What Is Frisbee™ Golf?

“Frisbee golf” is what brand new players sometimes call disc golf.  It is a sport similar to regular ball golf, but you throw frisbees (or discs) instead of hitting a ball. Also, the disc golf target is a metal basket with chains above the ground instead of a hole in the ground. Because “Frisbee” is a trademarked name, professionals and other disc golfers today use the generic name disc golf instead of frisbee golf.

The biggest difference between “frisbee golf” and traditional golf is price. Frisbee golf is usually free to play. There are over 10,000 courses in the US that are completely free to play and another 5,000+ free courses around the world. Only some of the top disc golf courses are pay to play.

Frisbee golf is called “disc golf” today because “Frisbee™” is a trademarked name originally created by Wham-O toy company in 1958. The name originally game from the fact people used to throw Frisbie™ pie tins before the invention of the toy we all know today. Currently, the pros and PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) are not legally allowed to call it frisbee golf so they instead use the more generic name = disc golf.

That being said, the first few months that I played “Disc Golf” I also called it “Frisbee Golf” mostly because my then 2-year-old boy said “frwi-beee golf” so darn cute! Call it whatever you like (frisbee golf, frolf, frolfing, frisket, disck golf, disc golf, etc.) just so long as you are getting out there and having a good time!
 
 

How Do You Play Frisbee Golf?

Frisbee Golf (Disc Golf) is very similar to traditional ball golf that you most likely are already familiar with. The goal is to start from a “tee” and end in a “hole” in the fewest strokes possible. Instead of a ball you use a frisbee (or a disc) and instead of a hole in the ground you throw into a metal basket with chains raised off the ground. There are other rules of course, but unlike ball golf, disc golf etiquette is much more relaxed and disc golfers are almost always welcoming and friendly. Because most disc golfers want the sport to grow we love seeing beginners out on the course so grab your “frisbee” and get out there! We will love you for it! Only you (new players) can grow the sport!

The most basic rules you need to know to play your first casual round are as follows:

Step 1) Throw your frisbee (or disc) from the tee pad towards the hole.

Step 2) Throw your next shot from exactly behind where your disc landed. Your front foot should be touching somewhere in a box that is about the standard size of a sheet of notebook paper (30cm x 20cm square) and your other foot should not be anywhere in front of where your disc lies (so it can be beside or behind your brace foot).

Step 3) Repeat until disc comes to rest in the basket.

Step 4) Go to next tee pad and repeat steps 1-3 until all holes are completed.

Step 5) For putting inside the circle (32.8 feet or 10 meters from the basket in any direction), you must maintain your balance behind your lie after you putt. Essentially this means stay behind your lie the whole time. If you are outside the circle you can putt and your momentum can then carry you forward past your lie after your frisbee leaves your hand.

The person that has the least amount of strokes (or throws) is the winner!

If there is out-of-bounds on the course then those shots add a penalty stroke and you throw from where your disc crossed out of bounds (actually you can take up to 1 meter (3 feet) from the out-of-bounds boundary towards the basket and throw from there). If the out of bounds plays as a hazard it means just add one stroke and throw from where your disc lies inside that hazard.

For tournament play there are a handful of other rules, but for casual rounds with friends that is all you need to know.
 
 

What Do You Need To Play Frisbee Golf?

You guessed it, you need a frisbee (or a disc golf disc) to play frisbee golf. That’s it! In fact, you don’t even need a course to get started. The inventors of frisbee golf actually used objects like trees, telephone poles, or landmarks as the first “holes”. Today this is called “object disc golf” and you can play it in your own back yard.

The good news is that in many parts of the world (especially the United States and parts of Europe) you can find thousands of disc golf courses that are free to play. Unlike traditional ball golf, disc golf is cheap. For as little as the cost of a singe frisbee or disc you can go out and play! Some of the best disc golf courses are pay to play, but again, most are free.
 
 

Where Do You Play Frisbee Golf?

You can play at home if you have an object to throw at (and enough room), but today there are a ton of free frisbee golf courses so my recommendation is to:

1. Open your google maps app on your phone or computer.
2. Search “disc golf courses near me”.
3. Go to the course with your frisbee (and friends or family).
4. Play and have fun!
5. Repeat as often as possible.

It is really easy to find a course near you in most of the world, and I highly encourage you to go out and play if you haven’t ever played before because it is a ton of good wholesome fun!

Pro Tip: Download the free UDisc frisbee golf app to help you find courses, check reviews, and even keep score of your round. This can be a very helpful tool for some courses because the holes might be spread out and hard to find. The UDisc app can easily help you locate the next hole.

or check out Disc Golf Course Review website as another great resource for finding your local frisbee golf course.
 
 

What Is The Best Frisbee Golf Disc For A Beginner?

The best first disc golf disc a beginner should get is an MVP Proxy or any putter that feels comfortable to hold in your hand (putters can be used off the tee and for every shot if you are a beginner). The Proxy is the disc I give to people I run into on the course that are curious about the game for several reasons:

1. It flies very straight and far so it is great for both throwing and putting. Beginners can play an entire round with it and have a blast.
2. It is pretty shallow feeling in your hand which better matches other discs (like mid-ranges and fairway drivers) that you will grow into. That means you won’t have to adjust your throwing grip much as you learn to gain arm speed, use other discs, and improve your game.
3. Because it flies and putts very straight, the Proxy helps you learn to throw at the proper angles which leads to good throwing habits (not bad ones).
4. As you use it a lot it wears into a disc that becomes more understable and this will allow you to throw it even farther and with more finesse. Basically, it is a disc you can use for a very long time.
5. The proxy is an affordable and quality disc that is readily available so if you fall in love with it you will be able to buy again and again over the years easily.

CAUTION: Most disc golf discs you can buy are not for beginners. It is important you get a beginner-friendly disc (or discs) to start so you have fun and can actually throw them a decent distance otherwise you probably be disappointed with your disc that is intended for experienced players just crashes to the ground as soon as you throw it. With the right beginner (straight to understable and slow-speed) disc you can get it to fly much further which in “turn” increases your fun (pun intended).  “Turn” means it turns opposite of the way it “fades” to the ground as it slows. This means it will turn one way then fade the other making your flight a long S shape. This magical S shape is what most disc golfers fall in love with and is what helps you get much more distance than the typical curved C shape.
 
 

What Are the Different Types Of Frisbee Golf Discs?

1. Putters – for throwing (or “hitting”) up to about 200 feet for beginners and for throwing (or “putting”) into the basket when you get close.
2. Mid-ranges – for throwing a bit further than putters. Beginners might consider throwing them between the 200ft-275ft range (60m-83m).
3. Fairway Drivers – for throwing a bit farther than mid-ranges (about 275ft-325ft). These will move a little more side-to-side than mid-ranges do, but not as widely as distance drivers so you can control them and get distance. As a beginner you should only use these first 3 types of discs because likely you will not be able to throw fast enough to properly utilize the next type of disc: distance drivers.
4. Distance Drivers – for maximum distance. Unfortunately, you need to be able to throw around 300+ft for distance drivers to fly properly. Instead, a fairway driver likely will go just as far but with much more control. If you can throw over 300ft then distance drivers fly in a very wide S shape helping the disc stay in the air a long time and go very far.

For each of these 4 categories of discs you can find variations that fly:

A. Overstable

B. Straight (or neutral)

C. Understable

In addition to these main types of disc golf discs, as you become more experienced you may want to consider buying and bagging some of these types of discs also:

I. Overstable Approach Disc – the Discraft Zone is the most popular option here and my favorite, but the overstable approach disc has become so popular that most big manufacturers have their variation these days. Usually, this is your most utilized disc on the course because most holes require an upshot to get near the basket and these fade so fast that you know what they will do every time (even if it is very windy). This dependable fade make them consistent throwers and good for both backhand and forehand approaches. I highly recommend the Discraft Zone (beginners try the jawbreaker plastic which is very grippy and not as overstable). Also, I bag a Kastaplast Berg . The zone goes much farther because the Berg has a reverse “puddle top” which actually creates anti-lift making it fall out of the sky quicker than any other disc. The berg is also very torque-resistent making it great for forehands also, and what I like most is all of the weight is in the rim or outside of the disc so when you do a short forehand the weight helps its gyroscopic effect level out the disc quickly. In other words, it is great for short forehand approaches because of it’s weight distribution. I find the combination of these two overstable approach discs the bees knees.

II. Roller Disc – if you have a very understable disc you can throw it so it turns all the way over to its side and continues to roll like a wheel for a very long distance. Roller shots can be the longest shots you can throw in disc golf (provided there is level open ground for it to roll on). I recommend Innova’s new Rollo for this slot in your disc golf bag. Otherwise, you can beat in an already understable disc to be very understable and a good roller disc.

Note: some overstable discs can serve as a good forehand roller because they work differently and you can actually throw a very overstable disc nearly vertical forehand straight to the ground and it then can roll a pretty long distance.

III. Understable Utility Disc – These are useful for patent pending shots where your back is to the target so you can reach around an obstacle. From this position it can be hard to get a lot of power and speed into your shot so a very understable disc can fly far at low speed and power. Also, these can be helpful for a tomahawk shot that pans very quickly and falls straight down. I would recommend using your roller disc for this. An example again would be the Innova Rollo or an MVP Parradox.

IV. Overstable Utility Disc – personally, I do not have one of these, but some pros like an extremely overstable disc for certain situations like throwing grenade shots over obstacles or flex lines where the disc fights out and gets to the ground very quickly. An example of this type of disc would be the Discmania Tilt, but I would recommend the Zone OS instead.
 
 

What Is The Best Frisbee Golf Starter Set To Buy?

Starter sets are great because they typically include 3 to 5 frisbees (or discs) that are designed specifically for beginners at an affordable price. You can’t go wrong with a starter set from any of the top disc golf manufacturers. That being said, here are my top 3 picks to eliminate the guess work for you:

1. Dynamic Discs misprint starter set – this one is quality and the cheapest… an easy #1 pick if budget is at all a concern. You get 3 quality beginner discs for under $20.
2. Kastaplast Starter Set – this is the one I would recommend if money is not a concern for you because Kastaplast is my favorite manufacture and the 3 premium plastic discs in this set are some of the best discs you can buy.
3. Innova Starter Set – this is the OG starter set. It is the one I started with and the one most people start with because it is the most common starter set you will find in big box stores and Innova is the original disc golf manufacturer. I recommend it #3 because of the plastic. The beginner plastic (Innova’s DX plastic) actually isn’t very durable compared to Dynamic Discs or other companies, but for brand new players this can be a benefit. I say it can be a benefit because the discs will wear or “beat in” more quickly as you use them which will make them more understable more quickly. Understable discs are the best for beginners because they will “turn” more before “fading” out. What this means is that beginners can more easily get longer flights out of an understable frisbee (or disc). Longer flights = longer distance.

For more recommendations on the best disc golf beginner sets to buy for new players click here to read my TOP 10 BEST DISC GOLF BEGINNER SETS page.
 
 

How Do I Improve My Frisbee Golf Throw?

My favorite instructor is Josh at Overthrow Disc Golf. He and Mikey have a great YouTube Channel with tons of videos I highly recommend that you check out if you are seriously looking to improve your disc golf throws (they teach both forehand and backhand techniques and drills).

I am not a professional trainer, but if I were to give you a few tips for your first round of disc golf it would be this:

1. Most importantly, try your best to throw your disc as straight and level as possible like a laser beam and parallel to the ground. The disc will create its own lift so you do not need to throw it up in the air. That will cause your frisbee to quickly “stall out”. Instead throw level and the lift the disc creates moving through the air will keep it fighting gravity and flying as it pushes through the air. Almost all shots should be very close to level out of your hand. Once you get good at this, you can slightly adjust your release angles (up and down but more importantly left and right or what is called hyzer and anhyzer) depending on the type of throw you are aiming for, the disc you are using, the wind, etc. but again first try to throw straight and level and fast.
2. Pay attention to the flight of your disc and try your best to visualize your entire desired flight before you throw. This visualization will help you be more accurate and give you better feedback on how close your throw was to your aiming path and will help you better adjust your next throws. Better attention to the details of your flight will give you better feedback and help you improve more quickly.
3. For backhand throws, after you have the entire flight of your disc visualized, pick a spot on the ground about 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) away in line with the path as your aiming point. That way  you can keep your head in a neutral position facing in line with your body and stop the rotation of your head when you see that spot. Use that spot as your aiming point and throw your frisbee right in line with it. If you look where your throwing too soon to watch your frisbee fly then you lose a lot of power. If your head is stopped neutral in line with your body then your body stops creating a “brace” and letting your upper body, arm, and disc “whip” forward. The goal of a backhand frisbee throw is to whip it like you whip or pop a towel not just throw without a stop or “brace”. The best way to practice this disc golf “whip” is with a small towel and try to make it crack. If you can crack a towel mimicking the motion of your backhand disc golf throw then you will get a lot of snap, spin, and speed on the disc which will make it fly much better and farther. Another helpful trick for creating a brace and snap is keeping your front leg straight. A straight front leg will allow your momentum to stop and go into the ground letting your momentum go into the disc instead of continue on with your body. Forewarning, the backhand throw is a very difficult athletic move to master and I’m still working on it years later so don’t be discouraged if you can’t master it right away.
4. Make sure you have the proper grip on your disc. This is important for both backhand and forehand throws. If you use the proper grip you will get a lot more “snap” and spin on your disc which is very important for getting full proper flights out of your disc. With the wrong grip you probably won’t be having nearly as much distance or fun. For backhand grip, pinch your thumb and pointer finger very hard together as a pivot point and let the disc rip out of your hand instead of opening your hand. Your two fingers should snap together. Think like a firm handshake amount of pinching. For forehand be sure to tuck the disc back as far as you can into the meat or skin of your thumb and forefinger. The deeper back in between your thumb and pointer finger skin the more spin will transfer to your disc.
5. Focus more on having a good time as opposed to focusing on your score. Even good throws can get unlucky bounces and rolls in disc golf so don’t take your score too seriously at first. Instead focus on the good shots, good flights, and good [fill in the blank]. Frisbee golf is hard, but even if you’re bad at first it still is a lot of fun.

Frisbee Golf FAQ

How long does a game of frisbee golf typically last?

Rounds typically last between 30 minutes – 90 minutes (depending on the length of the course). Games go pretty quickly (especially compared to ball golf). Tournaments can take much longer as you have to wait more in between shots and cannot play through the group in front of you. Tournaments typically last between 2-3 hours.

What are the different types of throws in frisbee golf?

Backhand and Forehand are the most common types of throws in frisbee golf, but there are also backhand and forehand rollers, tomahawks, grenades, putts, jump puts, scoobers (an upside down putt with forehand grip). Also for both backhand and forehand throws there are: flex shots, hyzer flips, turnovers, hyzers and spike hyzers.

What is a par in frisbee golf?

Each disc golf hole has a designated number of “strokes” or throws required for par. Some are par 3 meaning if you make it in the basket you got par. Most disc golf holes are par 3-5. If you make it in one fewer throws than par it is called a birdie. Two less than par it is called an eagle. One over is called a bogey. Two over par is a double bogey. The terminology is shared with traditional ball golf.

Are there frisbee golf tournaments?

Yes, there are lots of frisbee golf tournaments you can enter to play competitively. There are 3 tiers of tournaments you can enter: C-tier, B-tier, A-tier and there are also even more advanced tiers up to the professional level. Beginners can start at the C-tier level (low stakes and prizes) and advance to higher tiers, but B-tier and above require PDGA membership. Some of the highest tiers can have big cash prizes.

To find a tournament near you, check out The Disc Golf Scene website.

How do I keep score in frisbee golf?

You can simply keep score in your head, on paper,  or use the free UDisc app on your phone.

Can you play frisbee golf alone?

Yes, you can play frisbee golf alone and it is still very fun. When you repeat a course you can always try to beat your previous best, or you can compete with other scores found on the free UDisc app.

What are some frisbee golf etiquette tips?

The main etiquette tip is that if you are playing slowly and a group or person behind you is playing at a quicker place just let them “play through”. This means let them play the hole you are on next and follow in after them. You don’t have to, but it is good etiquette.

How do wind conditions affect frisbee golf?

Wind conditions have a very big affect on the way your frisbee (or disc) flies because they are plastic and light weight. If the wind is blowing toward you (headwind) then the disc will be moving through the air at a higher speed making your disc fly with more lift and be more understable.

The opposite is true if the wind is going from your back in line with your throw (reffered to as a tailwind). The disc will be carried by the wind which can make it go farther, but it will be more overstable in its flight characteristics because it will be moving through the air at a slower speed relative to the surrounding air. Using a disc that is a little more understable on this tailwind can help you get maximum distance.

If the wind is going from left to right or right to left then you have to be aware of not letting too much of the bottom of your frisbee (or disc) be exposed to this cross wind because when it does it can make the disc be carried in that direction of course very quickly.

Learning the wind is one of the hardest things about disc golf, but this touchy variable makes mastering the game much harder and more rewarding.

Also, the wind affects your putting even more than your throws so beware! If it is very windy consider putting under the basket and tapping in or the key is to putt as level as you can so the least amount of the disc is exposed to the wind. Putting too high or low or on too much of an angle can let the disc be carried off course. Also, you may want to putt harder to help fight the wind at risk of going farther past the basket if you miss. Again, maybe just putt near the pole on the ground if the wind is blowing too hard instead of “triple putting”.

Is frisbee golf a good workout?

Yes, frisbee golf is a good workout because at a minimum you will be walking or hiking 9-18 holes. Also, throwing your frisbee (or disc) is a very athletic motion. After many throws you can feel quite sore the next day proving to yourself you got in a workout.

Are there different types of frisbees for different shots in frisbee golf?

Yes, there are many types of frisbees (or discs) for different shots. The main types are overstable and understable making the disc curve left or right, and the other main factor is the speed of the disc. Similar to ball golf where you have different clubs for different distances you want to achieve the same is true for disc golf. Higher speed discs are more like your drivers and lower speed for putting and approaching shorter distances. There are even types like the berg which have anti-lift and unique ones like the Discmania Tilt which are stupid overstable.

What are some common frisbee golf terms and slang?

Hyzer and anhyzer, understable and stable, birdie and bogey, yes there are a ton of terms and slang unique to disc golf. Check out Jomez’ complete dictionary of disc golf terms to best answer this question.

How do I find local frisbee golf leagues or clubs?

There’s a website for that. It is called The Disc Golf Scene and it is amazing for finding tournaments, leagues, clubs and more.

Can I bring my dog to play frisbee golf?

Yes, depending on the course but not always (check to see if dogs are allowed). A lot of courses are in public parks that allow dogs; however, if it is a busy course you might not want to because it can slow down your speed of play. If you do bring your dog(s), be sure to remember dog bags though because we don’t want to leave a pile next to the basket as a “hazard” for disc golfers that follow behind you. Finally, beware they may unwantedly “fetch” your disc before you can mark its lie.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in frisbee golf?

Don’t throw out of bounds. Don’t step past your disc or marker before you throw. Don’t start with discs that are too fast or overstable for your arm speed. On approach shots, don’t always try to throw it in the basket instead you will save a lot of strokes if you try to throw near the base of the pole or even aim to get inside the circle (if you’re obstructed) instead of aiming directly at the basket.

How do I navigate a frisbee golf course?

Most courses have signage to help direct you, but not all do. Use the free UDisc app to help you navigate your way through the course as well as help you keep score.

Can I play frisbee golf in the rain?

Yes, but be sure to bring a towel or towels to wipe off your disc right before you throw because they become very slippery when wet making them hard to grip. Umbrellas and a disc golf bag also help keep you and your discs dry. Tournaments play rain or shine (just as long as there is no lighting or dangerous conditions).

Are there age restrictions for playing frisbee golf?

No, there are no age restrictions for playing casual rounds of disc golf. The Junior Tournament level is less than or equal to 6 so if you enter your 3-year-old in a tournament just know they probably will be competing with older juniors.

What are the benefits of playing frisbee golf?

The benefits to disc golf are numerous.

1. Exercise – at a minimum you will be walking but in most cases you are hiking (or rucking) with a disc golf bag around the course. Also, throwing is an athletic motion which helps you get full body exercise (if you are throwing correctly).
2. Connection to nature – There are a ton of benefits to being outside and connected to nature. A meta analysis (a study of a bunch of scientific studies) found the following:” Results from experimental studies indicated protective effects of nature exposure on mental health and cognitive function. Cross-sectional observational studies provide evidence of positive associations between nature exposure, higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of cardiovascular disease. Observational studies, natural experiments, and randomized controlled trials are starting to assess the longitudinal effects of exposure to nature on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, chronic disease, and other health outcomes. -REFERENCE:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125471/ 

How do I choose the right frisbee golf disc for my skill level?

Brand New Players – start with a putter that feels good in your hand (I recommend the Axiom Proxy) or start with the MVP Glitch which is half way between an old-school frisbee and a disc golf. The Glitch can be tossed with your friend and then you can use it on the course for both throwing and putting. The Proxy can also be thrown and putted with (and is a standard disc golf disc) but you can’t toss it with a friend.

Novice Players (starting to get the hang of throwing well) – your next disc should be an understable or straight (also called neutral) midrange disc. I recommend the Discraft Meteor as your second disc because it is understable but not so understable that you can use it for quite a while before it becomes too understable for your faster arm speed as you improve. This will allow you to get more distance than your putter but still be very accurate and controllable for you.

Advanced and Intermediate Players (gaining some decent distance and skills) – I recommend you have these 5 types of discs first:

1. You should already have a putter
2. Understable or straight mid-range (also recommended above)
3. Understable Fairway Driver – even more distance than your midrange but also pretty controllable and straight
4. Overstable Approach Disc – for consistently being able to throw approaches under the basket forehand and backhand within 150 feet (45 meters)
5. Understable Distance Driver – for your max distance bomber disc

Here are my 3 favorite recommendations for each of these 5 types of disc golf discs listed above:

1. Axiom Proxy, Yikun Gui (specifically in Tiger Plastic), or Dynamic Discs Judge (this one has a bead the first two do not).
2. Discraft Meteor, Discraft Buzzz SS, or the Latitude 64 Fuse
3. Latitude 64 Diamond (this is the most beginner friendly fairway driver in my opinion), Axiom Crave (good for all players; a very straight flyer), or Discraft Heat (this one a bit faster but understable enough to utilize as someone who doesn’t bomb too far)
4. Discraft Zone (Jawbreaker plastic is my favorite), Kastaplast Berg (doesn’t go far but that’s a good thing some times; I bag both a Zone and Berg together), Kastaplast Jarn (like a zone but slightly more overstable and slightly better plastic)
5. If you aren’t throwing over 300ft (100 meters yet) I recommend: Innova Mamba, Discraft Thrasher, or Clash Discs Wild Honey

Honorable Mentions that fly very far for beginners that you might want to check out include (but are not limited to):

Westside Underworld, Latitude 64 River, Discraft Cicada, Innova Leopard, Innova Sidewinder, Kastaplast Falk, Latitude 64 Grace, Innova Wraith (this one is overstable but can beat in to be beginner friendly if you use it a lot), Discmania DD, Kastaplast Stig, Axiom Envy (overstable putter that flies very far), Discraft Buzzz (most popular midrange of all time), Axiom Hex (similar to Buzzz but some people like the feel more and say it flies even farther), Discraft Comet, Discraft Sol, Discraft Passion, Discraft Fierce, or Dynamic Discs Truth.

These are only my favorites so if your favorites didn’t make the list I apologize. There may be better discs for you, but I really think these are all great discs that beginners to advanced players alike will like.

Are there frisbee golf leagues for beginners?

Yes, check out The Disc Golf Scene’s website to find a league, tournament, or course near you.

Conclusion

Just go play! No matter what you call it:  frisbee golf, frolf, frisket, hippie golf, disk golf or disc golf – just go play! You will be welcomed on the course by the small disc golf community because we all want the sport to grow! Even advanced and pro players love brand new beginner disc golfers on the course (no matter how bad you are) because this awesome community of frisbee flingers we love so dearly is surprisingly small. Just search for a course near you, grab your putter, and go out and have a good time. It is great exercise, great fun, and a great for your mental health!