Texacide Disc Golf

Disc Golf?

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970’s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole”. the hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole® an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the “putt” lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won’t need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad “tee time.” It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.

Who Plays Disc Golf?

Disc golf can be played from school age to old age, making it one of the greatest lifetime fitness sports available. Specially-abled and disabled participate, giving them the opportunity to take part in a mainstream activity. Because disc golf is so easy to learn, no one is excluded. Players merely match their pace to their capabilities, and proceed from there. The Professional Disc Golf Association, with a member base of 40,000+, is the governing body for the sport and sanctions competitive events for men and women of every skill level from novice to professional. Permanent disc golf courses are found in countries worldwide.

Where do I play?

Many city parks have golf courses already set up. Most are free to play as often as you like. Disc golfers who do not have the benefit of a permanent disc golf facility in their area often “make up” courses in nearby parks and green spaces.

One of the great features disc golf shares with traditional golf is that they are both played in beautiful settings. A nine-hole disc golf course can be established on as little as five acres of land, and a championship-caliber 18-hole course on 30 to 40 acres. Disc golf courses can coexist with existing park facilities and activity areas. The ideal location combines wooded and open terrains, and a variety of topographical change.

The need for more courses is constant, as the sport continues to grow in popularity. The PDGA has created resources for the design and installation of new golf courses, to ensure their success in the community.

The PDGA also publishes and sells an annual course directory, and manages and maintains a free online directory of disc golf courses at http://www.pdga.com/course-directory.

Why should I play?

The ongoing fitness boom finds more and more people taking up recreational activities in an effort to improve health and quality of life. Disc golf provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and promotes a combination of physical and mental abilities that allow very little risk of physical injury. Concentration skills increase by mastering shots and negotiating obstacles. Players of limited fitness levels can start slowly and gradually increase their level of play as fitness improves. Scheduling is also flexible; a round takes one to two hours, and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times. And as in traditional golf, disc golfers find themselves “hooked;” increasing the likelihood of frequent participation. Disc golf offers year-round fitness, even in rain or snow. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the sport is the expense – or rather, the lack of it. A professional quality disc costs less than $15, and it only takes one for basic play.

And, of course, there’s the sheer fun of the game – no matter what your age or skill level!

Play Disc Golf – Your Friends at Texacide Disc Golf!

Discs:

Driver – A disc designed for fast, long-distance flight. The most difficult type of disc to control.

Approach disc – A disc designed for slower, more stable flight.

Putter – A disc designed for close-range, stable flight.

Mini – A small disc which is used to mark a player’s lie.

Stable – Refers to a disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to fly straight.

Overstable – A disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to hyzer (to the left for right-handed players, backhand throw).

Understable – A disc which, when released flat, has a tendency to anhyzer (to the right for right-handed players, backhand throw).

Throwing:
Backhand throw – Results in the player’s throwing arm moving across the opposite side of the body before release. The most common type of throw.

Forehand throw – Results in the player’s throwing arm moving across the same side of the body before release. Also known as a sidearm throw.

Hyzer – When using a backhand throw, a disc’s flight arc which causes it to fall in the direction opposite of the throwing arm. For a right-handed player, a backhand hyzer shot fades to the left, while a sidearm hyzer fades right.

Anhyzer – A disc’s flight arc (backhand) which falls in the same direction of the throwing arm. For a right-handed player, a backhand anhyzer shot fades to the right, while a sidearm anhyzer fades to left.

Roller – Advancing the disc by causing it to roll along the ground.

Overhand – A throwing technique similar to a baseball pitch. The disc is released at a vertical angle. Also known as a tomahawk throw.

Pancake – An overhand shot thrown with considerably less power, resulting in a 90 degree rotation from vertical. The disc generally lands face down.

Falling Putt – Failure to demonstrate full balance behind the mini marker while putting. Players cannot step on or in front of the mini marker when putting within 10 meters until demonstrating full balance.

Worm burner – A shot which is released lower than intended and/or at a downward angle, resulting in a premature landing.

General:
Ace – A hole-in-one.

Par – The average number of throws for an experienced player to complete a hole. Amateur par varies, pro par is generally three on any given hole.  This tradition started mostly out of convenience; it makes score keeping much more simple.

Birdie – Completing a hole at one under par.

Tee Pad – A designated area where players begin each hole. Also known as a tee box.

Lie – The spot where a disc lands and where the next shot is taken from.

Casual – An unintended, non-permanent hazard on the course, such as collected water from a rainstorm or a pile of cleared brush. Also a reference to non-tournament players.

Mandatory or mando – A flight path which must be followed in order to complete a hole.

Pole Hole – A brand name disc golfing target, or basket. Other brands include Chainstar and DISCatcher.

Safari golf – When players make up different holes on an existing course. Ex: from hole one’s tee pad to hole three’s basket.

TD – A tournament director.

Taco – Term used for a warped disc which has hit a tree or other solid object at high velocity.

Sandbagger – A tournament player who competes in a division below his or her skill level.

Betzen – Term used to describe a missed easy or gimme putt. Ex: Dude you Betzened that.