Frisbee Golf: Possibly the Best Sport of All Time

Frisbee golf is just what it sounds like: a round of golf played not with clubs and balls, but with frisbees! It's a wonderful sport that can be played by even the most unathletic and uncoordinated of us (like me).

The Courses
Frisbee golf courses range from wide open fields to densely wooded trails, and everything in between. Each course presents its own unique challenges. Open courses have few obstacles, but few trees to stop errant throws. Densely wooded courses neccessitate short, accurate throws.

Some courses offer cement tees, but most provide simple markers or logs. Many feature long and short tees, just like the mens' and womens' tees in regular golf. The holes, or pins, in frisbee golf also differ from course to course. Most offer a "DisCatcher" or similar hole, which is a metal basket designed to catch and hold discs that fly into it. The holes of some courses are just sticks which the player must hit with the disc.

Etiquette on the course is just like on a regular golf course. Don't play into people and let faster groups play through. Most disc golfers are very friendly and laid back, and nobody goes to the course in a hurry.

The Professional Disc Golf Association maintains a database of courses all over the US. The list can be found at http://www.pdga.com/course/courses_by_city.php?id=2253.

The Discs
Frisbee golf is not typically played with normal frisbees. While it can be done, the game becomes much more enjoyable when actual golf discs are used. The discs are smaller than a normal frisbee, and come in a variety of different shapes and weights. Lighter discs are best for smaller throwers, and more powerful throwers will do better with heavier discs.

The shape of the disc makes a huge difference in how it will fly. A recreational golfer should not hit the course with less than three discs: a long driver, an accuracy driver, and a short- or mid- range disc. Even among a certain class of disc, there are significant differences among different models. A good retailer will be able to tell you the specific flight characteristics of each disc, and be able to pick out a few that are good for beginners.

Every frisbee disc will turn as it loses speed. A right handed, traditional throw will typically turn to the left, while a right handed back-hand throw will turn to the right. The opposite is true for left handed throwers. By learning the flight characteristics of a certain disc and practicing a few throws, the thrower can learn to predict and use this turn to successfully make throws around trees and other obstacles.

Discs can be bought online or any many sporting goods stores. The range in price from $5 to $25 each.

The Throws
The two most common throws in disc golf are the traditional frisbee throw and the back-hand throw. To throw back hand, place your index finger under the rim on the front of the disc with your palm up. Your thumb should be about in the middle of the disc, holding it level, while the rest of your fingers keep the disc in place. This throw allows a right handed thrower to fade a throw right, and lefties to draw left.

Another less common throw is the tomahawk. A tomahawk thrower will hold the disc vertically and throw it hard, similar to an overhand baseball throw. The spin of the disk will cause it to level out and draw or fade in a predictable way. A good tomahawk thrower can accurately throw a disc very far.

Disc golf provides a great way to get outside and get some exercise, and it's a lot of fun! Find a course near you, pick up a few discs, and go out and have a good time! It doesn't take much athleticism or skill to have a great time.