
What is the disc golf association called now?
Disc Golf Association. Disc Golf Association (DGA) is a company founded in 1976 by Ed Headrick and located in Watsonville, California. The Disc Golf Association | DGA, is the founding company of the sport of disc golf and was the acting overseeing body for the sport until the establishment of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
What is the history of disc golf?
The DGA was established by Ed Headrick in order to focus his attention on building and inventing equipment for the sport he founded. Ed Headrick coined and trademarked the term "Disc Golf" when formalizing the sport and invented the Disc Pole Hole (The Mach 1), the first disc golf target to incorporate chains and a basket on a pole.
What's new at the international disc golf center?
The International Disc Golf Center officially opened its doors just a few weeks later. The facility now boasts three championship courses, a pro shop, office space for the PDGA staff, the “Steady” Ed Headrick Memorial Museum, the Disc Golf Hall of Fame, picnic pavilions, and more.
Which disc golfers have compete in every disc golf World Championship?
DGHOF member David Greenwell #962, the one and only PDGA member that has competed in every single Disc Golf World Championships, was new to the sport at the time, but that didn’t stop him from earning an invitation.
See more

When was the Pro Disc Golf Association established?
1976Professional Disc Golf AssociationSportDisc golfCategoryFlying disc sportsJurisdictionGlobalAbbreviationPDGAFounded19764 more rows
How long has disc golf been a professional sport?
In 1976 "Steady" Ed Headrick and his son Ken Headrick started the first disc golf company, the Disc Golf Association (DGA). [3] The purpose of DGA was to manufacture discs and targets and to formalize the game for disc golf.
What is the professional association of disc golf called?
PDGAThe Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is a membership-based organization boasting more than 200,000 lifetime members across 54 countries. The PDGA is also the governing body for the sport and sanctions competitive events for players of every skill level.
What is the oldest disc golf company?
Innova Champion Discs – Innova is the oldest active manufacturer of frisbee golf discs and held the initial patent for the beveled edge (aerodynamic) disc golf driver. Innova has headquarters in California as well as a massive distribution center in South Carolina.
Who is the greatest disc golfer of all time?
Ken ClimoKen "The Champ" Climo (born March 27, 1968, in Clearwater, Florida) is a professional disc golfer widely considered to be the best player to have ever played the game....Ken ClimoProfessional wins229Number of wins by tourPDGA National TourOpen: 14 Masters: 6Best results in major championships15 more rows
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.
Who owns DGA disc?
Ed HeadrickDisc Golf Association (DGA) is a company founded in 1976 by Ed Headrick and located in Watsonville, California.
When was the first disc golf course built?
19751975 Oak Grove Disc Golf Course located within Hahamonga Watershed Park in Pasadena, California becomes the world's first permanent disc golf course.
Are DGA Discs good?
901 Discs in Stock Disc Golf Association (DGA) offers a full product line of quality disc golf discs. They use Discraft for manufacturing and feature great plastic blends and a variety of discs for all purposes.
Who founded disc golf?
Ed Headrick, also known as “Steady” Ed Headrick, (June 28, 1924 – August 12, 2002) was an American toy inventor. Headrick served in combat in the Army in WWII and was a deep-sea welder. He is most well-known as the father of both the modern-day Frisbee and of the sport and game of disc golf.
What was the first disc golf driver?
The Eagle (U.S. Patent #4,568,297) was the first disc designed specifically for disc golf. Innova was formed in 1983 and production of their earliest golf discs began.
Who invented the rules of disc golf?
Steady Ed HeadrickThe first known disc golf rules in 1982 were rediscovered in notes kept in the files of our founder, Steady Ed Headrick. These original rules and the rules updates since 1982 have been digitized and analyzed to show how the competitive rules of our sport have evolved.
Is disc golf a professional sport?
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is the major sanctioning body of the sport and currently has more than 20,000 active members. More than 120,000 disc golf players have competed in PDGA-sanctioned events, which in 2013 alone, had a total purse that was greater than $2.5 million.
Will disc golf be an Olympic sport?
Disc Golf Will Be a Demonstration Sport at the 2022 World Games.
Who invented the sport of disc golf?
Ed HeadrickDisc golf / CreatorEd Headrick, also known as “Steady” Ed Headrick, (June 28, 1924 – August 12, 2002) was an American toy inventor. Headrick served in combat in the Army in WWII and was a deep-sea welder. He is most well-known as the father of both the modern-day Frisbee and of the sport and game of disc golf.
How big is the disc golf industry?
The global Disc Golf market was valued at USD 139 million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 453 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.4% during 2021-2027. This report focuses on Disc Golf volume and value at the global level, regional level and company level.
What is PDGA in golf?
Professional Disc Golf Association ( PDGA) is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion and sustainable growth of disc golf.
Who is on the PDGA board?
As of September 1, 2020, the current PDGA Board of Directors consists of PDGA President Justin Menickelli, Vice President Nate Heinold, Treasurer Robert Decker, and Secretary Mike "Sully" Sullivan, as well as Elaine King, Laura Nagtegaal, and Will Schusterick .
What is the purpose of the PDGA?
From the organizational bylaws, the PDGA exists: to promote the development of disc golf as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness; to establish and maintain Rules of Play and high standards of professionalism, amateurism and good sportsmanship;
How many acres are there in the PDGA?
This 975 acre park is home to the PDGA and holds three disc golf courses. Some of the fairways reach 600 feet, or more, in length. The obstacles include tree alleys, water boundaries, turns in the course and variations in topography. The National Championship is held here in September.
What is the longest golf course in the world?
The W.R. Jackson Memorial Course is the longest course at the IDGC, coming in at 9,325 feet (2,842 m) and par 69. The Gold level course was designed by Hall of Famer, John Houck, and features Innova DISCatcher baskets set in a very challenging championship configuration.
Who designed the Jim Warner Memorial Course?
It features Discraft Chainstar targets and was designed by Hall of Famer, Jim Kenner, with assistance from Ron Russell and Pad Timmons.
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.
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 ...
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 was Ed Headrick's invention?
Headrick had originally wanted to call his invention a Frisbee Pole Hole but ran into issues over the Frisbee trademarked belonging to Wham-O where he had served as Vice President. Later after founding Disc Golf Association and the Professional Disc Golf Association, Ed released the term disc golf from trademark restrictions in order ...
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.
Who invented the Frisbee?
The roots of the sport begin when “Steady” Ed Headrick designed the modern day Frisbee (US Patent 3,359,678, issued 1966) while working for Wham-O Toys back in the 60’s.
Who invented disc golf?
Disc Golf Association History. The DGA was established by Ed Headrick in order to focus his attention on building and inventing equipment for the sport he founded. Ed Headrick coined and trademarked the term "Disc Golf" when formalizing the sport and invented the Disc Pole Hole (The Mach 1), the first disc golf target to incorporate chains ...
What is disc golf?
Disc Golf Association. Not to be confused with Professional Disc Golf Association. Disc Golf Association (DGA) is a company founded in 1976 by Ed Headrick and located in Watsonville, California. The Disc Golf Association | DGA, is the founding company of the sport of disc golf and was the acting overseeing body for the sport until ...
Who makes disc golf baskets?
The PDGA was run by Ed Headrick and the DGA until 1982. They are a manufacturer of disc golf baskets for the sports of Disc Golf. The company does not have any retail stores, but rather sells disc golf courses to park departments, disc golf clubs, and private parties. The company also sells large quantities of discs and other related disc golf ...
What is the PGA?
The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America is an organization that trains, certifies, and advocates for professional golfers. It also organizes tournaments and promotes the sport of golf throughout the world. The PGA conducts approximately 40 tournaments, the best-known of which are the Ryder Cup, the PGA Championship, ...
What was the PGA in the 1980s?
The PGA, and golf in general, underwent a period of dramatic growth in the 1980s. The organization's membership ranks increased by almost half, and several U.S. colleges also established golf management programs. During the same decade, a popular new pro/am tournament--the Oldsmobile Scramble--was launched. In 1988 the PGA reorganized its national office. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw growing revenues from television licenses for the PGA, which signed lucrative contracts with a number of major cable and broadcast networks. The PGA Seniors tour was also now becoming a big draw as legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Lee Trevino joined its ranks and boosted public interest.
Why did the PGA not admit black golfers?
Up to that point, the PGA did not admit African-Americans into its tournaments, whether they were PGA members or not. The three argued that the PGA was denying them employment opportunities because of their race. The organization subsequently agreed not to discriminate against blacks in tournament play, but the 'Caucasians-only' membership clause in its constitution was left intact. This partial victory did not open the field very far, however, as PGA tournaments quickly became 'invitationals,' rather than open tournaments, and invitations were seldom offered to nonwhites.
What are the goals of the PGA?
In 1916, The PGA founders established the following seven objectives for the Association: promote interest in the game of golf; elevate the standards of the golf professional's vocation; protect the mutual interests of its members; hold meetings and tournaments for the benefit of members; assist deserving unemployed members to obtain positions; establish a benevolent relief fund for deserving members; accomplish any other objective which may be determined by the Association from time to time.
When did the PGA split off?
In 1968 the top touring pros, unhappy with several PGA policies, split off to form their own organization. Playing on the tournament circuit had emerged as a livelihood only in the late 1940s, when a year-round match schedule was first achieved. By the 1960s, though, income from television contracts was a growing source of the PGA's revenue, and touring golfers wanted a piece of this pie in the form of larger purses. The PGA, however, voted to add the money to the organization's general fund, which incensed its top golfers.
What was the biggest excitement in golf since the heyday of Nicklaus and Palmer?
The biggest excitement in golf since the heyday of Nicklaus and Palmer was the arrival of Tiger Woods in the late 1990s. The first African-American athlete to become widely known in the sport, Woods attracted intense fan and media interest. Woods' highly visible success also boosted interest in golf among African-Americans to a greater level than ever before. Recognizing that the sport's next generation of players would come from a wider range of ethnic groups than it had originally anticipated, the PGA's outreach to minorities began to grow. CEO Jim Awtrey, who had run the association since 1988, became a vocal advocate of expanding its membership ranks to include more minorities, women, juniors, and physically challenged players. The PGA Diversity program and PGA Community Relations Program were created to bring a wider range of Americans into contact with the sport.

Overview
Organizational structure
The PDGA is a membership organization with Professional-class and Amateur-class members who pay yearly dues to belong to the organization.
Strategic planning and oversight is handled by the Board of Directors, usually comprising seven Board members elected by the active PDGA membership from a pool of self-nominated candidates who must themselves be PDGA members in good standing. Board members serve th…
PDGA Majors
Majors are the highest level of disc golf competition. The current PDGA Majors held annually are: the Professional, Amateur, Masters, and Junior Disc Golf World Championships; the United States national championships (United States Disc Golf Championship, United States Women's Disc Golf Championship, United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship, Tim Selinske United States Masters Championships, and the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships); the European O…
Disc Golf Pro Tour
The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) is the Official Pro Tour of the PDGA. The DGPT is a private enterprise which partners with the PDGA (and in which the PDGA has a minority ownership interest). In addition to the 14 main medal play events and the DGPT Match Play Championship, the top touring pros can qualify for the DGPT Tour Championship, a seeded bracket of knockout golf performed at the end of every tour season. The 2021 DGPT Champions are Missy Gannon (FPO…
International Disc Golf Center
The PDGA International Disc Golf Center features a modern clubhouse with 2,700 sq ft (250 m ) of amenities, art, and disc golf attractions. The clubhouse is home to the Ed Headrick Memorial Museum, which showcases many historical items from the early days of the sport including the first prototype Disc Pole Hole and flying discs from the Frisbie Pie Company pie pan, to the Frisbee(c), t…
External links
• PDGA web site (Information about PDGA sanctioned tournaments, the rules of disc golf, and other important disc golf data)
• DGPT web site (Information about the DGPT, the official pro tour of the PDGA)
• WFDF web site (Information about the International Governing Body for all Disc Sports)