Show Going the Distance Disc Golf Flies into Popularity By Matt Harris r Staff Writer Do you like to throw a Frisbee Do you enjoy playing golf Then maybe you should try Disc Golf Disc Golf is usually free of charge at most courses nation nation- wide The only cost is the discs that are needed in order to play Disc Golf is easy to learn there is no age limit required to play Disc Golf Disc Golf has been around for more than 30 years The Professional Disc Golf Association has over members and is the governing governing governing gov gov- body for the sport In 2001 there were sanctioned events across the world and over players and over in professional profession profession- al player winnings in 2001 Worldwide there are 1200 permanent permanent permanent per per- manent Disc Golf courses and 1 1000 of them nationwide The object of the game is the same as traditional golf Complete each hole in the fewest number of throws For instance a golf disc is thrown from a tee pad towards an elevated metal basket As a player progresses to toward toward toward ward the basket they must throw their next shot from where the previous shot landed Once the player is close enough to make the putt in the basket the hole is finished There are obstacles such as trees and shrubs that make the game challenging for forthe forthe forthe the player There is a lot of upside to Disc Golf from traditional golf Usually there is no need to rent a golf cart most courses are free of charge and you will never get stuck with a bad tee time Come and go as you please The rounds start on a first come first serve basis A round takes between lone and two hours Traditional golf and Disc Golf share the same frustrations and joys such as the joy of sinking a hard putt or the frustration of hitting a tree 20 feet off the tee pad Disc Golf can be played in the rain and the fit fit- snow offering year-round year ness Not only does Disc Golf offer an aerobic exercise it also offers concentration exercises Figuring out the best approach to use on a shot helps you develop better concentration skills that you can use in your everyday life Whether you have an easy shot at the basket or a hard shot around a tree you are still need to concentrate and make sure the disc makes it in the basket While you are playing remember a couple of rules for safe play Be courteous of the players in front of f you and behind you Allow faster groups to play through Yell FORE if the disc is even remotely close to hitting someone Please pick up all trash and dispose of it in the proper area to keep the course clean Have FUN In Utah there are seven courses that are designed and used for tournaments There are three in the Salt Lake City area two in Provo Prove one in Ogden and andone andone andone one in Roosevelt Creekside Park is located on Murray- Murray Holladay Road at about 1350 East Valley Regional is located s r 1 3 Dw RY r o or s r y Photo By Walt Sorensen on 2700 west at about south The third course in Salt Lake is located at Solitude Mountain Resort Solitude Mountain Resort is a free course to play if you want to hike up to the top of the mountain and play down or you can pay 5 and take the tram up highly recommended recommend recommend- ed Creekside Park Creekside-Park Park is offering a Tuesday Night Night- Doubles Match that starts on Aug and continues continues continues con con- on through Sept 2nd Matches have a small entrance fee The amount of the fee depends on what match you par par- in But remember most courses are free during open play Discs can be bought at most major sporting goods stores across the Wasatch Front Of course like most items you can buy online from hundreds of stores nationwide On some evenings during the week a small RV RZ is parked at Creekside Park or V Valley Regional that sells discs disc a and offers a basic training course More information is available available available avail avail- able online at C |