Guide to disc golf
By Casey Gillis on Jul. 21, 2010
By Barrett Mohrmann
(434) 385-5554
About this story: Barrett Mohrmann is an amateur disc golfer and has played all three Lynchburg-area courses that are currently open. He consulted with Vince Whorley, a professional player of disc golf and a Bedford resident, for this guide to the sport. In 2009, Whorley won both the Elk Creek Classic and Mountain Jam VIII tournaments.
The Lynchburg area is about to get its fourth disc golf course, when Liberty University opens a new 18-hole course in and around campus next month. The area already has courses in Lynchburg, Bedford and Appomattox.
Wondering what the sport is all about? Read on…
Q: What is disc golf?
A: It’s pretty much like it sounds. Players throw a flying disc over a marked course, typically 18 “holes,“ trying to land it in a basket in as few throws as possible.
Q: Oh, so it’s like traditional ball golf?
A: Kind of; the objective is pretty much the same. A key difference is the price. Ball golf can require costly clubs, greens fees and the rental of a golf cart. In disc golf, you can buy a good disc for $8, and the course will most likely be free. Of all the courses in the United States, 87 percent of them are free to play, including those in the Lynchburg area.
Q: But do you have to buy a bunch of different discs?
A: There are basically three kinds of discs: drivers, mid-range discs, and putters. Discs, like drivers, that are meant for distance are more difficult to control. First-time players should start with either a mid-range disc or even a putter, and work up to a driver. You can pick up a set of three discs form Dick’s Sporting Goods for $25, among other places, or visit discnation.com.
Q: Are there are lot of rules, like in ball golf?
A: It depends on how serious you want to make your game. If you decide to enroll in tournaments, you will be expected to follow a strict set of rules. But for the majority of players, this is a very casual sport. There are some basic rules that everyone needs to know, such as you must be on the tee when the disc first leaves your hand. Also, unless the disc is unplayable, you must throw from where it lands.
Q: So what’s considered unplayable?
A: Unplayable basically means unsafe. There are some more-adventurous players who will climb trees or crawl down ravines to get their discs. If your disc lands behind a large oak tree, tough, you still have to play it. If it lands in a thick patch of poison ivy, just move five meters from where it fell and throw from there.
Q: Where do people play disc golf?
A: Over the years, more and more parks have adopted disc golf courses. Truth is, parks benefit from these courses as much as the players do. Disc golf courses are fairly cheap for the park to install and can cause people to be more conscientious about keeping the park clean, according to the Professional Disc Golf Association.
Q: How long does it take to play 18 “holes” of disc golf?
A: It all depends on the number and skill level of the players. For two, inexperienced players, a full round of disc golf may take 1½ hours. If your disc becomes stuck high up in a tree, you may be there a bit longer.
Q: What’s different about throwing a disc for disc golf versus a regular Frisbee?
A: Well, first off, you generally don’t try to throw Frisbee 500 feet. There’s also a wide variety of ways to throw the disc. To get around certain obstacles, such as trees or a sharp bend in the fairway, some people roll the disc. And then there’s the grip.
Q: The grip?
A: Different throws can require different kinds of grips. But the majority of players have one basic grip that gives them the most control. Just put your thumb atop the disc and squeeze the rest of your fingers against the disc’s edge. It may also help to pinch your thumb and forefinger together.
Q: Who can play disc golf?
A: Disc golf is a great game for people of all ages. It offers low-impact exercise amid some beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, some courses, particularly those that are heavily wooded, may have some physically challenging, steep inclines.
Q: So where in Lynchburg can you play disc golf?
A: There are three courses within 30 miles of Lynchburg. (Check course listings below for more information)
Local Courses:
Peaks View Park, Lynchburg
• Good course for beginners
• Course becomes heavily wooded on the 7th hole
• Some steep elevations
• Course begins behind the tennis courts
• Course is well marked by signs
• Water fountains available near the first and third holes
• Restrooms available
• Several benches in the shade
• Park is open from dawn to dusk
• Directions: Take US 501/ Lynchburg Expressway, take the Wiggington Road ramp, turn left on Wiggington Road, turn left onto Ivy Creek Lane, the park is on the right.
Falling Creek Park, Bedford
• Good course for beginner to intermediate players
• Fairly even terrain
• Course is well marked by signs
• Restrooms and water fountains available near the parking lot
• Shelter provided with picnic tables in the shade
• Park is open from dawn to dusk
• Address: 1229 Country Farm Rd., Bedford
• Directions: Take U.S. 221 to Bedford. Take a left on Independence Boulevard, left on Main Street and left on Country Farm Road.
Elk Creek Disc Golf Course
• Good course for intermediary to advanced players
• Very heavily wooded
• Trail is well defined
• Some steep elevations
• Different tees for different levels of difficulty
• Course begins opposite of the baseball fields
• Course is well marked by signs
• Picnic tables provided near beginning of the course
• Limited restrooms available
• Address: Elk Creek Road, Appomattox
• Directions: Take U.S. 460 East to Appomattox, turn left onto Police Tower Road, turn right onto Elk Creek Road, Appomattox County Community Park is on the right.
On newsavdance.com: A video tutorial with Whorley on how to play the sport.
COMMENTS