Disc golf
Disc golf is played a lot like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, players use a disc or frisbee instead. The sport was invented in the 1970’s, and shares with normal golf the goal of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes or 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 ,Disc Catcher, an elevated metal basket. As a player throws down the fairway, they must make their next shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees and other natural landmarks located in and around the fairways make the game more challenging with obstacles for the disc golfer. Lastly the putt lands in the basket or chains and the hole is completed. Disc golf has its fair share of joys and frustrations that come natural with playing the game. The more you play the more joy there is rather then frustrations. Most courses are free unlike normal golf the only cost is the cost of buying the discs you want to use. As the popularity of this sport grows the number of courses and players will grow it will become better known throughout the world.
Step 1: Getting Started
Go to your favorite sporting goods store and ask if they sell disc golf discs. When you get to the discs pick and choose from the many different colors and types of discs available.
Step 2: Materials Needed
The only thing you will need to play is a disc golf disc. You may have multiple discs for different throws but it is not necessary.
Step 3: Choosing a Disc
The best disc for a beginner would be a mid-range disc or a slow driver. The drivers are the discs that have the pointier edges because they will cut through the air easier. The mid-range discs and putters have thick edges because they are not made to fly very far but straight.
Step 4: Findind Disc Type
You will find the disc type on the front of the disc.
Step 5: Finding Disc Weight
You will find the disc weight on the back of the disc. Light weight discs are best for beginners. Light weight can be anywhere from 150g-160g.
Step 6: Lost Discs
After you buy the disc of your choice you should immediately write your name and phone number on the back side of the disc with a permanent marker. Players do this so that if you lose your disc most nice players will call you and tell you that they found your disc and you can come get it from them or have them bring it to you.
Step 7: Finding a Course
1.Find the closest disc golf course to your home town. Most courses are in public parks. There are many websites online that help players locate courses. Just do a search for disc golf discs in your area. There is a disc golf course directory online that lets you search for courses in your area. The website is http://www.discgolfdirectory.com.
Step 8: Paper and Pen for Scoring
1.When you find a course don’t forget to bring a pen and paper to keep score if you can’t do it in your head.
Step 9: Arriving to the Course Map
When you first get there the best thing to do would be to locate a course map. On this map it will show you where to go after each hole and it will also tell you the rules of the course.
Step 10: Out of Bounds Rules
These rules will include out of bounds boundaries. If your disc goes outside of the boundaries you have to add one throw to your score for that hole and bring the disc back into play where it went out of bounds.
Step 11: Sportsmanship
There are rules of sportsmanship on the course map as well. Almost every course has the same rules. One of these rules is if your are playing fairly slow and the person behind you is a faster player the nice thing for you to do is to let them pass you. This way everyone can play at their own pace and have fun.
Step 12: Course Safety
Another rule is if you throw your disc and notice it is flying toward someone you are to yell and get their attention so that they know something is coming.
Step 13: Find First Hole
On the map you should locate the first hole so that you know where to start.
Step 14: Preparing at the First Hole
- When you get to the tee of each hole make sure you write down the par if you are planning on keeping score. The par is the number of throws you should try to get less than for every hole.
Step 15: Gripping the Disc- Choice #1
Now you should figure out what grip and way of throwing is best for you. Your first throw will usually be with a driver because it is the farthest one from the hole. Most people put their four fingers around the bottom rim and put their thumb on top of the disc.
Step 16: Throwing With Grip #1
Then you would throw it like you would a normally throw a frisbee with the back of your hand will be facing your target.If you are right handed the disc will curve from right to left and if your left handed it will curve from left to right.
Step 17: Gripping the Disc- Choice #2
The other way to throw it is when players put their pointer and ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ on the inside of the bottom rim and their thumb on the top.
Step 18: Throwing With Grip #2
While throwing this the inside of your hand will be facing your target. If you are right handed the disc will curve from right to left and if you are left handed it will curve from left to right
Step 19: Finally Throwing
1.After you figure out which way is best for you, you are ready to start. Now is when you step up to the tee to throw.
Step 20: Footing
When you go to throw make sure your front foot does not pass the front of the tee.
Step 21: After First Throw
After your first throw your next throw is from where your disc landed.
Step 22: Putting
.After you get closer to the disc catcher you might want to use a new disc. As you get closer you will want to use a putter or mid-range disc because they fly straighter.
Step 23: Changing Grip
When you get closer to the disc catcher you may want to change your grip as well. To do this most people put their pointer finger on the rim of the disc because it is said to me more accurate.
Step 24: Disc Rests in Basket
For the whole to be completed your disc must rest inside the disc catcher. It can rest in the basket part of the catcher like in the picture below.
Step 25: Disc Rests in Chains
The disc can also rest in the chains of the disc catcher and count as finishing the hole as well
Step 26: Comparing Scores
When you are done with the hole you write down your score and compare it to the par. If your number is less or the same as the par it is considered a good score.
Step 27: Continuing
Repeat steps 14-25 as you move from hole to hole on the course and enjoy playing the growing sport of disc golf!