Disc Golf; a Fusion of Fun and Fitness

Contributed by: Tiffany Becker, The Hive Overland Park

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you choose to purchase through the links provided.

Disc golf has been around for decades but who knew it was such a great activity for women in the middle stage? The sport has gained remarkable popularity worldwide in recent years, especially among women. Combining the concepts of traditional golf with the simplicity of frisbee throwing, disc golf offers a fun and accessible experience for individuals of all ages and athletic abilities. Disc golf participants range from sponsored professionals to the every-now-and-then leisure player.

The roots of disc golf can be traced back to the 1970s when a recreation counselor thought it would be fun for his summer campers to combine the joy of throwing a frisbee with the competitive spirit of golf. Although the precise origin is a little blurry, it is commonly believed that the first official disc golf course was established in California's Oak Grove Park in 1975. The game quickly spread across the United States and eventually gained recognition as a legitimate sport with its own rules and governing bodies.

Disc golf shares many similarities with traditional golf, however, instead of using clubs and a ball, players use specially designed flying discs, similar to frisbees. The discs range from a driver to a putter and all the short and long-distance discs in between.

Here are the ins and outs of playing disc golf:

Equipment: To get started, you'll need a set of golf discs. These typically include a driver, mid-range disc, and putter. Choose discs suitable for beginners to gain better control and accuracy.

Course Layout: Disc golf courses are typically laid out in parks or open spaces. Each hole consists of a designated tee area, from where players start, and a target basket called the "hole."

Gameplay: The game is super simple to understand and score, but throwing the discs does take some practice. The objective is to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible. Starting from the tee area, throw the disc towards the target until you get the disc in the basket (“hole”). Similar to traditional golf, disc golf employs a par system. Each hole has a designated par value, indicating the number of throws an average player should require to reach the target.

Disc golf is not only fun to play, it is a good way to improve your fitness – getting fresh air outdoors, walking between holes, and using some forgotten muscle groups in the arms and core are great for the body and soul. The sport also provides opportunities to meet new people, gather with friends, and build camaraderie with other players – all benefits that those of us in the middle stage of life need! And an additional bonus is that disc golf courses are often located in public spaces, which require minimal fees or are FREE!

Disc golf has evolved from a niche activity into a beloved pastime enjoyed by people around the world. Its fusion of fun, fitness, and accessibility makes it an ideal sport for women in the middle stage.

The Hive Women Overland Park went on a little disc golf adventure and played a simple game of "ring of fire" (insert Johnny Cash tune :). We still need some practice but, even at the novice level, it was loads of fun!

Have you ever played disc golf? Let us know in the comments.