DISC GOLF HITS NEW HEIGHTS IN POPULARITY

DISC GOLF BASKET/ PHOTO BY J.R.HILTON

DISC GOLF HITS NEW HEIGHTS IN POPULARITY

Article Written By: J.R HILTON

Disc Golf has actually been around for a long time in it's crude form. Earliest games were played using tin lids and (known as tin plate golf) thrown at prearranged targets.

The sport has been updated and improved over the years and is steadily gaining new popularity around the world in forty countries. The annual growth rate for this sport is approximately,12-15%.

J.R.HILTON PLAYING AT THE THORNCLIFFE 9 HOLE COURSE IN CALGARY

 AT THE 1ST TEE

The modern game has it's origins in Frisbee throwing which peaked in the 1970's at the Canadian Open Frisbee Championships in Toronto.

The discs used in disc golf are 8"-9" in diameter and weigh in from 120-180 Grams. Much heavier than the original Frisbee.  These discs are very likely to injure or even kill you if you get hit in the head with one, so it's always a good idea to keep heads up on the course for errant shots or someone being too impatient for you and throwing before you are clear of the basket. Modern Golf Discs were invented in 1983 by Dave Dunipace. Dave is one of the founders of Innova.

PHOTO BY J.R HILTON

This game is such a great form of exercise and what could be better than free exercise and fresh air?

It takes some skill and time to develop good throwing techniques that yield great results.There are some very good and highly skilled players and lots of beginners.

I only took up the sport myself recently.
I started when there was still snow on the ground.


 

Sidearm Throw used

 

At the 18 hole Baker Park course in Bowness

My golf buddy Tony employs a backhand throw

All you need to start playing is a putting disc and a driver disc. Things after that, are a bag to carry discs in, along with a water bottle. Disc Golf bags are available. A small towel is a good addition to your bag to wipe off any debris on your discs, and I have mine attached to my bag by a carbiner clip. It's important to bring water or juice because some of the 18 hole courses are a long walk and in good weather it can get pretty hot out there.

Disc Golf shoes are available, but good old running shoes are your best bet, unless you are playing at Canmore's Nordic course which recommends hiking boots.

Discs are available for sale at only a few locations in Calgary,thus-far. Dons Hobby Shop at One block south of Center St.and 16th Ave is where the first shop is with Disc Golf supplies. The other being at 1110 Gladstone Rd. N.W. in the Kensington area.(Lifesport) 
Discs are divided into categories of weight,fade, stability and speed.

 

A Chickadee marks the 7th Hole at Baker Park Photo by J.R HILTON

You have:  Drivers, Mid Range, and Putters.

There are at least eight manufacturers of discs.
The two most popular being Innova and Discraft. 
Daredevil Discs or Latitude 64 are just two others.

Drivers are divided into categories of fairway drivers, distance drivers, and long distance drivers.

Mid Range discs are for just that, and also can be considered an all purpose disc.
Putting discs are for short and medium shots near the basket.

Tee Offs are usually marked with a circular marker made from rubber or cement. Some courses have signage indicating par for the hole and the lay of the fairway leading to the basket.

The  main throwing styles are backhand or forehand, a.k.a sidearm. Other throws are the Tomahawk or Hatchet,which are usually employed to throw out of a woods or thicket.
A few different putting styles also exist, one being the power putt,which is said to be very accurate when performed properly.

These discs are not thrown like a regular frisbee.
The main method is to throw using a five finger power grip where all five fingers are employed under the disc and the thumb rests on top of the disc.
When releasing your shot, it is important to have your throwing arm kept at level and when you get to the release stage, you stop your arm and flick or snap the disc without following your arm through. If your arm follows through,the disc will go off to the right and out of bounds. The release is a quick snap similar to snapping a towel.
There are many available videos about disc golf on You Tube
and if you are considering taking up the game, I highly recommend watching some.

As far as stability ratings go on discs, there are understable discs,which usually track or bank to the right near the end of flight while overstable usually tracks or banks left.
Stability is measured in turn and fade of flight.
Fade being how the disc performs at low speed near the end of flight.
 
Ordinary fairway drivers are usually the best bet for beginners.

Scoring is similar to regular golf.
A Condor would be 4 under par or -4
Albatross or Double Eagle would be 3 under par or - 3
Eagle or Double Birdie would be 2 under par or -2
Birdie would be 1 under par or -1
Par would be 0
Bogie would be one throw under par
Double Bogie would be 2 over par
Triple would be 3 over 

Here in Alberta, there are a multitude of courses.
These courses are in Calgary, Cold Lake, Canmore, Cardston, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Nordegg, Spruce Grove, Three Hills, Red Deer, Drumheller,Grand Prairie, Wetaskawin, Lethbridge, Strathmore, Red Wood Meadows, Olds, Strathcona, Sundre, and Wayne. 

In Calgary there are presently 4 courses.

The amount of parents coming out to the courses with their kids is increasing and that's really great to see.
I hope this article has been helpful and look forward to seeing some of you on these courses.

Jeffrey R Hilton