Disc golf

Last updated

Disc golf
Disc golfer and basket.jpg
Highest governing body Professional Disc Golf Association
Registered players255048 (as of April 2023) [1]
ClubsYes
Characteristics
ContactNo
Team membersSingle competitors, doubles
TypeOutdoor, passive recreation
Equipment Flying disc, target, tee off location
Presence
Olympic No
World Games 2001

Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, [2] [lower-alpha 1] is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. [4]

Contents

The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes (baskets). Players complete a hole by throwing a disc from a tee pad or tee area toward a basket, throwing again from where the previous throw landed, until the basket is reached. The baskets are formed by wire with hanging chains above the basket, designed to catch the incoming discs, which then fall into the basket. Usually, the number of throws a player uses to reach each basket is tallied (often in relation to par), and players seek to complete each hole in the lowest number of total throws. [5] Par is the number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18). [6]

The game is played in about 40 countries and, as of April 26, 2023, there are 107,853 active members of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) worldwide.

Origin and early history

Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s, but there is debate over who came up with the idea first. The consensus is that multiple groups of people played independently throughout the 1960s. Students at Rice University in Houston, Texas, for example, held tournaments with trees as targets as early as 1964, and in the early 1960s, players in Pendleton King Park in Augusta, Georgia, would toss Frisbees into 50-gallon barrel trash cans designated as targets. In 1968 Frisbee Golf was also played in Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, California, by teenagers in the Anacapa and Sola street areas. Gazebos, water fountains, lamp posts, and trees were all part of the course. This took place for several years and an Alameda Park collectors edition disc still exists, though rare, as few were made. Clifford Towne from this group went on to hold a National Time Aloft record.

1970s

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). [7] The purpose of DGA was to manufacture discs and baskets and to formalize the sport. The first disc golf target was Ed's pole hole design which consisted of a pole sticking out of the ground.

Courses

Most disc golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, and exceptions most often have holes in multiples of three. Courses with 6, 10, 12, 21, 24 or 27 holes are not uncommon. [8] The PDGA recommends that courses average 200–400 ft (61–122 m) per hole, with holes no shorter than 100 ft (30 m). [9] The longest holes in the world measure more than 1,500 ft (460 m) long. Course designers use trees, bushes, elevation changes, water hazards, and distance variation, along with out-of-bounds zones and mandatory flight paths (often referred to as "Mandos") to make each hole challenging and unique. Many courses include multiple tee positions or multiple target positions to cater to players of different ability levels. [8]

Most disc golf courses are built in more natural and less manicured environments than golf and require minimal maintenance, although some courses aim for pristine conditions. 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. [10]

List by country

Three countries account for 85% of all disc golf courses worldwide: the United States (75%), Finland (7%) and Canada (3%). Other notable countries include Sweden and Estonia, which has the highest density of disc golf courses per km2 of dry land of any country and the second-highest number of courses per capita. Iceland and Finland have 150 and 111 courses per million inhabitants, respectively. Outside the North American and European continents, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have the most courses. There are disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. Åland has been defined as the world's largest single disc golf park, with one course in each of the 16 municipalities of Åland. [11] [12] [13]

* indicates "Disc golf in COUNTRY or TERRITORY" links.

CountryDGCas % of world totalper 1M inhabitantsper 10,000 km2 of dry land Distribution # Holes (18+ 9+ <9)
Flag of the United States.svg United States * 7,379 73%73
 
21.621.6
 
4.54.5
 





Flag of Finland.svg Finland * 7207.1%7.1
 
129.8129.8
 
23.723.7
 





Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 360 3.6%3.6
 
9.29.2
 
0.40.4
 





Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 2422.4%2.4
 
22.722.7
 
5.95.9
 





Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia * 1501.5%1.5
 
113.6113.6
 
35.435.4
 





Flag of Germany.svg Germany 1291.3%1.3
 
1.51.5
 
3.73.7
 





Flag of Norway.svg Norway 124 1.2%1.2
 
22.522.5
 
4.14.1
 





Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 1071.1%1.1
 
1.61.6
 
4.44.4
 





Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechia 991%1
 
9.49.4
 
12.812.8
 





Flag of France.svg France 971%1
 
1.51.5
 
1.51.5
 





Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 890.9%0.9
 
3.33.3
 
0.10.1
 





Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 760.8%0.8
 
12.812.8
 
17.917.9
 





Flag of Japan.svg Japan 750.7%0.7
 
0.60.6
 
2.12.1
 





Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland 620.6%0.6
 
164.4164.4
 
6.26.2
 





Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 490.5%0.5
 
9.39.3
 
1.91.9
 





Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland 360.4%0.4
 
4.14.1
 
99
 





Flag of Austria.svg Austria 21 0.2%0.2
 
2.32.3
 
2.52.5
 





Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 210.2%0.2
 
1.21.2
 
6.26.2
 





Flag of Spain.svg Spain 170.2%0.2
 
0.40.4
 
0.30.3
 





Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 160.2%0.2
 
0.30.3
 
1.61.6
 





Flag of Poland.svg Poland 120.1%0.1
 
0.30.3
 
0.40.4
 



Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia 120.1%0.1
 
22
 
2.52.5
 





Rest of the world2102.1%2.1
 
Total10,103Source: 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, allowing ample space to run up and release the disc. [8] 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. In rare instances, there are no tee boxes 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. Many courses include a larger sign near the course entrance which has a map of the entire course. [8]

Targets

A disc resting in a basket, the most common type of target Disc golf in basket.JPG
A disc resting in a basket, the most common type of target

Although early courses were played using trees, fence posts, or park equipment as the target, standard disc golf baskets are by far the most common type of target on modern courses. Some courses feature tone targets that are designed to make a distinctive sound when hit with a disc. Disc golf baskets are constructed with a central pole holding a basket under an assembly of hanging chains. When a disc hits the chains, it is often, but not always, deflected into the basket. Per PDGA rules, in order to complete a hole with a basket target, the disc must come to rest supported by the tray or the chains below the chain support. [14] There are many different brands of baskets made by numerous manufacturers.

Gameplay

A red disc sailing towards a "Tonal Pole" style target at the disc golf course on Pender Island Tone Hole.jpg
A red disc sailing towards a "Tonal Pole" style target at the disc golf course on Pender Island

The sport of disc golf is set up similar to a game of golf. A "round" is played on a disc golf course consisting of a number of "holes", usually 9 or 18. [15] Each hole includes a tee position for starting play and a disc golf target some distance away, often with obstacles such as trees, hills or bodies of water in between. [16] Players begin by throwing a disc from the tee, without crossing over the front of the tee prior to releasing the disc when throwing. This could lead to a fault similar to a bowling foot fault in cricket. Players then navigate the hole by picking up the disc where it lands and throwing again until they reach the target. The object of the game is to get through the course with the lowest number of total throws. [17] Play is usually in groups of five or fewer, with each player taking turn at the tee box, then progressing with the player furthest from the hole throwing first, while the other players stand aside.

Each course is unique, and so requires a different combination of throws to complete, with the best players aiming to shape the flight of the disc to account for distance, terrain, obstacles and weather. In order to facilitate making different shots, players carry a variety of discs with different flight characteristics, choosing an appropriate disc for each throw. Some players also carry a mini marker disc, used to accurately mark the throwing position before each throw.  Use of mini marker discs is particularly prevalent in formal competitive play.

Many courses include out-of-bounds areas, commonly called "OB zones" or just "OB". If the disc lands in these areas, the player is usually required to add a penalty throw onto his or her score and continue play from near where the disc entered the out-of-bounds zone. Some courses include out-of-bounds areas with special rules requiring the player to resume play from a specified area called a drop zone or requiring the player to restart the hole from the tee. Some courses also include Mandatories (also called "Mandos") which require the path of the disc to be above, below or to one side of a specific line indicated by a sign.

By tradition, players throw from the tee box in the order of their score on the previous hole, with the lowest scorer throwing first. Most players also follow a loose code of courtesy while playing, which includes norms such as standing out of the sight line of the throwing player and avoiding making distracting noises. Because a thrown disc could injure someone, the Professional Disc Golf Association recommends that players "Never throw into a blind area or when spectators, pedestrians or facility users are within range." [18]

Formal competitive play is governed by the PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf and the PDGA Competition Manual for Disc Golf events.

Disc types

Three discs showcasing different edge profiles. From top to bottom: a driver, a mid-range, and a putter. Disc golf disc edge profile.jpg
Three discs showcasing different edge profiles. From top to bottom: a driver, a mid-range, and a putter.

Disc golf discs are smaller than Ultimate flying discs or general-purpose recreational frisbees. They typically measure 21–22 cm (8.3–8.7 in) in diameter and weigh 130–180 g (4.6–6.3 oz). All PDGA-approved discs measure 21–30 cm (8.3–11.8 in) in diameter and weigh no more than 200 g (7.1 oz). Discs used for disc golf are designed and shaped for control, speed, and accuracy, while general-purpose flying discs, such as those used for playing guts or ultimate, have a more traditional shape, similar to a catch disc. There is a wide variety of discs used in disc golf and they are generally divided into three categories: drivers, mid-range discs, and putters.

Driver

Drivers are recognized by their sharp, beveled edge and have most of their mass concentrated on the outer rim of the disc rather than distributed equally throughout. They are optimized for aerodynamics and designed to travel maximum distances at high speeds. They are typically thrown by experienced players during tee-off and other long distance fairway throws. [19]

Some disc brands further sub-divide their drivers into different categories. For example, Innova has Distance Drivers and Fairway Drivers, with a fairway driver being somewhere between a distance driver and a mid-range disc. 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. As the name indicates, it has an edge designed to roll rather than fly. (Although any disc can be used for a roller, some behave quite differently than others.)

The world record distance for a golf disc was once 863.5 ft (263.2 m), thrown by Simon Lizotte on October 25, 2014. [20] David Wiggins, Jr. broke the record with a distance of 1,108.92 ft (338.00 m) on March 28, 2016. [21]

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

Putters are designed to fly straight, predictably, and very slowly compared to mid-range discs and drivers. They are typically used for tight, controlled shots that are close to the basket, although some players use them for short drives where trees or other obstacles come into play. Additionally, higher speed discs will not fly properly without a fast enough release snap, so a putter or mid-range with lower snap requirements is more forgiving and will behave in a more regular way. Professional players often carry multiple putters with varying flight characteristics.

Stability

Stability is the measurement of a disc's tendency to bank laterally during its flight. A disc that is over-stable will tend to track left (for a right-handed, backhand throw), whereas a disc that is under-stable will tend to track right (also for a right-handed, backhand throw). [22] The stability rating of the discs differs depending on the manufacturer of the disc. Innova Discs rate stability as "turn" and "fade". "Turn" references how the disc will fly at high speed during the beginning and middle of its flight, and is rated on a scale of +1 [23] to −5, where +1 [23] is the most overstable and −5 is the most understable. "Fade" references how the disc will fly at lower speeds towards the end of its flight, and is rated on a scale of 0 to 6, where 0 has the least fade, and 6 has the most fade. For example, a disc with a turn of −5 and fade of 0 will fly to the right (for right handed, backhand throw) the majority of its flight then curl back minimally left at the end. A disc with a turn of −1 and a fade of +3 will turn slightly right during the middle of its flight and turn hard left as it slows down. These ratings can be found on the discs themselves or from the manufacturer's web site. Discraft prints the stability rating on all discs and also provides this information on their web site. The stability ranges from 3 to −2 for Discraft discs; however Discraft's ratings are more of a combination of turn and fade with the predominance being fade.

Spin (rotation) has little influence on lift and drag forces but impacts a disc's stability during flight. Imagine a spinning top: a gentle nudge will knock it off its axis of rotation momentarily, but it will not topple over because spin adds gyroscopic stability. In the same way, a flying disc resists rolling (flipping over) because spin adds gyroscopic stability. A flying disc will maintain its spin rate even as it loses velocity. Toward the end of a disc's flight, when the spin and velocity lines cross, a flying disc will predictably begin to fade. The degree to which a disc will fade depends on its pitch angle and design. [24]

Plastics

There are dozens of different types of plastic used for making discs by the various disc manufacturers. [25] The type of plastic affects the feel of the disc's grip as well as its durability, which in turn affects its flight pattern as the disc becomes worn. [25] Plastics such as DX, J-Pro, Pro-D, X-Line, D-line, retro, and R-Pro from Innova, Latitude 64°, Discmania, and Discraft are some of the less durable, but good for beginners due to their lower prices, compared to the higher end plastics. Plastics such as Champion, Titanium, FLX, GStar, Gold Line, Tournament Plastic, Fuzion and Star, which are the best offered from the same companies, have the best quality, durability and flight compared to the other types available. There are also plastics that provide additional functionality, e.g. glow in the dark plastic and plastic that allows the disc to float in water. Most companies also offer a line of plastic that is much lighter than the maximum throwing weight (normally filled with air bubbles) which is conducive to beginners or players with less arm speed. Players might prefer bright colored discs to contrast most green flora and recover their disc easier. The commercial production process typically used is injection molding for the low unit cost and reliability. For prototyping and small-scale offerings 3D printing is a growing option with the PDGA approved designs currently available for purchase from company's such as NSH custom discs. 3D printed discs are typically produced using different plastics than traditional production methods, utilizing the printability characteristics of polymers such as TPU or specialized proprietary blends. [26]

Throwing styles

While there are many different grips and styles to throwing the disc, there are two basic throwing techniques: backhand and forehand (or sidearm). These techniques vary in effectiveness under different circumstances. Their understanding and mastery can greatly improve a player's game and offer diverse options in maneuvering the disc to the basket with greater efficacy. Many players use what is referred to as a run-up during their drive. This is practiced to build more forward disc momentum and distance. Throwing styles vary from player to player, and there is no standard throwing style.

All discs when thrown will naturally fall to a certain direction determined by the rotation direction of the disc when released. This direction is termed hyzer, the natural fall of the disc, or anhyzer, making the disc fall against its natural flight pattern. For a right-handed backhand throw (RHBH), the disc will naturally fall to the left. For a right-handed forehand throw (RHFH), the disc will naturally fall to the right. For a left-handed, backhand throw (LHBH), the disc will naturally fall to the right. For a left-handed, forehand throw (LHFH), the disc will naturally fall to the left.

Backhand

To perform this throw, the disc is rapidly drawn from across the front of the body, and released towards a forward aimpoint. Due to the high level of potential spin generated with this technique, it often results in greater distance than with a forehand throw. Power is created by initiating momentum from the feet and allow it to travel up the body, hips, and shoulders, culminating in the transfer of energy to the disc.

Forehand

The forehand (sidearm) throw is performed by drawing the disc from behind and partially across the front of the body: similar to a sidearm throw in baseball. The term sidearm actually predates the term forehand, which is seemingly in use today as a simpler means to communicate the technique, equating to a tennis forehand. [27]

Alternative throws

The following examples of throws may be used to better deliver a disc where the former common two throws would be impeded by obstacles such as bushes, trees, boulders, or artificial structures.

Common alternative styles

Other alternative styles

Scoring

Stroke play is the most common scoring method used in the sport but there are many other forms. These include match play, skins, speed golf and captain's choice, which in disc golf is referred to as "doubles" (not to be confused with partner or team play).

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:

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 lie 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 KenClimo USDGC2008.JPG
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. [29] One of the largest disc golf tournaments is the United States Disc Golf Championship, held in October in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

As a show of 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 create sport awareness and are considered charity events that typically benefit a local food bank. The official website reports that the 2010 Ice Bowls raised over $250,000 and donated over 67,000 pounds of food in the 222 tournaments for the year. Other charitable tournaments include the annual St. Jude Disc Golf Tournament [30] which started in 2017 and has raised over $100,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. [31]

Popularity

A disc golf course in a public park. Carter park disk golf.jpg
A disc golf course in a public park.

Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport worldwide, [32] and is the 4th fastest growing sport in United States, behind mixed martial arts, roller derby, and parkour. [33] 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). [34]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, as shutdowns and social distancing forced people to avoid indoor gatherings, disc golf experienced significant growth. [35] Televised events were broadcast on CBS Sports and ESPN2 for the first time. [35]

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, [36] and a clip of an albatross by professional Philo Braithwaite gaining more than 1.4 million views. [37]

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. Jomez's coverage of the final round of the 2019 World Championships has more than 5.5 million Youtube views. In the 2020 season, Jomez Productions and the Disc Golf Pro Tour reached an agreement with CBS Sports and ESPN 2 to air post production 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. [38]

Women in disc golf

While there are more male than female players, the Women's Disc Golf Association exists to encourage female players and arrange women's tournaments. A PDGA survey from 2020 states that out of its 71,016 active members, 4,752 are female. [39]

Women at the 2021 WGE event in Malaysia Women playing in the 2021 Women's Global Event (WGE) disc golf tournament in Malaysia.jpg
Women at the 2021 WGE event in Malaysia

Several companies have started programs and websites to help attract women to the sport. The PDGA Women's Committee is "Dedicated to Attract, Encourage, and Retain Female Participation in Organized Disc Golf Events". The PDGA Women's Committee set historical records on 12 May 2012 by running the Inaugural Women's Global Event that attracted 636 female players in 24 states and 4 countries. The Women's Global Event was expected to take place every two years from 2014, with hopes of increasing the number of participants. The 2021 Women's Global Event had 99 registered tournaments that spanned the globe, from Minnesota to Malaysia, with a combined turnout of 3224 women competing in 23 different PDGA divisions. [40]

There are also disc golf companies such as Disc-Diva, that have started up with a primary, though not exclusive, focus on women in the sport, promoting accessories geared towards women and using catch phrases like "you wish you threw like a girl". [41] Sassy Pants is another group that focuses on getting more involvement from women in the sport, advocating for sponsorship of women to enter tournaments. [42]

Women's disc golf teams are involved in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship, and the Mississippi State Women's Team were the inaugural champions.

The Disc Golf Hall of Fame

Inductees: [43]

YearDisc Golf Hall of Fame Inductees [44] [45]
1993Vanessa Chambers Dave Dunipace Ed Headrick Tom Monroe
Jim PalmeriDan RoddickTed Smethers
1994Harold DuvallNobuya KobayashiDarrell LynnDan Mangone
Doug NewlandSnapper PiersonLavone Wolfe
1995 Ken Climo John DavidDavid GreenwellJohnny Roberts
Dr. Rick Voakes
1996Mike CongerPatti KunkleRick Rothstein
1997Steve SlasorElaine KingJim Kenner
1998Gregg Hosfeld John Houck Carlton Howard
1999Sam FerransSteve WisecupTim Selinske
2000Tom SchotRoyce Racinowski
2001Stan McDanielJohnny Sias
2002Alan BeaverGary Lewis
2003Mark HornBrian Hoeniger Dr. Stancil Johnson
2004Derek RobinsGeoff LissamanJohnny LissamanMarty Hapner
2005Mats BengtssonSylvia Voakes
2006Chuck KennedyKozo Shimbo
2007Fred SalazMichael Travers
2008Dan GinnellyJuliana Korver
2009Crazy John BrooksLynne WarrenMichael Sullivan
2010Charlie CallahanTomas EkstromBrian Cummings
2011Don HoffmanJoe FeidtBrent Hambrick
2012Tim WillisJeff HomburgBob Gentil (New Zealand)
2013 Barry Schultz Becky ZallekJim Challas Ken Westerfield
2014Don WilchekJim OatesItalian Victor Parra
2015Gail McCollAnni KremlJ Gary Dropcho
2016Joseph MelaAce MasonTita Ugalde
2017John BirdDes ReadingBrian Graham
2018Andi YoungJay ReadingGeorge Sappenfield
2019Eric MarxMitch McClellan
2020Jesper LundmarkCliff TowneAl "Speedy" GuerreroBob Harris Valarie Jenkins-Doss
2021Jared "White Bear" Owens

Disc golf associations

Est.NameAbbr.LocationRegionReach
1976 Professional Disc Golf Association [46] PDGA Appling, Georgia Flag of the United States.svg  United States International
1977French Flying Disc Federation (French : Fédération Française de Flying Disc; Fédération Flying Disc France) [47] [48] FFFD and FFDF Poissy Flag of France.svg  France National
1986Swiss Disc Golf Association (Swiss Standard German : Schweizer Disc Golf Verband; French : Association suisse de disc golf) [49] (Swiss Standard German : SDGV; French : ASDG) Reichenbach im Kandertal, BernFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland National
1997Maui Disc Golf Association [50] MDGA Lahaina, Hawaii Flag of Hawaii.svg  Hawaii State
1998Finnish Disc Golf Association (Finnish : Suomen frisbeegolfliitto) [51] [52] FDGA (Finnish : SFL)Flag of Finland.svg  Finland National
2011Czech Disc Golf Association (Czech : Česká asociace discgolfu) [53] (Czech : ČADG) Prague Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia National
2013Regina Disc Golf Association [54] RDGA Regina, Saskatchewan Flag of Regina.svg Regina, Saskatchewan City
2014Estonian Disc Golf Association (Estonian : Eesti Discgolfi Liit) [55] [56] EDGA (Estonian : EDGL) Pärnu Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia National
2016Swedish Disc Golf Association (Swedish : Svenska Discgolfförbundet) [57] (Swedish : SDGF) Göteborg Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden National

See also

Notes

  1. The term frisbee golf is discouraged by sports organizations such as the PDGA, due to potential trademark infringement disputes with Wham-O, who own the trademark rights to the Frisbee name. [3]

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Flying disc sports are sports or games played with discs, often called by the trademarked name Frisbees. Ultimate and disc golf are sports with substantial international followings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Monroe (disc golfer)</span> American disc golfer

Tom Monroe was a champion of virtually all flying disc sports, including ultimate, freestyle, field events and especially disc golf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innova Champion Discs</span> Disc golf company

Innova Champion Discs Inc., generally known simply as Innova is an American disc golf brand and manufacturing company. Founded in 1983, it is the largest disc golf disc manufacturer and was among the first companies to produce equipment specifically for disc golf.

Disc Golf Association (DGA) is a company founded in 1976 by Ed Headrick and located in Watsonville, California. The Disc Golf Association | DGA, is the founding company of the sport of disc golf and was the acting overseeing body for the sport until the establishment of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). The PDGA was run by Ed Headrick and the DGA until 1982. They are a manufacturer of disc golf baskets for the sports of Disc Golf. The company does not have any retail stores, but rather sells disc golf courses to park departments, disc golf clubs, and private parties. The company also sells large quantities of discs and other related disc golf equipment to resalers and wholesalers around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Westerfield</span> American frisbee player

Kenneth Ray Westerfield is an American pioneering frisbee disc player, who achieved numerous disc sports accomplishments in the 1970s. A disc sports Hall of Fame inductee in freestyle, ultimate, and disc golf. In addition, he was voted "Top Men's Player" in the 1970–75 Decade Awards. Westerfield produced tournaments, set world records, and won awards in every disc sport. He was a tournament co-director for the Canadian Open Frisbee Championships (1972–1985) in Toronto, the Vancouver Open Frisbee Championships (1974–1977) in Vancouver, BC, the 1978 Santa Cruz Flying Disc Classic in Santa Cruz, California, the 1985 Labatt's World Guts Championships in Toronto, and the 1987 World PDGA Disc Golf Championships in Toronto. Westerfield founded the first ultimate league in Canada – the Toronto Ultimate Club (1979). As one of the original freestylers from the 1960s, used his expertise in several company-sponsored touring Frisbee shows in the U.S. and Canada. Irwin Toy,, Molson Frisbee Team (1974–77), Adidas Canada (1974–1979), Goodtimes Professional Frisbee Show (1978–82), Orange Crush Frisbee Team (1977–78), Air Canada Frisbee Team (1978–79), Lee Jeans Frisbee Team (1979–80) and the Labatts Schooner Frisbee Team (1983–85).

Paul McBeth is an American professional disc golfer from Huntington Beach, California. He won the PDGA World Championships four times in a row and again in 2019 and 2022, making him a six-time champion. He did not finish outside the top 2 at a World championship between 2012 and 2022. McBeth was the top rated player of the PDGA in 2015, 2017, 2018, and again in 2019. He is widely considered to be the best disc golfer of the modern era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Headrick</span>

Ed Headrick, also known as "Steady" Ed Headrick, was an American toy inventor. Headrick served in combat in the army in WWII and was a deep-sea welder. He is most well known as the father of both the modern-day Frisbee and of the sport and game of disc golf.

Toronto Island Park Disc Golf Course is a world-class 18-hole disc golf course located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Set on the western side of Ward's Island, the course offers a picturesque view of the Toronto skyline and was one of 12-time PDGA World Champion Ken Climo's favorite courses. It was established in 1980 by Toronto Island Disc Golf Experience (TIDE) in partnership with the City of Toronto Parks Department and expanded in 2017 by Christopher Lowcock. Toronto Island Park Disc Golf Course hosted the Disc Golf World Championships in 1987.

Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s, but there is debate over who came up with the idea first. The consensus is that multiple groups of people played independently throughout the 1960s. Students at Rice University in Houston, Texas, for example, held tournaments with trees as targets as early as 1964, and in the early 1960s, players in Pendleton King Park in Augusta, Georgia would toss Frisbees into 50-gallon barrel trash cans designated as targets. In 1968 Frisbee Golf was also played in Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, California by teenagers in the Anacapa and Sola street areas. Gazebos, water fountains, lamp posts, and trees were all part of the course. This took place for several years and an Alameda Park collectors edition disc still exists, though rare, as few were made. Clifford Towne from this group went on to hold a National Time Aloft record.

Schmitten Discgolf Parcours is a seasonal 18-hole disc golf course located in Zell am See, Austria. The course is set on a ski slope and progresses downhill. The first hole is 1,830 metres (6,000 ft) above sea level and the last hole is 430 metres (1,410 ft) lower. Established on 15 June 2009, it was the first disc golf course in Austria and the 3,000th course to be added to the PDGA Course Directory. It is open for free to players who purchased a valid cable car ticket.

This is a basic glossary of disc golf terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the years in the sport of disc golf. Where noted, some terms are used only in American English (US), only in British English (UK), or are regional to a particular part of the world, such as Australia (AU).

Eagle Wynne McMahon is an American professional disc golfer from Boulder, Colorado. He has 53 career wins and has been one of the highest rated players in the world for several years. At the end of the 2022 season he was ranked third in the world by UDisc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basket (disc golf)</span> Target used in disc golf

A basket, sometimes also called pole hole, flying disc entrapment device or disc golf net, is by far the most common type of target used in disc golf. It features a disc-catching basket under a deflection assembly generally made out of chain. Permanent baskets on courses are built on an anchored metal pole, but portable disc golf baskets with foldable mechanisms to facilitate transportation also exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disc golf</span> Global impact of COVID-19 on disc golf

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to disc golf across the world, mirroring its impact across all sports. Throughout the world and to varying degrees, leagues and competitions have been cancelled or postponed.

Scott Stokely is an American professional disc golfer, disc sports (frisbee) teacher, and author.

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