by Stephanie Stuart

Created on: June 18, 2008

So I must admit, I was a little skeptical when my boyfriend told me that he was going to play "disc-golf." I wondered just exactly it was... and secretly made fun of him throwing frisbees at metal baskets... then I played. You would think that it was easy... just throw the thing... Nope...it actually takes some skill and some strength to make a disc fly the way you want it to. Put some trees and some water on your course, and you have a recipe for disaster if you are a beginner like I am. A softball player for many years, I figured I would have this down pat in no time. I was wrong. Every day and every game is different. I was hooked after my first couple "putts". It is a great way to get rid of some stress. I started playing a few times a week, and really working on my driving... even going through serious shoulder tendonosis and some physical therapy to alleviate the pain.

You may have never heard of disc golf, so let me explain the game a little further. the concept of disc golf mirrors that of ball golf. The object is to get your disc into the basket (hole) in as few shots as possible. Every hole has a par. On many courses you will find concrete tee pads that are to be used for the first shot, or drive. These can be very helpful. Many courses also offer a shorter (amateur) tee pad, for women and amateur players. There are thousands of different discs that can be used, virtually one for every throw you might make on a course. Your most important discs though will be your driver, your mid-range disc and your putter. Discs can be inexpensive, ranging from $5-$20. As you play, you will build a fabulous collection of plastic! Make sure to write your name an phone number on the bottom of the disc, should you lose it in the water... most of the time your discs will be returned to you if found.

The first thing to realize about driving a disc down a fairway is that you can't just throw it like a frisbee at the beach. It's all about the footwork (the "x-step" is a great move to learn), and the angle of your hips and where and how you release the disc. I would say that the most important aspect of your drive is your grip. A wrong grip oftentimes equals a bad drive.

Don't get frustrated when your first million drives head dead left after some feet. As you play, you will find the discs and the throwing style that suit your game best. Don't stop there though... to really master the game, get your putt going. Anyone can throw a disc 400 feet, but can you finish the shot and get it in the basket in 2 shots (3 if you are me)? Don't overlook this important aspect of the game. Most courses have a warm-up area, where you can shoot at the basket from all sorts of different angles. Do it. It will really help you find the style that works best for you.

You may wonder how to get started, or if there is a course near you... check out the Professional Disc Golf Association, or PDGA. Their website is a plethora of information... everything from rules to course directories. You don't need much to start playing. Just a basic driver, a mid-range and a putter. Most courses are free to play, and offer some cool views of nature as well as some challenging disc golf. It's a great way to get outdoors, get a little exercise, and spend some time with friends!

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