How many disc golfers play disc golf each day?
That’s more than 140,000 disc golf rounds per day, or nearly 100 started every minute. A team of statisticians built a data model that projected this global participation rate by combining nearly 2,000 on-the-ground observations with UDisc’s app usage metrics.
How many people watch disc golf on cable?
Coverage of some of the biggest disc golf events reached 82 million cable households last year in disc golf’s first foray into regular cable access, according to Disc Golf Planet, who produced the shows and partnered with the Beach Sports Network to bring them to cable TV. This year that number increased to 95 million.
What is the size of a golf disc?
Disc golf discs are smaller than Ultimate flying 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).
What is the world record distance for a golf disc?
The world record distance for a golf disc was once 863.5 ft (263.2 m), thrown by Simon Lizotte on October 25, 2014. David Wiggins, Jr. broke the record with a distance of 1,108.92 ft (338.00 m) on March 28, 2016.
How many people are currently playing 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.
Is disc golf 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.
Is disc golf more popular than golf?
Hence, as of now, golf is definitely more popular and richer. But given the trajectory and ease of playing disc golf, we can expect this to gain more prominence around the world soon.
Is disc golf the fastest growing sport?
We're happy to report the answer is a resounding "no." Welcome to the 2022 Disc Golf Growth Report powered by UDisc, where information from the world's leading player-powered disc golf app will demonstrate how much this sport continues to thrive. That's up from 3.5 per day in 2020—a 50% increase.
How big is the disc golf market?
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.
How much does a disc golf pro make?
As of Jun 4, 2022, the average annual pay for a Disc Golf Professional in the United States is $42,527 a year.
Is disc golf harder than golf?
Quote: Ball golf is much harder than disc golf. The practice time it takes to shoot par regulary at ball golf vs disc golf is not even close.
What state is disc golf most popular?
Where Is Disc Golf Most Popular in the U.S.?RankStateTotal Disc Golf Rounds in UDisc (2021)1Maine169,8622Minnesota458,9883Vermont51,5754New Hampshire110,92046 more rows•Jan 26, 2022
Will disc golf be an Olympic sport?
The organization is in the midst of a decade-long push to get ultimate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after pushing for International Olympic Committee recognition. Graham said that the PDGA hopes to eventually get disc golf into the Olympics as well.
How many UDisc users are there?
11.7 million of those 50 million rounds were scored on the UDisc app, an increase of more than 300% year-over-year.
Where in the world is disc golf most popular?
Åland IslandsWhere Is Disc Golf Most Popular in the World?RankCountryTotal Disc Golf Rounds Recorded with UDisc (2021)1Åland Islands*36,3202Finland1,199,7063Norway1,070,8064Iceland65,99226 more rows•Mar 28, 2022
How far does Paul McBeth throw?
600+ feetPaul McBeth has thrown a Discraft Zeus to a distance of 600+ feet (182+ meters), this incredible throw was recorded in a video where McBeth was throwing “Simon lines”, he crushed a near perfect 360-backhand throw.
How many rounds do disc golfers play per year?
Regular disc golfers make up nearly a third of the players on UDisc. They score a round with UDisc roughly once per month and top out around 20 rounds played per year.
How many disc golf rounds are played in a day?
That’s more than 140,000 disc golf rounds per day, or nearly 100 started every minute.
How many disc golf courses will be there in 2028?
If this install rate merely holds, there will be 20,000 disc golf courses by February 2028. Something tells us we’ll hit that number sooner.
How many rounds does UDisc play?
UDisc is scoring roughly one out of every five rounds of disc golf played. That is triple the number of rounds played with the app in 2019 and represents nearly 1,700% growth since 2015.
Which country has the most disc golf courses?
While the United States leads the way with roughly 70% of courses, there are several international hotbeds whose growth is quickly outpacing that of disc golf’s founding nation. For example, seven of the 10 most-played courses in the world in 2020 were outside the U.S., with Norway’s Ekeberg Frisbeegolfbane setting the pace. Expand that list to the top 25, and it's populated with 15 European courses and one in Canada.
Is disc golf growing?
So, while we can’t definitively say disc golf is the fastest-growing sport, it’s certainly growing immensely, even compared to its own rapidly-paced history. With more players finding the sport every day and new courses going in daily in places around the world, it’s clear that disc golf is trending in the right direction: way up. Download Report.
Is disc golf addictive?
It’s no secret to anyone who’s played disc golf that the sport is accessible, addictive, and ascendant. Indeed, it’s widely hailed as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports – but how fast is fast?
How Can I Help?
It should be simple to Count the Sport – just carve out some time before or after your round. It's as easy as go, count, share, and play.
What Happens Next?
Once the count is finished, UDisc will work with a statistics professor and students from Brigham Young University to analyze the results and augment them with the app's historic scoring data. The aim is to emerge with a model to help estimate the total number of rounds played worldwide.
Helpful Tips
For maximum impact, please report your counts honestly. Even if no one shows up to the course while you’re there, it's still important to know. Inflating the number of players won’t help compile an accurate count, so please be on your honor.
Private or Pay-to-Play Course Owner?
If you own or operate a course that keeps a daily headcount and would like to share your numbers for the study, please connect with our team by emailing [email protected].
Thank You In Advance
UDisc is driven by the community, from players updating course conditions and adding photos to sharing their most recent personal bests. It’s with that spirit in mind that we’re asking disc golfers to team up for an initiative we think can help that community continue to flourish. Thank you for helping #countthesport.
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.
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).
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.
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 ...
Why do players carry discs in golf?
In order to facilitate making different shots , players carry a variety of discs with different flight characteristics, choosing an appropriate disc for each throw. Some players also carry a mini marker disc, used to accurately mark the throwing position before each throw. Use of mini marker discs is particularly prevalent in formal competitive play.
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.
How many people play disc golf?
In that same report it is stated that somewhere between 8 and 12 million people have played disc golf at least once in their lives.
How many disc golf courses are there in the world?
It's hard to find true numbers that reflect it, but disc golf is currently in a "boom." There are more than 5,000 courses around the world and the PDGA has over 25,000 registered members. Still kind of a baby in sports terms, but it's definitely coming up.
How many holes can you hit on a disc golf course?
1. Many disc golf courses are predominantly or completely par threes, with as many as half or more of them actually reachable by the average player. On my home course I can reach 12 of the 18 holes from the tee box, or at least have a chance of reaching them. In ball golf, usually 4 of the holes out of 18 are reachable by the average player. So the disc golfer has more opportunities for aces.
How far can you putt in disc golf?
2. The disc golf target is bigger. Good players can usually make most putts from as far out as 18+ feet, whereas in ball golf, 18 footers are usually misses.
How many disc golfers are there in Finland?
It’s a tough number to estimate, but just in Finland, there are more than 100,000 disc golfers and they also have the most courses per capita of any country in the world: The Nordic Anomaly: Finland as a Disc Golf World Leader.
What happens if you lose a disc golf ball?
Not everything is rosier for the disc golfer. If a ball golfer loses a ball, no big deal. He just pulls another identical ball out of the bag and goes on. If a disc golfer loses a disc, that may be a loss of $18.00 to $20.00. If he doesn't carry a backup for that disc in his bag, he may be at a disadvantage for the rest of the round. There are all kinds of discs: ones that fly far, ones that curve left, ones that curve right, ones that are good into a head wind, ones that get good carry from a tail wind, etc., etc. Lose a key disc, and you could be in bad shape. I carry backups in my bag for my three most important discs.
Where can I play disc golf?
Disc golf can be played anywhere. There are structered course in almost every city and town in the USA. There is a disc golf association at the national level. There are tournaments in almost every city in the USA organized at the local level and state level. If you want to play disc golf I suggest you call your local parks and rec dept. And ask them where the nearest course is.
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.
HOW MANY DISCS DO YOU OWN?
Many of us remember when we were new to the game of disc golf. The first time we see another player carrying a backpack loaded with discs is usually a shocker. Why could the possibly need so many discs? It doesn’t take long to learn why multiple discs are necessary as you become a more serious player. But some of us dive much deeper into the sea of plastic than others. Here’s a look at how many discs survey participants claim to own.
HOW MANY DISCS DID YOU BUY TO COLLECT?
Let’s take a moment to measure how many discs were purchased solely for the purpose of collecting. When asked how many discs survey participants purchased only to collect, these were the results:
WHERE DID YOU BUY YOUR DISCS?
Was it at a local pro shop ? Was it online? Was it at a tournament? Here’s the results.
How many holes does disc golf have?
The player with the least number of strokes in a round, which is 18 holes, wins. But disc golf differs immensely from ball golf and is a fun alternative to the monotony that can be seen in many of ball golf’s rounds of play.
How to play disc golf?
When you play disc golf, you will try to throw your disc from a designated tee pad into an upright basket. Each hole has a certain number of throws, or strokes, to get your disc into the basket. If you get your disc into the basket in the correct amount of throws, that’s called par.
What is a mid range disc?
2. Mid-range: this disc is used mainly for approach shots close to the basket and for tee shots when the basket isn’t too far away. The main goal of a mid-range is accuracy and glide (a disc’s ability to maintain loft or stay in the air).
What is the first factor in selecting the right discs for golf?
The first factor in selecting the right discs is disc type. During your rounds, you will use three types of discs. The picture below will show you the difference in two types of discs, just so you can see the physical difference. The picture shows the difference between a distance driver (left) and a putter (right).
What is disc golf 101?
Disc Golf 101: A Step by Step Beginner’s Guide. Written by Red in disc golf 101. Disc golf is an awesome game already. It’s starting to gain traction as a pro sport and is hugely popular all over the world. Now you want to know how to play disc golf. That’s great because in this 37 step guide, you will learn the game in every way.
How far out should a disc land in a golf shot?
Just try to throw the disc and have it curve toward the basket. Your disc should land anywhere from two to thirty feet out. Once you’re within this range, you can putt and complete the hole.
How to start a golf round?
When you first arrive at the course, check your bag. Make sure you’re all prepped and ready to play. Check your party to make sure everybody is there and ready to go as well. Most courses have a standby area, so don’t be afraid to have everyone post up in this area before you check for course rules or park rules. Those rules should be near, or should guide you to, hole number one. That’s where you will start your round in a few minutes. Until then, there’s more to do.
How Can I Help?
What Happens Next?
Helpful Tips
Private Or Pay-To-Play Course Owner?
Thank You in Advance
Overview
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 of other plastic types that are heated and molded into individual discs. The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes (baskets). Players complete a …
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. It was not until the 1970s that modern disc golf would be introduced to Canadians at the Canadi…
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, bushes, elevation changes, water hazards, and distance variation, along with out-of-bounds zo…
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 of the tee prior to releasing the disc when throwing. This could lead to a fault similar t…
Disc types
Disc golf discs are smaller than Ultimate flying 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 general-purpose flying discs, such as those used for playing guts or ultimate, ha…
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 forward disc momentum and distance. Throwing styles vary from player to player, and th…
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 scorekeeping technique.
Tournaments
Tournaments are held nationwide and year long in the United States. Sanctioned Tournament play is communicated through the Professional Disc Golf Association Membership. 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. In 1982 the PDGA hosted the first World Championship Tournam…