There are many reasons to travel.
For fun. For work.
Maybe a hit-for-hire.
Whatever the case, it’s not at all uncommon to get outside of your hometown, and for reasons that have Jack-diddly to do with disc golf. However, the beauty of the sport is that, with just the tiniest bit of intentional forward-thinking, any trip can quickly become a disc golf trip …
Kind of.
I’ll give you an example.
Four or so weeks ago, my family went “glamping” near the Utah-Idaho border at Bear Lake. It’s known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies” and is far cooler than whatever you’re envisioning.
Disc golf was NOT on the agenda.
That said, before loading the family’s Honda Odyssey up with the mountain of crap three small children require to do virtually anything, I made sure to check for any nearby disc golf courses in the greater Bear Lake area. There was one pitch-and-putt nine-holer within driving distance of where we’d be staying – it was total crap with trash signage and a pair of missing baskets.
But still …
Disc golf is disc golf.
Some is better than none.
To make this happen required zero effort: 30 seconds for a Google search beforehand and another 30 to pack three discs: a KC Pro Aviar, Champion Roc3 and Champion Leopard3. Throw a Firebird in there, and you’re good for 75% of shots on 95% of disc golf courses.
Sure, disc golf-wise, this most recent excursion proved largely uneventful, but it happened. I’ve repeated this same process in cities like Laie, Tulsa, Houston, Charlotte, Indianapolis, etc. And because of it, at least a dozen different times, I’ve enjoyed new courses in new places far more than I would’ve if disc golf hadn’t been top-of-mind while packing for something else.
For me, unless it’s destination disc golf I’m after, I bring no more than four frisbees, as they can easily be shoved into the bottom of a backpack or tossed in the trunk of a car without taking up much space. I’ve toyed with the idea of buying one of those cheap, over-the-shoulder bags for this exact situation, but one is hardly necessary. The bottom line remains the same …
No matter where you are on the planet or what you’re doing, you’re one disc away from experiencing something unique and adding to your already jam-packed bank of memories.
And remember: This is (usually) free.
Not bad.
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I haven’t gotten to go on too many vacations since I got addicted to hucking plastic, but I have had two. One north to Vancouver island and one south to Shelton Springs. The one to Canada was to visit wife’s family and got to play two courses in Port Alberni. Note: if you find yourself there and only have time for one their 18 hole course is immensely better than their 9 hole pitch n putt. I even got my first Canadian birdie and shot +3 while only carding 4 bogeys. Dry Creek DGC was very nice to me.
The other was a dedicated disc golf trip. It was for my daughter’s second tournament. So I actually didn’t get to play Shelton springs except about 4 holes to warm up. But even just caddying at a course that the DGPT stops at was super memorable. We even made some disc golf friends and had a blast.
I can’t imagine going anywhere now without a Teebird, zone and aviar in the minivan. Throw in a glitch for warming up with a game of catch too.
Never thrown a (current) DGPT course …
The Fort is in Ogden, Utah.
That’s where James Conrad’s “Holy Shot” took place, as you’ll recall.
It’s a fun track, but man …
I’m not good enough for it.
(learning, slowly but surely – haha)
Congrats on your daughter’ second tourney, BTW – that’s great to hear!
Totally agree. I live in Alaska, and go to conventions around the country. I have gotten to play courses that I had no intention of playing, because of where I live. But going to these conventions has allowed me to play some great courses, like Kayak Point in Marysville, WA, Gateway West in Fort Worth, TX, and Pier Park in Portland, OR. In September, heading to a convention in Philadelphia, where I’ll be able to play three courses, Sedgley Woods, Haverford Preserve, and Fort Washington. Next year, I’ll get the opportunity to play in Louisville, KY. My bag is always my carry-on.
Woah!
You go full-bag for these trips?
That’s both hardcore and admirable.
Dedication to the game 🙂
I got a Shift specifically for traveling, as it will slide under the seat easily, once I remove the Nalgene bottle. I do bag some Elevation Discs, and they live in the outside pouches, since they don’t mind being knocked around. Plus, I can stash my laptop in there, if needed.
Oh, nice!
I’m a fellow “Shift Guy,” and as you well know …
There’s no better bag on the market.
Epic product.
My brothers and I always take a two or three day trip every year to a destination course. We’ve hit Steady ed, WR jackson, Langley pond, Lula, Fire mountain, Richmond Hill, and New world red and green amongst others. Next year we’re coming to Utah to play The Fort and Jolly’s ranch. Going to try to get Base Camp in if time allows. I always carry a Wraith an Aviar and a Firebird in the back of the car in case I pass something in my daily travels. I went on vacation to Destin Florida a couple years ago. Girlfriend got pissed when I was unpacking at the condo and she saw my discs. I hit the course anyway
Joseph, Jolley’s Campground is my all-time FAVORITE course …
It’ll change your life.
Nothing too tough that it’ll have you hating life.
But nothing’s easy, either.
Also, you’re up Springville Canyon, which offers stunning views.
Prepare yourself for a game-changing experience, my friend 🙂
This is pry the best perk of disc golf! A few discs take up almost zero space and most courses are free! We usually take 3-4 weekend overnight trips a year and we always bring our bag with (we use 1 bag for Wife, 2 kids and myself). Sometimes we play sometimes we don’t, but I’d feel naked if I left it at home.
I find it funny that when i introduce people to or just talk about disc golf they are amazed that most of the courses are free….this has got to be the biggest difference between ball and disc golf. I gave up ball golf years ago cause the cost of playing a round every weekend was harder and harder to swallow with a young family. Plus not that strange to see a stroller on the disc golf course, but when’s the last time you saw somebody take there infant to a ball golf course?
Honestly its sometimes hard to fathom how our sport isn’t more popular?? Although most people tell me it’s cause of no cart to haul them around. Which makes me think that golf is just a excuse to drink and drive lol. Seems it’s the only place where they’ll hand you a 6 pack and a set of keys without question!
Dude, that “stroller” comment had me in stitches …
So true, and I have no earthly idea why.
I’d guess that it’s because of time: You need four hours to ball-golf 18 holes.
Also, you bring up a good point …
Why is disc golf not more popular?
I’m going to gnaw on this a bit this week to see if I can come up with an idea or two …
Appreciate the idea, brotha!