Students attempt to throw under par
Jennifer Washburn
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: News
What is disc golf, exactly? Disc golf is essentially throwing a Frisbee or weighted disc at a stationary target. Sounds easy, right? Well, it takes skill to throw a moving object at something stationary that can be blown off course by the wind.
"The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc," according to the Professional Disc Golf Association Web site. Yes, there is a Professional Disc Golf Association, whose purpose is to make sure that everyone plays by similar rules and regulations.
At Western Illinois University, there is a disc golf course next to Lincoln and Washington Halls that has become quite popular with students, especially since the next closest course is in Canton, Ill., about 40 miles east of Macomb. It is a cheap way for any student to have some fun and get out of their dorm room or apartment.
All you have to provide are the weighted discs. Disc golf is similar to regular golf in the fact that you try to get around a course in the least amount of strokes or throws possible. It is different from regular golf in the fact that you don't have to spend a lot of money on golf balls, tees, clubs, bags and anything else that regular golfers would need and you can play for free pretty much anywhere.
A regular set of golf clubs can cost well over $100, but discs for disc golf range in price depending on where you buy the discs. Discs can range from $8 to $30 depending on the brand of disc, its use and whether or not it is specially designed. The majority of discs are made by Innova and Discraft.
Around Macomb, you can purchase discs at places like Rock-n-Records on Lafayette Street, Capitol Music on the Square or the University Union bookstore. Discs can also be rented from the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center or the main desk in the basement of Lincoln and Washington Halls.
To play disc golf, you toss a weighted disc at a target of chains and metal tubing, commonly referred to as the basket. The basket consists of a center pole with a chain holder holding chains around the outside of the pole. On the bottom there is a basket to catch the discs. The only major difference between disc golf and just tossing a Frisbee around is that the basket doesn't move.
It does take talent to play disc golf. You have to have accuracy to throw at a stationary target while compensating for wind. You also have to watch out for obstacles on the course like trees, plants and other people, and there are also hills and valleys to compensate for. While there are people who take disc golf seriously and have many different styles of discs, like putters, drivers and approach discs, most are amateurs who just play for fun.
Senior exercise science majorJillian Wasilik loves playing disc golf.
"Disc golf is an individual sport, it gives you a chance to relax and play a sport at the same time," Wasilik said. It is also a great way to meet people, she explained.
"The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc," according to the Professional Disc Golf Association Web site. Yes, there is a Professional Disc Golf Association, whose purpose is to make sure that everyone plays by similar rules and regulations.
At Western Illinois University, there is a disc golf course next to Lincoln and Washington Halls that has become quite popular with students, especially since the next closest course is in Canton, Ill., about 40 miles east of Macomb. It is a cheap way for any student to have some fun and get out of their dorm room or apartment.
All you have to provide are the weighted discs. Disc golf is similar to regular golf in the fact that you try to get around a course in the least amount of strokes or throws possible. It is different from regular golf in the fact that you don't have to spend a lot of money on golf balls, tees, clubs, bags and anything else that regular golfers would need and you can play for free pretty much anywhere.
A regular set of golf clubs can cost well over $100, but discs for disc golf range in price depending on where you buy the discs. Discs can range from $8 to $30 depending on the brand of disc, its use and whether or not it is specially designed. The majority of discs are made by Innova and Discraft.
Around Macomb, you can purchase discs at places like Rock-n-Records on Lafayette Street, Capitol Music on the Square or the University Union bookstore. Discs can also be rented from the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center or the main desk in the basement of Lincoln and Washington Halls.
To play disc golf, you toss a weighted disc at a target of chains and metal tubing, commonly referred to as the basket. The basket consists of a center pole with a chain holder holding chains around the outside of the pole. On the bottom there is a basket to catch the discs. The only major difference between disc golf and just tossing a Frisbee around is that the basket doesn't move.
It does take talent to play disc golf. You have to have accuracy to throw at a stationary target while compensating for wind. You also have to watch out for obstacles on the course like trees, plants and other people, and there are also hills and valleys to compensate for. While there are people who take disc golf seriously and have many different styles of discs, like putters, drivers and approach discs, most are amateurs who just play for fun.
Senior exercise science majorJillian Wasilik loves playing disc golf.
"Disc golf is an individual sport, it gives you a chance to relax and play a sport at the same time," Wasilik said. It is also a great way to meet people, she explained.
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