Disc Golf

Ø History

Disc Golf Association, (DGA) of disc golf was established in 1976 by Ed Headrick in order to form a new international sport and to promote the installation and use of disc golf courses around the world.The name Disc Golf Association (DGA) was established when Headrick coined the term “Disc Golf” after inventing and patenting the original Disc Pole Hole to be installed in the first formal disc golf course. Headrick had originally wanted to call the device a Frisbee Pole Hole but ran into issues over the Frisbee trademarked belonging to Wham-o. In 1974, Headrick approached the county of Los Angeles Park and Recreation Department with the idea of a permanent Disc Golf Course. Sy Greben, Director of the Park Planning Division saw the potential and Oak Grove Park was selected and approval was given to install the world’s first Disc Golf Course. Headrick and Mary Becker from the Park Planning Division designed and constructed the course with the county. In 1976 Ed replaced his Pole Holes which were just poles cemented into the ground with the first DGA Disc Pole Hole that where the first disc golf targets to use chains to stop a disc.

Today disc golf has become incredibly popular and is one of the fastest growing games. There are over 3000 formal courses in the United States and many courses around the world.

Ø Frisbee Golf Terminology

· Ace - known as a hole in one in ball golf. An ace occurs when a player makes their first shot, or drive, into the basket. One of the unique practices in disc golf is to have all participants in the ace group or all spectators sign the “ace disc.” Aces are more common in disc golf than ball golf as the top pros boast as many as 100+ aces in their careers.

· Birdie – Completing a hole one stroke under par.

· Approach – usually the second shot of a hole, designed to place the disc within putting distance.

· Drive – any throw off of the tee pad, or a throw from the fairway designed for maximum distance.

· Driver – A disc designed for fast, long-distance flight. The driver is the most difficult to control.

· Lie – the spot where the disc comes to rest. This is often marked by a mini-disc marker.

· Mid-range - A mid-range disc is a driver disc designed for slower and more stable flight.

· Par – like in ball golf, each disc golf hole has a posted par. The par is the desired number of strokes that a player would need to complete the hole. To the competitive disc golfer, every hole is a par three, making the total par for 18 holes always 54. This serves to simplify the game.

· Pole hole or basket – The target for catching the disc. Pole Hole is short for Disc Pole Hole.

· Putt – The final throw(s) of the hole aimed at getting your disc to come to rest in the trapper basket. Any throw within the circle ( 10 meter radius).

· Putter or putt and approach disc – Putters or Putt and Approach discs are designed for short-distance and stable flight. Usually used within the circle.

· Roller – A rolling disc advance (e.g., the disc rolls along the ground).

· Tee Pad – The location or designated area in which the first throw of the golf hole is suppose to take place from. Tee Pads are typically be made of concrete or rubber. A portion of a side walk or a utility marker flag or spray painted box may also be used as a tee pad.

· The Basket – Born of the original pole hole, the game of disc golf advanced rapidly with the invention of “Steady” Ed’s Disc Pole Hole or “Basket” as it is commonly referred to by disc golfers. Once a disc comes to rest in the basket, the hole is considered complete.

· Throw – The act of advancing the disc towards the basket. This can be accomplished by many different throwing styles; Backhand, Forehand, Rollers. Each throw is counted towards the player’s score.

Ø Rules and Golf Etiquette

Objective of the Game

Disc Golf is played like traditional “ball” golf, but with flying discs instead of balls and clubs. One point (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The goal is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible. The player with the lowest total strokes for the entire course wins.

SAFETY FIRST

Never throw when players or park users are within range. Always give park users the right of way. Be aware of your surroundings and environment.

Tee Throws

Each hole begins with a tee throw. Tee throws must be completed within or behind the designated tee area.

Lie

The lie is the spot where the player’s previous throw has landed. Mark lie with a mini disc or turn over the thrown disc, directly towards the hole or designated fairway. The player’s subsequent throw is made from directly behind the marked lie.

Throwing Order

The player with the least amount of strokes on the previous hole is the first to tee off on the next hole. After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first.

Fairway Throws

Fairway throws must be made from directly behind the lie. A run-up and normal follow-through, after release, is allowed, unless the lie is within 10 meters of the target. Any shot within 10 meters of the target requires that the player not move past the lie until the disc is at rest.

Dogleg (or Mandatory)

A dogleg is one or more designated trees or poles in the fairway that must be passed as indicated by arrows. Until the dogleg is passed the closest foot to the dogleg must be on the lie when the disc is released.

Completion Of Hole

A disc that comes to rest in the Disc Pole Hole® basket or chains constitutes successful completion of that hole.

Unplayable Lie

Any disc that comes to rest above the ground is considered an unplayable lie. The disc must be thrown from the lie on the ground, directly underneath the unplayable lie, relocated to avoid damage to the vegetation.

Out Of Bounds

If any area of O.B. is visible between the disc and O.B. line, then the disc is considered O.B. A throw that lands out of bounds, must be played from a point 3 feet in bounds from where the disc went out of bounds. Permanent water hazards and public roads are always out of bounds.

Penalties

Recreational players will not be penalized for rule infractions. Other players will keep you honest.

Course Courtesy

  • Remain quiet and avoid unnecessary movements while others are throwing.
  • Stand behind the player who is throwing until throw is complete.
  • Remove disc from Disc Pole Hole® after completing the hole.
  • Help new players learn the rules.
  • Allow faster groups to play through when possible.
  • Pick up trash and put in proper receptacles.
  • Do not alter the course (trees, bushes, etc.) in any way.