View source for Disc golf

{{Short description|Sport in which players attempt to throw a disc into a target}}
{{how-to|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox sport
| name       = Disc golf
| image     = Disc golfer and basket.jpg
| imagesize  = 
| caption    =
| union      = [[Professional Disc Golf Association]]
| nickname   = Frisbee golf
| first      =
| registered = 	317870 {{Updated|November 2025|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdga.com/players|title=PDGA Player Search|website=Professional Disc Golf Association|access-date=2022-01-08}}</ref>}}
| clubs      = Yes{{Quantify|date=September 2025}}
| ioccode    = 
| contact    = No
| team       = Single competitors, doubles
| mgender    = 
| category   = Outdoor, passive recreation 
| equipment  = [[Flying disc]], target, tee off location
| venue      =
| glossary   = [[Glossary of disc golf terms]]
| countries involved =
| region     =
| olympic    = No
| world      = 
| paralympic = 
| obsolete   =
| IWGA       = [[2001 World Games|2001]]
|}}
'''Disc golf''', also known as '''frisbee golf''',<ref>{{cite book | last=Delaney | first=Tim | author2=Tim Madigan | date=2021 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rb4-EAAAQBAJ | title=The Sociology of Sports: An Introduction | edition=3rd | publisher=McFarland | page=439 | isbn=9781476644097 | via=Google Books}}</ref>{{efn|The term ''frisbee golf'' is discouraged by sports organizations such as the [[Professional Disc Golf Association|PDGA]], due to potential trademark infringement disputes with [[Wham-O]], who own the trademark rights to the ''[[Frisbee]]'' name.<ref>{{cite web | last=Williamson | first=Alex | date=September 26, 2022 | url=https://udisc.com/blog/post/frisbee-golf-the-same-thing-as-disc-golf-just-not-in-the-us | title=Frisbee Golf: The Same Thing as Disc Golf, Just Not in the U.S. | work=ReleasePoint | publisher=UDisc }}</ref>}} is a [[Flying disc games|flying disc sport]] in which players throw a disc at a [[Basket (disc golf)|target]], using rules similar to [[golf]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discgolf.com/what-is-disc-golf/|title=What is disc golf|website=Disc Golf Association|access-date=2017-05-06}}</ref> The sport is usually played on a course with 9 or 18 holes, each consisting of a teeing area and a target. Players complete a hole by throwing a disc from a tee pad or tee area toward the target (often a basket equipped with chains to catch the disc) and throwing again from where the previous throw came to rest, until the disc comes to rest in the target. The discs used are made with varying characteristics that allow for different flight patterns, and are chosen by the player before each shot depending on the intended flight path. Different throwing styles can also affect the flight of the discs.

The game is played in about 40 countries, and as of 2025, there are 317,870 total members and {{formatnum:{{#expr:{{formatnum:112,509|R}}}}}} subscribed members of the [[Professional Disc Golf Association|Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)]] worldwide. According to the UDisc course directory, there are over 16,000 disc golf courses, with roughly 90% being accessible for free.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disc Golf Growth Report powered by UDisc {{!}} UDisc |url=https://udisc.com/disc-golf-growth-report |access-date=2 September 2025 |website=udisc.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Origin and early history ==
{{Main|History of disc golf}}
Modern disc golf started in the early 1960s, but there is debate over who came up with the idea first. The consensus is that multiple groups of people played independently throughout the 1960s. Students at [[Rice University]] in Houston, Texas, for example, held tournaments with trees as targets as early as 1964, and in the early 1960s, players in Pendleton King Park in [[Augusta, Georgia]], would toss Frisbees into 50-gallon barrel trash cans designated as targets. In 1968 Frisbee Golf was also played in [[Alameda Park]] in [[Santa Barbara, California]], by teenagers in the Anacapa and Sola street areas. Gazebos, water fountains, lamp posts, and trees were all part of the course. This took place for several years and an Alameda Park collectors edition disc still exists, though rare, as few were made. Clifford Towne from this group went on to hold a National Time Aloft record.

=== 1970s ===
[[Ed Headrick]], also known as "Steady" Ed Headrick, (June 28, 1924 – August 12, 2002) was an American toy inventor. He is most well known as the father of both the modern-day [[Frisbee]] and of the sport and game of disc golf.

In 1975, Headrick's tenure at [[Wham-O]] where he helped redesign the flying disc known as the frisbee ended, and ties between Headrick and Wham-O eventually split. Headrick left the company to start out on his own to focus all his efforts on his new interest, which he coined and trademarked "Disc Golf".

In 1976, "Steady" Ed Headrick and his son Ken Headrick started the first disc golf company, the Disc Golf Association (DGA).<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-12-17 |title=About Ed Headrick – Father Of Disc Golf • DGA Disc Golf |url=https://discgolf.com/disc-golf-education-development/ed-headrick-father-disc-golf/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=discgolf.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The purpose of DGA was to manufacture discs and baskets and to formalize the sport. The first disc golf target was Ed's pole hole design which consisted of a pole sticking out of the ground.

== Courses ==
Most disc golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, and exceptions most often have holes in multiples of three. Courses with 6, 10, 12, 21, 24 or 27 holes are not uncommon.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pdga.com/files/PDGA%20Course%20Design%20Guides%20March%202014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726202058/http://www.pdga.com/files/PDGA%20Course%20Design%20Guides%20March%202014.pdf |archive-date=2014-07-26 |url-status=live|title=PDGA Disc Golf Course Design Recommendations|website=PDGA.com}}</ref> The PDGA recommends that courses average {{convert|200|–|400|ft|abbr=on}} per hole, with holes no shorter than {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.discgolf.com/disc-golf-education-development/disc-golf-course-design/pdga-disc-golf-course-design-standards/|title=PDGA Disc Golf Course Design Standards - DGA {{!}} Disc Golf Association|work=DGA {{!}} Disc Golf Association|access-date=2017-05-11|language=en-US}}</ref> The longest holes in the world measure more than {{convert|1500|ft|m|abbr=on}} long. Course designers use trees, bushes, elevation changes, water hazards, and distance variation, along with out-of-bounds zones and mandatory flight paths (often referred to as "Mandos") to make each hole challenging and unique. Many courses include multiple tee positions or multiple target positions to cater to players of different ability levels.<ref name=":12" />

Most disc golf courses are built in more natural and less manicured environments than traditional golf courses and require minimal maintenance, although some courses aim for pristine conditions. Professional course designers consider safety a critical factor in course design, and are careful to minimize the danger of being hit by a flying disc while providing designs that create strategy in play and variety in shots for enjoyment. Holes are designed to require a range of different throws to challenge players with different strengths or particular skills. Many courses are central organizing points for local disc golf clubs, and some include shops selling disc golf equipment. More than 80% of the courses listed on Disc Golf Course Review are listed as public and free to play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php|title=Disc Golf Course Review: View and review over 6000 Disc Golf Courses!|website=www.dgcoursereview.com|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref>

=== List by country ===
Three countries account for 85% of all disc golf courses worldwide: the [[United States]] (75%), [[Finland]] (7%) and [[Canada]] (3%). Other notable countries include [[Sweden]] and [[Estonia]], which has the highest density of disc golf courses per km<sup>2</sup> of dry land of any country and the second-highest number of courses per capita. Iceland and Finland have 150 and 111 courses per million inhabitants, respectively. Outside the North American and European continents, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have the most courses. There are disc golf courses on every continent, including 24 in Latin America,{{Clarify|date=September 2025|reason=Latin America is not a continent, and includes areas of North and South America.}} 8 in Africa, and one in Antarctica. [[Åland]] is the region with the densest concentration of Disc golf courses in the world, with one course in each of the 16 municipalities of Åland, which could theoretically be completed over 20 hours.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Åland Disc Golf Island |url=https://www.discgolf.ax/ |website=Disc Golf Island |location= |publisher= |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427073000/https://www.discgolf.ax/ |archive-date=27 April 2025 |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mäki |first=Ville |date=12 May 2020 |title=Åland Islands To Become Ambitious Disc Golf Destination Between Swedish And Finnish Coasts |url=https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2020/05/12/aland-islands-to-become-ambitious-disc-golf-destination-between-swedish-and-finnish-coasts/ |website=Ultiworld Disc Golf |location= |publisher= |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=12 May 2020 |title=Turning Åland into Disc Golf Island |url=https://www.discmania.net/blogs/discover/turning-aland-into-disc-golf-island |website=Discmania Store |location= |publisher= |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>

Asterisk (*) indicates "Disc golf in ''country'' or ''territory''" links.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right; font-size: 0.90em;"
!Country
!Disc golf courses
!colspan="2"|as % of world total
!colspan="2"|per 1M inhabitants
!colspan="2"|per 10,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of [[List of countries and dependencies by area|dry land]]<!--see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_area -->
!Distribution # Holes (18+ 9+ <9)
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|USA|pref=Disc golf in|the=y}}
|<section begin=USA/>7,379<section end=USA/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|USA}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|USA}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|USA}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|USA}}|R}}/{{formatnum:16,377,742|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=3262|A8=3085|Total=6647}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|FIN|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=FIN/>1000<section end=FIN/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FIN}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|FIN}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|FIN}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|FIN}}/{{formatnum:303,815|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=197|A8=357|Total=614}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|CAN|pref=Disc golf in}}
|[[List of disc golf courses in Canada|<section begin=CAN/>360<section end=CAN/>]]
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CAN}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CAN}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|CAN}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CAN}}/{{formatnum:9,093,507|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=142|A8=128|Total=276}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|SWE|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=SWE/>242<section end=SWE/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SWE}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|SWE}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|SWE}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|SWE}}/{{formatnum:410,335|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=90|A8=109|Total=217}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|EST|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=EST/>150<section end=EST/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|EST}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|EST}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|EST}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|EST}}/{{formatnum:42,388|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=54|A8=71|Total=152}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|DEU|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=DEU/>129<section end=DEU/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DEU}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|DEU}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|DEU}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|DEU}}/{{formatnum:348,672|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=28|A8=65|Total=116}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|NOR|pref=Disc golf in}}
|[[List of disc golf courses in Norway|<section begin=NOR/>124<section end=NOR/>]]
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NOR}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NOR}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|NOR}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NOR}}/{{formatnum:304,282|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=47|A8=36|Total=89}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|UK|pref=Disc golf in|the=y}}
|<section begin=UK/>107<section end=UK/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|UK}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|UK}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|GBR}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|UK}}/{{formatnum:241,930|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=31|A8=53|Total=93}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|CZE|name=Czechia|pref=Disc golf in|the=y}}
|<section begin=CZE/>99<section end=CZE/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CZE}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CZE}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|CZE}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CZE}}/{{formatnum:77,247|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=9|A8=68|Total=91}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|FRA|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=FRA/>97<section end=FRA/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FRA}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|FRA}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|FRA}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|FRA}}/{{formatnum:640,427|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=17|A8=28|Total=52}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|AUS|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=AUS/>89<section end=AUS/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUS}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|AUS}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|AUS}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|AUS}}/{{formatnum:7,633,565|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=23|A8=34|Total=59}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|DNK|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=DNK/>76<section end=DNK/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DNK}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|DNK}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|DNK}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|DNK}}/{{formatnum:42,434|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=13|A8=41|Total=63}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|JPN|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=JPN/>75<section end=JPN/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|JPN}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|JPN}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|JPN}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|JPN}}/{{formatnum:364,543|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=14|A8=60|Total=76}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|ISL|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=ISL/>62<section end=ISL/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ISL}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|ISL}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|ISL}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|ISL}}/{{formatnum:100,250|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=2|A8=33|Total=51}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|NZL|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=NZL/>49<section end=NZL/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NZL}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NZL}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|NZL}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NZL}}/{{formatnum:262,443|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=26|A8=6|Total=33}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|CHE|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=CHE/>36<section end=CHE/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CHE}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CHE}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|CHE}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|CHE}}/{{formatnum:39,997|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=4|A8=16|Total=27}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|AUT|pref=Disc golf in}}
|[[List of disc golf courses in Austria|<section begin=AUT/>21<section end=AUT/>]]
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUT}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|AUT}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|AUT}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|AUT}}/{{formatnum:82,445|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=10|A8=8|Total=19}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|NLD|pref=Disc golf in|the=y}}
|<section begin=NLD/>21<section end=NLD/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NLD}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NLD}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|NLD}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|NLD}}/{{formatnum:33,893|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=6|A8=9|Total=19}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|ESP|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=ESP/>17<section end=ESP/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ESP}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|ESP}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|ESP}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|ESP}}/{{formatnum:498,980|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=5|A8=2|Total=11}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|KOR|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=KOR/>16<section end=KOR/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|KOR}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|KOR}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|KOR}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|KOR}}/{{formatnum:99,909|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=6|A8=6|Total=14}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|POL|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=POL/>12<section end=POL/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|POL}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|POL}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|POL}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|POL}}/{{formatnum:311,888|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=0|A8=7|Total=9}}
|-
|{{flagg|us*eft|SVK|pref=Disc golf in}}
|<section begin=SVK/>12<section end=SVK/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SVK}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|SVK}}/{{formatnum:{{Country population|SVK}}|R}}*1000000 round 1}} ||1}}
|{{bartable|{{#expr:{{section transclude|SVK}}/{{formatnum:48,105|R}}*10000 round 1}} ||4}}
|{{Stacked bar |A3=2|A8=6|Total=9}}
|-
|''Rest of the world''
|<section begin=WorldRest/>{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|USA}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FIN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CAN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SWE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|EST}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DEU}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NOR}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|UK}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CZE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FRA}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUS}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DNK}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|JPN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ISL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NZL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CHE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUT}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NLD}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ESP}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|KOR}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|POL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SVK}}|R}}}}<section end=WorldRest/>
|{{bartable|{{#expr:({{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|USA}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FIN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CAN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SWE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|EST}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DEU}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NOR}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|UK}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CZE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|FRA}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUS}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|DNK}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|JPN}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ISL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NZL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|CHE}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|AUT}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|NLD}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|ESP}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|KOR}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|POL}}|R}}-{{formatnum:{{section transclude|SVK}}|R}})/{{formatnum:{{section transclude|WorldTotal}}|R}}*100 round 1}}|%|2}}
|-
!Total
!style="text-align:right;"|<section begin=WorldTotal/>10,103<section end=WorldTotal/>
!colspan="7" style="text-align:left;"|Source: <ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=18 August 2025 |title=Suomalaisten suosikkilaji jatkaa kasvuaan – Suomessa on nyt tuhat frisbeegolfrataa! |url=https://frisbeegolfradat.fi/2024/06/18/suomalaisten-suosikkilaji-jatkaa-kasvuaan-suomessa-on-nyt-tuhat-frisbeegolfrataa/ |website=Frisbeegolfradat |language=fi |location= |publisher=Frisbeegolfmedia Oy |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=PDGA Disc Golf Course Search |url=https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/advanced |website=[[Professional Disc Golf Association]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=September 2025|?=yes}}
|}

=== Tees ===
[[File:Disc golf in basket.JPG|thumb|upright|A disc resting in a [[Disc golf basket|basket]], the most common type of target.]]
A disc golf tee (commonly referred to as a tee pad, tee box or the box) is the starting position of a hole. The PDGA recommends that the tee area be no smaller than 1.2 meters wide by 3 meters long, allowing ample space to run up and release the disc.<ref name=":12" /> The tee box is usually a pad of [[concrete]], [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]], [[rubber]], [[gravel]], or [[artificial turf]]. Some courses have natural turf with only the front of the tee position marked. In rare instances, there are no tee boxes and players begin from a general location based on the course layout.

=== Signs ===
Established courses have tee signs near each tee position. Signs may depict a simple map of the hole including the tee, target, expected disc flight, out-of-bounds areas, water hazards, trees, and mandatory paths. Signs typically include the distance to the hole and par. Some courses include a unique name for the hole and may have sponsor logos. Many courses include a larger sign near the course entrance which has a map of the entire course.<ref name=":12" />

=== Targets ===
{{Main|Basket (disc golf)}}
Although early courses were played using trees, fence posts, or park equipment as the target, standard [[disc golf basket]]s are by far the most common type of target on modern courses. Some courses feature tone targets that are designed to make a distinctive sound when hit with a disc. Disc golf baskets are constructed with a central pole holding a basket under an assembly of hanging chains. When a disc hits the chains, it is often, but not always, deflected into the basket. Per PDGA rules, in order to complete a hole with a basket target, the disc must come to rest supported by the tray or the chains below the chain support.<ref>{{Citation|title=PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf & Competition Manual Updated for 2022|url=https://www.pdga.com/news/pdga-official-rules-disc-golf-competition-manual-updated-2022| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Zwjp3zDvd9M| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-02-11}}{{cbignore}}</ref> There are many different brands of baskets made by numerous [[List of disc golf brands and manufacturers|manufacturers]].

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Tone_Hole.jpg|thumb|left|A red disc sailing towards a "Tonal Pole" style target at the disc golf course on [[Pender Island]].]]
The sport of disc golf is set up similar to a game of golf. A "round" is played on a disc golf course consisting of a number of "holes", usually 9 or 18.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Disc Golf for Beginners: The Basics |url=https://www.frolfhq.com/disc-golf-for-beginners-the-basics/ |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=FrolfHQ}}</ref> Each hole includes a tee position for starting play and a disc golf target some distance away, often with obstacles such as trees, hills or bodies of water in between.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/11/nyregion/a-good-golf-game-it-s-all-in-the-wrist.html|title=A Good Golf Game? It's All in the Wrist|last=Slocum|first=Bill|date=2000-06-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-05-10|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Players begin by throwing a disc from the tee, without crossing over the front of the tee prior to releasing the disc when throwing. This could lead to a fault similar to a bowling foot fault in cricket. Players then navigate the hole by picking up the disc where it comes to rest and throwing again until they reach the target. The object of the game is to get through the course with the lowest number of total throws.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pdga.com/introduction|title=A Guide to Disc Golf from the PDGA|last=pdga|date=2008-10-09|work=Professional Disc Golf Association|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en}}</ref> Play is usually in groups of five or fewer, with each player taking turn at the tee box, then progressing with the player furthest from the hole throwing first, while the other players stand aside.

Each course is unique, and so requires a different combination of throws to complete, with the best players aiming to shape the flight of the disc to account for distance, terrain, obstacles and weather. In order to facilitate making different shots, players carry a variety of discs with different flight characteristics, choosing an appropriate disc for each throw. Some players also carry a mini marker disc, used to accurately mark the throwing position before each throw.&nbsp; Use of mini marker discs is particularly prevalent in formal competitive play.

Many courses include out-of-bounds areas, commonly called "OB zones" or just "OB". If the disc lands in these areas, the player is usually required to add a penalty throw onto their score and continue play from near where the disc entered the out-of-bounds zone. Some courses include out-of-bounds areas with special rules requiring the player to resume play from a specified area called a drop zone or requiring the player to restart the hole from the tee. Some courses also include Mandatories (also called "Mandos") which require the path of the disc to be above, below or to one side of a specific line indicated by a sign.

By tradition, players throw from the tee box in the order of their score on the previous hole, with the lowest scorer throwing first. Most players also follow a loose code of courtesy while playing, which includes norms such as standing out of the sight line of the throwing player and avoiding making distracting noises. Because a thrown disc could injure someone, the Professional Disc Golf Association recommends that players "Never throw into a blind area or when spectators, pedestrians or facility users are within range."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pdga.com/code|title=The Disc Golfer's Code|last=steveganz|date=2016-01-20|work=Professional Disc Golf Association|access-date=2017-05-09|language=en}}</ref>

Formal competitive play is governed by the PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf and the PDGA Competition Manual for Disc Golf events.

== Disc types ==
{{See also|List of disc golf brands and manufacturers}}
[[File:Disc golf disc edge profile.jpg|thumb|Three discs showcasing different edge profiles. From top to bottom: a driver, a mid-range, and a putter.]]
Disc golf discs are smaller than [[Ultimate (sport)|Ultimate]] flying discs or general-purpose recreational frisbees. They typically measure {{Convert|21|–|22|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and weigh {{Convert|130|–|180|g|oz|abbr=on}}. All PDGA-approved discs measure {{Convert|21|–|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and weigh no more than {{Convert|200|g|oz|abbr=on}}. Discs used for disc golf are designed and shaped for control, speed, and accuracy, while general-purpose flying discs, such as those used for playing [[Guts (flying disc game)|guts]] or ultimate, have a more traditional shape, similar to a catch disc. There is a wide variety of discs used in disc golf and they are generally divided into three categories: drivers, mid-range discs, and putters.

=== Driver ===
Drivers are recognized by their sharp, beveled edge and have most of their mass concentrated on the outer rim of the disc rather than distributed equally throughout. They are optimized for aerodynamics and designed to travel maximum distances at high speeds. They are typically thrown by experienced players during tee-off and other long distance fairway throws.<ref name="Eastham, Susan L 2015">Eastham, Susan L. "DISC GOLF: Teaching A Lifetime Activity." Strategies (08924562) 28.6 (2015): 3–8. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. Web. 1 August 2016.</ref>

Some disc brands further sub-divide their drivers into different categories. For example, [[Innova Discs|Innova]] has ''Distance Drivers'' and ''Fairway Drivers'', with a fairway driver being somewhere between a distance driver and a mid-range disc. [[Discraft]] has three categories of drivers: ''Long Drivers'', ''Extra Long Drivers'', and ''Maximum Distance Drivers''. Another type of driver, used less frequently, is a roller. As the name indicates, it has an edge designed to roll rather than fly. (Although any disc can be used for a roller, some behave quite differently than others).

The world record distance for a disc golf throw is held by David Wiggins Jr., with a distance of {{convert|1108.92|ft|m|abbr=on}} on March 28, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.innovadiscs.com/team-news/new-world-record-338-meters-thrown-david-wiggins-jr/|title=New World Record|website=Innova Discs|date=28 March 2016}}</ref> He broke the previous record of {{convert|863.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}, thrown by [[Simon Lizotte]] on October 25, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pdga.com/tags/world-record|title=World Record|website=Professional Disc Golf Association}}</ref>

=== Mid-range ===
Mid-range discs feature a dull, beveled edge and a moderate rim width. They offer more control than drivers, but they have a smaller range. Mid-range discs are typically used as approach discs. Beginner players will often use mid-ranges instead of drivers at tee-off, as they require less strength and technique to fly straight than higher speed drivers.

=== Putter ===
Putters are designed to fly straight, predictably, and very slowly compared to mid-range discs and drivers. They are typically used for tight, controlled shots that are close to the [[Disc golf basket|basket]], although some players use them for short drives where trees or other obstacles come into play. Additionally, higher speed discs will not fly properly without a fast enough release snap, so a putter or mid-range with lower snap requirements is more forgiving and will behave in a more regular way. Professional players often carry multiple putters with varying flight characteristics.

=== Stability ===
Stability is the measurement of a disc's tendency to bank laterally during its flight. A disc that is over-stable will tend to track left (for a right-handed, backhand throw), whereas a disc that is under-stable will tend to track right (also for a right-handed, backhand throw).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disc Talk, Pt. 2: Rim Width, Stability, Weight, Durability {{!}} UDisc |url=https://udisc.com/blog/post/disc-talk-pt-2-rim-width-stability-weight-durability |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Release Point - The UDisc Blog |date=31 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The stability rating of the discs differs depending on the manufacturer of the disc. Innova Discs rate stability as "turn" and "fade". "Turn" references how the disc will fly at high speed during the beginning and middle of its flight, and is rated on a scale of +1<ref name="innovadiscs.com">{{Cite web|title=Flight Ratings System|url=https://www.innovadiscs.com/home/disc-golf-faq/flight-ratings-system/|website=Innova Disc Golf|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref> to −5, where +1<ref name="innovadiscs.com"/> is the most overstable and −5 is the most understable. "Fade" references how the disc will fly at lower speeds towards the end of its flight, and is rated on a scale of 0 to 6, where 0 has the least fade, and 6 has the most fade. For example, a disc with a turn of −5 and fade of 0 will fly to the right (for right handed, backhand throw) the majority of its flight then curl back minimally left at the end. A disc with a turn of −1 and a fade of +3 will turn slightly right during the middle of its flight and turn hard left as it slows down. These ratings can be found on the discs themselves or from the manufacturer's web site. Discraft prints the stability rating on all discs and also provides this information on their web site. The stability ranges from 3 to −2 for Discraft discs; however Discraft's ratings are more of a combination of turn and fade with the predominance being fade.

Spin (rotation) has little influence on lift and drag forces but impacts a disc's stability during flight. Imagine a spinning top: a gentle nudge will knock it off its axis of rotation momentarily, but it will not topple over because spin adds gyroscopic stability. In the same way, a flying disc resists rolling (flipping over) because spin adds gyroscopic stability. A flying disc will maintain its spin rate even as it loses velocity. Toward the end of a disc's flight, when the spin and velocity lines cross, a flying disc will predictably begin to fade. The degree to which a disc will fade depends on its pitch angle and design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.triumphbooks.com/the-definitive-guide-to-disc-golf-products-9781629372044.php?page_id=21|title=The Definitive Guide to Disc Golf|website=www.triumphbooks.com|access-date=2016-04-21}}</ref>

=== Plastics ===
There are dozens of different types of plastic used for making discs by the various disc manufacturers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Choosing Disc Plastic Type |url=https://spilmandgc.org/choosing-disc-plastic-type/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=Spilman Park Disc Golf Club |language=en-US}}</ref> The type of plastic affects the feel of the disc's grip as well as its durability, which in turn can influence flight as the disc becomes worn.<ref name=":0" /> Manufacturers market lower-cost “base” blends (e.g., DX, J-Pro, Pro-D, X-Line, D-line, Retro, R-Pro) and “premium” blends (e.g., Champion, Titanium, FLX, GStar, Gold Line, Tournament Plastic, Fuzion, Star), with premium lines described by manufacturers as more durable than base blends. Some variants incorporate additional features, such as glow-in-the-dark additives or buoyant plastics. Many companies also offer lighter-weight plastics (often aerated) that may be used by players with lower release speed. Bright-colored discs can be easier to locate in vegetation. The commercial production process is typically injection molding for its low unit cost and reliability. For prototyping and small-scale offerings, 3D printing is a growing option; PDGA-approved 3D-printed designs are available from some companies and often employ polymers such as [[Thermoplastic polyurethane|TPU]] or proprietary blends.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pdga.com/technical-standards/equipment-certification/discs/g1r1 | title=G1R1 | date=28 June 2022 }}</ref>

=== Stamps ===
Stamps refer to the artwork or lettering that appears on a disc. Stamps can appear on the top or the bottom of a disc. Stamps are applied by disc manufacturers by using a hot stamp machine, usually with foil. Stamps not only serve a creative design purpose, but are also used to identify different disc molds.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Disc Golf Stamps Are Made |url=https://blog.discgolfunited.com/disc-golf-stamps-how-theyre-made/ |website=Disc Golf United |date=20 May 2022 |publisher=discgolfunited.com |access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>

== Throwing styles ==
While there are many grips and styles for throwing a disc, two common techniques are backhand and forehand (also called sidearm). Many players use a ''run-up'' during drives to build momentum. Throwing styles vary by player, and there is no single standard.

All discs when thrown will naturally fall to a certain direction determined by the rotation direction of the disc when released. This direction is termed ''hyzer'', the natural fall of the disc, or ''anhyzer'', making the disc fall against its natural flight pattern. For a right-handed backhand throw (RHBH), the disc will naturally fall to the left. For a right-handed forehand throw (RHFH), the disc will naturally fall to the right. For a left-handed, backhand throw (LHBH), the disc will naturally fall to the right. For a left-handed, forehand throw (LHFH), the disc will naturally fall to the left.

=== Backhand ===
In a backhand throw, the disc is drawn across the front of the body and released toward a forward aimpoint. The technique can generate high spin and may result in greater distance than a forehand throw. Power is created by initiating momentum from the feet and allowing it to travel up the body, hips, and shoulders, culminating in the transfer of energy to the disc.

=== Forehand ===
The forehand, or sidearm, throw is performed by drawing the disc from behind and partially across the front of the body, similar to a sidearm throw in [[baseball]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Throwing sidearm|url=http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles/throwingsidearm.shtml|work=Disc golf review|access-date=2015-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107142043/http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles/throwingsidearm.shtml|archive-date=2015-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Alternative throws ===
The following examples of throws may be used to better deliver a disc where the former common two throws would be impeded by obstacles such as bushes, trees, boulders, or artificial structures.

Common alternative styles
*The ''Hatchet'' (or Tomahawk): Gripped similarly to the sidearm toss but thrown with an overhand motion; the disc orientation is nearly perpendicular to the ground over much of the flight.
*The ''Thumber'': Thrown in an overhand manner but with thumb held on the disc's underside.
*The ''Roller'': Thrown either backhand or forehand, the disc travels primarily along the ground on its edge at a slight angle and can cover long distances in suitable conditions.
*The ''Turbo putt'': The disc is held vertically with the thumb beneath the center and released with an upward pushing motion, somewhat like lifting a platter. The wrist typically remains stable; follow-through imparts spin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzA8y0rwGuo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/wzA8y0rwGuo| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=Discraft Disc Golf Clinic: Turbo Putts| date=25 April 2013|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The turbo putt is generally used at short range.

Other alternative styles
*The ''Baseball'' or ''Grenade'': Thrown as in the backhand, but with the disc upside-down. This shot is used often to get up and down on a short shot where there is danger of a shot rolling away or going out of bounds if thrown too far. Primarily used on downhill shots but can be used to go up and over. Also due to the quick turn and backspin of this shot, it is sometimes used to get out of the woods.
*The ''Overhand wrist flip'': This is a very difficult and stylized throw with which accomplished free-stylers and classic ultimate players are familiar; it is less used in disc golf. It is thrown in the same manner as the "baseball" but drawn on the sidearm side of the body, and by inverting the arm and disc. Using the thumb as the power finger, the disc is drawn from the thigh area rearwards and up from behind the body to over the shoulder, releasing toward a forward aimpoint. The disc flies in a conventional flight pattern.

== Scoring ==
[[Stroke play]] is the most common scoring method used in the sport but there are many other forms. These include [[match play]], [[skins game|skins]], [[speed golf]] and captain's choice, which in disc golf is referred to as "doubles" (not to be confused with partner or team play).

Regardless of which form of play the participants choose, the main objectives of disc golf are conceptually the same as traditional golf in the sense that players follow the same scorekeeping technique.

Scoring terms for a single hole:

* [[Condor (golf)|Condor]] – Where a player is four throws under par, or "-4".
* [[Albatross (golf)|Albatross]] (or double-eagle) – Where a player is three throws under par, or "-3".
* [[Eagle (golf)|Eagle]] (or double-birdie) – Where a player is two throws under par, or "-2".
* [[Birdie (golf)|Birdie]] – Where a player is one throw under par, or "-1".
* [[Par (score)|Par]] – Where a player has thrown par, "E" or "0".
* [[Bogey (golf)|Bogey]] – Where a player is one throw over par, or "+1".
* [[Bogey (golf)|Double Bogey]] – Where a player is two throws over par, or "+2".
* [[Bogey (golf)|Triple Bogey]] – Where a player is three throws over par, or "+3".

Doubles play is a unique style of play that many local courses offer on a weekly basis. In this format, teams of two golfers are determined. Sometimes this is done by random draw, and other times it is a pro-am format. On the course, it is a "best-disc" scramble, meaning both players throw their tee shot and then decide which lie they would like to play. Both players then play from the same lie, again choosing which lie is preferable. The World Amateur Doubles Format includes best shot, alternate shot, best score (players play singles and take the best result from the hole) and worst shot (both players must sink the putt).

== Tournaments ==
[[File:KenClimo USDGC2008.JPG|thumb|[[Ken Climo]] teeing off at hole 5 of the 2008 [[United States Disc Golf Championship|USDGC]].]]
Tournaments are held nationwide and yearlong in the United States. Sanctioned Tournament play is communicated through the [[Professional Disc Golf Association]] Membership. The PDGA provides international, professional, and amateur disc golf tournaments as well as communicates event results, opinions and other information beneficial to the sport via electronic and printed media. In 1982 the PDGA hosted the first [[PDGA World Championships|World Championship Tournament]]. Since then, the World Championships have been held in 17 different American states, as well as Toronto, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.bestdiscgolfdiscs.com/infographic-pdga-world-championship/| title = Welcome bestdiscgolfdiscs.com - BlueHost.com| date = 3 May 2023}}</ref> One of the largest disc golf tournaments is the [[United States Disc Golf Championship]], held in October in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

As a show of the year-round sustainability of the sport, annual winter tournaments, known as Ice Bowls, are held at courses around the world. Using the motto "No Wimps, No Whiners", Ice Bowls collectively create sport awareness and are considered charity events that typically benefit a local food bank. The official website reports that the 2010 Ice Bowls raised over $250,000 and donated over 67,000 pounds of food in the 222 tournaments for the year. Other charitable tournaments include the annual St. Jude Disc Golf Tournament<ref>{{Cite web|title=St. Jude Disc Golf – Disc Golf Product Reviews and Charity Tournament|url=https://stjudediscgolf.com/|website=St. Jude Disc Golf|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref> which started in 2017 and has raised over $100,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|title=St. Jude Children's Research Hospital|url=https://www.stjude.org/|website=www.stjude.org|language=en|access-date=2020-05-01}}</ref>

== Popularity ==
[[File:Carter park disk golf.jpg|thumb|A disc golf course in a public park.]]
A website that tracks courses worldwide along with their opening dates has shown a rapid increase in installed permanent courses with an average of more than 400 new courses added each year between 2007 and 2017. The site lists 9744 courses worldwide {{as of|2022|2|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=&designer=&coursetype%5B%5D=1&holes=0&length_min=&length_max=&holetype=0&teetype=0&num_reviews=&rating_min=&rating_max=&yem=&yex=&cndtn=&terrain%5B%5D=1&terrain%5B%5D=2&terrain%5B%5D=3&landscape%5B%5D=1&landscape%5B%5D=2&landscape%5B%5D=3&mtees=&mpins=&private=1&paytoplay=1&country=0&city=&state=&zipcode=&zip_distance=|title=Disc Golf Courses in the World - Disc Golf Course Review|website=www.dgcoursereview.com|access-date=2017-05-11}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], as shutdowns and social distancing forced people to avoid indoor gatherings, disc golf experienced significant growth.<ref name=SI/> Televised events were broadcast on [[CBS Sports]] and [[ESPN2]] for the first time.<ref name=SI>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2021/03/11/sports-and-the-pandemic-disc-golf|title=Paige Pierce Is Taking Disc Golf To the Moon|last=Laws|first=Will|website=SI.com|date=2021-03-11|access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref>

Although most players play on a casual, amateur level, the professional disc golf scene is also growing rapidly, with the top professionals playing full-time and earning their livings through tournament winnings and sponsorship from equipment manufacturers. Online viewership of major tournaments and events has increased rapidly, with coverage of the 2019 world championship achieving more than 3 million views on YouTube,<ref name="2019 disc golf worlds">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DmjNpJbrIY| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/1DmjNpJbrIY| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=2019 Disc Gold World Championships| website=[[YouTube]]|date=2019-08-17}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and a clip of an albatross by professional Philo Brathwaite gaining more than 1.4&nbsp;million views.<ref name="Philo Albatross">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJjrkdigzbY| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/WJjrkdigzbY| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=Philo Brathwaite Albatross Beaver State Fling 2016 Milo McIver 6 West 850 ft| website=[[YouTube]]|date=2016-06-11}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Post-round coverage ===
Increased popularity of disc golf can be largely attributed to increased coverage of pro tour events, available for free on YouTube. Jomez Productions, Gatekeeper Media, and Go Throw (formerly GKPro) all film events the day of, and then air them the morning after. Often, these videos can have a reach of as many as 200,000 viewers. Jomez's coverage of the final round of the 2019 World Championships has more than 5.5 million YouTube views. In the 2020 season, Jomez Productions and the Disc Golf Pro Tour reached an agreement with CBS Sports and ESPN 2 to air post production coverage of a tournament on each network. The Dynamic Discs Open was shown on CBS Sports, and the Disc Golf Pro Tour championship was re-aired on ESPN2 November 24, 2020. With 225,000 viewers, it was the most-watched show on the channel that day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2020/11/25/disc-golf-espn2-broadcast-draws-225k-viewers-0-09-rating/|title=Disc Golf ESPN2 Broadcast Draws 225K Viewers, 0.09 Rating|date=2020-11-25}}</ref>

=== Women in disc golf ===
[[File:Women playing in the 2021 Women's Global Event (WGE) disc golf tournament in Malaysia.jpg|thumb|Women at the 2021 WGE event in Malaysia.]]
While there are more male than female players, the Women's Disc Golf Association exists to encourage female players and arrange women's tournaments. A PDGA survey from 2020 states that out of its 71,016 active members, 4,752 are female.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rothstein 51515 |first=Matthew |date=2021-02-23 |title=2020 PDGA Year End Demographics |url=https://www.pdga.com/pdga-documents/demographics-current/2020-pdga-year-end-demographics |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Professional Disc Golf Association |language=en}}</ref>

Several companies have started programs and websites to help attract women to the sport. The PDGA Women's Committee is "Dedicated to Attract, Encourage, and Retain Female Participation in Organized Disc Golf Events". The PDGA Women's Committee set historical records on 12 May 2012 by running the Inaugural Women's Global Event that attracted 636 female players in 24 states and 4 countries. The Women's Global Event was expected to take place every two years from 2014, with hopes of increasing the number of participants. The 2021 Women's Global Event had 99 registered tournaments that spanned the globe, from Minnesota to Malaysia, with a combined turnout of 3224 women competing in 23 different PDGA divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=steveganz |date=2020-01-09 |title=2021 PDGA Women's Global Event |url=https://www.pdga.com/women/global-event/results/2021 |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Professional Disc Golf Association |language=en}}</ref>

There are also disc golf companies such as Disc-Diva, that have started up with a primary, though not exclusive, focus on women in the sport, promoting accessories geared towards women and using catch phrases like "you wish you threw like a girl".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://discgolfdiva.startlogic.com/index.html |title=Disc Diva Socks |publisher=Discgolfdiva.startlogic.com |access-date=2013-09-29}}</ref> Sassy Pants is another group that focuses on getting more involvement from women in the sport, advocating for sponsorship of women to enter tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sassypantsgear.com/vision2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313152957/http://sassypantsgear.com/vision2.html|url-status=usurped|title=Vision|archive-date=13 March 2008|website=sassypantsgear.com}}</ref>

Women's disc golf teams are involved in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship, and the Mississippi State Women's Team were the inaugural champions.

== The Disc Golf Hall of Fame ==
Inductees:<ref>{{cite web|title=Disc Golf Hall of Fame|date=30 January 2015|url=http://www.pdga.com/DGHOF/members/|publisher=Professional Disc Golf Association|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Year
! colspan="5" | Disc Golf Hall of Fame Inductees<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wineka|first=Bennett|date=2020-06-02|title=Disc Golf Hall Of Fame Announces 2020 Inductees|work=Ultiworld Disc Golf|url=https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2020/06/02/disc-golf-hall-of-fame-announces-2020-inductees/|access-date=2020-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=The Disc Golf Hall of Fame|date=2020-06-01|title=We are Excited to Announce This Year's Disc Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2020|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10158261108874598&id=244641314597&__tn__=K-R|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228224730/https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10158261108874598&id=244641314597&__tn__=K-R|archive-date=2020-12-28|access-date=2020-12-28|website=[[Facebook]]}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1993
|Vanessa Chambers || [[Dave Dunipace]] || [[Ed Headrick]]|| [[Tom Monroe (disc golfer)|Tom Monroe]]
|
|-
| Jim Palmeri || Dan Roddick || Ted Smethers
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1994
|Harold Duvall || Nobuya Kobayashi || Darrell Lynn || Dan Mangone| Dan Mangone
|
|-
| Doug Newland || Snapper Pierson || Lavone Wolfe
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1995
|[[Ken Climo]] || John David || David Greenwell || Johnny Roberts | Johnny Roberts
|
|-
| Rick Voakes
|
|
|
|
|-
!1996
|Mike Conger || Patti Kunkle || Rick Rothstein
|
|
|-
!1997
|Steve Slasor || Elaine King || Jim Kenner
|
|
|-
!1998
|Gregg Hosfeld || [[John Houck]] || Carlton Howard
|
|
|-
!1999
|Sam Ferrans || Steve Wisecup || Tim Selinske
|
|
|-
!2000
|Tom Schot || Royce Racinowski
|
|
|
|-
!2001
|Stan McDaniel || Johnny Sias
|
|
|
|-
!2002
|Alan Beaver || Gary Lewis
|
|
|
|-
!2003
|Mark Horn || Brian Hoeniger || [[Stancil Johnson]]
|
|
|-
!2004
|Derek Robins || Geoff Lissaman || Johnny Lissaman || Marty Hapner| Marty Hapner
|
|-
!2005
|Mats Bengtsson || Sylvia Voakes
|
|
|
|-
!2006
|Chuck Kennedy || Kozo Shimbo
|
|
|
|-
!2007
|Fred Salaz || Michael Travers
|
|
|
|-
!2008
|Dan Ginnelly || Juliana Korver
|
|
|
|-
!2009
|Crazy John Brooks || Lynne Warren || Michael Sullivan
|
|
|-
!2010
|Charlie Callahan || Tomas Ekstrom || Brian Cummings
|
|
|-
!2011
|Don Hoffman || Joe Feidt || Brent Hambrick
|
|
|-
!2012
|Tim Willis || Jeff Homburg || Bob Gentil (New Zealand)
|
|
|-
!2013
|[[Barry Schultz]] || Becky Zallek || Jim Challas || [[Ken Westerfield]]
|
|-
!2014
|Don Wilchek || Jim Oates || Victor Parra (Italy)
|
|
|-
!2015
|Gail McColl || Anni Kreml || J Gary Dropcho
|
|
|-
!2016
|Joseph Mela || Ace Mason || Tita Ugalde
|
|
|-
!2017
|John Bird || Des Reading || Brian Graham
|
|
|-
!2018
|Andi Young || Jay Reading || George Sappenfield
|
|
|-
!2019
|Eric Marx || Mitch McClellan
|
|
|
|-
!2020
|Jesper Lundmark
|Cliff Towne
|Al "Speedy" Guerrero
|Bob Harris
|[[Valarie Jenkins|Valarie Jenkins-Doss]]
|-
!2021
|Dean Tannock
|Glen Whitlock
|Jonas Löf
|Martin Fredericksen
|Dave McCormack
|-
!2022
|Pete May
|Jim Orum
|Peter Shive
|Steve Lambert
|Jo Cahow
|}

== Disc golf associations ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 0.90em;"
! Est. !! Name!! Abbr. !! Location
!Region!! Reach
|-
|1976
|[[Professional Disc Golf Association]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=PDGA|author-link1=PDGA|date=23 September 2008|title=Brief History of Disc Golf and the PDGA|url=https://www.pdga.com/history|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Professional Disc Golf Association|language=en}}</ref>
|PDGA
|[[Appling, Georgia]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|USA}}
|International
|-
|1977
|French Flying Disc Federation ({{langx|fr|Fédération Française de Flying Disc; Fédération Flying Disc France}})<ref>{{cite web|author1=FFFD|author-link1=FFFD|date=21 January 2017|title=STATUTS DE LA FEDERATION FLYING-DISC FRANCE|url=https://www.ffdf.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1-Statuts-FFDF-2017.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306084324/https://www.ffdf.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1-Statuts-FFDF-2017.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-06 |url-status=live|access-date=22 December 2020|website=Fédération Française de Flying Disc|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=FFFD|author-link1=FFFD|date=22 December 2020|title=Historique|url=https://www.ffdf.fr/historique/|access-date=22 December 2020|website=Fédération Française de Flying Disc|language=fr}}</ref>
|FFFD and FFDF
|[[Poissy]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|FRA}}
|National
|-
|1986
|Swiss Disc Golf Association ({{langx|de-CH|Schweizer Disc Golf Verband}}; {{langx|fr|Association suisse de disc golf}})<ref>{{cite web|title=SDGV Geschichte|url=https://www.discgolf.ch/sdgv2017/index.php/sdgv-geschichte/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Schweizer Disc Golf Verband|language=de-CH}}</ref>
|({{langx|de-CH|SDGV}}; {{langx|fr|ASDG}})
|[[Reichenbach im Kandertal]], Bern
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|CHE}}
|National
|-
|1997
|Maui Disc Golf Association<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Page|url=http://mauidga.org/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Maui Disc Golf Association}}</ref>
|MDGA
|[[Lahaina, Hawaii]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|Hawaii}}
|State
|-
|1998
|Finnish Disc Golf Association ({{langx|fi|Suomen frisbeegolfliitto}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Suomen frisbeegolfliitto|url=https://frisbeegolfliitto.fi/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Suomen frisbeegolfliitto|language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Suomen frisbeegolfliitto ry|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/frisbeegolfliitto/about|access-date=22 June 2020|website=www.facebook.com|language=fi}}</ref>
|FDGA ({{langx|fi|SFL}})
|
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|FIN}}
|National
|-
|2011
|Czech Disc Golf Association ({{langx|cs|Česká asociace discgolfu}})<ref>{{cite web|author1=ČADG|title=O ČADG|url=http://www.idiscgolf.cz/asociace|access-date=22 June 2020|website=iDiscgolf.cz|language=cs}}</ref>
|({{langx|cs|ČADG}})
|[[Prague]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|CZE|name=Czechia}}
|National
|-
|2013
|Regina Disc Golf Association<ref>{{cite web|author1=RDGA|title=WELCOME!|url=https://www.reginadiscgolf.ca/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Regina Disc Golf Association|language=en|quote=The Regina Disc Golf Association (RDGA) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2013 and is based in the beautiful city of Regina, Saskatchewan.}}</ref>
|RDGA
|[[Regina, Saskatchewan]]
|{{flagicon|Regina}} [[Regina, Saskatchewan]]
|City
|-
|2014
|Estonian Disc Golf Association ({{langx|et|Eesti Discgolfi Liit}})<ref>{{cite web|date=25 December 2014|title=Kontakt|url=http://discgolfiliit.ee/kontakt/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Eesti Discgolfi Liit|language=et-ET}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Eesti Discgolfi Liit|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/Eesti-Discgolfi-Liit-425876560910405/about|access-date=22 June 2020|website=www.facebook.com|language=et}}</ref>
|EDGA ({{langx|et|EDGL}})
|[[Pärnu]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|EST}}
|National
|-
|2016
|Swedish Disc Golf Association ({{langx|sv|Svenska Discgolfförbundet}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Kontakt|url=https://www.svenskdiscgolf.se/kontakt/|access-date=22 June 2020|website=Svenska Discgolfförbundet|language=sv-SE}}</ref>
|({{langx|sv|SDGF}})
|[[Gothenburg]]
|{{flag+link|Disc golf in|SWE}}
|National
|}

== See also ==
* [[Flying disc sports]]
* [[Glossary of disc golf terms]]
* [[List of disc golf players]]
* [[List of disc golf brands and manufacturers]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links |d=Q876737|wikt=disc golf |commons=Category:Disc golf |b=Disc golf |n=no |q=no |s=no |v=no |voy=no |species=no |m=no|mw=no}}
* [http://www.pdga.com/ Professional Disc Golf Association] (PDGA) – official rules, course directory and list of members
* [http://www.pdga.com/rules/official-rules-disc-golf PDGA Official Rules of Disc Golf]
* [http://www.pdga.com/rules/competition-manual-disc-golf-events PDGA Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events]
* [http://www.freestyledisc.org/freestyle-history/ History of Early Frisbee Sports]
* [https://discsportshistory.com/ History of Disc Golf, Ultimate and Frisbee Pioneers]

{{Disc golf|state=expanded}}
{{Hybrid sport}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Disc golf| ]]
[[Category:Flying disc games]]
[[Category:Forms of golf]]
[[Category:Individual sports]]
[[Category:Sports originating in Canada]]
[[Category:Sports originating in the United States]]
[[Category:Throwing sports]]