What is Disc Golf?

Disc golf is a game that is similar to traditional "ball golf" but differs in some important and exciting ways. In ball golf, the objective is to hit a ball with a club into a hole in the ground. In disc golf, the objective is to throw a flying disc into a target in as few throws as possible. The target is either a metal basket with chains suspended in it, or a tone-pole ("tonal"). Unlike with ball golf, most disc golf courses are free to play, and discs are relatively cheap, costing only as little as $12 each. Scheduling is also flexible: A casual round takes one to two hours and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times. All this makes for an accessible and casual way to spend your day! 

Sounds fun! How do I play?

Each player throws their first shot from the tee pad. Once all players have thrown, the player whose disc has come to rest furthest from the target is the next to throw. This is repeated until all players have completed the hole. When throwing to a basket, the hole is not completed until the disc comes to rest in the chains or the metal tray below.

Disc golf is scored like ball golf, in that every throw is counted as a "stroke", and your score for each hole is the number of strokes it took for you to complete the hole. Each hole has a "par", or the number of strokes expected to complete a hole, and your score is your total number of strokes compared to par (for example, completing a hole with a par of 3 in 2 strokes results in a score of -1, and 4 strokes on a par 3 is counted as +1). 

The order of play for a tee shot is determined by the score on the previous hole, with the player with the lowest score throwing first. If two players tied on the previous hole, use the hole before that, and so on. 

The player with the fewest strokes overall at the end of the round, wins!

Cool! Can I throw from anywhere in the fairway?

Good question. Your tee shot must be from within the teeing area (tee pad). Once your disc has come to rest in the fairway, you must throw with your front foot directly behind your disc (your "lie") and your back foot no closer to the target than your front foot. If you'd like to use the same disc, you can mark its position with a mini marker or another disc before picking it up and throwing it. 

When throwing from the fairway you may take a run-up and follow through, unless you are within 10 meters/33 feet from the target (an area called the "circle", which is where putting happens). When inside the circle you must putt from a stand-still and maintain balance. Falling forward results in a foot-fault and an extra stroke added to your score.

Your disc is considered out-of-bounds ("OB") if all of the disc comes to rest in a designated OB area. You may mark your lie where your disc last crossed the OB line or up to 1 meter in from and perpendicular to the OB line. If your disc lands in a designated "HAZARD" area, you may play from where your disc came to rest, but for both OB and HAZARD throws, add an extra stroke to your score. 

If your disc comes to rest in-bounds but off the ground (for example, in a tree or bush), mark your lie on the ground directly under your disc, with no extra strokes added.

Awesome. What discs should I use?

Just like in ball golf, different tools accomplish different shots. Where ball golfers use different clubs, disc golfers use a wide variety of discs that are designed to have different speeds and flight paths. Putters are blunt, slow, and generally straight. Midranges are slightly faster, with a slightly more beveled edge. Fairway and distance drivers have a much sharper edge, are very aerodynamic, and have the potential to fly much further than putters or midranges but take more power and technique to control. For beginners, putters and midranges are great for learning proper form and technique. For a thorough breakdown of golf discs and throwing technique, see our "links" page.

Where can I buy me some discs?

Order discs online from Ace Runners , an online retailer out of Surrey with a full selection of beginner and professional quality discs, bags, baskets, and accessories.

You can also buy discs in Vancouver from Abbies Sports Shop, just a few blocks from Little Mountain Disc Golf Course.

Got it. Sounds like a party!

It sure is! Although, it's very important to make sure your party doesn't disturb others on the course. Here are some good rules to follow when playing disc golf:

NEVER throw when someone is on your fairway. Disc golf is harder than it looks, and discs can go in some unpredictable directions. If your disc is heading anywhere near another person, yell "FORE" loudly and clearly. 

When someone else is making a throw or putt, be respectful by standing behind them and remaining still and silent. 

Try to keep the number of players you're playing with (your "card") to of a maximum 4 or 5. If a faster group is behind you, offer to let them play through the hole and go ahead of you. 

If you find a disc on the course, do your best to contact the owner (there will usually be a name and phone number written on the underside of the disc). 

Disc golf is still a young sport, and some park users might not know what a disc golf course is. If a park user wanders into a disc golf course, be kind and let them know where they are, what disc golf is, and that you're concerned for their safety above all. 

Lastly, help out our disc golf community by being friendly, sharing your knowledge with new players, packing out any trash you bring in, and cleaning up trash when you see it.