Disc Golf: Get Active on South Mississippi’s Courses!

You’ve seen the weird little metal baskets hanging on trees in parks. You may have even seen groups of people using them, carrying their collections of plastic discs and enjoying the great outdoors.

For hundreds of years, people have enjoyed playing regular golf. It can get expensive, though, which often makes it an unlikely sport for most kids. Disc golf, however, is a whole different animal. It may be played on a course the way golf is, and also allows gameplay while out in nature, but the costs are far less. It’s close to free, actually!

In this new “socially distant” world, parents are seeking affordable games and sports that can be played outdoors, with physical space maintained between players. Disc golf is the perfect activity to add both space and physical activity to your child’s afternoons or weekends.

Grayson Robbins runs a Mississippi-based Disc Golf website and has helped establish at least one course in the state, up in northeastern Mississippi. He said it is a great game for kids.

“It allowed children and young adults to get off the sofa, away from television and video games, with a new fast-growing sport where one could compete against others. Or against oneself,” he said, adding that it’s a “fun activity for all ages.”

Since most all courses are free to use, or involve a token fee, the expense comes in with purchase of discs and perhaps carrying bags. Beginners can opt for just starting out with the most basic plastic frisbee. Once it is decided they’ll stick with the game, however, disc golf-specific discs with various properties may be purchased at sporting goods stores such as Academy, or at one of many online retailers who supply disc golf fans. One example is Disc Golf Center (Discgolfcenter.com), which carries a dizzying array of discs from various manufacturers and at different price points.

There are many online forums and groups — including local groups and competitive leagues — which can provide tons of info about techniques, courses, and the rules of game play. A quick Google search yields many returns if you want to find a group to learn from.

Now, get out there with your kids and have some (almost free) outdoor fun!

Kara Martinez Bachman is an author, editor and mom to two kids. She readily admits she’s terrible at throwing a disc.