OK, this is certainly not golf in it’s traditional sense. There’s no clubs, balls, dress code or greens. But those aspects acknowledged, the basic rules follow the game of golf. The courses are set out over 9 or 18 ‘holes’, with a par assigned to each (often 3 or 4), with each player needing course management and an accurate throw, to propel the polypropene disc (AKA ‘frisbee’) from the tee, navigating hazards to hole out into the metal basket.
Disc golf was invented in the US in 1976, and is now played in over 40 countries, with over 100,000 registered players. The UK is home to 110 courses, 39 of which have 18 holes (or more)1. Some actually utilise existing golf courses, in a similar way to how Footgolf can sit alongside normal golf, bringing in welcome extra revenue streams to clubs. It’s simple to play, yet has the scope to be fairly technical, with discs having a combinations of 4 variable properties such as glide and fade2.
So with children to entertain through the summer holidays, and in the hope that disc golf might whet the appetite for ‘proper golf’, we headed to our local course in Manchester, which was the first 18 hole course to open in the North West back in 2016. Located among Longford Park in Stretford, next to an athletics stadium and between Old Trafford and Sale Golf Club, it’s part of an oasis of nature and calm amidst the built up suburbs and trunk roads.
One refreshing aspect of disc golf, as opposed to the traditional form of golf, is the cost. Manchester is one of over 20 UK courses that are free to play!3 Alright, if you’re splitting hairs, it was a pound to rent each disc, but you can bring your own if that seems a bit steep! You might imagine that in these times of austerity, there would be a queue around the block, but despite it being an August afternoon in the school holidays, there were perhaps only 3 or 4 groups on the course.
Not only are there 18 holes to play around, but there’s a choice of Beginner and Advanced tees, making for 30 different hole options. The course is set on the site of a defunct pitch n putt, with the addition of over 1,500 trees, including 60 apple trees. In the wider park, there’s a playground, pet’s corner, historic gardens and a lovely little café, from where the discs are hired, and which has a real community hub feel together with it’s delicious drinks and cakes. All in all, a great, fun, value family activity!
Have you played disc golf? What’s your verdict? Any thoughts on what traditional golf can learn from disc golf, or vice-versa? Do tell us here!
References
1. UK Disc Golf Venue Numbers
2. How to Play Disc Golf
3. Disc Golf Venues
