Disc golf is a fun and demanding sport that mixes traditional golf components with the throwing of a flying disc. The goal of the game is to complete the course in as few throws as possible, beginning at a tee pad and ending at a basket. The course is usually comprised of nine or eighteen holes, each with its own distinct layout and obstacles. Similar to ball golf, par is calculated as the number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or an overall course. Plus three, for example, would be three throws over par for a hole or
for the entire round.
The course is designed with teeing areas, fairways, and basket targets. The baskets are constructed of stiff wire with hanging chains above a bottom disc catch basket. The objective of the game is to finish the course with as few throws as possible.
The player begins the game by throwing the disc from the tee pad, attempting to land it in the fairway as close to the basket as possible. The "hole" (an unfortunate vestigial term inherited from ball golf) is completed when the disc lands in the basket, and the player continues on to the next one.
The number of throws required to finish each hole is recorded, and the player with the fewest at the conclusion of the course is considered the winner. To me, just being able to get out and play this great game makes us all winners!
The length and complexity of disc golf courses vary, with some incorporating tight fairways, woodland sections, water hazards, arroyos (here in the Southwest - look it up), or other obstacles. This makes the game both tough and interesting, as players must negotiate the course and complete each hole using a combination of chosen equipment, skill, strategy, and, IMHO, darn good luck.