Try disc golf

Where and when to play

There are disc golf courses dotted across Melbourne. They are all in public parks, and free to play. No need to book; just turn up any time. A round typically takes 45-60 minutes for 9 holes, or a couple of hours for 18.

What you need

Essential

• comfortable walking shoes
• at least one disc golf disc
  • NB: regular frisbees don’t work well for disc golf
  • a “mid-range” disc is best for beginners
  • you can often borrow discs from a local library
• water

Recommended

• sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
• a small towel or cloth for cleaning your discs
• light snacks for longer rounds

Borrowing discs

If you don’t have your own disc(s), you can start by borrowing discs from a local library (for free, just like borrowing a library book). The following libraries operate disc loan schemes:

• Carnegie or Caulfield Libraries (Glen Eira) - near Caulfield Racecourse
• Clarinda and Chelsea Library (Kingston) - near Bicentennial Park and Bald Hill
• Doncaster Library (Manningham) - near Ruffey Lake
• Hoppers Crossing Library (Wyndham) - near Heathdale Glen Orden

Disc golf rules 101

Objective and scoring

• It’s like golf!
• A round consists of a series of holes (usually 9 or 18).
• Players score a stroke for each throw.
• The player with the lowest score after all holes wins the round.

Teeing off

• On the first hole: tee off in any order. After that, the player who got the lowest score on the previous hole goes first.
• Take your first throw from the tee. Keep your feet within the tee area until you release the disc.

Subsequent throws

• Where your disc lands is called your lie.
• Mark your lie with some object (traditionally, a mini disc), or leave the thrown disc on the ground where it landed.
• Take your next throw from (up to 30cm) behind your lie.

Etiquette

• Don’t throw if there are people in the way. We are not savages. Dogs are people too.
• The player farthest from the basket throws first.
• Let faster groups play through.

Obstacles and out-of-bounds

• Players cannot move obstacles, or otherwise alter or damage the course.
• Some courses mark areas as out-of-bounds (water, roads, etc). If your disc lands out-of-bounds:
  • Add one penalty stroke (in addition to your throw).
  • Continue play from a spot near where it went out-of-bounds.

Completing a hole

• The hole is complete when your disc comes to rest in the basket
• The chains help catch your disc - aim for those!

See also

• PDGA: Simplified Rules of Disc Golf

Tips

Start simple

• Focus on accuracy and control, over power and distance.
• Learn to throw a mid-range well, before trying a driver.
• Learn to throw straight before trying fancy shots.

Learn from others

• Watch experienced players.
• Ask questions — disc golfers love helping newcomers.
• Don’t be embarrassed about being a beginner.

Be patient

• Your first round won’t be perfect.
• Focus on having fun — remember, it’s just a game!
• The sport has a learning curve, but it’s enjoyable at every level.

Next steps