The History of Disc Golf and Why it's so Popular Today
Welcome back to the second ever post of "Disc golf for the curious". Once again I'm Rebecca and I will be sharing my thoughts and experiences of being a newer disc golf player in the world. First, I think it's important to discuss where disc golf began and give a brief history about it.
As I did my research, the inventor or as he was considered the "Father of Disc Golf" was 'Steady' Ed Headrick who had patent the invention of the game in 1975. However, it was a bit confusing on who actually was the first disc golfer and who created the original game itself. In 1965, George Sappenfield was recorded as playing golf with frisbee. For me, I read a lot throughout the week to give correct answers on this topic but I found one article that was pretty accurate with a summary that generally states there is no correct answer on to who was the first disc golfer. However, we can be sure it started with a frisbee being thrown for golfing purposes and someone a long the way throughout history evolved the sport into what we know today. Since it was patent, the game slowly grew followers at a steady pace. Until the pandemic and the number of players started to double on the courses.
Why was this? As we all know the pandemic put us in a lock down, isolating us from our friends and family. Even when we wanted to see people, we were all told we should do it outside at a distance of 6 feet. If you ask me, it was pretty torturous and mentally draining to try and find activities so we still had some kind of socialization. This where disc golfing comes into play.
The people who were and who started to play found enjoyment in playing not only because its an awesome sport, but they could socialize, enjoy lunch and maybe even have a beer with friends all while staying 6 feet apart. It gave them life and kept their mental health afloat. Plus playing is affordable!
Depending on the course, it can cost up $20 to play a round, but in most places it's as little as $5 or free. The disc also are fairly cheap online, at sporting stores or Pro Disc shops (once again depending on where you go).
I was one of those people, during the pandemic, that got interested in the game even before I started playing. My boyfriend , who played a little previous to 2020, got obsessed with it and I mean OBSESSED! He was going almost 3-5 times a week with his friends , buying a disc golf bag, and amazon orders of discs after discs. It got me really curious and interested in what this sport was.
I remember in college hearing about the game, but it was called frolf. Anyone I knew who had played before or had experience going a couple times never made it sound glamorous. When I'd ask what frolf was, I got answers like, "eh, its like golfing but you're throwing a frisbee". It was nothing special. All in all, I am so blessed and happy this game was reintroduced to me because it has opened so many doors for my mental and physical health.
Disc golfing has so much more potential to bring community together. I always see groups of friends go when I'm out on the course and I am always up for a round when I'm asked by any friends. I've gone many times after work with my one girlfriend and it's like a new version of a social hour for me. Mentally, it brings me closer with my community and while be outside, I get to enjoy the nature thats surrounding me. Physically, I'm walking and hiking a lot. It doesn't always feel like it, but I'm getting way more exercise than I was before. I have more energy in my daily life and I am more confident about my body and who I am as a person. With this in mind, I encourage you to reach out to me if you have more questions or even wanted to play round and talk. I am here and I'd love to create a relationship with everyone who reads this.
In my next post I will discuss what you will need when jumping onto the course. Trust me it varies, especially for different seasons and weather. I also will briefly discuss the different discs and why specific discs are important to be throwing at certain ranges. Signing off for now.
Rebecca
ps. Below I have two websites you can look at that goes more in depth on the history and how the pandemic increased the games popularity. (If you have a better source, please don't hesitate to correct me and send them)
https://www.pdga.com/history
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