There are two beautiful disc golf courses in Delta Park just waiting to be used when the lockdown is over.
Disc golf is one of the world’s fastest growing outdoor sports and Delta Park has seen players driving and putting for over a decade with two 18-hole courses.
The one course is made completely of baskets while the other has seven baskets and 11 tree targets.
Disc golf is played largely the same way as traditional ‘ball’ golf, but instead of clubs and golf balls, disc golf uses special high-speed discs thrown by hand like a frisbee, albeit with a different technique.
Instead of a hole in the ground, the target in disc golf is a metal basket with chains. When one throws the disc into the chains, the disc drops into the basket. The lower the number of throws from tee into basket, the better.
Most courses are either nine or 18 holes.
Disc Golf South Africa chairperson, Bart Meulenbeld explained that the discs used for the sport are different from frisbees in that they are designed to be thrown fast (on average 80 to120km/h) and far, and are not suitable for catching.
“Most amateur players will throw on average between 75 to 120m with a distance driver, while professionals will routinely throw 150m or more,” he said.
“There is a wide variety of discs. There are also different types of plastic and different plastic moulds, which all influence how the disc will fly.”
Meulenbeld said many disc golfers have set up a target of sorts in their garden to practise putting.
“This may be a mobile version of a basket, but can really be any target – a tree with painted lines works great.”
To practise long-distance throwing will require an open field or park of sorts.
The sport has some advantages over other sports, namely a low environmental impact (some game rules declare a penalty shot for littering – there is course maintenance as part of the challenge playing around nature) and low cost to the player as even one disc can suffice.
“The sport can be played by all ages. While physical power is important at the highest echelons of the game, technique is the most important factor in determining success in disc golf.”
Meulenbeld invited anyone interested to play the game at Delta Park, once the lockdown is over.
They find out more, or can buy discs by contacting him at discgolfsouthafrica@gmail.com or 079 491 7034.
