A BBBG guide to… Disc golf

I recently wrote an article about the phenomenon that is disc golf. It’s a little known sport that is yet to fully take off here in the UK, so you may not be familiar with the rules. Fear not, for this is the official BBBG guide to… Disc golf.

1. The basics

Like golf, the aim of disc golf is to complete the course – usually nine or 18 holes – in as few shots as possible. Instead of attempting to get a ball in a hole with a club, however, the objective is to throw a disc (Frisbee) into a metal basket. Tee shots are taken from a designated teeing area, which the player must not step outside of. Subsequent shots are then taken from where the disc lies. Like golf, each hole has a par score: three, four or five.

2. The discs

You may think a Frisbee is a Frisbee, but you would be wrong. There are three main types of discs: drivers, approach or mid-way discs, and putters. Drivers tend to be very low profile, meaning they cut through the air and get good distance, at the expense of accuracy. Approach discs are thicker, improving accuracy but sacrificing distance, while putters are the thickest and most accurate of all, used to complete a hole. There are more in-depth discs available, but these are the three you need to get started.

3. The course

Courses vary massively, but trees, hedges and bushes tend to be the obstacles players must navigate. Hole lengths can vary from a short 60-yard par three, to a daunting 200-yard par five. Each hole will have a designated area players’ discs must remain in, otherwise penalties may be inflicted, which brings us neatly to…

4. Penalties

If a disc lands out-of-bounds, or in a body of water, the player shall receive a one shot penalty. The player must take their next shot from either: a) their previous lie, b) a lie within one-metre of where their disc landed or c) a designated drop zone.
A one shot penalty is also given if a player loses their disc.
When taking a shot, players must not step forward of the marker disc before releasing the disc. Once the disc is thrown, momentum may allow the player to step past this point, unless within 10 metres of the basket. Within 10 metres, the player must not move past the marker until the shot is complete. First violation of these rules will result in a warning. After that, one shot penalties are handed out for each offence.
Some courses also impose what is known as the 2-Metre Rule. Should the disc land two or more metres above the playing surface, in a tree for instance, the player incurs a one shot penalty. The next shot is taken directly below where the disc lands.

5. Scoring

The scoring system is exactly the same as regular golf; each throw of the disc adds one stroke to your score. The player who makes it round the course in the fewest number of strokes wins. Simple.

6. Etiquette

This is one area where disc golf is quite different to its club-and-ball counterpart. Where as most golf courses impose a dress-code, disc golf courses are much more laid back when it comes to attire. In fact, you can wear whatever you like. The only real provisions are that pedestrians have right-of-way and to shout “disc” when a throw may be in danger of hitting a passer-by. Other than that, it is a simply a case of playing at a reasonable pace, so you don’t keep players behind you waiting.

7. Price

One of the beauties of disc golf is the price. High quality discs can be bought for as little as £10, a day pass for £5, and annual membership for less than £100. Prices obviously vary from course-to-course, but it’s certainly one of the cheaper and most accessible sports for people of all ages.