My First Disc Golf Experience

I recently started playing disc golf, and Tuesday marked my first-ever outing. I’ve played traditional golf for years, but I wanted a new challenge. My best friend and two of my sons have been throwing discs for a couple of years, but I was always skeptical. I mean, it’s just throwing a Frisbee, right?
Boy, was I wrong!

1. It’s tougher than I expected.

I assumed disc golf was as simple as tossing a Frisbee toward a basket in an open field. Not even close. First, you need the right disc for the situation (more on that later), enough power behind your throw, and good form on release — otherwise, you’ll spend half your day chasing discs.

My first throws went maybe 25 feet. My friend, on the other hand, took a running start and sent his disc soaring. Technique clearly matters!

2. Discs are more complicated than I imagined.

At the course, my buddy handed me two discs — a driver and a putter. I asked, “What are these for?” He explained that one was a driver and the other was a putter/approach disc. I had no idea you needed more than one! There are drivers, fairway discs, and putters, all designed for specific situations. Each disc has different flight numbers, weights, and shapes that affect how it flies. My mind was blown. Clearly, I had some research to do.

3. The course can be brutal.

Just like traditional golf, disc golf courses vary—and some are no joke. The course we played was a mix of hills, woods, and open fields with plenty of obstacles and hazards: creeks, narrow tree lines, and even a pond near the back end.

And forget about carts—you’re walking the entire course. That means up and down hills, through wooded trails, and across wide fields. It’s great exercise, but also surprisingly demanding.

4. It’s a workout.

By basket six of eighteen, I was cooked. My right arm (I throw right-handed) felt like it weighed fifty pounds. I stumbled over tree roots, slipped down creek banks, and got a full-body workout I wasn’t expecting. I may need to add some new exercises at the gym if I want to survive round two.

Conclusion

Turns out, my disc golf game is a lot like my traditional golf game — lots of chasing disc, slicing and fading, and disc not flying as far as I hoped. But I had fun. Next time, I plan to film my adventures, so stay tuned. Weather permitting, the saga continues next week.