How to Play Disc Golf: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you looking for a casual, fun sport that isn’t physically intense? Want to spend more time outside, in nature, while socializing with your best friends?

Then disc golf is the ultimate hobby for you. It’s a simple sport that doesn’t require maximum fitness levels. But it will help you burn calories and enjoy the many health benefits of being outdoors.

And it’s growing in popularity, so courses are popping up all over the country.

Wondering how to play disc golf? It’s very simple, which is why it’s so appealing to so many people.

Keep reading below to learn more about disc golf rules and how to start playing for the first time.

Buy the Right Gear

Disc golf, sometimes called frisbee golf, doesn’t require a ton of gear. In fact, all you really need is a handful of frisbees.

But not the kind you take to the beach. Disc golf requires smaller, heavier discs, so you can throw further and more accurately than standard frisbees.

There are actually three main types of discs; a driver, a mid-range disc, and a putter, just like different clubs for golf. Having two of each (six discs total) is the recommended amount for new players.

Entry-level discs are affordable and will be easy to throw. Advanced discs have varying shapes and weights, which will change the flight path and speed of the disc. Click for more info on specific disc recommendations here.

Having a backpack to carry your discs, along with water and snacks, is the only other thing to bring with you. In addition, if you are not new to this sport, it is worth investing in quality disc golf shoes that will ensure superior traction, stability, and comfort, and most importantly reduce the risk of foot fatigue and injuries.

Find a Disc Golf Course

Just like regular golf, disc golf can only be played on an actual disc golf course. You need to throw your disc at a metal basket. A course will have between nine and 18 “holes” or baskets.

There are about 12,000 courses worldwide, and more than 7,000 in the US alone.

The good news is that disc golf courses are usually free to use. They are often located in public parks or hiking areas.

Sometimes they can be found in state parks, where a park entrance fee or parking fee may be required. And other times, courses are on private property (such as resorts or adventure parks) and will require you to be a guest or pay to play.

How to Play Disc Golf

With discs in hand, and a course to play at, here’s how to actually enjoy a round of disc golf.

Each player stands at the tee area to throw. Each player takes turns throwing their first disc.

Then, each player stands wherever their first disc landed to throw their second one, and so on.

Whichever player is furthest from the basket is “out.” This means they go first on the next round of throws. Every player needs to stand behind this person. Discs hurt, so never stand down range when a player is throwing.

Your goal is to hit the metal basket. It will make a jingling noise when you hit it, so everyone knows.

Just like with standard golf, you count the number of throws it takes to hit each basket and add them up over each hole. The player with the least amount of throws at the end wins.

Get Out and Play

Now that you know how to play disc golf and exactly what is needed to get started, you can get out there and start perfecting your throwing technique.

Disc golf is a sport for anyone and everyone, and it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Looking for more disc golf tips? Head to our blog now to keep reading.