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Disc golf

Disc Golf is a game based on the rules of golf (referred to by disc golfers as "ball golf"). It uses flying discs which are similar to the Frisbee™, but usually smaller and heavier. The discs are thrown towards an elevated target, which serves as the "hole".

Contents

Playing

Disc golf is played in a similar manner as ball golf. The initial "drive" is taken from a designated tee area. Each subsequent throw is taken from just behind the spot where the disc came to rest. Each throw is added to your tally. As with ball golf each hole is given a par rating. A common strategy for a par-three hole, as in golf, would be drive (long hard throw toward the basket), approach (medium throw to the "green"), putt (short throw into the basket). Your hole is scored when the disc has come to rest in the basket of the target.

A typical course would be 18 holes. Many smaller courses have only 9 holes, while an increasing number of courses offer an additional 9 holes to make 27 available holes to the disc golfer. Many disc golf courses are in open, grassy public parks, but more challenging courses are set in semi-wooded and hilly areas, some quite rough and natural. One good example of a classic long course with wooded hills is De Laveaga Disc Golf Course in Santa Cruz, California.

The target in Disc Golf is usually a metal basket that is suspended parallel to the ground about two feet from the ground, and attached to a vertical pole that is a few feet tall. To better allow discs to come to rest in this basket, chains are suspended from another circular section near the top of the pole and allowed to hang limply to a point where they are connected to the pole in or near the receiving basket.

Disc golf is unique in that PDGA and WFDF rules, based in player conservation efforts as well as fair play, make it a violation to cause damage to the course's flora. With most courses not requiring greens fees, the relative low cost of discs, and tournament fees still fairly low, the disc golf social structure may be among the most egalitarian and relaxed in organized sports.

There are a wide variety of discs, divided into three basic categories: putters, approach discs, and drivers. There are several classes of drivers intended for different distances. Mid-range drivers tend to be the most versatile discs, and are very good for beginners. For longer drives there are many variations of long-range and extra long-range drivers.

Physics

Stability is one of the most important disc properties when choosing a disc. There are three stability classifications, based on the behavior of a disc when thrown using a level right-handed backhand:

  • Understable: An understable disc has a natural tendency to curve to the right during its flight when thrown backhand by a right-handed player.
  • Stable: A stable disc will maintain a straight flight path.
  • Overstable: An overstable disc that tends to curve to the left when thrown backhand by a right-handed player.

The stability of a disc depends on a number of factors, including the weight, size and shape of the disc and the speed with which it is thrown. Thus, a disc that is overstable for one player may be stable or even understable for another. The ratio of disc spin, angle upon release, and air speed (partially related to arm speed) are important control factors.

Disc Golf Hall of Fame

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 | 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



Disc Golfers (external links)

Disc Manufacturers

Practice Discs

External links

Clubs

Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46