Flying saucers: disc golf can bring personal and community benefits to rural America

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2005 by Jason Siniscalchi, Chad D. Pierskalla

For the past decade, there has been an increase in rural populations in the United States that has changed the character of these areas. Comprised of small, amenity-based communities with a higher quality of life than its metropolitan counterparts, these locations are popular to tourists seeking both natural and cultural resources. Park and recreation specialists are charged with the task of providing quality recreational opportunities to attract visitors, while protecting these valuable resources. They aim to preserve and promote the unique local community character, but they need to do this with limited economical resources. How can recreational specialists continue to provide quality recreational experiences? One solution is seen in another growing recreational trend in rural America: disc golf.

Referred to as "Frisbee golf," the sport is played similar to its ball brother, but uses specially designed flying discs thrown at metal "pole holes," or elevated baskets, that serve as targets. Disc golf can be played by one or more players of any age or gender, taking several hours to complete an 18-hole course. Courses are designed to take in the natural lay of the land to challenge the player, including a variety of obstacles, such as ponds, dog legs, and trees--each planned to alter a throw. Due to their relatively simple design, disc golf courses can be found anywhere, from open fields, to beaches and forests across America--and they are growing, especially in rural areas. (see the sidebar The Growth of Disc Golf).

Why the Recent Growth and Popularity? The small body of literature on disc golf suggests disc golf provides much more than meets the eye. It provides players with tangible and intangible benefits. Recreational benefits suggest that an activity at a given setting creates psychological outcomes that serve as the motives for participation and lead to changed conditions, such as improved health. When taken in a broader context, this can lead to additional, community-based benefits.

Arguably, the number one limiting factor to developing a disc golf course is cost. Fortunately, courses are easily constructed, costing a community about $500-$1,000 per hole. Although that may sound expensive, this is a mere fraction of the cost involved in the creation and maintenance of a lighted tennis court or full-size regular golf course.

In many cases, communities note that the presence of a disc golf course has been related to environmental improvement. The De Laveaga Disc Golf course in Santa Cruz, Calif., was once an illegal dump and haven for ATV use. Thousands of tons of trash were removed from the site during course creation, and the course continues to sustain itself as trash-free and limited ATV use. Research from other courses suggests it is common for disc golf to revitalize an underused park with deteriorating facilities. Prior to the course development, a local park in Richmond, Va., was a hangout for drug deals--an unsafe area for locals to play. After the course was established crime decreased. Vandalism can be deterred by bringing "good traffic" in the park to push out the "bad traffic."

Like ball golf, disc golf has social benefits. Though it can be played alone, disc golf is a group activity--families can play together as part of a local park trip, family outing or picnic. Many local disc clubs emerge and hold weekly contests and mini-tournaments. These weekly leagues provide a means for new and old members alike to share experiences. Additionally, these clubs not only serve as a surrogate steward for the course, helping in routine maintenance and organizing events, but players form social bonds through the love of the sport. In Tusla, Okla., the success of their disc golf courses can be attributed to their local disc golf club, a state-accredited, non-profit organization. The club is comprised of "a lot of players that cared about (the sport) and kept with it regularly."

Similarly, as is the case with ball golf, disc golf provides a means of low-impact activity. Disc golf can be played by anyone of any age or gender. Players can match their pace to their capabilities making the sport a lifetime activity. Along with the physical aspects of the game--walking a course (no carts here) and throwing the disc--many courses are in park settings, which add its own associated psychological and physical benefits.

Finally, the simple act of "being away," especially from one's work environment, can help reduce the stress of every day life and alleviate mental fatigue. This is especially poignant at disc golf courses in rural settings that have abundant natural resources. In West Virginia, a new disc golf course was established near West Virginia University. This course provides an example of how a community has come together during the construction of a course.

The creation of the course involved collaboration among multiple partners including the town of Fairmont that provided the land; Marion County Park and Recreation Committee, a non-profit organization that handled paperwork; donations and oversaw the course creation, the Seth Burton Memorial Fund, the major funding body; and the Marion County Disc Golf Group, a local group dedicated to the promotion and understanding of disc sports. In addition, other local schools and community organizations (such as the Boy Scouts) have helped put on local tournaments, used the course in physical education classes and for summer camp activities. Through these types of partnerships, community relationships can be strengthened.