Disc golf challenging entertainment

Regular readers may recall last July I took a month break from actual board games to offer up a few outdoor game/sport alternatives.

Here in Saskatchewan summers are short, and while many evenings I'm still more than willing to sit at a table to play Dreadball or MERCS, I also like to get out and enjoy the evenings outdoors.

So this week I'm going to start with my favourite summer participatory sport/game - disc golf.

I readily admit I only knew vaguely disc golf existed until the course at Patrick Park in the city was unveiled a couple of years ago.

I attended a launch for the course, tossed a disc or two, and by tossed I mean threw them pitifully, and fell completely for the game.

Disc golf has all the elements which attract someone who is neither rich, nor particularly athletic.

Unlike ball golf, as an example, disc golf is quick to learn. Most of us have thrown a Frisbee-like disc at the park or beach at some point. Golf discs while smaller in diametre and heavier, are at least thrown similarly.

Patrick Park has its challenges, from trees, trees and more trees, to the basket on three being very close to out-of-bounds and the sheer length of basket nine.

You need to have good drives, know how to finesse mid-range shots, and to push scores below par, the ability to consistently sink long putts, the part of my game that lacks the consistency I need to beat par (27).

Yorkton I must say is fortunate to have the course at Patrick Park. While the sport is growing worldwide, based on low investment by municipalities to build a course and for players to play, it is still only the third in the province.

A player's cost is also low too. Sixty bucks gives you a great driver, mid-range, and putter trio.

The question though is what discs to buy as there are companies around the world making discs.

I have reviewed many the last couple of years, and the Canadian company Daredevil Discs is great, SkyQuest is a favourite, and you can't go wrong with Vibram.

Over the last couple of years I have tossed the full range from Vibram, most recently its dedicated driver the Lace.

I went out on a warm Tuesday eve, having only thrown the Lace a couple of times previously, and I shot a 28 using it as the driver on every hole. That tells you the disc, like all Vibrams is quickly understood, and once you know what the disc does when you throw it it repeats its performance with reliability.

Lace, as a distance driver, would be an excellent choice for players of all calibers.