With only one course in 1975, the sport of disc golf has exploded to nearly 2,515 recognized courses worldwide. One of which is in Owasco's Emerson Park.

Wendy Courbat, president of the Central New York Disc Golf Association, said the game shares the same objective as golf, but with two key differences. First, players use a solid plastic disc, which is similar to a Frisbee, instead of a ball and club. And there is a price difference between the two games.

“Unlike golf, (disc golf) is very inexpensive,” Courbat said. “You don't have to pay greens fees. You might just have to pay a parking fee, which at Emerson Park is only $2 a car.”

And when players compare the equipment prices, other differences become apparent, Courbat said. A single disc can cost as much as $30 while a set of golf clubs can be as cheap as $100.

Eric Trippany, an open pro disc golf player and member of the CNYDGA, said the game also has added health benefits, which have contributed to the game's growth.

“It's such a cool game and I feel that nothing compares physically,” Trippany said. “You have to be in shape to play. You have to walk through the hills and woods, and you have to twist and contort your body to throw the discs.”

According to demographic data released by the Professional Disc Golf Association, an estimated 8 to 12 million people have played the game, with 500,000 being regular players.

Gary Duckett, director of Cayuga County Parks and Trails, said he has observed a growth in the use of Emerson Park's course.

“I don't have any actual statistics, but I have seen more cars in the (course's) parking lot,” he said. “A year ago there were two or three cars in the parking lot, and now there may be four to six cars. I am guessing on an average day there are about 30 people a day playing disc golf.”

Part of the appeal for Emerson Park, which is the only 18-hole course in Cayuga County, is its challenging landscape. While some courses have wide-open fairways that allow players to try to go for distance throws, Emerson Park course players must rely on finesse.

“The course is very challenging because of all the trees that players have to shoot around,” Duckett said. “Even pro players have just recently been able to get under par on the course within the past few months.”

For the everyday player who wants to improve their score at Emerson Park or any other course, Trippany recommended they join the CNYDGA.

“Most of the more experienced players at the (CNYDGA) are very willing to work and teach the younger players,” he said. “The majority of the people are very friendly, and the learning curve is much quicker than regular golf. I believe that makes it even more exciting for people when they can get better faster.”

Many younger players get the best practice at the organization's Tuesday night league.

“At the league games, we will pair a younger player with a pro player who has played for a while,” Trippany said. “It's very exciting to watch the newer players develop and win that night's pot. It can only help the sport when new people win and have fun.”

Nate Robson

253-5311 ext. 248

nathan.robson@lee.net

Four common disc golf shots

Hyzer and Anhyzer shot - A shot that curves either left or right to get around obstacles, such as trees.

Helix throw - This throw will have the disc make an S-shaped curve through several obstacles.

Hammer or tomahawk throw - A player will throw the disc like they were using a hammer, or throwing a tomahawk, to get the disc over obstacles.

Roller throw - This is a short-distance throw used to roll the disc on the ground to go under obstacles.