Disc golf is similar to that of traditional "ball" golf, with most of the same terminology (hole in one-ace, birdies, bogies, putting, driving, tee off, approach, short game, long game, mental game, physical game, penalties, rules, etiquette, and some not mentioned) along with those only for disc golf: back hand, side arm, roller, sky roller, tomahawk, turbo-putt, and more.
There are no expensive clubs and outrageous greens fees. Just a "golfer" and a few discs to start. It only takes 1-3 to start out. Many experienced and professional players carry 10 or more, each with its special flight patterns or characteristics (drivers, mid-range, putters). A disc can be thrown, rolled, skipped off the ground or obstacle down a fairway. Where it stops is where the next "shot" is to be thrown. The target is a ‘pole hole’ that usually is a standardized P.D.G.A. approved disc golf basket. It is a pole extending 4’ above the ground with chains to slow down a disc dropping it into a basket suspended on the pole 56’’ off the ground.
The object of the game is to traverse a disc golf course from beginning to end in the fewest amounts of strokes (throws). Each consecutive throw is made from where the disc came to rest after the last throw. Scoring is determined by counting the number of throws (strokes) on each hole plus any penalty throws and then summing all holes. The winner is the player who completes the course with the lowest score. The disc golf course consists of a series of holes laid out so that when a player completes one hole he or she proceeds to the beginning of the next until al the holes have been finished.
A disc golf hole is measured in "feet" rather than "yards." A disc golf hole ranges from 100 to 1000 feet in most cases. There are different obstacles to maneuver the golf disc around or over, such as trees, rocks, terrain changes, water, wind and weather.
Disc golf courses range from 18 (most common), 9, 24, and 27 hole setups. There are ‘disc’ golf courses in all the 50 United States and in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Hungary, The United Kingdom, Peru, Africa, Puerto Rico and more to come!
There are ‘disc’ golf tournaments happening all over and all year long. There is now a ‘national tour’ with Professional, Advanced, Amateur, and Junior Levels of play.
There are informal happenings all over. And those just having fun.
If you would like more ‘official’ disc golf information go to pdga.com.