Global Sports: Learning All About Disc Golf

Monday, January 10, 2011

Learning All About Disc Golf

By Kevin Polini


Disc golf is a very fun and interesting outdoor game. It is becoming more and more popular since it was invented in the late 1960's. The object is to complete each hole with the fewest amount of throws, similar to ball golf. The players use discs instead of balls and throw them towards 'hole'. The hole is actually a pole in the ground that has a basket to catch the disc. It is a great outdoor sport and is most often played in outdoor public parks. In recent years disc golf has quickly become one of the more popular outdoor activities

Disc golf Courses are designed like a traditional golf course. Courses usually have a listed par, for pro or amateur players. Each course is different and is rated by technical or challenging depending if they have obstacles such as trees which players must maneuver their discs around with specialized throws. Many city parks have golf courses already set up. Most disc golf courses consist of 18 or 24 holes, and you'll find some nine-hole courses too. However, as in ball golf, a course usually consists of 18 holes. Of the more than 3000 established disc golf courses as of 2010, approximately 87% are free. Five basic components go into a course design, disc pole holes, tonal poles, tee signs, tee pads, and topography. Disc pole holes are the main and most important components of a disc golf course.

The 'hole' in disc golf can be referred to as a 'disc pole', 'basket', or a 'catcher'. This pole usually has a metal basket connected to a pole and chains to catch the disc. When the disc is thrown and hits the basket the metal chains hold the disc and the hole is over for the person who threw the disc. The last throw is called a 'putt' and ends the hole.

There are three types of discs used in Disc golf: Putters, mid-range discs, and drivers. They can be purchased at most sporting-goods stores and are relatively cheap. The putter discs fly straight and slow. The mid-range discs have sharper edges to cut through the air easier and the drivers are the hardest to throw since they are supposed to go the farthest. The discs are very light.

The 'Drive' is the first shot on each hole and is thrown from the designated tee area. The player then progresses down the fairway throwing each successive shot from where the last one landed. It is important to avoid any obstacles along the way such as trees or fences that could lead to more throws. Out-of-bounds is a part of every course and should be avoided or it is a one shot penalty.

The most common throw in disc golf is the forehand throw to give the player the best 'snap'. There are also overhand and backhand throws but all throws must be made with one hand only. After each throw the player marks the landing spot with a mini-disc and the next throw order is determined by whomever is farthest from the hole. Each player must tee off behind the designated tee area and if a disc is thrown out-of-bounds it is a one shot penalty and the player must throw next from within three feet of the out-of-bounds marker.

Similar to real golf, the person with the lowest overall score wins. The overall score is determined by adding up the throws on each hole, plus penalties. Every throw counts and each hole isn't over until the player's disc lands in the basket. The person with the lowest score on the previous hole always tees off first and an easy way to keep score is to say every hole is a par-3.

The Professional Disc Golf Association, with a member base of 40,000+, is the governing body for the sport and sanctions competitive events for men and women of every skill level from novice to professional. As a group, the PDGA is dedicated to developing and encouraging the family and recreational aspects of the game.

Disc golf is one of the best lifetime fitness sports. It is quickly becoming a lifelong fitness activity, promoting an active lifestyle and helping to prevent obesity. Disc Golf is fun for the family and easy to play and is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. And perhaps best of all, disc golf is inexpensive. With more than 1700 disc golf courses worldwide, there's bound to be one near you.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment