A totally different kind of golf is growing in popularity. There are still hazards, trees and doglegs, but clubs and golf balls aren't needed.

Disc golf is a sport that crosses golf with Frisbee, creating a new activity that can be enjoyed at almost any age.

On Sunday, the Eat Well, Play Hard coalition teamed up with Emerson Park to put together a Disc Golf Tournament. It was open to the public and was played at the disc golf course across from Emerson Park.

The tournament was a part of the Choose Your Move in May program that Eat Well, Play Hard has been conducting all month in Cayuga County.

“Eat Well, Play Hard is working to highlight places you can go and activities you can do right in your own county,” Eat Well, Play Hard's Joe Mushock said. “Our community has so much to offer and we are trying to expose people to all the opportunities we have right at our fingertips.”

Mushock said that one of the most important factors of the disc golf course is that it is a free activity that families, couples or groups of friends can partake in without having to go far, spend much or take much time out for.

“This is an almost professional golf course right at our doorstep,” Mushock said.

Gary Duckett, the Director of Parks and Trails for Cayuga County, has worked hard to put the course together and maintain it at relatively no cost to taxpayers.

“We have kept it so that the only thing people have to pay for is two dollars for parking, unless you are looking to rent out a pavilion. Otherwise, the use of the park is free along with the course,” Duckett said. “People can bring their families out to enjoy a picnic by the lake, let the kids play in the water or on the playground and now can come right over here to play a fun game. There is no expensive equipment to buy either.”

The tournament itself was planned not only to get disc golf lovers, but also an attempt to bring awareness to the rest of the community that this facility exists.

“We are really hoping that people see this and come out and try it,” Duckett said. “Bringing their families or friends to get out and have some fun. That is what this tournament is all about, we want people to realize that they can come out here anytime and have a great time.”

“This style (of the) tournament, captain-and-crew, is unusual for disc golf,” Mushock added. “It is a good tournament for amateurs or new people because of that format. We really hope that it will get new people involved.”

Duckett said that not only is it an easy sport to learn, but the course is set up and designed with all types of players in mind. There are color-coded markers at each hole to let you know where you should tee off from. You can also pick up a scorecard with a map on the back to guide you along the way. The only part that you have to pay for, other than parking, are the discs, which can be picked up at the ticket booth or the main office, for five dollars. During the tournament though, Eat Well, Play Hard offered free rentals to those without their own.

Eat Well, Play Hard has been a supporter of the disc golf course from the beginning, as they were the first to sponsor a hole and now have sponsored three.

“They wanted to help make it happen all along,” Duckett said. “They have done a great job promoting this since we don't have enough staff to do the promoting. It is just great what they are doing in this community and we are glad that they have gotten so involved with getting people out here.”

Duckett warns that the only other thing that you may need to play the course is a pair of waterproof shoes for some wet spots on the back nine.

“The front nine is great for the newer players, while the back nine is a little wooded and has a couple water hazards,” Duckett said. “Otherwise we work hard to keep this course kept up nicely and hope that everyone comes out to try it at least once. You can't do better than a free activity and it is a lot of fun that anyone can really get into.”