St. Paul Winter Carnival Disc Sports Festival
Gotta Go Gotta Throw is hosting the 15th Annual St. Paul Winter Carnival Disc Sports Festival (and Ice Bowl) which will be held January 23rd & 24th at Como Park. This sanctioned event is a Disc Sports Festival, showcasing both Disc Golf and Ultimate Frisbee.
Please join us at The Happy Gnome on January 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm for a Pre-Event Party. $1 Surly pints and free appetizers will be provided from 7-9 pm. This is a great chance to get pre-registered for the event and hear about the new stuff going on this year (camping, marathon play, etc). Bring your food donations. The Happy Gnome is donating their whole upstairs to us for this event. They are located at 498 Selby Avenue, St Paul, MN. Please email char@gottagogottathrow.com if you plan to attend so we can estimate how many people to expect (please show up even if you don’t get a chance to RSVP!)
We are excited to offer participants this year, with professional guidance provided by Midwest Mountaineering, an opportunity to camp in Como Park on Saturday night. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to disc golf all night and experience the wonders of winter camping. All registered participants must take an active role in the fund raising efforts by selling raffle tickets or securing pledge donations. If you choose to camp you must register for and attend a Free Winter Camping clinic at Midwest Mountaineering on Wednesday, January 20th at 6:30pm. The clinic is not closed to registered event participants so anyone can attend and it is free. Registration deadline for camping is 5pm, Friday January 22, 2010. For camping registration, click here
This Disc Sports Festival event is a fundraiser for the 2nd Harvest Food Shelf of St. Paul. The Festival is for all those disc golfers and ultimate players who are gutsy, crazy, desperate, and fun-loving enough to join together in an act of disc golf & ultimate solidarity. Regardless of weather conditions, the idea is to have fun, raise funds and food for a local food bank and dispel the gloom of winter.
Last year we had approximately 220 participants in this event. Temperatures ranged from (-9) to +10 degrees, with 10 mile per hour winds and about 2 inches of snow. We raised $2,228 and 825 lbs of food for the food shelf and we are expecting to double our fund raising efforts for 2010.
The 28-hole Disc Golf course will be set up for about 30 continuous hours. However, the 5 holes on the East side of Lexington will be closed from sunset to sunrise. We are leaving the course up all night (or most of it) so we can have a marathon of play in support of the fund raising effort. Disc Golf registrants will score their 1st round as their score for awards, and they must register a pledge form at the event headquarters prior to beginning “marathon” play. The course will be closed for non-campers at 10pm on Saturday and reopen Sunday morning at 8am. In order to count, every completed round must be checked in at tournament headquarters prior to continuing play.
The Hole-in-One and Putting game will be set up, and we ask that everyone bring some non-perishable food items to donate. We will, as usual, be registering participants in a Super Bowl pool and offering 1st and 2nd place prizes to the individuals who contribute the most to the fund raising effort. Registration fees paid, cash donations, pledge proceeds collected and raffle tickets sales will all count toward each individual contribution.
We need volunteers to help run the field games, set up and maintain the course, and tend the fire. We need donations for the raffle prizes (re-gifting is entirely appropriate in this case). Please drop off any food donations you may have prior to the event at Gotta Go Gotta Throw in Golden Valley, at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis or bring them to the Happy Gnome pre-registration.
REGISTER TODAY! To register, click here
. If you would like more information on the St. Paul Winter Carnival Disc Sports Festival, please click here
or give us a call: 763-593-7690 (1-877-347-2465). Get your registrations in today!
NEW GOLF DISC - the ION!
The first new golf disc of 2010, manufactured in MI by Cam Realty, LLC - the Ion golf disc... Unique!Two-Piece molded putter featuring a soft rubber outside rim and flexible translucent center flight plate.
ION DISC GOLF PUTTER- PRE SALE
Have a Happy New Year... Hope to see you at the Winter Carnival Event!
Your Friends at,
Gotta Go Gotta Throw Inc
1200 Mendelssohn Ave N
Golden Valley MN 55427
www.gottagogottathrow.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Avery Jenkins wins the Iron arm long distance throw
Avery won with a throw of 600.00 feet in the last round. The weather was not nice. It had snowed earlier in the day, and was 35 degrees when he made the long throw.
Great job Avery.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
New Halo disc for Latitude 64
Our latest driver is here!
HALO is a high speed long range driver with excellent speed and distance. This is the longest driver we´ve produced until today. The wide weight span will make it fit in many players bags, from pros to amateurs. For a hundred meter toss it feels stable and consistent.
We are finally done with a new wide rim driver called Halo and we are very pleased with the final result! This is Jesper's third signature disc and it is a kind of disc he has wanted us to produce for some time. The flight is stable to overstable depending on distance. It has a lot of speed and feels quite easy to release and grip despite the wide rim. For golf distance this is the longest driver we have produced until today. Halo is available in a wide weight range, 163-176g, and is released in both Opto line and our new plastic Gold line.
Max Weight: 176.0
Diameter: 21.2
Height: 1.4
Rim Depth: 1.1
Inside Diameter: 16.3
Rim Thickness: 2.4
Depth/Diameter: 5.2
Rim Config: 26.25
Flexibility: 11.11
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
New Discraft high speed disc
News from Discraft is a new fast disc is about to be launched.
Here is the new from them.
NUKE: our fastest, longest driver will be exploding off the tee pad very soon. Get ready to seize the power...
Here is what Mark Ellis said about the Nuke. "We have been testing prototypes for the past month or so. The latest run has a really tasty and unique version of ESP plastic. The official first run has not been made yet but given the positive feedback, I would guess this plastic will be replicated.
The Nuke (sometimes spelled Nuk, not sure what the final decision was) is an ultra wide rimmed, high speed driver. Some of the big armed Discraft Pros have been anxiously awaiting its PDGA approval so they can unleash it during events."
Here is the new from them.
NUKE: our fastest, longest driver will be exploding off the tee pad very soon. Get ready to seize the power...
Here is what Mark Ellis said about the Nuke. "We have been testing prototypes for the past month or so. The latest run has a really tasty and unique version of ESP plastic. The official first run has not been made yet but given the positive feedback, I would guess this plastic will be replicated.
The Nuke (sometimes spelled Nuk, not sure what the final decision was) is an ultra wide rimmed, high speed driver. Some of the big armed Discraft Pros have been anxiously awaiting its PDGA approval so they can unleash it during events."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Gotta Go Gotta Throw having black friday sale
BLACK FRIDAY BLOW-OUT SALE
@ GOTTA GO GOTTA THROW. com
Prices are being slashed on many disc golf discs, disc golf bags, DVDs, apparel and other items. Its crazy! Take advantage of this sale and get all your Holiday shopping done early. We don't want you to miss out on this big sale so we are starting the sale 1 day early and extending it thru the end of the day on Monday (11/30/09).
Sales starts Wednesday (11/25/09) and ends Monday (11/30/09) Don't miss out!
Gotta Go Gotta Throw will be open on Wednesday (11/25) from 9:30am to 7pm... and will re-open on Monday (11/30) at 9:30am). For those customers who live near us (who cannot make it into the store until Tuesday) just place your order on-line over the weekend and we'll have your order ready for you to pickup in-store on Tuesday (12/1).
We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
@ GOTTA GO GOTTA THROW. com
Prices are being slashed on many disc golf discs, disc golf bags, DVDs, apparel and other items. Its crazy! Take advantage of this sale and get all your Holiday shopping done early. We don't want you to miss out on this big sale so we are starting the sale 1 day early and extending it thru the end of the day on Monday (11/30/09).
Sales starts Wednesday (11/25/09) and ends Monday (11/30/09) Don't miss out!
Gotta Go Gotta Throw will be open on Wednesday (11/25) from 9:30am to 7pm... and will re-open on Monday (11/30) at 9:30am). For those customers who live near us (who cannot make it into the store until Tuesday) just place your order on-line over the weekend and we'll have your order ready for you to pickup in-store on Tuesday (12/1).
We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sun King Discs sale
Sun King sale on Discraft on Black friday. One day only
ESP disc $11.99 Elite Z discs $9.99
Sun King Disc golf
ESP disc $11.99 Elite Z discs $9.99
Sun King Disc golf
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
This video is not new, but I hadn't seen it before
It is from last year on ESPN, and it's Timmy Gill, one of the player I know so I had to put it up for you to watch.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
New course in Leonardtown MD.
A new disc golf course has opened in Lexington Park.The course is located on the former "Lexington Manor" south parcel, the course can be accessed via the Lancaster Park entrance off Willows Road.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Gotta Go Gotta Throw
They have the new Innova disc in stock as of today.
The also have Bite Disc Golf shoes on special.
Check them out. http://gottagogottathrow.com/
The also have Bite Disc Golf shoes on special.
Check them out. http://gottagogottathrow.com/
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Oklahoma open
The only Class A pro tournament next week is the Oklahoma open.
Avery Jenkins is registered to play.
Avery Jenkins is registered to play.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
New disc golf course open in Gig harbor Wash.
There is a new course now open at Volunteer park in Gig Harbor Washington.
The park has disc for rent at the park office during business hours.
For more info call 253-884-9240
The park has disc for rent at the park office during business hours.
For more info call 253-884-9240
PDGA officially has 3,000 Disc Golf Courses Registered
It doesn't seem like a lot of courses. Unless you realize that the first official course was built only 35 years ago. It took 450 years from the first to the 3,000 ball golf course. In comparison disc golf is growing much faster. Ball golf now has over 31,000 courses world wide. I'm not saying that disc golf will reach that point, but it's growing quickly in the right direction.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Very funny stuff
There is a funny thread on dgreview forum right now about the most embarrassing thing you've ever done on the course, some funny stuff. Check it out.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Lakewood hills disc golf course
I just read a review with Pete Scholl, he runs the leagues at Lakewood. They are working to get the course expanded to 18 holes. That would be a great improvement. IT is a good course. It just needs 4 more holes. They are working to get it done by late next summer.
Who makes the best discs?
Many people get hung up on one disc manufacture, they think that one is better than the other. The best thing to do is to find out what works best for you. Try different discs. Don't get hung up on one maker, you will miss out on very discs if you do that.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Innova Dart in Star plastic
Innova will be releasing the Dart in Star plastic on Oct. 19. Here is what they say about it." The Dart is now available in a new extra grippy Star Plastic blend. The Star Dart has the same great flight and chain catching ability as the R-Pro.
Innova Boss in Pro plastic
Will be released on Oct. 19. Innova says."Players have been asking for the Pro Boss and now they can have it. The Boss is now available in our Pro plastic blend. It has the great grip that players have come to expect along with the added glide of our pro plastic blend. Initial weight ranges are 165g to 175g .
New Star Roc
Innova is releasing the Roc in star plastic on Oct. 19. Here is what Innova says."A blast from the past with a new age twist. The vintage Roc that started it all meets our high tech Star plastic to form the Star San Marino Roc."
New Innova Discs
The Mako is a midrange disc that has the flight of a putter. Speed 4, Glide 5, Turn 0, Fade 0. Here is what Innova says about the Mako. "The Mako is a large diameter mid-range disc. The Mako is our straightest flying and straightest finishing mid-range disc. It has the flight characteristic of a putter, with the glide and speed of a mid-range disc." Will be released on Oct. 19 in Star plastic.
2009 NorCal Championships
Oct. 17, 18. Nate Doss registered to play in this tournament. In Monterey California.
Flying Eye Open
Flying eye open on Oct. 17,18. Not a very big field, but Avery Jenkins is registered to play in this tournament in Athens Ga.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Here is a great short post by Avery Jenkins about approach shots
I agree, this is the best place to take shots off your score.
Pro Tips - Throwing Accurate Approaches and Upshots | huk lab
Posted using ShareThis
Pro Tips - Throwing Accurate Approaches and Upshots | huk lab
Posted using ShareThis
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
New Discraft discs
Discraft is bringing back the Glo discs. The Glo Stalker, and Glo Buzzz, will be available next week.
Also available fly dye Stalker and Comet.
And a limited edition Halloween Buzzz.
It's also the end of the first run Ringer.
Lockness park update
I talked to the Blaine parks supervisor today. He said the baskets are going in over the next 2 days. The tee boxes after that. The course should be open to play by mid to late next week.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Something to check out
I made this spreadsheet to be able to check disc. Go to the view tab at the top of the sheet, select list view. You can then sort by whatever column you want to compare. Sheet 2 has a couple of things explaining what the numbers mean. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Click Here to check it out
Click Here to check it out
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Ham Lake update
I played the new 9 holes, along with the original 9 today. The new holes are cut through the woods. There are 2 of the new holes that are longer, the rest are pretty short, but not easy. They are cut through lots of trees that require technically places shots. It is one of the better city park courses I have played. It is not intertwined with other park activities, so no conflict with people in the way. It's a great course for new players to work on their shots, and not a bad course for even experienced players that want to play a quick course. They have the new DGA baskets that are nice. It is worth checking out. Stop and play it on your way to BRP or on the way home.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lochness update
Just talked to Mike from Fairway Flyers, they are working on the course as I write this, they have all the baskets. They are making tee boxes and cutting brush right now. It should be playable by the end of the month.
Ham lake course update
The course is done and open for the past 2 days. Tee boxes in, baskets all in, all they have left to do is get the signage in.
Update on Bunker Hills Park course
I talked to the park and rec dept. 10 minutes ago. The work on the course has started and the expected opening date is 2 weeks from today, on Oct. 2.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I have been in contact with John at Highbridge
Here is how the course upgrades are going at Highbridge Hills.
Steve....we are playing the Blueridge, Granberry and Final Nine courses in addition what was playable last year. The Whitetail and completion of the Bear will take place this fall and winter. Had to make a change in plans this summer as we were so busy we decided to enhance existing courses and add the above three mentioned!
Steve....we are playing the Blueridge, Granberry and Final Nine courses in addition what was playable last year. The Whitetail and completion of the Bear will take place this fall and winter. Had to make a change in plans this summer as we were so busy we decided to enhance existing courses and add the above three mentioned!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Albert Lea Tribune | How disc golf compares to conventional golf
Albert Lea Tribune | How disc golf compares to conventional golf
Posted using ShareThis
A comparison of disc golf and ball golf, and a charity best disc tournament in Albert Lee Mn.
Posted using ShareThis
A comparison of disc golf and ball golf, and a charity best disc tournament in Albert Lee Mn.
Possible disc golf course in Ramsey MN
I was talking to one of the park dept. guys from Ramsey last week. He said that they are likely going to put a course in at Elm crest park next spring. Another course would be great.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Third round of the European open Finished
Feldberg and Lungmark are tied again. Ken Climo moves up to within 2 shots. Finals on Sunday.
Feldberg -28
Lundmark -28
Climo -26
Feldberg -28
Lundmark -28
Climo -26
Friday, August 28, 2009
New course in Northeasten PA
If you like playing disc golf, you're in luck – a new course has opened in Stroud Township.
Money approved for new course in Texas
Fayette County – The City of Flatonia was awarded $75,000 to acquire and develop the Seven Acre Park, located in the west central area of the city. Development plans include a trail, disc golf course, skate park, picnic tables with slabs and grills, and Xeriscape garden with interpretive signage and drip irrigation.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dave Feldberg leads after round 1 of the European open
Dave and Jesper Lundmark from Sweden are tied at 51.
Update on Bunker Hills course
I talked to Tim Gill today, the designer of the course. He said they had to cut back on the money for the course, so it is only going to be a 9 hole for now. It's going to be a good 9 though. He said it should be done in 3 to 4 weeks.
New course to be built in Saratoga spa state park Saratogo springs New York
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Spa State Park would get a visitors center near its entrance, a "Frisbee golf" course and new trail loops under a master plan released Wednesday by state leaders. A second traditional golf course and botanical garden didn't make the cut.
New course to be built in Helotes texas
Discussion of and action on the creation of a disc golf course - Council member Whitehead said he had been apprehensive about spending the money, but the money is already in the budget; so he is in favor of it.
Council member Massey had fun at the demonstration. It can only be good for the community; it is a low impact sport and can help people lose weight. It won’t take much money. The area is not good for a playground because it is in a flood zone. (I just think I should mention here that a lot of parks/playgrounds in this and the San Antonio area are in flood zones. It’s a good use of that land. I’m guessing that not too many people go to the park during a flood.) Also, a playground would have required a restroom (I guess golfers can hold it longer?).
Council member Legendre said that originally he didn’t care one way or the other, but he had fun and the money has already been budgeted. Disc golf will bring more people to Helotes and there would be less vandalism (?).
Council unanimously approved the installation of a disc golf course in the Helotes Natural Area (which, I’m guessing, will no longer be a natural area), and authorized Mayor Schoolcraft to administer and oversee the design and construction.
Council also unanimously approved P&Z’s recommended amendments to the B-3 Overlay District.
Council member Massey had fun at the demonstration. It can only be good for the community; it is a low impact sport and can help people lose weight. It won’t take much money. The area is not good for a playground because it is in a flood zone. (I just think I should mention here that a lot of parks/playgrounds in this and the San Antonio area are in flood zones. It’s a good use of that land. I’m guessing that not too many people go to the park during a flood.) Also, a playground would have required a restroom (I guess golfers can hold it longer?).
Council member Legendre said that originally he didn’t care one way or the other, but he had fun and the money has already been budgeted. Disc golf will bring more people to Helotes and there would be less vandalism (?).
Council unanimously approved the installation of a disc golf course in the Helotes Natural Area (which, I’m guessing, will no longer be a natural area), and authorized Mayor Schoolcraft to administer and oversee the design and construction.
Council also unanimously approved P&Z’s recommended amendments to the B-3 Overlay District.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Ham Lake course update
I just talked to the public works director for Ham Lake.
He said they got behind but expect to start work on the
course expansion next week and have it done in 2 to 3 weeks.
He said they got behind but expect to start work on the
course expansion next week and have it done in 2 to 3 weeks.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Canastota-Central New York Disc Golf Association to host the 2009 New York State Disc Golf Championships | Madison County Courier-Madison County News
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Nice story about the Jenkins from ESPN.
By Jack McCluskey
LEICESTER, Mass. -- In many ways, Avery Jenkins and disc golf have grown up together.
His parents picked up the sport in the '80s, planned family vacations to places where they could catch a tournament on the weekends and bought disc golf baskets for the backyard. Now Jenkins, 31, is closing in on his 10th year of traveling on the pro disc golf tour, making a living playing the sport.
Jack McCluskey Instead of using a club, just pull your arm back and let 'er rip.
"[Most] kids grow up playing basketball in the backyard," Jenkins said. "I was in the backyard shooting at disc golf baskets."
This past weekend, Jenkins and his sister, Valarie, were two of 177 pros entered in the Vibram Open, the final stop on the Professional Disc Golf Association National Tour. With a total payout of almost $50,000, the Vibram Open is also one of the richest tournaments in disc golf. As defending champions, Avery and Valarie stood to pocket $2,500 and $1,500, respectively, if they could pull off repeats in Leicester.
So although it was the middle of August, this Christmas tree farm -- the Maple Hill course is closed from Thanksgiving to Christmas so that people can cut and cart their own trees -- was bustling with activity. With the mercury climbing close to 90 degrees, and the sky high and cloudless, a group of about 20 people gathered at the top of a hill and waited for the clock to strike noon.
Standing on the crest of the hill, backs to the trees lining the road, the spectators watched a red disc zip over rows of still-young pine trees and a green swath of grass sloping down the hill toward a medium-sized, lily-pad-dotted pond. They murmured approvingly as the disc settled softly onto the ground on the far side of the pond, just inside an overgrown, rutted cart path, in a landing zone marked with wood chips.
It was a fine first shot for the man in the lime green shirt, Barry Schultz, who came into the final day of the three-round tournament at an astounding 18 under par. Schultz shot a 49 on the first day of play at the par-62 course, breaking the year-old course record of 51 set by, surprise surprise, Avery Jenkins. And he would go on to win the tournament in a runaway, finishing with a 25-under 161, 7 shots ahead of the rest of the field.
His second shot would take him past the cart path, over more rows of young pines and into some open space lined with wood chips just before the tree-line proper. Past that open space was a square swatch that had been cleared from the full-grown woods and boxed in with planking.
In the center of that swatch stood the pin, complete with a blue cloth flag with a white number 1 on it, flapping in the breeze. The only difference between this and a traditional golf pin is, on the pole hangs a metal basket, and hanging above the basket are a number of metal chains. This is the first disc golf basket, or Pole Hole. And it stood a mere 760 feet away from the tee box.
For Schultz and the other top pros teeing off on the final card at noon, the distance isn't the hard part. A good driver will take care of the distance. It's making a good shot, avoiding the rows of trees, setting up a makable putt and, maybe most of all, keeping dry.
After all, this is disc golf. And as Schultz said, holding up a driver disc, "Throw this in the water, you just lost your driver."
Not your father's Frisbee
Although for many the phrase "disc golf" may conjure up images of long-haired hippies in tie-dyed T-shirts tossing floppy Frisbees off trees or telephone poles, the truth couldn't be more different.
First of all, there's a big difference between your father's Frisbee and the discs used by competitive players. Discs are smaller in diameter and denser in composition, and have different aerodynamics -- they fly faster and farther than Frisbees and, thanks to advances in manufacturing techniques, hold their flight characteristics better after impact with a wall or tree or telephone pole.
Although there are hundreds of colors and styles of Frisbees, they all do virtually the same thing in the air. Discs can be made so that they do very different things in the air. Some are sharper, heavier; these are drivers. Some are more rounded, smaller; these are putters.
Next, consider the people throwing the discs. Although there is sure to be some long hair involved and although there may even be some hippies, there also are doctors and lawyers, teachers and plastics engineers, people from all walks of life. And the elite-level players are just that: elite. Don't think you can stumble out of bed onto a disc golf course and hang with Schultz, Jenkins & Co.
Throwing a Frisbee may be easy, but throwing a disc down a hill, over a stand of trees and a pond and into position to make a second approach shot at a green box set inside the tree line of a woods is not.
And although not all courses are set up like Leicester's Maple Hill course, the concept is the same. Frisbees are a hobby; disc golf is a sport.
From the ground, through the air … into chains?
Although the majority of the action in a disc golf tourney takes place in the air, the efforts to grow disc golf as a sport are taking place on the ground.
"Disc golf is really a grassroots sport," said Brian Graham, executive director of the Professional Disc Golf Association, the sport's international governing body. "It grew up around the world by the hard work of volunteers."
By and large, volunteers still do the vast majority of the work. The PDGA has only five full-time employees and three consultants, but "hundreds and hundreds of volunteers."
"We have 40,000 lifetime members in 28 countries," Graham said. "Just about anywhere you go in the country where there's a course or a tournament, there are PDGA members and disc players willing to help."
Although the PDGA has been around since 1976, and disc golf itself has been around since long before that (although no one is sure exactly when or where the first disc golf game occurred), Graham says there's still room to grow.
When the PDGA was founded, there was one dedicated disc golf course in the world. By 1980, there were 60. By 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 2,748. In 2007, there were 11,943 PDGA members. A year later, that number had increased almost 9 percent to 12,980. The PDGA Tour has grown at an even higher rate, with events jumping 16.7 percent from 852 in '07 to 994 in '08, and total purses increasing from $1.7 million in '07 to just more than $2 million in '08.
But all that growth didn't happen overnight. There have been delays and missteps along the way.
"We kinda made the same mistake that soccer did," Graham said. "We started with a top-down approach." Much like the North American Soccer League's New York Cosmos trying to sell Americans on the game by signing Pelé back in the 1970s, disc golf tried to market its pros before it was even sure anyone would want to watch them.
"There was a pro tour before people even knew what disc golf was," Graham said.
So now Graham and the PDGA are taking disc golf to schools. A pro disc golfer named Jay "Yeti" Reading explained one such initiative, called Educational Disc Golf Experience, or E.D.G.E.
"It's a complete curriculum for Grades 3 through 12," Yeti said at the Vibram Open, where he won the putting contest. "We give you everything you need to learn the techniques and play the game.
"We're impacting an amazing number of kids right now. Our country is battling an epidemic of childhood obesity, and we think disc golf is a lifetime activity that can help kids develop a healthy lifestyle."
After the tournament was over, Yeti, who has played disc golf professionally for the past 10 years, was flying to Texas to introduce the sport to 50,000 more schoolkids.
And, it's possible that a student who learns about disc golf from Yeti in Texas goes to college and studies the sport with one of the top players in the world. That's because Dave Feldberg, a former world champion and still a topflight disc golfer, teaches a for-credit class on disc golf at the University of Oregon.
"Disc golf is golf for the next generation," Feldberg said a day after finishing tied for sixth at the Vibram Open, shooting an 11-under 175, for which he received a check for $862. "It takes less time, less money, less land, less stress. Today's athlete? They're not wanting to put on dress slacks and traditional golf gear to go enjoy themselves with their buddies."
"I was like a catfish, dude, swallowed it whole"
Billy Crump is nothing if not a salesman.
"I drove 15 hours one way to be here," Crump said. "I'm not getting paid. Just to talk, because it had to be done."
Crump is providing live blow-by-blow coverage of the tournament via webcast on the Open's Web site. "I'll talk for five and a half hours straight," Crump said. When he introduced himself, Crump said, "I'm the Nature Boy, and I can talk."
Jack McCluskey Looks like a tricky shot, doesn't it?
Nature Boy's story is a familiar one among the disc golf community. Some friends dragged him to a disc golf course several years ago, and he promptly failed miserably and declared the game "the stupidest thing I've seen in my life." Then he went back and played again and, as he put it, "I was like a catfish, dude, swallowed it whole."
His pro career, to hear him tell it, was not exactly a huge financial success. His first year on tour, he made $200 and kept at it only because the guys he was traveling with were doing significantly better. They made sure he had enough to eat and enough for the entry fee to that weekend's tournament.
"I always said, 'One day I'll quit playing and just cover you guys,'" Crump said, adding proudly, "I've been called the Jim Nantz of disc golf."
Although he doesn't seem to have an official title or position with the PDGA, Crump acts as a one-man promotional department. He is a broadcaster, producer, ad salesman, marketing consultant and media director. "We all say we're on the precipice," Crump said, hoping this latest shove will push disc golf off the cliff and into the mainstream.
He's not the only one selling the sport, however. Not by a long shot.
"We all say, 'It's gonna be huge in three to five years,'" Avery Jenkins said. "We've been saying that for years."
Vibram Open tournament director Steve Dodge said the disc golf community has debated what to call the kind of golf they play in the PGA. "I think we settled on 'conventional,' but you know that only works if ball golf is more popular," Dodge said. "Who's to say in 20 years this isn't conventional golf?"
Disc golf's Golden Bear
Ken Climo is to disc golf what Jack Nicklaus is to traditional ball golf.
"When people try to compare me to Tiger, I say, 'Tiger hasn't broken the records yet,'" Climo, 41, said by phone from his home in Clearwater, Fla. "I think I'm the Jack. I've got the records, and somebody's gotta come get 'em."
The records Climo was referring to include total tour wins (he has 220 and counting) and world championships (12, including nine in a row from 1990 to 1998). He also might own the record for reverential references by contemporaries and competitors.
Jenkins, who won the 2009 world championship in Kansas City earlier this month, said he grew up idolizing Climo. Dave Feldberg was in awe of Climo's accomplishments, noting that no one is even close to Climo in total majors; Feldberg said he and Barry Schultz are probably closest at five apiece. Crump called him "a living legend" and pointed out a picture of Climo throwing a disc on the side of an Innova Disc Golf van parked at the Vibram Open.
Video game disc golf
Disc golfers rejoice! EA Sports has added a disc golf feature to the Nintendo Wii version of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10."
"Welcome to Disc Golf!" the demo screen on the EA Sports Web site reads, above a computer rendering of a blue disc with "EA Sports driver" written on it. "Are you ready to play one of the fastest growing sports in America?! Disc Golf is very similar to regular golf. The goal is to get the disc in the basket in the least amount of throws. Play on all courses. Have fun!"
Using all the courses from the normal game, players will be able to play the courses using discs instead of clubs and balls. Legendary disc golfer Ken Climo says it's an exciting advance for the sport. "You can play Pebble Beach with a disc," Climo said. "That's gonna give our sport a lot of exposure."
Will being featured in Tiger's newest video game be the push disc golf needs to hit the mainstream? Not so fast. After all, the disc golf option is on only one video game console. "It's baby steps," Climo continued. "It's gonna come, it's just gonna take a while. Ball golf is 400 years old, that's what I keep telling people. As a sport, disc golf is just more than 30 years old, that's not very old. We're basically just coming out of our adolescence."
If adolescents with Wiis buy enough copies of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10" and play enough of the disc golf option, maybe the sport will enjoy another growth spurt. Only time will tell.
-- Jack McCluskey
Other pros have sponsors, but Climo has his own line of discs. That didn't come easily, though. Climo didn't get his current deal with Innova until after he'd won his seventh straight world championship.
"I don't know what took them so long," he said, then laughed.
Under the terms of the deal, Climo gets a quarter per disc sold in addition to a monthly paycheck. "It started out at a little less than $1,000 a month, maybe a little over $1,000 in the summertime when sales are good," Climo said. "Now I'll get checks for around $4,000 a month in the summertime."
Although that might not sound like much, it's more than any pro disc golfer has gotten before. For the most part, sponsors still are making deals with players mostly for merchandise. They are small companies such as bottled-water distributor Brazilian Springs -- a proud sponsor of the Vibram Open.
"For the most part, we've been successful on the regional level," said Graham, the PDGA executive director. "Though we do have one large company interested in us, asking lots of questions."
The one-man disc golf salesman extraordinaire, Crump said he's been told "no" by more companies than he can remember. But, like most things in disc golf, there has been gradual progress.
"Our sport is where traditional golf was in the '30s and '40s," Graham said. "Those guys lived out of the trunks of their cars, driving from tournament to tournament and barely making it."
It wasn't always possible to make a living playing disc golf.
In the beginning of his career, Climo built houses during the week and won tournaments on the weekend. Graham was a civil engineering designer for 23 years before being hired as PDGA executive director in 2007. Schultz was a plastics engineer back home in Wisconsin before he went pro full time. Sarah Stanhope, who won the women's division at the Vibram Open with a 9-over 191, is a high school science teacher in Greenville, S.C.
But the success of pros such as Climo has helped pave the way for players such as Avery and Valarie Jenkins, Feldberg and Schultz to make a living off disc golf.
"We're playing for more money. There are more sponsors," Avery Jenkins said. "When I started traveling in 2001, we were in a '71 Winnebago that got five miles to the gallon. We were making just enough to get from weekend to weekend.
"Now we're not fretting about making it to the next weekend."
Valarie agreed: "We're not buying houses or nice cars, but it gets us along." The Jenkinses have traded up from the Winnebago to a Ford Tioga motor home, complete with three beds, air conditioning and even a flat-screen TV hooked up to an Xbox and a Nintendo Wii.
"Now we get about double [the mileage], 10 miles a gallon," Jenkins said.
To hear most members of the disc golf community tell it, someday soon they'll be doubled in number. After all, they're right there on the precipice. All they need is that final push, one more toss. Then disc golf will really be airborne.
Jack McCluskey is an editor at ESPN.com.
Team Discraft has a new member
He is an 8th grader from N.C. named Andrew Coggin. He's a three-time Jr. World Champion, and a three-time Jr. World Doubles Champion. He has a great future in the game.
Vita.mn disc golf tourny at Highland Hills
Join Vita.mn on Saturday, August 22 at Hyland Ski & Snowboard Park in Bloomington for the second-annual Disc Golf Tourney.
The $30 entry fee includes a round of disc golf, lunch, beverage, disc, door and hole prizes and a Vita.mn swag bag.
The top three scorers will be awarded cash prizes of $150, $100 and $50.
$1 Summit Horizon Red Ale beer will also be served before and after tourney to players.
Schedule:
10 a.m.: Registration
11 a.m.: Shotgun start
1-2:30 p.m.: Lunch and awards
Register online here. Players can also register at Fairway Flyerz' retail store in St. Paul (2950 Rice St., 651-484-5035). On-site, cash-only registration will be accepted the day of the event, if space is available.
Win free entry fees for two and a Fairway Flyerz prize pack (disc golf bag with 12 to 14 disc capacity, t-shirt, hat, towel and more) here.
NOTE: Event will be rain or shine, but if weather is extreme, the event will be made up the following day on August 23.
Price: $30
When
Aug 22, Sat. -- 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Where
Hyland Ski & Snowboard Course
8800 Chalet Road
Bloomington, MN
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Vibram x link putter
If your interested in trying the new Vibram rubber putter it is available at Sun King discs. For $15.99.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Discs that float
I have seen several questions about what discs float.
I put together a list so everyone can see.
Aerobie- Sharpshooter
Discraft- None that I could find
Dga- Blowfly
Ching - none
Gateway - none
Discwing - none
Snap - none
millenium - none
Innova - Dragon dx, Hydra dx and rpro, 150g pro pig
Quest - Odyssey ultra, Odyssey powerdriver, Odyssey control, Odyssey midrange, crossfire, Raging inferno dt ultra light, Inferno ultra light, Tbone ultra light, Rockit ultra light.
Lightning- #2 driver, #3 flyer under 170g, #1 slice under 170g, #3 hookshot under 170g, #2 hyzer, #3 hyzer, Rubber putter, #2 Rubber putter, #2 Roller under 182g.
If I missed any let me know and I will add them.
My review of Elm Creeks new disc golf course
Elm Creek disc golf course is mostly open now. There are 3 holes closed.
1,2,3 are suppose to be open by fall.
The course is 7188ft, par 56. Nice concrete tee pads. The cost to play is $3.00, a very resonable price. The course was created by Par 72 course design, timmy gill.
We started at 7am. Played 2 and 1/2 rounds. By the end it was very windy, the course is very tough in a strong wind. In the calm it is a challenging course with some long holes and the need to be have controled shots.
I would recommend it and I will play it again.
Here is a video made by someone that shows some ot the course.
1,2,3 are suppose to be open by fall.
The course is 7188ft, par 56. Nice concrete tee pads. The cost to play is $3.00, a very resonable price. The course was created by Par 72 course design, timmy gill.
We started at 7am. Played 2 and 1/2 rounds. By the end it was very windy, the course is very tough in a strong wind. In the calm it is a challenging course with some long holes and the need to be have controled shots.
I would recommend it and I will play it again.
Here is a video made by someone that shows some ot the course.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Ski hill transforms into disc golf course
By Melissa Ganje & photojournalist Carrie Kohlmeier, FOX 21 News
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 6:24pmHuman Interest Outdoors Twin Ports
DOUGLAS COUNTY - A trek through the woods and a game of skill. There's a new disc golf course at Mont du Lac in Douglas County.
It's an outdoor sport one Duluth man can't get enough of. Bryan Lagergren says, "I've been playing since 1996. I think within 2 weeks after I started playing, I ended up selling my golf clubs, really fell in love with the sport."
So, he decided to design and build a disc golf course. "It's been my dream forever, I've always wanted to just get a chunk of property and have my own course," said Lagergren.
His family bought Mont du Lac from the original owners in January. In the winter, the 232-acre property will still remain a ski hill but after the snow leaves, a disc golf course will be open and ready for play 7 days a week.
"It's just an awesome course, the elevation change; it's a workout to play this course," said Evans Mealman of Duluth.
The course just opened a month ago after Lagergren spent about 6 weeks building it with help from friends. "There were probably maybe 4 or 5 of us that came out here and put in some hard work but I think it's definitely paying off for everyone now," said Derek Pederson of Duluth.
It's an 18 whole course right now but by the end of the week, Lagergren said there will be 21 holes ready to play.
"I wanted to just kind of show off all the terrain that's out here. We have straight shots, we have tight tunnel shots and we have a couple holes where you shoot up to the water and a couple where you shoot over the water," said Lagergren.
Through wooded terrain and open field, from 185 feet to the longest hole at 605 feet. "The variety of holes, there is everything you could possibly ask for, said Pederson.
"Lagergren is just a mad scientist when it comes to setting up disc golf courses so it's bound to be crazy," said Mealman.
It is one challenging course, built on a ski hill, secluded and serene. "Most of the time you come out here, you have the whole mountain to yourself. You can hear the birds chirping, it's pretty peaceful," said Lagergren.
"You can get out away from everything, away from the town, away from a ton of people and just get out and relax," said Pederson.
Mont du Lac is just off Minnesota Highway 23, south of Duluth's Fond du Lac neighborhood. The disc golf course is open at 10 a.m. 7 days a week. It's $5 a day or $30 for a season pass.
There is also disc golf leagues on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. and a tournament on July 11-12, Lagergren says anyone is welcome to participate. Call Mont du Lac at (218) 626-3797 for more information.
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 6:24pmHuman Interest Outdoors Twin Ports
DOUGLAS COUNTY - A trek through the woods and a game of skill. There's a new disc golf course at Mont du Lac in Douglas County.
It's an outdoor sport one Duluth man can't get enough of. Bryan Lagergren says, "I've been playing since 1996. I think within 2 weeks after I started playing, I ended up selling my golf clubs, really fell in love with the sport."
So, he decided to design and build a disc golf course. "It's been my dream forever, I've always wanted to just get a chunk of property and have my own course," said Lagergren.
His family bought Mont du Lac from the original owners in January. In the winter, the 232-acre property will still remain a ski hill but after the snow leaves, a disc golf course will be open and ready for play 7 days a week.
"It's just an awesome course, the elevation change; it's a workout to play this course," said Evans Mealman of Duluth.
The course just opened a month ago after Lagergren spent about 6 weeks building it with help from friends. "There were probably maybe 4 or 5 of us that came out here and put in some hard work but I think it's definitely paying off for everyone now," said Derek Pederson of Duluth.
It's an 18 whole course right now but by the end of the week, Lagergren said there will be 21 holes ready to play.
"I wanted to just kind of show off all the terrain that's out here. We have straight shots, we have tight tunnel shots and we have a couple holes where you shoot up to the water and a couple where you shoot over the water," said Lagergren.
Through wooded terrain and open field, from 185 feet to the longest hole at 605 feet. "The variety of holes, there is everything you could possibly ask for, said Pederson.
"Lagergren is just a mad scientist when it comes to setting up disc golf courses so it's bound to be crazy," said Mealman.
It is one challenging course, built on a ski hill, secluded and serene. "Most of the time you come out here, you have the whole mountain to yourself. You can hear the birds chirping, it's pretty peaceful," said Lagergren.
"You can get out away from everything, away from the town, away from a ton of people and just get out and relax," said Pederson.
Mont du Lac is just off Minnesota Highway 23, south of Duluth's Fond du Lac neighborhood. The disc golf course is open at 10 a.m. 7 days a week. It's $5 a day or $30 for a season pass.
There is also disc golf leagues on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. and a tournament on July 11-12, Lagergren says anyone is welcome to participate. Call Mont du Lac at (218) 626-3797 for more information.
Giants Ridge Disc golf
Drive your discs at one of Minnesota's best disc golf courses! Situated in over 180 acres of wilderness with over 10,000 feet of fairway distance, our course is one of the world's largest. Our 18-hole mountain course has dual concrete tees and multiple pin placements. We have a pro shop, practice tee, and driving range. Instruction is available. Average play time for 18 holes is 3-1/2 hours.
Season Passes:
Adult Season Pass - $60
Age 14 and younger - $40
Daily Rates:
Adult Rate - $5 (includes access to course all day)
Children - $3 (ages 12 and under)
Disc Rental - $5 (includes 3 discs and a carrying bag)
* Rentals may require a $6 deposit for lost discs or a $2 additional charge for each disc lost.
Course map
Virtual tour
Season Passes:
Adult Season Pass - $60
Age 14 and younger - $40
Daily Rates:
Adult Rate - $5 (includes access to course all day)
Children - $3 (ages 12 and under)
Disc Rental - $5 (includes 3 discs and a carrying bag)
* Rentals may require a $6 deposit for lost discs or a $2 additional charge for each disc lost.
Course map
Virtual tour
Two new courses near Duluth
Minnesota gets two new Disc Golf Courses
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Good news for Frisbee Golf Disc fans out in the Land of One Thousands Lakes, Minnesota has opened two new Disc Golf courses in the Northland area. According to an article from the Duluth News Tribune, two new Frisbee Golf courses are opening up near Duluth. One of the Minnesota Frisbee Golf courses is at the Mont du Lac ski area in Wisconsin, sure to be a fun time for all the avid Frisbee golfers outer there in Wisconsin, not too far from Duluth. If you are in the area get your Frisbee golf discs over there and see what the course is like. We’d love to hear about your Frisbee golf course review.
The second Frisbee golf course in the Duluth, Minnesota area in at the Morgan Park Disc Golf Course in Duluth. It is a seven-hole Frisbee golf course that is located at 1242 88th Ave. W. This is the second disc golf course in Duluth, as there already is one at Lake Superior College. Great news if you like Frisbee golf and live near there. If you are you have to get some Frisbee golf discs and get out there on the links. According to the Duluth News Tribune, the course might eventually expand to a nine hole disc golf course: “We have a potential for two more holes, but the city wants to see how this goes first,” said Morgan Park Neighborhood Coordinator Debbie Isabell Nelson. Apparently Duluth’s newest Frisbee golf course was a joint partnership between the town and local businesses and residents. The city bough five of the Frisbee Golf baskets, while the money for the other two were collected from local businesses and area residents. And if you haven’t gotten a Frisbee golf disc, here your chance! The City will give away 250 free disc golf discs for people who do good deeds. The grand opening will be from 6:30 – 8pm on Thursday.
And the other disc golf course in Mont Du Lac is no joke either. It is a full-sized disc golf course with 18 holes of Frisbee golf action. You know there are tons of Frisbee golf players that can;t wait to check it out. It was designed by Bryan Lagergren of Duluth. Some of the Frisbee golf holes will be long and others will be shorter. The longest Frisbee golf hole is 605 feet while the shortest is a par-3 185 feet. The Frisbee golf course features woods and open holes all along the beautiful skiing area. It is located on Minnesota Highway 23. it will cost $5 to play or you can buy a Frisbee golf season pass of r $30 bucks. “It’s been my dream forever,” said Lagergren, who built the course in six weeks with friends. “I wanted to just kind of show off all the terrain that’s out here. We have straight shots, we have tight tunnel shots. … We have a couple holes where you shoot up to the water and a couple where you shoot over the water.”
Loche ness course in Blaine set to open late Sept.
A nine-hole disc golf course is expected to open at the end of September at Lochness Park in Blaine.
"Get ready to enjoy the fall colors and a little disc golf," said Jim Kappelhoff, Blaine parks and recreation director.
The Park Board voted last November to move forward with disc golf course designer Mike Snelson of Fairway Flyerz Discs, Inc. Snelson served as the lead designer for nine disc golf courses, co-designer for four courses and design adviser for 14 courses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Because Lochness is a former landfill capped in the 1970s, no construction can happen at the park without Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approval. That approval has been granted, but construction is postponed until trees around the course can be trimmed.
Kappelhoff told Sun Focus because trees can spread diseases such as oak wilt and dutch elm when in vegetation, trimming can't start until after August.
The length of the course is almost 4,000 feet for beginners and more than 5,000 feet for professional disc golf players. The par is 36 for all players.
The total estimated cost is $9,811, which includes labor and equipment. Kappelhoff told the Park Board that amount could be almost cut in half because the Blaine Public Works Department would install most of the tee boxes and targets.
Kappelhoff said anyone interested in playing disc golf will need to bring their own discs, which are relatively cheap.
"Some people have discs in their garages," he said.
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