Tag: 3DiscGolf

The Biggest Environmental Worries in Disc Golf

by Parked, posted in Environment

By Josh Woods, PhD, and Bill Newman ~

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Henry David Thoreau wrote, “What’s the use of a disc golf course if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?”

Okay, we may have tinkered with Mr. Thoreau’s quote, but surely his point holds up. Disc golf would not be much fun on a severely damaged planet. And you don’t need to be a famous naturalist to understand that the sport itself can harm the environment. Building disc golf courses often involves cutting down trees, disturbing animal habitats and attracting herds of players who trample the fields and sometimes leave their garbage behind. Continue reading “The Biggest Environmental Worries in Disc Golf” →

The problems with disc golf and why we love it anyway

by Parked, posted in Course Design, Culture

A Review of Five Common Gripes on Disc Golf Course Review

By Josh Woods ~

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Defectum Hills DGC depicts a humorous exaggeration of problems that exist, to a lesser degree, at some disc golf courses. Illustration by Jon Higgins.

Imagine yourself on disc golf’s death row. You can only throw one last round. Where would you play?

I’ve asked several disc golfers this question, and I’m always a little surprised by the answers. I half-expect people to name a legendary course, one that tops the charts on Disc Golf Course Review, or one located in a far-flung corner of the planet where most drinks are served with tiny umbrellas. Continue reading “The problems with disc golf and why we love it anyway” →

Six Ways to Kill a Disc Golf Course and One Way to Stop It

by Parked, posted in Opinion, Politics, Social Movement

By Josh Woods ~

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I’ve heard enough.

In the last two months, local news outlets have reported that four disc golf courses may soon be closed, one fully funded course development project has been canceled, and one large disc golf community may see substantial new parking fees on top of the pay-to-play fees that already exist. Continue reading “Six Ways to Kill a Disc Golf Course and One Way to Stop It” →

Two keys to growing the sport: Money and safer courses

by Parked, posted in Course Design, Opinion

Results from the 3DiscGolf Survey (Part II)

By Dee Leekha and Josh Woods, PhD ~

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Disc golf is a player-driven sport. For decades, the players have built their own courses, created their own clubs, and told their own stories. Their volunteerism and charity are legendary. Without their common desire to join with friends and build their own worlds, disc golf would hardly exist.

Yet, the willingness of players, by choice or necessity, to shoulder so much responsibility also has downsides. Continue reading “Two keys to growing the sport: Money and safer courses” →

The most important problems facing disc golf courses in the United States

by Parked, posted in Course Design

Results from the 3DiscGolf Survey (Part I)

By Josh Woods, PhD, and Dee Leekha ~

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Garbage on disc golf courses, long grass on fairways, uneven or small tee pads, erosion, and no bathrooms top the list of concerns among experienced course developers.

Disc golf has changed a lot over the last twenty years.

Two decades ago, there were 4,776 active members of the PDGA in the United States. Today, there are more than 28,861. Americans played in 329 PDGA sanctioned events in 1998. They will play in no fewer than 2,368 in the coming year, per the PDGA.

In 1998, Scott Stokely broke the World Record for distance with a jaw-dropping throw that carried 693 feet. In 2017, Simon Lizotte parked a 726-foot hole during tournament play, and the World Record is now held by David Wiggins Jr. with a distance that exceeds Stokely’s by nearly 400 feet. Continue reading “The most important problems facing disc golf courses in the United States” →