Go Play Disc Golf!

Go Play Disc Golf

Have you ever wondered what those baskets with yellow tops and chains are at your local park? Perhaps you’ve seen a group of people throwing what appear to be frisbees at them? Well if you don’t know, like I didn’t, they are playing a round of disc golf!

The Game:

Fortunately for me, I grew up watching my dad play golf, and then he taught the game to my son at an early age, so since Disc Golf is just like golf in terms of scoring, it was an easy comparison in terms of rules, strategy and language. For those of you that don’t know how to play either game, disc golf is played on a course with a series of holes (holes being the baskets). Each hole has a par, which is your target to beat on each hole. If your number of throws to complete a hole matches par, then your score is even. If you don’t match par, keep track of the number of throws over or under par for the hole and tally your score after all holes have been played. The player with the lowest score wins. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

How To Get Started:

To play, all you need to do is find a course and get some discs. Of course, as Michael and I quickly found out, not just any old frisbee will do. Just as golf clubs and balls come with all sorts of specifications, golf discs come in a variety of weights with different attributes to achieve varying distances and flight patterns. Furthermore, discs are typically placed in categories for drivers, mid-range discs, and putters. Again, if you understand the game of golf at even the most basic level, you will recognize much of the language.

If you are like Michael and I, beginners, you might want to start out using one all-purpose disc that you can pick up at a local sporting goods store or online. We went to Dick’s Sporting Goods for ours, but there are many sporting goods store in the Treasure Valley. From what I’ve been told, your best bet is to get a lightweight, mid-range disc with a low stability rating (probably about 5). The higher the stability rating, the harder it is to control the disc. The weight for beginner discs should be in the 155 to 170 gram range. You should use this single disc for all throws until you get a feel for the game. After some practice, try adding discs of different types, weights, and stability ratings to really hone your game. Additionally, talk to some more experienced players that you see on the course and get some tips on how to improve your game.

One of the biggest perks to playing disc golf is that it can be entertaining for the entire family at little cost, and that’s why this activity makes it on the list of Boyle’s Boise: 52 Things to Do and See. It can also be fun for a summer date night. Most courses are in public parks and don’t charge for use. Even if there is a fee, it is typically much less expensive than a normal golf course. Furthermore, the end of a round of disc golf can segue into another activity in the park, like a picnic, which is what we did. Most of all, you don’t have to be good to have fun– just throw a disc and enjoy the company of others as you stroll through the park. So with a small initial investment in a disc, grab your family and some friends, and head to the park.

About Me

I have been living in Idaho for my entire life, and the Treasure Valley has been my home for more than 30 years. In addition to constantly exploring the city and all of its activities, I am also very involved in Treasure Valley’s philanthropy scene and have been working in the Mortgage industry as a Loan Officer for more than 35 years now. Additionally, my husband Michael had a 20+ year career in Real Estate. So, if you are new to the area and looking to lay some roots for your family, get involved with some great causes, connect with like-minded people or just explore all that Boise has to offer – don’t hesitate to let me know.