America's Earliest Disc Golf Courses
| Course # | Course Install | Basket Install | City | Course Name |
| 1 | 1976 | 1976 | Huntsville | Brahan Springs Park |
| 1 | 1976 | 1976 | Robertsdale | Styx River Resort |
| 3 | 1977 | 1977 | Huntsville | Redstone Arsenal |
How many countries play disc golf?
· As of February 16, 2022, there are 13,323 disc golf courses in the world. These courses span the globe, from Arctic Circle Disc Golf in Kotzebue, Alaska, to Ross Island in Antarctica and from Hillcrest Farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Lakes of Pelangi Indah in southern Malaysia.
How many holes in a disc golf course?
Discover disc golf courses around the world with up-to-date course details, photos, reviews, leaderboards, and more with the UDisc course directory!
Where is the world’s first disc golf course?
· Number of golf courses in the world - 38,864 USA - 16,752 Japan - 3,169 Canada - 2,633 England - 2,270 Australia - 1,616 Germany - 1,050 France - 804 South Korea - 798 Sweden - 662 Scotland - 614 China - 599 Spain - 497 Ireland - 494 South Africa - 489 New Zealand - 418 Argentina - 349 Denmark - 346 Netherlands - 330 Italy - 321 Thailand - 315
How many golf courses are there in the world?
· The first formal disc golf course was built in Oak Grove Park, (Pasadena, California), by Headrick in 1975 and was an instant success.By the time of his death, Ed has designed over 200 courses. The First Disc Golf Basket
How many courses are there in disc golf?
Texas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota have the most courses overall. As of February 2020, there are 6,652 known disc golf courses in the United States on the official PDGA Course Directory.
Which country has the most disc golf courses?
IcelandMaps & the Full ListRankCountryPeople Per Course1Iceland6,6712Finland7,7723Estonia9,3024Åland13,35672 more rows•Jun 17, 2020
How many countries have a disc golf course?
The game is played in about 40 countries and, as of March 31, 2022, there are 90,916 active members of the PDGA worldwide.
How big of an industry is disc golf?
Market Analysis and Insights: Global Disc Golf Market Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Disc Golf market size is estimated to be worth USD 205.7 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 538.5 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 17.4% during the review period.
What is the golden rule of disc golf?
Basically, the Golden Rule of Disc Golf is to have respect and manners while you're on the course and interacting with other players. Not only is it about treating other players how you'd like to be treated, but it's also about respecting their property, the course, and the game as a whole.
Is disc golf gaining popularity?
It's easy to see why disc golf is growing in popularity, especially among those over 50. Its rules are simple, and it's easy on joints and muscles, inexpensive and promotes social connections. Players throw a disc at a target called a disc golf basket on a course with either nine or 18 holes.
Is disc golf played all over the world?
As of February 16, 2022, there are 13,323 disc golf courses in the world. These courses span the globe, from Arctic Circle Disc Golf in Kotzebue, Alaska, to Ross Island in Antarctica and from Hillcrest Farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Lakes of Pelangi Indah in southern Malaysia.
Is disc golf popular in Australia?
GROWTH & PARTICIPATION IN AUSTRALIA In Australia, disc golf is experiencing significant growth. There are now over 70 courses in the country, with more than half of these courses installed in the last 5 years alone.
Why is disc golf so popular in Finland?
The popularity of disc golf in Finland has been variously attributed to Jussi Meresmaa's marketing know-how, the fact that disc golf is taught in gym class curriculums, and that municipalities build courses to attract new taxpayers.
Is disc golf the fastest growing sport?
Disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, according to the Professional Disc Golf Association. Once a backyard endeavor played with the Wham-O Frisbee, the game has developed into a highly nuanced competitive endeavor played in 47 countries.
How long has disc golf been around?
Disc golf was first invented in the early 1900s. The first game was held in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1926. Ronald Brandon Cain and a group of his Elementary School buddies played a game of throwing tin lids into 4 foot wide circles drawn into sandy patches on their school grounds.
How many subscribers does disc golf network have?
The Disc Golf Network has over 12,000 subscribers as of this writing, eight times the low-end goal and four times the stretch goal of 3,000 for the end of the year. That's up from 6,500 at the start of the pandemic shutdown in mid-March.
How many disc golf courses are there in the world?
There are disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. The Åland Islands have been defined as the world's largest single disc golf park, with one course in each of the 16 municipalities of Åland. Country. DGC.
Which country has the most disc golf courses?
Three countries account for 85% of all disc golf courses worldwide: the United States (75%), Finland (7%) and Canada (3%). Other notable countries include Sweden, and Estonia, which has the highest density of disc golf courses per km 2 of dry land of any country and the second-highest number of courses per capita, between Iceland and Finland, which have 150 and 111 courses per million inhabitants, respectively. Outside North American and European strongholds, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have the most courses. There are disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America, 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. The Åland Islands have been defined as the world's largest single disc golf park, with one course in each of the 16 municipalities of Åland.
What is a disc golf tee box?
A disc golf tee (commonly referred to as a tee box or the box) is the starting position of a hole. The PDGA recommends that the tee box be no smaller than 1.2 meters wide by 3 meters long. The tee box is usually a pad of concrete, asphalt, rubber, gravel, or artificial turf. Some courses have natural turf with only the front of the tee position marked or no tee boxes at all and players begin from a general location based on the course layout.
What was the first disc golf target?
Ed Headrick's Flying Disc Entrapment Device Patent 4039189. The first disc golf target made with chains that became the standard for disc golf. In 1977, Headrick and his son Ken developed the modern basket catch for disc golf, US Patent 4,039,189, [4] titled Flying Disc Entrapment Device, which they trademarked "Disc Pole Hole". The Disc Pole Hole created a standardized catching device that had a chain-hanger that held vertical hanging rows of chain out and away from a center pole. The vertical rows of chain came together forming a parabolic shape above and angling down towards a metal basket that attached to and surrounded the center pole, and could catch a disc from all directions.
How many holes are there in disc golf?
Disc golf courses. Most disc golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, and exceptions most often have holes in multiples of three. Courses with 6, 12, 21, 24 or 27 holes are not uncommon. The PDGA recommends that courses average 200–400 ft (61–122 m) per hole, with holes no shorter than 100 ft (30 m).
Why is it better to throw a disc or a driver?
Because the physics of a disc require "snap" or "flick", which means putting spin on the disc, new players generally find that throwing a distance driver accurately can be somewhat difficult and will require experience with golf disc response. This is why it is better for players to begin with fairway drivers, long drivers, or even mid-ranges, and incorporate maximum distance drivers as their strength and disc control increases. Most players that are starting off will be most likely throwing lighter discs.
What is disc golf?
Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. Most disc golf discs are made out of polypropylene plastic, otherwise known as polypropene, which is a thermoplastic polymer resin used in a wide variety of applications. Discs are also made using a variety ...
How many golf courses are there in the world?
Number of golf courses in the world – 38,864. North America has 51% of the world’s golf courses, with the USA boasting 43%.
Which country has the most golf courses?
With the release of Golf Around the World 2019 by R&A, we discovered the countries that have the most golf courses. The study revealed that 78% of the world’s supply of golf courses are located in just 10 countries: the United States, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, France, Republic of Korea, Sweden and Scotland.
How many golf holes are there in England?
England has a total of 31,620 golf holes, and the study also revealed that 25% of courses in GB and Ireland are 9 holers.
When was disc golf established?
Disc Golf Association, (DGA) was established in 1976 by Ed Headrick to form a new international sport and to promote the installation and use of disc golf courses around the world.
When was disc golf invented?
The first formal disc golf course was built in Oak Grove Park, (Pasadena, California), by Headrick in 1975 and was an instant success.By the time of his death, Ed has designed over 200 courses.
What was the first disc golf game?
Since that time disc golf evolved from man’s natural competitive nature. Early games used targets of trees, trash cans, light poles, chicken wire baskets, pipes, and coeds. The game was formalized when Headrick invented the first Disc Pole Hole catching device, consisting of 10 chains hanging in a parabolic shape over an upward opening basket, US Patent 4,039,189, issued 1975.
What is disc hole?
The Disc Pole Hole™ became the equivalent to ball golf’s “hole” and was installed in the first standardized target course (what was then known as Oak Grove Park Pasadena, California).
When was the Friz pole hole installed?
Ed and Ken Headrick with their Friz Pole Hole installed in Oak Grove Park March 19, 1976. In 1976 Ed replaced his Pole Holes which were just poles cemented into the ground with the first DGA Disc Pole Hole that where the first disc golf targets to use chains to stop a disc.
When was the Frisbee invented?
Then came the ancient word “scaling” (to throw a thin flat object so that its edge cuts through the air). Pie pans, film can lids and toy flying saucers were the recent predecessors of the modern Frisbee which was invented in 1964 by Ed Headrick, US Patent 3,359,678. He also formed the International Frisbee Association which had over 112,000 members by 1972.
Who is the father of disc golf?
Disc Golf History. “Disc Golf” as it is known today began with “Steady” Ed Headrick, the father of disc golf, modern day disc sports and the driving force responsible for the modern era of Frisbee sports. Disc Golf Association, (DGA) was established in 1976 by Ed Headrick to form a new international sport and to promote the installation and use ...
How many disc golf courses are there in the world?
To give you a bit of an updated perspective, 70% of disc golf courses were built in the last decade. Breaking it down even further, 8,463 disc golf courses existed in 2019; one year later, there are 9,342. This equates to about a 10% increase in courses on a global scale….
How many people play disc golf in 2020?
According to the PDGA’s year-end report, there were 53,366 active members worldwide in 2019, and 71,016 in 2020 – that’s a 33% increase in just one year! UDisc, the official app of the PDGA, scores roughly one out of every five rounds of disc golf played. It is estimated that approximately 50 million rounds of disc golf were played worldwide in 2020.
Why is disc golf so popular?
More Reasons for Disc Golf’s Popularity. In addition to getting some fresh air and embracing a free, fun way to exercise, there are many other reasons disc golf continues to become more popular. These positive aspects include, but are not limited to, the following: Fit for any skill level, age, and sex.
What channels are disc golf on?
Television networks are following suit, with major channels like CBS and ESPN airing disc golf tournaments (especially during COVID, when regularly-scheduled sporting events were cancelled. Disc golf coverage filled that void). According to an analysis by ShowBuzzDaily, the ESPN2 broadcast of the Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship Finals last fall drew 225,000 viewers, making it the 78th most-watched broadcast on cable TV that day and the most-watched show on ESPN2 the same day. And for four consecutive nights in August 2020, CBS covered the Dynamic Discs Open. While these things may not seem like much overall, they were definitely significant moments for the sport. By bringing disc golf into people’s homes, the sport becomes demystified, more accessible, and progressively intriguing.
How much is disc golf going to increase in 2020?
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.
How many women are in the PDGA?
As of 2020, there were about 4,800 female members in the PDGA – comprising 7% of the association’s membership, to be exact – compared to over 66,000 men, who make up 93% of the PDGA’s membership. Even though there are more men who play disc golf than women, females are making their presence known in the sport.
How much money does Paul McBeth have with Discraft?
In fact, he recently signed a $10 million deal with Discraft.
Who created the first disc golf course directory?
Steve also worked with Bill Fitler #9987 to publish the very first PDGA Disc Golf Course Directory on the World Wide Web in 1995. Originally a set of static web pages hosted by Netscape (who was Bill's employer at the time) it was moved to a dedicated website at dgc-online.com in 1998. Towards the end of the decade, Bill was unable to put much time into the website and enlisted PDGA.com webmaster Marty Hapner #4033 to take over. Marty consolidated Steve and Bill's work to create a master database with enhanced search capabilities which would lay the foundation for a comprehensive and interactive PDGA Online Disc Golf Course Directory at PDGA.com.
When did the DGA publish the new golf courses?
In July of 1978 DGA published a newsletter detailing 14 new courses, most of which described a signature hole, with the heading 'Add these new courses to your list:' In April 1980 DGA published a newsletter which on page 3 stated "We are working on a Disc Golf Course Book that gives location, lists the pros and other pertinent data on all of our courses. With any luck we should have it finished by June." Page 4 of this newsletter lists only the state and city of 31 new courses. Page 7 of the June 1980 newsletter lists 12 new courses, again with only state and city, and with no mention of the detailed course listing referenced in April (there must be more of these newsletters published between July 1978 and April 1980 and after June 1980, but I have yet to come across them).
When was the first disc golf pole hole invented?
In July of 1977 the inventor of the original Disc Golf Pole Hole, founder of Disc Golf Association (DGA), and former VP of Wham-O Inc., "Steady" Ed Headrick #001 sent a letter to the Executives of Wham-O listing 22 courses that he had installed (or was about to install).
When did DGA send Pocket Guides?
On August 24, 1982, DGA sent a Memo to All Sales Reps and Regional Pros "We have finally received our order of Pocket Guides to the Game of Disc Golf. We feel that these are an excellent sales tool and educational aid to be given to people who have little or no knowledge of Disc Golf".
How many people play disc golf?
The PDGA estimates that more than a million people regularly play the game, including many families. Douglass says disc golf is one of the few games a family can do together.
How does disc golf differ from traditional golf?
Played much like traditional golf in terms of rules, scoring, and etiquette; disc golf differs by throwing a specialized plastic disc off the tee and eventually putting out into a chain-catching metal basket. Disc golf also departs from traditional golf in its affordability to play and the relative low cost to install a course.
How much was the 2013 disc golf purse?
The 2013 pro tour purse was $2,533,450, up 27% from 2008.
What is the Super Bowl disc golf?
Known as the ‘Super Bowl’ of disc golf, The United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) is one of those events featured on cable. The event, with its beautiful course, high payout, and strong following is proof of how far the sport has come.
When did Brekeen start disc golf?
Often his park runs out of the 40 rental discs that newer players often use. Brekeen, who first started playing disc golf in the 1970s, sees no sign of disc golf’s growth slowing down. Innova Disc Golf Sales Manager, Ryan Baker agrees.
Is disc golf a fad?
And that means disc golf has become serious business for retailers and a must-have activity for public parks. “Disc golf is not a fad. It has grown organically. But it’s not a fad,” says Russell Schwarz, of Innova Disc Golf, a leading manufacturer of disc golf equipment.
Who owns Play It Again disc golf?
Strong disc golf sales have also made a believer in Play It Again Sports store owner Jay Douglass. After opening with a modest disc golf selection in 2007, he’s grown his inventory dramatically to where disc golf equipment now takes up a large chunk of his Pineville, N.C. store. “It’s a substantial portion of our business.
Why were the PDGA World Championships cancelled?
The 2020 PDGA World Championships were cancelled on June 1st, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Odgen, Utah, the PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships in Emporia, Kansas, the PDGA Amateur Disc Golf Championships in Orlando, Florida, and the PDGA Professional Master Disc Golf Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee. "All four events will run in the same host cities in 2021, with previously awarded 2021 World Championship bids moving back to 2022." The PDGA cited international travel concerns, the inability to allow spectators, the member experience, and the difficulty of postponing the events as reasons for this decision. "Rescheduling events now, with only two to three months of lead time to make these new arrangements and execute required contracts, puts a considerable strain on our partners. Pushing these decisions out by an additional month or more, with no clear end dates on international travel restrictions, will further hinder our hosts' abilities to successfully run these events."
How many champions are there in the men's tennis tournament?
There have been 18 different Champions in the Men's event with an average field of 155 competitors, and 17 different Champions in the Women's event with an average field of 26. The event has been held in 19 US states as well as Ontario, Canada.
Overview
Disc golf courses
Most disc golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, and exceptions most often have holes in multiples of three. Courses with 6, 12, 21, 24 or 27 holes are not uncommon. The PDGA recommends that courses average 200–400 ft (61–122 m) per hole, with holes no shorter than 100 ft (30 m). The longest holes in the world measure more than 1,500 ft (460 m) long. Course designers use trees, b…
Origin and early history
Disc golf was first invented in the early 1900s. The first game was held in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1927. Ronald Franklin Gibson and a group of his Bladworth Elementary School buddies played a game of throwing tin lids into 4-foot wide circles drawn into sandy patches on their school grounds. They called the game Tin Lid Golf and played on a fairly regular basis. However, after they grew older and went their separate ways, the game came to an end. I…
Gameplay
The sport of disc golf is set up similar to a game of golf. A "round" is played on a disc golf course consisting of a number of "holes", usually 9 or 18. Each hole includes a tee position for starting play and a disc golf target some distance away, often with obstacles such as trees, hills or bodies of water in between. Players begin by throwing a disc from the tee, without crossing over the front …
Disc types
Disc golf discs are smaller than Ultimateflying discs or general-purpose recreational frisbees. They typically measure 21–22 cm (8.3–8.7 in) in diameter and weigh 130–180 g (4.6–6.3 oz). All PDGA-approved discs measure 21–30 cm (8.3–11.8 in) in diameter and weigh no more than 200 g (7.1 oz). Discs used for disc golf are designed and shaped for control, speed, and accuracy, while g…
Throwing styles
While there are many different grips and styles to throwing the disc, there are two basic throwing techniques: backhand and forehand (or sidearm). These techniques vary in effectiveness under different circumstances. Their understanding and mastery can greatly improve a player's game, and offer diverse options in maneuvering the disc to the basket with greater efficacy. Many players use what is referred to as a run-up during their drive. This is practiced to build more forw…
Scoring
Stroke play is the most common scoring method used in the sport but there are many other forms. These include match play, skins, speed golf and captain's choice, which in disc golf is referred to as "doubles" (not to be confused with partner or team play).
Regardless of which form of play the participants choose, the main objectives of disc golf are conceptually the same as traditional golf in the sense that players follow the same scorekeepin…
Tournaments
Tournaments are held nationwide and year long in the United States. Sanctioned Tournament play is communicated through the Professional Disc Golf AssociationMembership. The PDGA provides international, professional, and amateur disc golf tournaments as well as communicates event results, opinions and other information beneficial to the sport via electronic and printed media. I…