What: This is a free sport of skill that is a very good
excuse for walking in the forest. Disc golf is played much
like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a
flying disc, that is slightly smaller and heavier than a frisbee. The
sport was formalized in the 1970's, and shares with "ball golf" the object
of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case
of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee
area to a target which is the "hole". The hole can be one of a number of
disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole HoleŽ an elevated
metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make
each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed.
The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways
provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the "putt" lands in
the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and
frustrations of traditional golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or
hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences,
though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won't need to
rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad "tee time." It is designed
to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of
economic status.
You can do this with one disk, but it is good to have a driver with
ability to be thrown long range, a putter with stability, and a midrange
disc that compromises between distance and stability. When you are
beginning, you can just buy one mid-range disk and it will work fine,
until you need that extra edge to get par or beat your partner. I've found
the players to be very friendly and helpful when it comes to new players.
This sport is very addictive as it is really fun to engage in. The course
is the opposite of a golf course in that there is not much of a prepared
surface as the air is the medium of travel. The course is trails through a
beautiful forest. The holes average about 300 feet in distance. Some are
easy and some have hazards like the river. The main thing I like about
this sport is that it is not dangerous, but does provide mental and
physical challenges constantly, and you are outdoors.
More info at
EverythingDiscGolf
Click here
for a map of the DownRiver course at Riverside State Park in Spokane
Click here for a map of the
Highbridge Park course at Spokane near Hangman Creek's entrance into
the Spokane River
Click here for
a map of the Sunnyside Disc Golf Course Map in Pullman
Click here for
a scorecard
SteveSimmonsSite
PDGA.com
Contacts:
Spokane Disc Golf Association (SDGA)
Gordy Crafts jaymievpc@attbi.com
509-363-1056
Steve Simmons myteefyn@sisna.com
509-838-4331
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