Happy National Disc Golf Day 8/6/22!

Discussion in 'Sun City General Discussions' started by suncityjack, Aug 5, 2022.

  1. suncityjack

    suncityjack Active Member

    I always get a kick out of how many days have designations, but I think it's a cool way to draw attention to diverse things. For ex:
    National Disc Golf Day! I would think at some point one of our golf courses could be made multi-use and this could easily be one of the uses. Plus, since it's "golf" of sorts, might even be some wiggle room for those deeds specifying the land remain a golf course....

    Anyway, if you're not familiar with the sport, here's plenty of info courtesy of the folks at National Day Calendar:
    How to Play Disc Golf
    Disc golf and traditional golf share many common characteristics. For example, both sports include a goal of reaching each target with the fewest number of strokes; or in the case of disc golf, throws.

    While disc golf parallels the traditional game in many ways, there are differences. Instead of clubs and a ball, the only gear necessary is a disc or Frisbee™. Players start from a tee pad which is generally a rectangular area made of anything from rubber to cement or even brick. After each throw, the player progresses down the fairway.

    From where the disc lands, the player throws again and repeats until the disc lands in the target. As in traditional golf, the total number of throws a player takes to get the disc into the target is equal to the score for that hole.

    Since the late 1960s, enthusiasts have been playing disc golf. The game became a formalized sport in the 1970s. In the beginning, targets were nothing more than tree trunks or wooden posts cemented into the ground. As the game progressed, courses replaced trees and posts with metal baskets with chains. The chains added the benefit of helping to catch the discs. Initially, the metal baskets were called a Disc Golf Pole Hole. However, today, these modern-day targets come in dozens of design variations with the same general idea and technical specifications in mind.

    Benefits of Disc Golf
    Several advantages to disc golf immediately jump to mind. First of all, the sport is convenient and inexpensive. While on vacation or camping, discs easily pack along with other gear without adding much space or weight. Unlike traditional golf, a majority of disc golf courses across the country are open to the public. That means no fees, memberships, or tee times.

    As a growing international sport, the number of courses is increasing all the time. In August of 2015, the International Olympic Committee granted full recognition to Flying Disc sports providing a global platform for Flying Disc sports, including disc golf.

    People of all ages and abilities play disc golf. The sport offers a terrific low-impact, cardiovascular workout that can test both physical skill and mental determination. Not only that, but disc golf brings the whole family together for an afternoon of laughs and enjoyment together.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DISC GOLF DAY
    The Professional Disc Golf Association encourages you to get out on the course to celebrate National Disc Golf Day. With courses in all 50 states, finding a course near you should be easy. Invite friends tp lay a round or two with you. The PDGA Disc Golf Course Directory is a great resource to locate courses in your area. Use the #NationalDiscGolfDay to share where you plan to play and what your favorite courses are on social media.

    HISTORY OF NATIONAL DISC GOLF DAY
    [​IMG]The Professional Disc Golf Association founded National Disc Golf Day to celebrate one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. August is a significant month for the sport of disc golf. The first patent (#4,039,189) was issued on a chain-catching device to “Steady” Ed Headrick on August 12th, 1977, which changed the future of the sport. It is now a standard for course design.

    Additionally, on August 2, 1974, disc golfers in the Rochester, NY area decided to make their annual City of Rochester Disc Golf Championship a big national tournament. Their goal was to find out just how many other people around the country were playing disc golf. They called the event the American Flying Disc Open, and to attract the attention of the Frisbee™ community, they put up a brand new 1974 automobile to be awarded to the winner!

    The Registrar at National Day Calendar approved the day in July of 2016.
     
  2. eyesopen

    eyesopen Well-Known Member

    Learn all about disc golf in the Phoenix area.
    Ranked as the 4th best disc golf desintation in Arizona, Phoenix has 16 courses. Among these are 6 courses which have 18 or more holes. Phoenix is also home to 13 leagues and 4 stores that sell disc golf gear. Explore the surrounding area to find 70 courses, 51 leagues, and 5 stores.
    Ciick UDisc
     
    Linda McIntyre likes this.
  3. suncityjack

    suncityjack Active Member

    Yep. And our immediate vicinity has practically none. Maybe it'll start taking off like Pickleball. Seems it could involve lots of our residents....
     
    Linda McIntyre and eyesopen like this.
  4. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Interesting read scj. Disc golf has been around for years, always on the fringe, not so much mainstream. I am amazed at the number of courses in and around Phoenix. Wonder what the average age of the player is? Who knows though, this thread might excite the management/board with the potential to attract and sell full play passes to those living outside our walls.
     
  5. Linda McIntyre

    Linda McIntyre Well-Known Member

    Interesting indeed. In our hometown in WI, community of about 15K, we have 3 disc courses. Continues to grow.
     
  6. eyesopen

    eyesopen Well-Known Member

    Long Range Planning…are you paying attention??
    Average Age
    Thirty-somethings are no strangers to the disc golf course. The average disc golfer is 33. About a third of the gen pop falls in each of these categories: 15-26, 27-35, and 36-63. To put this age diversity in context, the average American is 37, the average traditional golfer is 54, and the average esport pro is under 25.
    https://parkeddiscgolf.org/2019/03/10/who-gets-hooked-the-demographics-of-disc-golf-involvement/

    Is Disc Golf Becoming More Popular?
    So, to answer the question directly – Yes, disc golf is growing rapidly in popularity all over the world. It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in modern times, with a 33% increase in games played from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to UDisc, a very popular disc golf scoring app.

    You may be wondering what is it about disc golf – regular golf’s younger, laidback cousin – that makes it one of the world’s fastest-growing sports? For starters, it’s free, accessible, and open to everyone at any skill level. Add to those reasons the booming business side of disc golf, and it’s easy to see how the industry is gaining popularity amongst the masses.

    https://discgolfmentor.com/is-disc-golf-becoming-more-popular-answered/
     
    suncityjack likes this.
  7. suncityjack

    suncityjack Active Member

    Cool. It just seems to me it would be good low key exercise since you get your walking in and have a fun excuse for doing it, and doing it with some others. Plus, I guess for those unable to walk much, they could still rent a cart....
     
    eyesopen likes this.
  8. suncityjack

    suncityjack Active Member

    Yep, you never know where a seed may take root....
     

Share This Page