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 |
Where is the world’s first disc golf course?
In 1974, Headrick approached the county of Los Angeles Park and Recreation Department with the idea of a permanent Disc Golf Course. Sy Greben, Director of the Park Planning Division saw the potential and Oak Grove Park was selected and approval was given to install the world’s first Disc Golf Course.
What was the first disc golf target?
The first disc golf target was Ed's pole hole design which basically consisted of a pole sticking out of the ground. In 1977, Headrick and his son Ken developed the modern basket catch for disc golf, US Patent 4039189A, titled Flying Disc Entrapment Device, which they trademarked "Disc Pole Hole".
When did disc golf start in Canada?
It was not until the 1970s that modern disc golf would be introduced to Canadians at the Canadian Open Frisbee Championships in Toronto and Vancouver, BC. Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s, but there is debate over who came up with the idea first. The consensus is that multiple groups of people played independently throughout the 1960s.
Who invented the disc golf pole hole?
The first was the Frisbee (U.S. Patent #3359678) in 1966 as an employee at Wham-O. The second was the basis of all disc golf targets today, the Disc Golf Pole Hole (U.S. Patent #4039189) in 1975.
When was the first real disc golf course made?
1975The First Disc Golf Course 1975 was also the year that the first official (and permanent) disc golf course—Oak Grove Park Disc Golf Course—was installed in Pasadena, California. At that time, the targets were nothing more than permanent poles placed into the ground as targets.
What was the first disc golf disc ever made?
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 made the first disc?
The DISC Model of Behavior was first proposed in 1928 by William Moulton Marston, a physiological psychologist, in his book Emotions of Normal People.
Which country invented golf?
ScotlandSt. Andrews, Scotland. It was here at the St. Andrews Golf Links that the R&A was formed and where the 18-hole round was established.
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.
What is the golden rule of disk 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.
Where 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
What was disc golf called?
Early pioneers of the sport Donnelly began playing a form of Frisbee golf in 1959 called Street Frisbee Golf.
Why is it called disc golf and not Frisbee golf?
Headrick coined and trademarked the term “Disc Golf” after inventing and patenting the original Disc Pole Hole. 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.
When did disc golf become popular?
From its humble beginnings as an informal, creative playground game, disc golf became popular in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Over time, the rules, techniques, discs, professional associations, and courses evolved to formulate the game we know and love today.
Where 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
What is the name of disc golf?
Nomenclature. Disc golf is sometimes informally called "Frisbee golf" ("Frisbee" being a trademark of the Wham-O toy company for its line of discs), "folf", or "frolf" (a portmanteau of "Frisbee" and "golf" made popular by a reference on a 1997 episode of the television sitcom Seinfeld).
Who invented the disc golf?
From Frisbees to Disc Golf. “Steady” Ed Headrick #001 is considered the Father of Disc Golf. Of his dozens of patented inventions, two of them hold infinite importance to our sport. The first was the Frisbee (U.S. Patent #3359678) in 1966 as an employee at Wham-O.
What is the International Disc Golf Center?
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.
What year did the Datsun B210 win the American Flying Disc Open?
They called the event the American Flying Disc Open (AFDO), and to attract the attention of the Frisbee community, they put up a brand new 1974 Datsun B210 to be awarded to the winner. Jim Palmeri #23 (left) handing Dan "Stork" Roddick #003 (right) the keys to his prize for winning the 1974 American Flying Disc Open.
Where was the Wham O's disc golf tournament held?
Another significant turning point for disc golf was an event organized by, you guessed it, “Steady” Ed in 1979. Held in Huntington Beach, California, Ed named the event the $50,000 Disc Golf Tournament, boasting its massive payout right in the title.
Who were the players on the 1985 disc golf championships?
According to Rick Rothstein ’s Disc Golf World News (the source of accurate informative disc golf news for decades), the players approved a steering committee of Ted Smethers, Ed Headrick, Lavone Wolfe #580, Patti Kunkle #283, and Roy Culbertson #1814 at the 1985 Disc Golf World Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Do people play golf with flying discs?
There are many historical accounts of people playing golf with a flying disc, some of which pre-date the advent of the plastic flying discs by many years. Each account was an isolated instance of recreational disc golf play, and none of the participants knew of anyone else playing disc golf.
Is there a frisbee golf course in the book?
Surprisingly, there was only a very brief mention of the concept of Frisbee golf, and that was buried in a section titled “the obstacle course.”. There was no further description of Frisbee golf anywhere else in the book.
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".
When did Steve Hartwell become involved with P.D.G.A.?
In 1986 , Steve Hartwell became involved when Allen Risley got married and started grad school and no longer had time to devote to the directory. The 2nd edition of the “P.D.G.A. Course Listing” was published in October of that year with 229 United States, six Canadian, and eight Scandinavian courses.
When did Allen Risley and Tom Monroe drive to New York?
I am pretty sure that a number of these courses had already been removed, but Ed was unaware of it. In July of 1984 Allen Risley and Tom Monroe #033 drove from Florida to New York for the 1984 World Championships in Rochester, and, unaware of any directories, played as many courses as they knew about on their route.
When Did Disc Golf Start?
Disc Golf began as a game formerly called Frisbie Golf at Yale University in Connecticut. Not to be confused with the name Frisbee™, but more on that later.
Disc Golf History
The history of “Disc Golf” as it is known today began with “Steady” Ed Headrick, the father of disc golf and modern day disc sports and the driving force responsible for the modern era of Frisbee sports.
Early Frisbee Targets
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 First Disc Golf Course
The first formal disc golf course was designed and installed that same year in Oak Grove Park, (Pasadena, California), by Headrick and was an instant success. He also founded the Professional Disc Golf Association in 1975, which he turned over to the players in 1983.By the time of his death, Ed has designed over 200 courses.
The First Disc Golf Basket
The Disc Pole Hole has evolved continuously since the first Mach I. For the past two decades our products have been established and accepted worldwide as the industry standard for the sport of Disc Golf. All of our hardware is hot-dipped galvanized from head to toe and guaranteed for 20 years against rust and corrosion.
When did disc golf start?
Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s, but there is debate over who came up with the idea first. The consensus is that multiple groups of people played independently throughout the 1960s. Students at Rice University in Houston, Texas, for example, held tournaments with trees as targets as early as 1964, and in the early 1960s, ...
Who invented disc golf?
"Steady Ed" Headrick and Dave Dunipace are two inventors and players who greatly impacted how disc golf is played. In 1976 Headrick formalized the rules of the sport, founded the Disc Golf Association (DGA), the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), the Recreational Disc Golf Association (RDGA) and invented the first formal disc golf target with chains and a basket. Dave Dunipace invented the modern golf disc in 1983, with the revolutionary change of adding a beveled rim, giving the disc a greater distance and accuracy. Dave was one of the founders of Innova, a well-known disc manufacturer. In 1982 Ed Headrick turned over control of the PDGA to the players and Ted Smethers to be run independently and to officiate the standard rules of play for the sport.
How many qualifying events were there for the disc golf tournament?
The tournament was groundbreaking, first and foremost because of the cash involved, its massive payout right in the title, but also because the competitors had to qualify for an invitation. 72 qualifying events were established around the country, bringing in the best disc golfers from across the United States.
Where was Frisbee Golf played in 1968?
In 1968 Frisbee Golf was also played in Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, California by teenagers in the Anacapa and Sola street areas. Gazebos, water fountains, lamp posts, and trees were all part of the course.
Who was the first coordinator of Frisbee Golf?
Two early coordinators of the sport are George Sappenfield and Kevin Donnelly, who, through similar backgrounds and the help of Ed Headrick at Wham-O, were able to individually spread the sport in their California cities. Donnelly began playing a form of Frisbee golf in 1959 called Street Frisbee Golf.
Where was the first disc golf course built?
Headrick designed and installed the first standardized target course in what was then known as Oak Grove Park in La Cañada Flintridge, California. (Today the park is known as Hahamongna Watershed Park). Ed founded “The International Frisbee Association (IFA)”. Headrick coined and trademarked the term “Disc Golf” when formalizing ...
When was disc golf invented?
Disc Golf is First Played in 1926. According to The Complete Book of Frisbee, disc golf’s earliest recorded history was in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1926. Ronald 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.
What was the first city in the world to hold a disc golf championship?
1972–Rochester, New York becomes the first municipality in the world to hold an Annual City Disc Golf Championship. 1974–Dan Roddick wins a brand new 1974 Datsun B-210 at the disc golf portion of the American Flying Disc Open in Rochester.
How many qualifying events were there for the disc golf tournament?
The tournament was groundbreaking because of the cash involved, its massive payout right in the title, but also because the competitors had to qualify for an invitation. 72 qualifying events were established around the country, bringing in the best disc golfers from across the United States.
When did Wham-O start playing frisbee golf?
In 1961, while a recreation leader and then recreation supervisor for the City of Newport Beach, California, he formulated and then began organizing Frisbee golf tournaments for children at nine of the city’s playgrounds he supervised. This culminated in 1965 with a fully documented, Wham-O sponsored, citywide Frisbee golf tournament.
When was the first Frisbee tournament?
The first official Frisbee disc golf tournament was held in Brookside park, Pasadena, CA, USA in 1969. They used hula hoops as targets.
Where was the first Frisbee Club?
1970–The first “Frisbee Club” is formed in Rochester, New York. Object disc golf is played regularly on the first object courses, in Rochester, NY, Berkeley UC campus in California and Queen’s Park, Toronto.
Where was disc golf first played?
This disc sport is now played at over 600 colleges in 32 nations. 1969 The first official disc golf tournament was held at Brookside Park in Pasadena, California. The goals were natural objects marked with a ribbon. Later, George Sappenfield organized several Frisbee golf events in Southern California.
Who invented the disc golf?
1975 Ed Headrick organizes the Disc Golf Association (DGA). 1975 "Steady Ed" Headrick and his son Ken invent and patent a standardized Frisbee catcher called a "Disc Pole Hole.". In 1975, they install the first permanent disc golf course at Oak Grove Park in La Canada, Calif.
What was the name of the disc that was used for disc golf?
Early 1960's Copar Company of Chicago markets a disc called the Sky Saucer that included a rulebook for the game of "Sky Golf" (looks more like Frisbee croquet). 1964 Wham-O introduces the "Official Pro Model" to be used for all disc sports, including disc golf.
What was the first disc sports magazine?
1973 Flying Disc World becomes the first magazine for disc sports. Dan Roddick wins a brand new 1974 Datsun B-210 at the disc golf portion of the American Flying Disc Open in Rochester, New York. The modern era of disc golf competition begins.
Where was the first Frisbee Club?
The first "Frisbee Club" is formed in Rochester, New York and disc golf is played on a regular basis. 1971 Bill Schneider is teaching the first accredited Frisbee course at Sacramento State University in California.
When was the first Frisbie match?
In 1954, the first "Frisbie Match" was held at Dartmouth College. Morrison then improves his invention with a second disc, the Pluto Platter, with the now famous phrase "PLAY CATCH - INVENT GAMES" engraved on the back. Disc golf was one of those invented games!
Where was Fribie Pie Bakery founded?
1871 The W.R. Fribie Pie Bakery is founded in Bridgeport, Conn., as Frisbie takes over Old's business and established routes. 1891 Charles Schwartz of Brooklyn, N.Y., applies for a U.S. patent for his "Spinning Toy," (#476,825). This invention could be thrown from one person to another.
When was disc golf invented?
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 Canadian Open Frisbee Championships in Toronto and Vancouver, BC.
Who started the disc golf industry?
Disc Golf Association 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 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).
What is the most common type of target in disc golf?
Targets. A disc resting in a basket, the most common type of target. Main article: Basket (disc golf) Although early courses were played using trees, fence posts, or park equipment as the target, standard disc golf baskets are by far the most common type of target on modern courses.
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.
