How to Play Disc Golf: The Basics

Person holding discs

Disc golf is a fun and affordable outdoor activity for all ages. We’re here to help you learn how to play disc golf in a few fast steps. Disc golf was invented in the 1970s and today millions of Americans play in the spring and summer. (If you’re looking for winter sports, check out skiing near Detroit!). With so many Americans playing disc gold, we’ll also talk about the best disc golf storage options. Like regular golf, you play disc golf on a big course. In disc golf, players throw a flying disc similar to a Frisbee. The goal of the game is to get your disc into the target (typically a basket) in as few throws as possible.

The basic goal of the game is pretty simple. This makes it the perfect game to start learning or to play with young kids. Playing disc golf can be physically challenging. But that makes disc golf great upper and lower body exercise. Disc golf is also a splendid excuse to get outside and enjoy some fun in the sun! Don’t miss out on all the mental and physical health benefits of disc golf. If you’re keen on learning how to play disc golf, read on. We’ve got the information and tips you need to start playing disc golf today!

Diverse group of friends playing disc golf

Disc Golf Storage Tip– Store your disc golf gear and equipment in an iStorage storage unit. If you love disc golf, chances are you have a lot of gear: multiple discs, moveable targets, maybe even a golf cart! Storing all that gear at home might not be possible, especially if you live in an apartment. Better to store everything in a safe, secure, and convenient storage unit from iStorage! Access to your disc golf gear will be easy, and there are iStorage locations in 23 different states!

Where to Play: Finding a Course

One of the great things about disc golf is that you can play it in a big open space. A park, football field, or even a regular field is perfect. Of course, the best place to play disc golf is on a disc golf course. The good news is that there are over 7,000 disc golf courses in the United States! There are also 3000+ more around the world, so be sure to pack your discs when you travel. The PDGA, Professional Disc Golf Association, designed and maintains many courses. Plus, many towns and cities have made their own disc golf course for locals to play on! Check the PDGA website or Google ‘disc golf near me’ to find one close to you.

Person throwing disc and smiling

What You Need to Play

To get started playing disc golf all you need is a course and discs. Pretty easy, right? There are a few different kinds of discs you can use to play. In general, the discs are like Frisbees but they are heavier and thicker. Discs are typically about $10 to $25. A few types of discs include:

  • Putters: This type of disc is most similar to a Frisbee. Putters are easy to control, so you can aim better. But they also fly the slowest. This is a great disc to start with as a beginner.
  • Mid-Range Discs: Disc golfers use mid-range discs when they want more control. This type of disc flies faster and longer distances. Most experts recommend starting your disc golf journey using a mid-range disc.
  • Drivers: This is the most challenging disc golf disc to throw and control. It takes a lot of skill to throw a driver disc well. They fly the fastest and the farthest but are the most challenging to control, by far. If you’re getting started playing disc golf, you should save this one for later.

The Rules of Disc Golf

  • Disc golf is an individual game, so each player will keep their own score as they go.
  • All players start in the tee area and play towards the basket.
  • In turn, each player will throw their disc towards the basket. Players pick up their disc and throw it from the spot where it landed until they reach the basket. Don’t forget to count your throws and remember, trees and landmarks will make obstacles for your course!
  • The goal is to reach the basket with the fewest throws, just like in regular golf.
  • Players will play each hole along the course and then total their scores.

How To Throw a Disc Golf Disc

If you know how to throw a Frisbee, you’re in luck! Throwing a disc is just like throwing a Frisbee. Once you learn to throw, you’ll be ready to play your own game of disc golf. Here are the basic throwing steps:

  1. Hold the disc in your dominant hand, i.e., the hand you use to write, brush your teeth, etc.
  2. Place your thumb on top of the disc, with your other four fingers curled underneath along the rim.
  3. Position your body so that your throwing arm is facing the disc golf target. (If you extend your arm, it should point directly at the target.)
  4. Now bend your knees a little bit and put about 70% of your weight onto your back leg. (Your back leg gives you most of your power when throwing the disc.)
  5. While keeping your disc horizontal, pull back your arm and hand. You’ll now be looking away from your target, so hopefully, you lined up your body well.
  6. Rotate your upper body and pull the disc in a forward motion, shifting your weight to your front leg. Your heel should hit the ground as you do this.
  7. Once your arm is fully extended, and keeping your disc as level as possible, let the disc fly!

Congratulations! Now you know the most common type of disc golf throw, the backhand throw! The backhand throw is the most commonly used so it’s a great throw for beginners. You better pay attention to the wind too to make sure your disc goes towards the basket.

Disc golf basket with people in the background

What are Release Angles?

When you play disc golf, the stability and ‘angle of release’ determine where your disc goes. The angle of release is the angle of the disc when it flies out of your hand. It can be hard to get a hang of this when you first start, but it gets easier, we promise! Below are the basics of release angles and how to take advantage of them:

  • Hyzer: If you release your disc with the far edge facing downward, that’s called a hyzer angle. The greater the hyzer angle, the more your disc will turn to the side opposite your throwing hand.
  • Anhyzer: Tipping the outer edge of the disc up gives you an anhyzer angle, the opposite of a hyzer angle.
  • Flat: Throwing the disc fully horizontal to the ground is a flat angle.
  • Nose Up: Throwing a disc nose up is a common mistake made by beginners because your disc won’t go as far.
  • Nose Down: Nose down slightly is the best angle to throw a disc if you want the most distance. (It has to do with the aerodynamics of flight, which we won’t get into today.)
Disc in disc golf basket in the forest

Get Out There and Start Playing Disc Golf!

Now the best thing to do is get out on a disc golf course and practice like crazy! We here at iStorage hope today’s information and tips have been beneficial. If you need help with your disc golf storage we can help!

iStorage has self-storage locations across the United States with clean, safe, and secure storage units. Our units are perfect for all your storage needs: household goods, collections, cars, and more (but no flammable items please).

If you have questions, you can chat with an iStorage rep online at any time. You can also visit one of our many self-storage locations across our great country! All have on-site managers who can provide helpful insight and knowledge about self-storage. They can also help you determine the storage unit that fits your particular needs best. iStorage is your #1 location across the nation when you need self-storage! Until then, enjoy your new and exciting sport of choice, disc golf!