The pandemic has taken a toll on our physical and mental health, but now is the time to revive oneself and regain the lost energy for a better lifestyle. Sports and games can be a great help when it comes to taking care of the overall well-being of a person. They help us stay active and fit physically, mentally, and emotionally. In addition, playing sports and games helps us connect better to our friends and family, and strengthen our relationships. Any age group or gender can play the games together.
In this post, we will discuss a sport that will help you rejuvenate and regain your lost energies and guide you to become a professional player of the game—Disc Golf.
What is disc golf?
Disc Golf is a flying disc sport in which players, who are also known as disc golfers, throw disc golf discs towards target holes in disc golf baskets. Disc golfers throw discs from a tee pad or lead towards the basket and throw again from where the disc from the previous throw landed. The ultimate goal is to put the discs into the baskets in the minimum throws. The disc golf field mostly contains 9 to 18 holes or baskets.
The sport is similar to golf and is played with similar rules, but disc golf is played with discs and baskets instead of balls and clubs.
Which material is used to make a disc golf disc?
Disc Golf discs are made by heating and molding different types of plastics. But, mostly, they are made out of polypropylene plastic which is a thermoplastic polymer resin.
What is the history behind disc golf?
The sport was invented in the early 1900s, and the first game was played in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1927. However, modern disc golf was started in the early 1960s by multiple groups who played disc golf independently.
Who is the father of disc golf?
Ed Headrick, an American toy inventor, is known as the father of disc golf. He worked for Wham-O, a company that designed flying discs, and helped the company redesign the discs and called them Frisbee discs. He split from the company in 1975, and coined and trademarked the term “disc golf.” After that, he started his own company, the Disc Golf Association (DGA), which is also the first disc golf company. The company manufactured discs and targets/baskets, and paved a way to formalize the game. The baskets which are molded on Disc Pole Hole, DGA baskets, are designed by Headrick and his son, and are used in the majority of disc olf courses.
Can you play disc golf on a professional level?
The sport is not just limited to independent groups, but it is played at a professional level as there are various championships and tournaments held worldwide. The game is played in about 40 countries throughout the world. Therefore, there is a wide chance for you to become one of the professional disc golfers.
Is there any official body for the disc golf game?
Like other professional sports and games, there is a governing body for disc golf. The Professional Disc Golf Association, a non-profit, member-owned organization, is the governing body for the game. The main mission of the PDGA is the promotion and sustainable development of disc golf throughout the world. The international organization is formed to control the disc golf game; it organizes various tournaments, develops courses and rules, sets competitive standards, and promotes the game through media and sponsorships, public education, and outreach. As of September 1st, 2021, Nate Heinold (president), Elaine King (vice president), Treasurer David Scherff, Secretary Wilbur Wallis, Laura Nagtegaal, Geoff Hungerford, and Leah Tsinajinnie are the members of the current PDGA executive board.
How to learn disc golf game rules?
A set of standard Professional Disc Golf Association rules should be followed while playing the game. These rules provide a standard game framework for various professional tournaments and championships. But, when it comes to playing the game with your friends and family for rejuvenation, you can take the liberty of using only some basic rules.
Here are some of the basic rules to play disc golf for fun and recreation:
- In any game, the security of the players is important; therefore, you should be aware of your surroundings and never throw a disc when other disc golfers or people are within the range, as they can get hurt by the disc.
- We have to throw a disc from a tee pad towards a tee hole; thus, the tee throw must be completed within or behind the marked tee area.
- When it comes to following the throwing order, the player with the least strokes on the previous holes gets the opportunity to throw first for the next hole.
- There are different discs, such as putters, drivers, mid-range drivers, and fairway drivers, used to make different throws. You can learn more about the techniques used for different types of throws. For instance, fairway throws must be made directly behind the lie (the place on the playing surface from where the player takes a stance to throw), and the player should not move past the lie until the disc is at rest. You can learn about the different types of throws from Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) rules.
- When a disc rests in the basket or chains, it counts as completing that hole.
Along with the PDGA rule book, you can visit various social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and others to watch videos and read content regarding the game; some premium disc golf stores offer informative content on their websites where you can learn the rules, tips, and tricks of the game.
What are the unsaid rules to be followed in the disc golf course?
When we enter a course or a field, we have to maintain a certain decorum in the space; therefore, there are certain unspoken rules that we should follow in the field:
- Disc golfers should remain quiet and avoid unnecessary movement while throwing a disc.
- When one disc golfer is throwing a disc, others should stand behind him/her until it is complete.
- Keep the courses neat and clean, and do not litter.
- Do not damage the vegetation such as trees and bushes around the courses.
Apart from these rules, every course has its set of rules, which you should follow during the play.
How can you make money through the game?
Since disc golf is played at a professional level, you can participate in a Disc Golf Pro Tour, champions cup, elite series events, and other different types of tournaments that offer great monetary prices. For instance, the DGOT tour championship offered a $20,000 top player prize, whereas the United States Disc Golf Championship offered a $10,000 top prize. Additionally, there are rewards for other positions and top rankers. Therefore, the game can help you increase your bank balance while keeping you fit and healthy.
You can also earn money through sponsorships and team salaries, just like top-ranked player Paul McBeth recently signed the highest sponsorship deal in the sport’s history. Therefore, professional disc golf has reached a level of other popular sports in fame and its monetary funds; it is a million-dollar game and is still growing. This is possible with professionals and Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). You can subscribe to the membership of PDGA Disc Golf Network subscription to keep yourself updated regarding any upcoming tournament, elite series, Disc Golf Pro Tour, and specific state challenges such as the Las Vegas Challenge and many other championship cups.
Where to get durable and affordable disc golf equipment?
Buying equipment is as important as learning the game’s rules because any faulty equipment can hamper the game’s results. Therefore, cost and quality both play an important role in buying the equipment. Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has standardized the dimensions of discs, baskets, and other gear used for the sport. Therefore, it is recommended to look for equipment approved by the PDGA. You can explore various disc golf stores online and select a premium store that offers premium equipment from popular brands such as Growthesport, Innova Champion Discs, and Discraft, which offer PDGA-approved equipment.
Conclusion:
Thus, you can start playing sports with your friends and family for recreation at various gatherings, and when you develop an interest in the game, you can step up towards a professional career. In addition, this game will help you regain your mental and physical strength and revive your bank balance.
So, by learning the rules and choosing a PDGA-approved disc golf basket, any category of women, men, or children stands a chance to go from an amateur to a professional.
