matter, they didn't care. They picked up his disc and threw it back at us. (It got about a quarter of the way.)

So I guess the moral of the story is; when you're trailing a slow party, if you think you can't hit them - you might still be able to. Give them a little time. Also, if you DO get hit - don't assume you were being aimed at. I understand being angry, but why would anyone try to aim and hit anyone? That's just dumb.

[DylonCorp]

Loki! Are you still in Boise? Hear that the Bogus course is closing after this winter? Laaaaaame.

[TheKeck]

Whunpo and I play a game called Ultimate, using very similar discs.

It is great exercise, and tons of fun. You guys should try it.
Should try it. Very funny. I love me some ultimate. Last time I played, though, I about died of a heart attack. Stupid never exercising anymore. :(

[TheKeck]

Is it similar to soccer or football rules?
Basic rules:

You are trying to get to an end zone, like football.
You can not move while holding the frisbee.
Any time the disc hits the ground or goes out of bounds, you turnover possession to the other team.

[Loki]

Loki! Are you still in Boise? Hear that the Bogus course is closing after this winter? Laaaaaame.

Never went up there. I heard too many horror stories of people losing there discs and I didn't really want to try it. I'm quite content with Ann Morrison. You play often?

[DylonCorp]

Not as often as I'd like. Is Morrison on the winter course already? I actually really enjoyed the Bogus course, but yeah you do need at least three others with you for disc spotting. Eagle Island winter course is supposed to be a lot of fun as well.

[Loki]

Eagle Island is interesting; a lot more technical than Ann Morrison. I think Ann Morrison is changing to winter course is changing in a couple of weeks. I'll probably be heading out sometime this weekend and seeing how that goes.

[DylonCorp]

I might be down this weekend myself, I'll PM you.