Disc Golf: A new, faster, funner way to play

Disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports in North America.
A pair of facilities in at the Moosomin Regional Park and at the
Rocanville Cross-Country Ski Club are bringing this simple, fun,
relaxing activity to this area. (Above picture taken at the Rocanville
Cross-Country Ski Club facility)

Are you tired of spending hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars on equipment and membership fees to play the game of golf?

Are you frustrated with the amount of time it consumes; the packed courses; the less-than-courteous actions of some players; the lack of facility availability?

With the establishment of one course at the Rocanville Cross-Country Ski Club just south of Rocanville, and the scheduled development of another this spring at the Moosomin Regional Park (MRP), disc golf will be quickly catching the imagination of residents in the area.

Both facilities have been designed by members of the Parkland Association of Disc Golf, of which I am a founding member and participating course designer. Constructed in the late-summer of 2015, the facility near Rocanville includes 18 tonal-target holes running along a portion of the ski/hiking trails. Outside of purchasing your own discs - specially designed "frisbees" used for the sport that travel further and straighter than regular discs - and participating in tournaments, there few other costs associated with the sport.

Specifically, there are no green fees. You simply walk up to the first tee and throw. About an hour and half later, you can either head home or begin again. The game is short, simple and delightful as you meander through the naturally forested area or near the lake. The walk through the bush or along the water is itself beneficial to the mind, body and spirit.

Like ball golf, the disc version of the sport has tees and "holes." Starting at the tee-off area, players throw discs until they have hit that hole's target; either a basket with momentum-killing chains or, as in Rocanville and the MRP's case, tonal targets. Each corresponding shot is taken from the location of the previous throw's landing site and is counted as one stroke. The player with the least number of throws at the end of a nine or 18-hole round wins the game.

And, like ball golf, success in the sport is determined by smooth, efficient muscular mechanics and a calm, clear mindset. Clinics on how to play and rules of the sport can be scheduled through myself or through the Parkland Association of Disc Golf.

I will also, in the near future, be providing information regarding a once-per-week league night for Rocanville, Moosomin or a combination of both. You can also contact me through the link above to see how you can get involved.

Disc golf is a great way for the family to participate in a physical

activity together, everyone on equal footing in competition

regardless of age. On any one hole, my 14-year-old daughter or

11-year-old son can out-shoot their 42-year-old father. However,

a fun day outdoors is the primary goal of the sport. (Above

picture taken at Carleton Trail Regional Park's facility)

Disc Golf on the Prairie

The sport of disc golf has seen a dramatic increase in participation through the past 10 years. While there was one disc course in Saskatchewan in 2000, today, that number has grown to more than 20. The Parkland Association of Disc Golf has 14 facilities either in place or under development. They include:

Patrick Park Disc Golf Course (Yorkton)
Kemoca Regional Parr Course (Montmartre)
Shaker City Disc Golf (Benito, MB) 
Springside Disc Golf Course
Carlton Trail Regional Park Disc Golf
Fort Qu'Appelle Disc Golf Course
SandyBeach at Good Spirit Lake Disc Golf Course
Lemberg Disc Golf Course
Rocanville Disc Golf Course
Melville Disc Golf Course
Asessippi Resort (MB) (under development)
North Ridge Disc Golf Course (Birtle, MB) (under development)
Stockholm, SK (under development)
Ituna Regional Park (under development)

Outside of the province, there are more than 100 courses dotting Western Canada and six more in the Yukon Territory.

There are many reasons why participation in the sport is exploding. As previously mentioned, the cost of playing (memberships and equipment) are low. In fact, most courses are located in public parks and there is no charge to play. It's also a fun way to get exercise in a natural setting, and people of any age and ability can learn the game quickly and participate immediately.

The courses at MRP and Rocanville are open anytime, and I am available to help you get started if we coordinate a date.\

Fun, non-competitive tournaments are being planned at both facilities this summer. In late June, the Rocanville Disc Golf Club will host its inaugural event, a doubles competition that is similar to a Texas Scramble in ball-golf.

In conclusion, the question is, "Are you ready to try something new?"

Members of the Parkland Association of Disc Golf are currently developing a community of people with a long-time interest in the sport or with an ambition to get into it. Check out their Facebook page or contact me for more information about disc golf and the various facilities in place and in development.

There's not better way to spend an afternoon than walking through

the trails, tossing discs and enjoying our natural surroundings.

(Above picture taken on the No. 8 fairway of the Rocanville Cross-

Country Ski Club facility.)

(Written with notes from Calvin Daniels)