What is disc golf?

The sport is very simple - start each hole by throwing a flying disc, very similar to a frisbee, from a designated teeing area down a designated fairway towards a metal basket. Complete the hole by landing the disc in the metal basket in as few throws as you can. Most courses have 9 to 18 holes, and rounds of disc golf can often be completed in a matter of an hour or two, depending on the complexity of the course.

Bring along friends and family to enjoy the social aspects of the game, or find solace in nature playing solo.

Why start playing disc golf?

If you’re reading this, you’re likely an outdoor enthusiast - and this sport is rooted in enjoying being outside. Given that a flying disc requires less space for fairways and courses are formed mainly by natural terrain, disc golf courses leave an area’s natural habitat much more intact than other sports. Courses are located in dense wooded areas, rolling plains, beaches, mountain ranges, and pretty much any other environment you can think of. Bending fairways, elevation changes, physical obstacles, and a vast array of scenery makes finding the next course to play a joy.

Disc golf itself offers a unique experience and challenge not found in any other sport. Picture yourself standing before a winding wooded pathway, disc in hand. You think of how the disc can fly through the trees toward your target. You wind up and with a sudden burst of energy, send your disc flying through the air. You watch as it glides gracefully through the trees, following the curve of the path. Once it lands, there is no rush to your next throw - just a pleasant walk listening to the sounds of birds chirping and wind rustling the leaves around you. This series of events, throw after throw, has new players coming back time and time again to feel that rush of adrenaline coupled with the peace of nature around them.

For those looking to challenge themselves, disc golf has an ever growing competitive scene. From local tournaments across the globe to an elite level live telecasted professional tour, becoming a master of disc golf is a fun and exciting challenge. Many choose to simply play with friends and family, as disc golf is a very low impact sport accessible to all ages. Players can choose their own pace and level of intensity, meaning there’s something for everyone!

Disc golf is also a fantastic choice of activity, no matter if you are playing it alone or with a group of friends. When alone, you can play disc golf while peacefully walking in nature and just enjoying the scenery. With friends or family, disc golf can be a great way to spend time together and perhaps set up some sort of fun competition as well.

What do I need to play?

You just need one disc golf disc to start, which can be found for under £10. If you can throw a frisbee, you can play disc golf.

Many beginners choose to get a starter set, which offers all you need to get from your first round to intermediate play. A set of beginner friendly discs can cost under £15, such as the Discmania Active Soft Starter set. Beginner disc sets are a great way to start the sport and you get to try different types of discs!

The other thing you’ll need is a course to play on! Luckily you likely already have a course nearby you. We suggest downloading the UDisc phone app and using the “Courses” feature which will give you a list of courses nearest you.

Once you become familiar with making discs go different directions and distances, you can start throwing discs with unique shapes to more easily create flight paths that suit the hole you’re playing. Eventually you may want a disc golf bag to hold a few discs and necessities like hydration and personal items, but none of that is necessary to get started.

Whether you love outdoors, spending time with friends and family, or just trying something new - we recommend giving it a try!

If you are curious about the sport of disc golf and want to learn more about throwing techniques and rules, there are lots of instructional videos available on YouTube around the subject. Throwing technique is a crucial part of the sport and once you get the basics right, you will learn a lot faster and enjoy the sport even more!