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Disc Golf is a sport where the rules and environment are much like those of traditional "ball" golf. Individual players throw a disc similar to a Frisbee into a chain basket. The object of the game is to go around a course, most of which have 9, 18, or 24 baskets (holes), with the least number of tosses to get the disc into the baskets.
Each basket has a par that can be as low as 3 and as high as 5 tosses. There can be added hazards that raise the difficulty of getting into the the disc close to the baskets. These hazards can include trees, water, and placement of the baskets.
Much of the same terminology of traditional golf exists in Disc Golf. The major difference between the two is the cost of participation. Green fees and equipment for regular golf can be can very expensive when the cost of participation for Disc Golf is much more acceptable to most of us.
Most of the Disc Golf facilities are in located in public parks and offer free access to play.
There is also reasonably priced equipment that is suitable for play or practice in your own yard. You can play while competing with someone else or you can play alone and challenge yourself to beat your past scores.
The baskets for the game was invented in 1976 and consists of a metal basket with chains hanging over it. The disc is very similar to a Frisbee but has different features and tends to be smaller in diameter. The discs vary with respect to features that determine their distance of travel. They range from "putters" to "drivers".
Disc Golf Courses
Around 2006 there approximately 2000 disc golf courses around the world with the majority on them being in the United States. The number of holes usually range from 9 to 27 on public courses. A lot of the courses are in city parks with mostly grass and trees with faily level ground.
Some courses fit more into the style of a public "ball" golf course with some wooded areas, hills, and level grassy areas. Most contain both rough natural sections. The more challenging courses tend to cover more land area.
One of the best and most popular courses is the DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course in Santa Cruz, California. The total course length is around 8826 ft and has 27 holes. There hold monthly and weekly tournaments with the weekly consisting of mixed A and B players. They also hold the Masters Cup of disc golf on a yearly basis. This tournament spans over a 3 day period with 1 round each day consisting of 27 holes.
This course is only one example of how popular Disc Golf has become in the last 20 to 25 years. It is a very good sport that can be played by people of all ages and gender and is definitely an activity for family participation.
There are courses all over the United States and in or near most cities. For a course near you, please check the Course Directory at the PDGA.
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