Like ball golf, players tee off from a predetermined point, by throwing their frisbee in the direction of the target. The aim is to hit the target, or land in it, in as few shots as possible.

A round of Disc Golf is played over 18 holes, and will take between one and two hours depending on the terrain and length of the course. Because players need to carry very little equipment, courses can be designed on steep terrain to make use of the element of elevation.

There are three types of discs used. Drivers for maximum distance, Putters for those shots close to the target and Midrange discs for those middle distance shots. It is possible, and many players do, use drivers for midrange shots or even when putting. Players carry between three and ten discs, although some may have more.
 

Innova Eagle long distance driver

The Wright Life lists  approximately 100 golf discs from five manufacturers in their catalogue. Most discs are available in weights ranging from 145 gms to 175 gms. An Innova Eagle 160 gms will have different flight characteristics to an Innova Eagle 170 gms. In theory light discs will fly further than heavy discs. Heavy discs are more reliable in the wind. A Complete List Of WFDF Approved Competition Discs

Innova TeeBird long distance driver

 

The target in disc golf can be anything. A tree, fence post, trough or tyre, as long as it is still there the next time you play. Courses that use those types of targets are called Object Courses. Formally designed and established courses use Pole Holes as targets. The disc hits the chains and falls into the basket.  Using pole holes removes any conflict that may arise between players over whether the disc hit the target or not. An alternative look at disc golf baskets Make your own pole hole

Disc Golf is an internationally  recognised sport with it's own governing organisation, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is an umbrella organisation covering all disc sports. The New Zealand Flying Disc Association (NZFDA) is the governing body in this country.

Disc Golf In 8 Steps The intention of the game. Disc golf is the flying disc variant of the game of golf. Instead of with a ball and (many different) golf-clubs this game is played with a flying disc. Players traverse a course making as few throws as possible in reaching objects placed strategically throughout the area. Many terms you will encounter in ball golf are also familiar in disc golf. For example: tee, hole, hole in one, putt, approach, birdie, par, drive. Disc golf is often played in a public park where many obstacles such as trees and water are to be met. The course. A disc golf course is typically composed of 9 or 18 holes. On each hole players attempt to reach a target, starting at the tee. Distances vary between 60 and 150 meters. Almost anything can serve as a goal: a tree, a lamppost or a dustbin. In official tournaments disc trapping targets are used. A target is a round metal basket on a pole. Above the basket some loose chains are attached. These stop the disc in its flight and make it fall down into the basket. The target is then reached only when the disc falls into the basket. The tee. The tee is the throwing area to begin play and is usually an area marked with a throwing line. The next throw After the first throw from the tee, the player whose disc is the farthest from the target, throws again first. This next throw is played from the position where the previous throw came to rest. When the disc is picked up, a marker-disc (a mini disc of about ten centimetres) is used to mark this position. The player puts his or her foot behind the marker-disc for the next throw. Out-of-bounds. Every hole has specified boundaries. These are mostly natural and follow the landscape, like a road, a flowerbed or a lake. When a disc lands outside the playing field it is out-of-bounds. Players get a penalty of one throw and can continue at the position where the disc left the playing field. If the disc falls into water, the next throw is taken from the bank where it left the fairway. The putt.  The final throw at the target from a short distance is called a putt. The hole is completed when the disc falls comes to rest in the basket. Different discs for different situations. A ball golfer can choose from several clubs. A disc golfer can choose from several discs, each with specific flight properties. For each throw he or she can pick the disc which seems to be appropriate. Most golfers carry five to ten discs; among them special drivers, approach discs and putters. No referee. Fair play is an important aspect of all flying disc sports. Like the other sports disc golf is played without a referee. The players themselves are responsible for the course of the game. Text: Peter Cornelissen This article can be downloaded as a PDF file from World Flying Disc Federation http://www.wfdf.org