Disc golf taking off in the UK

Another popular American sport that that can be played at golf clubs is growing rapidly in the UK – in this case ‘disc golf’.

Disc golf involves players throwing frisbee-like discs around a course, with the object to land it in a metal basket on each hole in the least number of throws possible. There are already more than 30 disc golf courses in the UK, including one at the University of St Andrews.

The news follows the development of FootGolf, which involves players trying to get a football into a super-sized golf hole in the fewest kicks possible. The activity has been adopted by several golf courses, which have adapted their venues and sold green fees. One club even ran a FootGolf tournament this autumn.

Like FootGolf, disc golf originated in North America and there are more than 3,000 disc golf courses in the USA.

The most recent disc golf club to have been created in the UK is at Basingstoke.

Players completed 36 holes on the temporary course’s opening day.

Organiser Mark Stangroom said: “Most people play frisbee when they are younger at the beach or in the park, and having something to throw into and a competitive element makes it really interesting. It has built from there.

“The problem is we do not have regular baskets, so people cannot come out and play without us being here.”

His daughter Cassie added: “It is addictive – you just want to keep playing it all the time. I have been dreaming about it.”

A spokesman for the British Disc Golf Association said that if golf clubs are considering setting up a course then there are some things they need to know in advance.

“Typically you will be able to fit one to two holes per acre; most courses are nine or 18 holes. Dual tee 12-hole courses can provide a way of getting additional holes into a smaller space.

“Holes can be as short as 50 metres and as long as 200 metres, depending on what ability level the course is aimed at. You should consider the balance of holes – such as long, short, open, narrow, left to right, right to left and elevation changes.”

He added that the metal baskets must be approved if they are used for sanctioned events.