Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970's, and shares with "ball golf" the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, the fewest number of throws).
Finally, the putt lands in the basket and the hole is completed. In making your shots, it is common to use discs that have different throwing characteristics. Some are good for long open drives, others for mid-range shots and others for when the target is located out of sight around a large obstacle. Disc golfers generally carry at least three discs with them – one for the initial drive, a shorter and more accurate approach or mid-range disc for their second shot, and a special putting disc to earn at least par on the hole. However, as you get more involved you will see the advantages of owning more discs for other specialized situations, such as water hazards, heavy wind, and unforeseen obstacles.
Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are a few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a green fee, you probably won't need to rent a cart, and you will never get stuck with a bad "tee time." It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status. Many city parks have golf courses already set up. Most are free to play as often as you like. Disc golfers who do not have the benefit of a permanent disc golf facility in their area often "make up" courses in nearby parks and green spaces. In Ottawa, for example, two such courses exist at Vincent Massey Park, and another can be found along the Ottawa River Parkway. Information on the course which was established at Vincent Massey Park in 1993 can be found elsewhere on our site. One of the great features disc golf shares with traditional golf is that they are both played in beautiful settings. A nine-hole disc golf course can be established on as little as five acres of land, and a championship-caliber 18-hole course on 30 to 40 acres. Disc golf courses can co-exist with existing park facilities and activity areas. The ideal location combines wooded and open terrains, and a variety of topographical changes.
A golf disc is thrown from a tee pad to a target that is the "hole". Here at the Navtel Disc Golf Course, which is located in Beaverbrook Park, all throws must be made from behind recessed wooden posts, which are partially buried in the ground perpendicular to the target. The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets, the most common of which is called a Pole Hole®, which is an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the position where the previous throw landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide unique and challenging obstacles for the golfer on every throw.
Who Plays Disc Golf?
Disc golf can be played from school age to old age, making it the one of the greatest lifetime fitness sports available. Specially-abled and disabled golfers participate, giving them the opportunity to take part in a mainstream activity. Since disc golf is so easy to learn (but difficult to master) no one is excluded. Players merely match their pace to their capabilities, and proceed from there. The Professional Disc Golf Association, with over 20,000 members, is the governing body for the sport, and sanctions competitive events for men and women of every skill level from novice to professional. Currently, there are over 1,540 disc golf courses in over 20 countries across the planet, including Australia, Sweden, Japan, and Peru. Practically every province and state in Canada and the USA has at least one well-established disc golf course. Our course at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau is the only disc golf course in the province of Québec. The Ottawa Disc Golf Club expects to help facilitate the development of other courses in the National Capital Region within the next few years, and has already started with 9-hole courses now existing in both Kanata and Orleans.
Where do I play?
Why should I play?
The ongoing fitness boom finds more and more people taking up recreational activities in an effort to improve health and quality of life. Disc golf provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and promotes a combination of physical and mental abilities that allow very little risk of physical injury. Concentration skills increase by mastering shots and negotiating obstacles. Players of limited fitness levels can start slowly and gradually increase their level of play as fitness improves. Scheduling is also flexible; a round takes one to two hours, and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times, or in groups of up to six people. Furthermore, as in traditional golf, disc golfers find themselves "hooked" increasing the likelihood of frequent participation. Disc golf offers year-round fitness, even in rain or snow. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the sport is the expense – or rather, the lack of it. A professional quality disc costs less than $15, and it only takes one for basic play.
Both disc golf and ball golf are relaxing sports, offering an opportunity to get out in the fresh air, a chance to meet up and talk, develop some friendly rivalry, and also enjoy the social scene it generates. One of the advantages of disc golf is its relative simplicity and its appeal to both sexes, all ages and to players of all abilities. It possesses an addictive playing quality that continues to drive people to play and play. There is no strict dress code to disc golf, ‘casual is cool’. Playing equipment is very simple, the discs are easy to throw and inexpensive. Naturally, beyond any other consideration, there's the sheer fun of the game – no matter what your age or skill level!
Players can play the game by understanding only a few basic concepts. Those who want a complete version of the rules can see the online version of the PDGA Rulebook for themselves.
What do those words mean?
Discs
Approach Disc — A disc designed for slower, more stable flight. Often called a Mid-range Disc.
Driver — A disc designed for fast, long-distance flight. The most difficult type of disc to control.
Mini — Also called a mini-marker. A small disc, which is used to mark a player's lie.
Overstable — A disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to hyzer (to the left for right-handed players when using a backhand throw).
Putter — A disc designed for close-range, stable flight.
Stable — Refers to a disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to fly straight.
Understable — A disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to anhyzer (to the right for right-handed players when using a backhand throw).
Throwing
Anhyzer — A disc’s flight arc (backhand), which falls in the same direction of the throwing arm. For a right-handed player, a backhand anhyzer shot fades to the right, while a sidearm anhyzer fades to left. An anhyzer throw is when a right-handed thrower tilts their disc so that the left side of the disc is higher than the right side. This results in right fade when the disc is released.
Backhand throw — Results in the player’s throwing arm moving across the opposite side of the body before release. A backhand throw is a standard throw where the player has the disc across their chest to their opposite shoulder and then releases the disc back to the other side of their body. This is the most common type of throw.
Drive — A drive is generally the initial throw on any long hole or used when a player has a long range throw to make, and can be a backhand or forehand throw. When a drive is well thrown, an elegant and long "S-curve" can be seen in the flight path.
Falling Putt — Failure to demonstrate full balance behind the mini marker while putting. Players cannot step on or in front of the mini marker when putting within 10 metres until demonstrating full balance.
Flick — A difficult but useful throw in which the thrower leads with middle finger along rim, with index finger supporting the disc; looks similar to a sidearm pitch in baseball. Often used in desperation when no other throwing option is available, given the difficult lie of the disc.
Forehand throw — Results in the player’s throwing arm moving across the same side of the body before release. A forehand throw is a standard throw where the player has the disc across their chest to their opposite shoulder and then releases the disc back to the other side of their body.
Hammer — The disc is released from a vertical angle. This causes the disc to fly very high and return to the ground upside-down. Sometimes known as a Tomahawk, or an overhand throw. The crowd loves a Hammer.
Helix — A very nice throw when pulled off. This type of throw results in an S-shaped or backwards S-shaped pattern. This throw is often used for getting around complex obstacles.
Hyzer — When using a backhand throw, a disc’s flight arc that causes it to fall in the direction opposite of the throwing arm. For a right-handed player, a backhand hyzer shot fades to the left, while a forearm hyzer fades right. A hyzer throw is the exact opposite of an anhyzer throw. A right-handed player would tilt the disc so that the left side of the disc is lower than the right causing the disc's flight to turn left.
Overhand — A throwing technique similar to a baseball pitch. The disc is released from a vertical angle. This causes the disc to fly very high and return to the ground upside-down. Also known as a hammer or a Tomahawk throw.
Pancake — An overhand shot thrown with considerably less power, resulting in a 90-degree rotation from the vertical. The disc generally lands face down. It is also a common method for skipping a disc. The disc is released in a way that it is turned upside-down.
Putt throw — Advancing the disc on your final shot when you are in close proximity to the target. Players typically use their most stable disc for this low-speed shot.
Roller — Advancing the disc by causing it to roll along the ground on its side. The throw can be accomplished a couple of ways. One way is to throw the disc as if you would throw it like a sidearm throw but raising the disc to your shoulder (like you would throw a baseball). Another approach is to throw the disc with an extreme anhyzer. Many discs improve their ability to roll upon increased usage.
Sidearm — A sidearm throw is the exact opposite to a backhand throw. The sidearm throw is where the player starts out with the disc away from their body and then pulls back towards the body. Sidearm is a good throw for right fade flights for right handers (and opposite for left handers).
Squids —
People who dive to recover lost discs in water hazards.
Stability — This term refers to the results of a discs flight. If a disc is stable it will fly straight. For right-handed throwers, an understable disc will turn right, while overstable discs will turn left.
Swill —
A terrible throw.
Turnover —
This is a disc with a backhand flight.
Twirly —
A short putt released at high speed which hits the top of the basket, spins about with futility, and falls to the ground.
Window — A window is an opportunistic gap in the natural obstacles down your anticipated throwing line where you want your disc to travel through.
Worm Burner — A shot which is released lower than intended and/or at a downward angle, resulting in a premature landing at a shorter than intended distance.
General
Ace — Throwing your disc in the intended basket in one throw.
Approach — A mid-range throw towards the target.
Basket — This is your target (or hole in ball golf terms). Depending on the manufacturer, it can be called many things. At our course we have DISCatchers, Pole Holes, and various versions of the Mach II/III/IV baskets. Generally, they are all called Baskets or Targets to make it simple.
Birdie — Completing a hole at one under par.
Bogie — Completing a hole at one over par.
Casual — An unintended, non-permanent hazard on the course, such as collected water from a rainstorm or a pile of cleared brush. Also a reference to non-tournament players.
Double Bogie — Completing a hole at two over par.
High Speed — The first part of a discs flight.
Lie — The spot where a disc lands and where the next shot is taken from.
Low Speed — The end of a discs flight.
Mandatory or mando — A flight path that must be followed in order to complete a hole.
Par — The number of throws allocated on a particular hole. At our course, all holes are Par-3.
Pole Hole — A brand name disc golfing target, or basket. Other brands include Chainstar and DISCatcher models, although there are several others now in common use.
Putting Green — The area around a basket used for putting, which is generally clear of all obstacles.
Safari Golf — When players make up different holes on an existing course. e.g. from hole four's tee pad to hole two's basket.
Sandbagger — A tournament player who competes in a division below his or her skill level in order to win. This is generally frowned upon.
Taco — Term used for a warped disc that has hit a tree or other solid object at high velocity.
TD — A tournament director.
Tee Pad — A designated area where players begin each hole. Also known as a Tee Box.