A disc rises with its thrower in the morning, anxious and rearing to get to the next 9. Together, thrower and disc will become one unit, to fly between baskets like a majestic, nearly-flightless bird.
We are getting ahead of ourselves though, for someone who has yet to try playing disc golf, and travel the path of the many frisbee samurai who have come before them, let us first explain what the game is and how to perform, nay, excel in the craft.
While the sport of disc golf as we know it has only been standardized by the Professional Disc Golf Association in the 1970s, the concept has been around since the early Greek Olympic games, when innovators were flogged for lobbing discuses between a series of olive trees. While there is little historical evidence to back up this legend, we personally hold these early origins to be gospel.
Exchange a ball and club with a narrow-ledged frisbee and you have essentially the same golf gameplay: begin at the starting tee box, aim toward the target (usually a metal post with a chain-link goblet structure on top called a “basket”), and try to reach it in the least number of throws, picking up the disc where it lands anywhere short of the target to toss again.
The goal is to have the least number of throws by the end of the round, usually a whole or half- course of 9-18 baskets.
There are three variations on the main disc used in the sport which, again not unlike switching between clubs in golf, serve distinct purposes on the course.
The driver is used for distance shots when the basket is still a ways away, its sharp edges allow for dangerously fast flight, cutting through wind and the occasional dragonfly.
The mid-range disc has duller edges which allow for easier control between trees and obstacles, it is generally switched out for the driver after tee-off.
The putter was designed for strategic handling while on final approach to the basket.
There are quite a few variations off these main three disc types which professionals keep in their bags for more specified conditions and throws.