Trying to find a new hobby or something to do over the summer? Try Disc golf. Think of a classic game of golf, only instead of hitting a small ball with a club, this game involves throwing flying plastic discs. Disc golf is a great way to get outside, socialize and compete. It’s a lot less expensive than golf and just as much fun.

Disc Golf is super easy to pick up and start playing. All you need is a fairly inexpensive disc (with prices ranging from $10-$25) and a local free course. There are many free courses in Massachusetts, including Newton Hill in Worcester and Buffumville Dam in Charlton. 

A disc is like a frisbee, only it’s smaller and a little heavier. The object of the game, like golf, is to throw these discs into an elevated metal basket in the least amount of throws possible. Players tee off with a big throw down the fairway and they attempt to avoid obstacles as they approach the basket, eventually “putting” it in. The game can be enjoyed casually with a group of friends or you can enter tournaments to play at a competitive level.  

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), the beginnings of Disc Golf date back to 1927 with a game called Tin Lid Golf being played in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, Canada. From there emerged “Object Golf,” which was later called Frisbee Golf in the 1960s, where players would throw frisbees at trees, rocks, poles or garbage bins in place of a target. Early promotion of Frisbee Golf was an important factor that led to the emergence of Disc Golf as an organized sport in 1974. Since then millions of people across the world have played and over 250,000 people have registered in the PDGA.

Massachusetts is the home of the number one disc golf course in the world, Maple Hill located in Leicester. Disc golf is even part of Algonquin’s physical fitness curriculum. The gym teachers believe that disc golf is a great sport to teach because it has a little something for everybody. 

Nothing says growth more than the Northeast Disc Golf Expo, which was created by Massachusetts resident Benjamin Kenney to celebrate the sport. The expo started with its first event this past March and plans for more events in the future. 

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” Kenney said. “I saw a gap in the market; there hasn’t been anything like it and I knew it would be a big step forward for the Disc Golf community.” 

After seeing the amount of support from companies, content creators and fellow disc golfers, Kenney plans for more events in the future to help grow the sport. 

“Disc Golf is growing so fast,” Kenney said. “I’m very excited for where this sport is going and I’m glad that I can be a part of it.”