Introduction

Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, is a sport that combines elements of golf and frisbee. Players throw a frisbee-like disc at a target, typically a basket with hanging chains, trying to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws. The discs are typically made of polypropylene plastic or other types of thermoplastic polymer resin, and the game is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes. Players throw the disc from a designated tee pad or area towards the basket, and the number of throws it takes them to reach the basket is recorded and compared to par, which is the number of throws an expert player is expected to make. Disc golf is played in around 40 countries, and as of March 31, 2022, there are over 90,000 active members of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).

Origin and early history

The origins of disc golf can be traced back to the early 1900s, when a group of students in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada played a game called Tin Lid Golf, in which they threw tin lids into circles drawn in the sand on their school grounds. The game fell out of popularity after the students grew up and went their separate ways, but it was revived in the 1970s at the Canadian Open Frisbee Championships in Toronto and Vancouver, British Columbia, where modern disc golf was introduced to Canadians.

There is debate over who first came up with the idea of modern disc golf in the early 1960s, as it is believed that multiple groups of people played the game independently around this time. For example, students at Rice University in Houston, Texas held tournaments using trees as targets as early as 1964, and in the early 1960s, players in Pendleton King Park in Augusta, Georgia would throw Frisbees into trash cans designated as targets. In 1968, Frisbee Golf was also played in Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, California, by teenagers who used gazebos, water fountains, lamp posts, and trees as part of the course. This version of the game was played for several years, and a rare collector’s edition disc from Alameda Park still exists. One member of this group, Clifford Towne, went on to hold a National Time Aloft record.

1970’s

Ed Headrick, also known as “Steady” Ed Headrick, (June 28, 1924 – August 12, 2002) was an American toy inventor. He is most well known as the father of both the modern-day Frisbee and of the sport and game of disc golf.

In 1975 Headrick’s tenure at Wham-O where he helped redesign the flying disc known as the frisbee ended, and ties between Headrick and Wham-O eventually split. Headrick left the company to start out on his own to focus all his efforts on his new interest, which he coined and trademarked “Disc Golf”.

In 1976 “Steady” Ed Headrick and his son Ken Headrick started the first disc golf company, the Disc Golf Association (DGA). The purpose of DGA was to manufacture discs and targets and to formalize the game for disc golf. The first disc golf target was Ed’s pole hole design which basically consisted of a pole sticking out of the ground.

In 1977, Headrick and his son Ken developed the modern basket catch for disc golf, US Patent 4039189A, titled Flying Disc Entrapment Device, which they trademarked “Disc Pole Hole”. The Disc Pole Hole created a standardized catching device that had a chain-hanger that held vertical hanging rows of chain out and away from a center pole. The vertical rows of chain came together forming a parabolic shape above and angling down towards a metal basket that attached to and surrounded the center pole and could catch a disc from all directions.

Ed and his company DGA revised and obtained patents for basket designs until his death in 2002. Today there are over 12,000 courses installed throughout the world, the majority of them using baskets modeled on the Disc Pole Hole DGA baskets Headrick designed.

In December 2022, the Professional Disc Golf Association announced that trans women would be prohibited from competing at Majors.

Disc golf courses generally have 9 or 18 holes but may have more in multiples of three. Recommended lengths for holes by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) are between 200 and 400 feet, with no hole shorter than 100 feet. The longest holes in the world measure over 1,500 feet. Course designers use a variety of features such as trees, bushes, elevation changes, water hazards, and distance variation to create challenges and add variety to the game. Many courses also offer multiple tee or target positions to accommodate players of different skill levels.

Most disc golf courses are built in more natural and less manicured environments than golf and require minimal maintenance. Professional course designers consider safety a critical factor in course design and are careful to minimize the danger of being hit by a flying disc while providing designs that create strategy in play and variety in shots for enjoyment. Holes are designed to require a range of different throws to challenge players with different strengths or particular skills. Many courses are central organizing points for local disc golf clubs, and some include shops selling disc golf equipment. More than 80% of the courses listed on Disc Golf Course Review are listed as public and free to play.

The United States, Finland, and Canada are the countries with the most disc golf courses, accounting for 85% of all courses worldwide. Other countries with a significant number of courses include Sweden, Estonia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. There are also disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. Åland is home to the world’s largest single disc golf park, with one course in each of its 16 municipalities. Estonia has the highest density of disc golf courses per square kilometer of dry land, while Finland and Iceland have the highest number of courses per capita.

Country DGC as % of world total per 1M inhabitants per 10,000 km2 of dry land

United States* 7,379 73% 22. 4.5

United Kingdom 107 1.1% 1.6 4.4

Switzerland 36 0.4% 4.2 9

Sweden 242 2.4% 24.3 5.9

Spain 17 0.2% 0.4 0.3

South Korea 16 0.2% 0.3 1.6

Slovakia 12 0.1% 2.2 2.5

Rest of the world 210 2.1%

Poland 12 0.1% 0.3 0.4

Norway 124 1.2% 23.2 4.1

New Zealand 49 0.5% 10.3 1.9

Netherlands 21 0.2% 1.2 6.2

Japan 75 0.7% 0.6 2.1

Iceland 62 0.6% 184.1 6.2

Germany 129 1.3% 1.6 3.7

France 97 1% 1.5 1.5

Finland * 720 7.1% 130.4 23.7

Estonia * 150 1.5% 113.4 35.4

Denmark 76 0.8% 13.2 17.9

Czechia 99 1% 9.3 12.8

Canada 360 3.6% 9.7 0.4

Austria 21 0.2% 2.4 2.5

Australia 89 0.9% 3.6 0.1

Total 10,103 Source: https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/advanced

Tees

A disc golf tee (commonly referred to as a tee box or the box) is the starting position of a hole. The PDGA recommends that the tee box be no smaller than 1.2 meters wide by 3 meters long.[15] The tee box is usually a pad of concrete, asphalt, rubber, gravel, or artificial turf. Some courses have natural turf with only the front of the tee position marked or no tee boxes at all and players begin from a general location based on the course layout.

Signs

Established courses have tee signs near each tee position. Signs may depict a simple map of the hole including the tee, target, expected disc flight, out-of-bounds areas, water hazards, trees, and mandatory paths. Signs typically include the distance to the hole, and par. Some courses include a unique name for the hole and may have sponsor logos. They are often supplemented with a larger sign near the course entrance which has a map of the entire course.

Targets

The target in a game of disc golf is typically a basket with hanging chains, known as a disc golf basket. These baskets are now the most common type of target on modern courses, although early courses used trees, fence posts, or park equipment as targets. Some courses have tone targets that produce a distinctive sound when hit with a disc. Disc golf baskets consist of a central pole with a basket underneath a set of chains. When a disc hits the chains, it may be deflected into the basket. To complete a hole using a basket target, the disc must enter the target above the top of the tray and below the bottom of the chain support, and come to rest supported by the target, according to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) rules. There are many brands of baskets available from different manufacturers.

Gameplay

Disc golf is a sport that is structured similarly to regular golf. It is played on a course with a series of holes, usually 9 or 18. Each hole consists of a tee box for starting play and a target, usually a basket with hanging chains, some distance away. Players throw a disc from the tee box, trying to reach the target with the fewest number of throws. The course may have obstacles such as trees, hills, or bodies of water, and may have out-of-bound areas or mandatory paths indicated by signs. Players carry a variety of discs with different flight characteristics to suit the course conditions and their desired shot.

During a game of disc golf, players take turns at the tee box and throw in the order of their score on the previous hole, with the lowest scorer going first. The objective is to complete the course with the lowest number of total throws. Play is usually in groups of five or fewer, with the player farthest from the hole throwing first while the others stand aside.

To ensure safety, players should not throw into blind areas or when there are spectators, pedestrians, or other course users within range. The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has set rules and guidelines for formal competitive play, including the PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf and the PDGA Competition Manual for Disc Golf events.

Disc Types

Disc golf discs are smaller and more specialized than regular flying discs or frisbees. They typically measure 21-22 cm in diameter and weigh 130-180 g. All discs approved by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) must measure between 21-30 cm in diameter and weigh no more than 200 g. These discs are designed specifically for use in disc golf, with shapes and features that provide control, speed, and accuracy. In contrast, general-purpose flying discs, such as those used for ultimate or guts, have a more traditional frisbee shape.

Disc golf discs are divided into three categories: drivers, mid-range discs, and putters. Drivers are designed for maximum distance and are typically used for long, open throws. Mid-range discs are a compromise between drivers and putters, offering a balance of distance and accuracy. Putters are designed for short, controlled shots and are often used for approaches and putts. There is a wide variety of discs available, each with its own unique characteristics and flight patterns.

Drivers

Drivers are a type of disc used in disc golf. They are designed for long, powerful throws and are typically used by experienced players for tee-off and other long-distance fairway throws. Drivers are characterized by their sharp, beveled edge and have most of their mass concentrated on the outer rim rather than evenly distributed throughout the disc. This design allows drivers to travel long distances at high speeds and is optimized for aerodynamics.

Some disc golf brands further categorize their drivers into different types. For example, Innova has Distance Drivers and Fairway Drivers, with fairway drivers being a hybrid between distance drivers and mid-range discs. Discraft has three categories of drivers: Long Drivers, Extra Long Drivers, and Maximum Distance Drivers. Another type of driver, used less frequently, is a roller, which is designed to roll rather than fly. However, any disc can be used for a roller, and some behave differently than others.

New players may find it challenging to throw distance drivers accurately due to the “snap” or “flick” required to impart spin on the disc. Therefore, it is recommended for players to start with fairway drivers, long drivers, or even mid-range discs and incorporate maximum distance drivers as their strength and control improve. Most beginners will also likely throw lighter discs.

Mid-range

Mid-range discs feature a dull, beveled edge and a moderate rim width. They offer more control than drivers, but they have a smaller range. Mid-range discs are typically used as approach discs. Beginner players will often use mid-ranges instead of drivers at tee-off, as they require less strength and technique to fly straight than higher speed drivers.

Putter

Putter discs are a type of disc used in disc golf. They are designed to fly slowly and straight, with predictable flight patterns. Putters are typically used for short, controlled shots that are close to the basket, although some players also use them for short drives when there are obstacles such as trees in the way. Putters have a low speed and low glide rating, which means they do not travel as far as other types of discs.

Professional players usually carry 1-7 putters, depending on their flight characteristics. As a beginner, it is recommended to only use putters or mid-range discs while developing proper throwing techniques such as follow-through, disc positioning, and hyzer/anhyzer technique. Higher speed discs may not fly properly without a fast enough release snap, so putters or mid-range discs with lower snap requirements are more forgiving and will behave more consistently.

The world record distance for a golf disc was 863.5 ft (263.2 m), thrown by Simon Lizotte on October 25, 2014. David Wiggins, Jr. broke the record with a distance of 1,108.92 ft (338.00 m) on March 28, 2016.

Stability is an important factor to consider when choosing a disc in disc golf. It determines how the disc will behave during flight and can affect its accuracy and distance. Discs that are over-stable tend to turn to the left (for a right-handed, backhand throw), while discs that are under-stable tend to turn to the right (for a right-handed, backhand throw). The stability of a disc is rated by the manufacturer and can be found on the disc itself or on the manufacturer’s website.

Innova Discs rates stability using a “turn” and “fade” system. “Turn” refers to how the disc will behave at high speeds during the beginning and middle of its flight and is rated on a scale from +1 (most over-stable) to -5 (most under-stable). “Fade” refers to how the disc will behave at lower speeds towards the end of its flight and is rated on a scale from 0 (least fade) to 5 (most fade). For example, a disc with a turn of -5 and fade of 0 will turn to the right (for a right-handed, backhand throw) for most of its flight, then curl minimally to the left at the end. A disc with a turn of -1 and fade of 3 will turn slightly to the right during the middle of its flight and turn sharply to the left as it slows down.

Discraft also rates stability and prints it on all of their discs. Their stability ratings range from 3 (most over-stable) to -2 (most under-stable). However, their ratings are more of a combination of turn and fade, with the predominant factor being fade.

Spin, or rotation, plays a role in the stability of a flying disc during flight. It does not significantly affect lift and drag forces, but it does impact stability. To understand the influence of spin on stability, imagine a spinning top. A gentle push will cause it to move off its axis of rotation for a moment, but it will not fall over because the spin provides gyroscopic stability. Similarly, a flying disc resists rolling or flipping over due to the gyroscopic stability provided by spin. Even as a flying disc slows down, it will maintain its spin rate. When the spin and velocity lines cross at the end of a disc’s flight, the disc will predictably begin to fade. The extent to which the disc will fade depends on its pitch, angle and design.

Plastic

In the sport of disc golf, players throw a disc, like a Frisbee, towards a target basket. There are a range of different discs available, each made of a specific type of plastic. Some plastics, such as DX, J-Pro, Pro-D, X-Line, D-line, retro, and R-Pro offered by companies like Innova, Latitude 64°, Discmania, and Discraft, are less durable but are a good option for beginners due to their lower prices. Higher-end plastics, such as Champion, Titanium, FLX, GStar, Gold Line, Tournament Plastic, Fuzion, and Star, offer the best quality, durability, and flight performance. There are also plastics that have special features, such as the ability to glow in the dark or float in water. Many companies also offer a line of plastic that is lighter in weight, which is helpful for beginners or players with less arm strength. Players may prefer brightly colored discs for easier visibility and retrieval.

Throwing styles

There are two main techniques for throwing a disc in disc golf: the backhand and the forehand (also known as sidearm). These techniques can be used in different situations to increase a player’s accuracy and distance. Additionally, many players use a run-up to add momentum to their throw.

The direction in which a disc falls when it is thrown is determined by its rotation when it is released. This fall is known as the hyzer or anhyzer. For a right-handed backhand throw, the disc will tend to fall to the left, while for a right-handed forehand throw, it will tend to fall to the right. The opposite is true for left-handed throwers. There is no one “correct” way to throw a disc, and players may develop their own unique style over time.

The backhand throw in disc golf is a technique in which the player rapidly draws the disc across their front and releases it towards their target. This throw can generate more distance than a forehand throw due to the potential for a quick release. To execute a backhand throw effectively, it is important to start with momentum from the feet and transfer it through the body, culminating in the transfer of energy to the disc.

The forehand, or sidearm, throw is performed by drawing the disc from behind and across the front of the body, like a sidearm throw in baseball. This technique is sometimes called a forehand throw for simplicity, like a tennis forehand. Forehand throws can be useful for making precise shots around obstacles.

There are several alternative throwing techniques that can be used in disc golf to navigate around obstacles or to achieve specific goals. Some examples include:

The Hatchet, or Tomahawk: This throw is like a sidearm toss, but it is executed with an overhand motion and the disc is oriented nearly perpendicular to the ground for much of the flight.
The Thumber, or U.D.: This throw is also executed with an overhand motion, but the player holds the underside of the disc with their thumb.
The Roller: This throw can be executed using either a backhand or a forehand technique. The disc is thrown so that it stays in contact with the ground and rolls along its edge for a significant distance. The roller is a versatile and effective throw when mastered.
The Turbo-Putt: This throw is executed with a putter and involves holding the disc upright with the thumb in the middle and the fingertips outside the edge, like a waiter holding a platter. The player stands with the leg opposite their throwing arm forward, reaches back, and then extends their arm towards the basket, throwing the disc in a motion like throwing a dart. The Turbo-Putt is known for its accuracy, but it has limited range.

There are many other alternative throwing techniques that players may use in different situations.

The Baseball or Grenade throw is a shot in disc golf that is used to get up and down on a short shot, where there is a risk of the shot rolling away or going out of bounds if thrown too far. This shot is thrown in a backhand motion, with the disc upside down. It is often used on downhill shots but can also be used to go up and over obstacles. The Overhand wrist flip (or chicken-wing) is another advanced throw that is less commonly used in disc golf. It is thrown in a sidearm motion, with the disc drawn from the thigh area and released over the shoulder. This shot flies in a conventional flight pattern and is used for accuracy and distance.

There are several different methods of scoring in disc golf, including stroke play, match play, skins, speed golf, and captain’s choice (also known as “doubles”). These scoring methods are like those used in traditional golf, with players trying to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws possible.

Regardless of which form of play the participants choose, the main objectives of disc golf are conceptually the same as traditional golf in the sense that players follow the same scorekeeping technique.

Scoring terms for a single hole:

Condor – Where a player is four throws under par, or “-4”.
Albatross (or double-eagle) – Where a player is three throws under par, or “-3”.
Eagle (or double-birdie) – Where a player is two throws under par, or “-2”.
Birdie – Where a player is one throw under par, or “-1”.
Par – Where a player has thrown par, “E” or “0”.
Bogey – Where a player is one throw over par, or “+1”.
Double Bogey – Where a player is two throws over par, or “+2”.
Triple Bogey – Where a player is three throws over par, or “+3”.

Doubles play is a unique style of play that many local courses offer on a weekly basis. In this format, teams of two golfers are determined. Sometimes this is done by random draw, and other times it is a pro-am format. On the course, it is a “best-disc” scramble, meaning both players throw their tee shot and then decide which line they would like to play. Both players then play from the same lie, again choosing which lie is preferable. The World Amateur Doubles Format includes best shot, alternate shot, best score (players play singles and take the best result from the hole) and worst shot (both players must sink the putt).

Tournaments

Ken Climo teeing off at hole 5 of the 2008 USDGC

Tournaments are held nationwide and yearlong in the United States. Sanctioned Tournament play is communicated through the Professional Disc Golf Association Membership. The PDGA provides international, professional, and amateur disc golf tournaments as well as communicates event results, opinions and other information beneficial to the sport via electronic and printed media. In 1982 the PDGA hosted the first World Championship Tournament. Since then, the World Championships have been held in 17 different American states, as well as Toronto, Ontario.

Disc golf tournaments are popular around the world. As with traditional golf, there are many championship tournaments. One of the largest is the United States Disc Golf Championship, held in October in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Every year, the largest team’s tournament in the world is held in Austin, Texas, by John Houck.

To prove the year-round sustainability of the sport, annual winter tournaments known as Ice Bowls are held at courses around the world. Using the motto “No Wimps, No Whiners”, Ice Bowls collectively are designed to create sport awareness, and are considered charity events that typically benefit a food bank local to a given tournament location. The official website reports that the 2010 Ice Bowls raised over $250,000 and donated over 67,000 pounds of food to the 222 tournaments for the year. Other charitable tournaments include the annual St. Jude Disc Golf Tournament which started in 2017 and has raised over $100,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Popularity

A disc golf course in a public park.

Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport worldwide, and is the 4th fastest growing sport in United States, behind mixed martial arts, roller derby, and parkour. DGCourseReview.com, which tracks courses worldwide along with opening dates, shows a rapid increase in installed permanent courses with an average of more than 400 new courses added each year between 2007 and 2017. The site lists 9744 courses worldwide (in Feb 2022).

Although most players play on a casual, amateur level, the professional disc golf scene is also growing rapidly, with the top professionals playing full-time and earning their livings through tournament winnings and sponsorship from equipment manufacturers. Online viewership of major tournaments and events has increased rapidly, with coverage of the 2019 world championship achieving more than 3 million views on YouTube, and a clip of a single albatross by professional Philo Braithwaite boasting more than 1.4 million views.

Post-round coverage

Increased popularity of disc golf can be largely attributed to increased coverage of pro tour events, available for free on YouTube. Jomez Productions, Gatekeeper Media, and Gk Pro all film events the day of, and then air them the morning after. Often, these videos can have a reach of as many as 200,000 viewers. In the 2020 season, Jomez Productions and the Disc Golf Pro Tour reached an agreement with CBS Sports and ESPN 2 to air postproduction coverage of a tournament on each network. The Dynamic Discs Open was shown on CBS Sports, and the Disc Golf Pro Tour championship was re-aired on ESPN2 November 24, 2020. With 225,000 viewers, it was the most-watched show on the channel that day.

The Disc Golf Hall of Fame

Inductees:

Year Disc Golf Hall of Fame Inductees

1993 Vanessa Chambers Dave Dunipace Ed Headrick Tom Monroe
Jim Palmeri Dan Roddick Ted Smethers
1994 Harold Duvall Nobuya Kobayashi Darrell Lynn Dan Mangone
Doug Newland Snapper Pierson Lavone Wolfe
1995 Ken Climo John David David Greenwell[b] Johnny Roberts
Dr. Rick Voakes
1996 Mike Conger Patti Kunkle Rick Rothstein
1997 Steve Slasor Elaine King Jim Kenner
1998 Gregg Hosfeld John Houck Carlton Howard
1999 Sam Ferrans Steve Wisecup Tim Selinske
2000 Tom Schot Royce Racinowski
2001 Stan McDaniel Johnny Sias
2002 Alan Beaver Gary Lewis
2003 Mark Horn Brian Hoeniger Dr. Stancil Johnson
2004 Derek Robins Geoff Lissaman Johnny Lissaman Marty Hapner
2005 Mats Bengtsson Sylvia Voakes
2006 Chuck Kennedy Kozo Shimbo
2007 Fred Salaz Michael Travers
2008 Dan Ginnelly Juliana Korver
2009 Crazy John Brooks Lynne Warren Michael Sullivan
2010 Charlie Callahan Tomas Ekstrom Brian Cummings
2011 Don Hoffman Joe Feidt Brent Hambrick
2012 Tim Willis Jeff Homburg Bob Gentil (New Zealand)
2013 Barry Schultz Becky Zallek Jim Challas Ken Westerfield
2014 Don Wilchek Jim Oates Italian Victor Parra
2015 Gail McColl Anni Kreml J Gary Dropcho
2016 Joseph Mela Ace Mason Tita Ugalde
2017 John Bird Des Reading Brian Graham
2018 Andi Young Jay Reading George Sappenfield
2019 Eric Marx Mitch McClellan
2020 Jesper Lundmark Cliff Towne Al “Speedy” Guerrero Bob Harris Valarie Jenkins-Doss
2021 Jared “White Bear” Owens
Disc golf associations
Est. Name Abbr. Location Region Reach
1976 Professional Disc Golf Association PDGA Appling, Georgia United States International
1977 French Flying Disc Federation (French: Fédération Française de Flying Disc; Fédération Flying Disc France) FFFD and FFDF Poissy France National
1986 Swiss Disc Golf Association (Swiss Standard German: Schweizer Disc Golf Verband; French: Association suisse de disc golf) (Swiss Standard German: SDGV; French: ASDG) Reichenbach im Kandertal, Bern Switzerland National
1997 Maui Disc Golf Association MDGA Lahaina, Hawaii Hawaii State
1998 Finnish Disc Golf Association (Finnish: Suomen frisbeegolfliitto) FDGA (Finnish: SFL) Finland National
2011 Czech Disc Golf Association (Czech: Česká asociace discgolfu) (Czech: ČADG) Prague Czechia National
2013 Regina Disc Golf Association RDGA Regina, Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan City
2014 Estonian Disc Golf Association (Estonian: Eesti Discgolfi Liit) EDGA (Estonian: EDGL) Pärnu Estonia National
2014 Maritime Disc Golf Association MDGA The Maritimes Regional
2016 Swedish Disc Golf Association (Swedish: Svenska Discgolfförbundet) (Swedish: SDGF) Göteborg Sweden National

While the number of male players in disc golf may outnumber female players, there are still many opportunities for women to get involved in the sport. The Women’s Disc Golf Association exists to encourage and support female participation in the sport, and there are several companies and organizations that focus on attracting and promoting women in disc golf. The PDGA Women’s Committee, for example, is dedicated to increasing the number of women participating in organized events. The Women’s Global Event, which takes place every two years, has also helped to increase the number of female players in the sport. In addition, there are various women’s disc golf teams that participate in national championships, such as the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship. Overall, while the sport may still be dominated by men, there are many opportunities for women to get involved and excel in the world of disc golf.

Disc Golf: A Fun and Dynamic Sport with a Rich History