Cornwall Park Frisbee Disc Golf Course in Bellingham, WA

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Disc golf is similar to traditional golf and uses much of the same rules and terminology. As in ball golf, a course usually consists of 18 holes. Unlike ball golf, most courses are located in public parks and are free to play, although some courses require a nominal fee, and the sport requires inexpensive discs instead of costly clubs and balls. The modern disc golf target consists of a metal basket with chains hanging over it and was invented in 1976 by "Steady" Ed Hedrick (1924 - 2002), the father of disc golf and the modern "frisbee".

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Tee Pad - the area where the first throw of a given hole must take place. These are often concrete pads, but many courses utilize natural tees. It is not uncommon for a portion of a sidewalk or a parking lot to be used as a tee pad.

The Basket - often called the pin or the pole hole. Once a disc lands in the basket, the hole is considered completed.

Throw - the act of propelling the disc towards the basket. Throws must be made with one hand. Each throw is counted towards the player's score. There are three types of throws: backhand, forehand (often called sidearm), and overhand. (styles of throw are explained later in this entry)

Lie- the spot where the disc comes to rest. This is often marked by a mini-disc marker.

Par - like in ball golf, each disc golf course has a posted par. The 'par' is the number of strokes that a scratch player would need to complete the hole. This is usually the number of throws it takes to reach the green + two putts. On a hole less than 400ft, the par is usually three, depending on the number of obstacles. For holes more than 400ft, the par is usually four. Most disc golfers disregard the posted par, in favor of a universal par of three. To the competitive disc golfer, every hole is a par three, making the total par for 18 holes always 54. This serves to simplify the game. And this helps the average disc golfer measure themselves against the pros. Most pros can finish any hole in three strokes.

Opinions differ on what constitutes par. The PDGA guidelines say that holes above 475 feet can be considered a par 4, if there are, for example, lots of trees to navigate through, depending on the caliber of the course (Gold, Blue, White calibers). A 300 foot hole can be a legitimate par 4 if you're throwing through a jungle. There are lots of disagreements on this.

Drive - any throw off of the tee pad, or a throw from the fairway designed for maximum distance.

Approach - usually the second shot of a hole, designed to place the disc within putting distance.

Putt - a throw is officially considered a putt if it is made "within the circle" (within 10 meters of the pin). Many players consider distances of twenty or thirty meter putts, and use their putting motion. There are special rules related to official putting however. (see below)

Ace - known as a hole in one in ball golf. An ace occurs when a player makes their first shot, or drive, into the basket. An ace in disc golf is fairly rare and much praise is given to those who have accomplished this spectacular feat. A common practice is to have all participants in the ace group or all spectators sign the "ace disc." Aces are more common in disc golf than ball golf as the top pros boast as many as 200+ aces in their careers.

The Circle - what is considered the green in ball golf. This is a circle ten meters in radius, with the basket at its center.

Hyzer -The disc flight tendency to turn counter to its rotation.

Anhyzer -Forcing the disc turn in the same direction as the rotation of the disc.Also known as "Annie"

Snap -The moment of release of the disc to maximize spin. There is often an audible "snapping" sound if done properly.

Distance Driving - a throw that is designed to produce a great deal of distance. When trying to throw for maximum distance, the ideal flight path of the disc, for an RHBH thrower, is to turn slightly to the right, straighten out, and then fade to the left. This will look like a ')' or an elongated '?'.

Approaching - if a player is not driving the disc, he is either approaching or putting. Professional players consider around a 200-250ft shot to be an approach. For many players, however, this is the length of their normal drives. For some players, a shot does not truly become an approach until around 100ft.

Putting - officially, a disc is being putted if it is being thrown within the circle. However, many players use their putting motion from much further away. There are many different types of putts which are explained below. As with anything, a disc golfer must find what is comfortable for them, and go with it. There is no 'wrong' way to putt.

Backhand - when throwing backhand, a thrower must determine for himself what kinds of discs work best for them, depending on how much 'snap' they throw with. 'Snap' is generated by high arm speed and by a player cocking his wrist and literally snapping the disc on the release. When thrown correctly, a disc will literally make an audible snapping sound upon release. Players who throw with a great deal of snap should throw over stable discs, whereas a player who doesn't throw with a great deal of snap should throw under stable discs.

Forehand - As with backhands, players have to determine for themselves what sort of discs work for them. Generally, forehand throws generate more snap than a backhand throw, so usually, forehand shots require more over stable discs.

With both forehands and backhands, the throwing ability of different players will progress. For example, when a player first starts throwing, they do not throw with a great deal of snap, thus they should use under stable discs. However, the player will eventually learn how to throw with more snap, which will require them to move to more over stable discs. Players should not, however, remove that first disc from the bag, as it may now be good for turnover drives or anhyzers. Players have to learn their discs and learn what works best for them.

Hyzer - a hyzer is a throw that is designed to take advantage of the natural angle of the disc. For example, an RHBH hyzer is a shot that fades to the left. There are a few types of hyzers. A soft hyzer is a throw that gradually fades, whereas a spike hyzer is a throw where the disc fades hard and drastically. Spike hyzers can result in discs that are literally 'spiked' into the ground. These types of throws are used to navigate certain obstacles. A disc that is slightly over stable with a high glide, such as the Innova Valkyrie, are good for soft hyzers, whereas a disc that is very over stable with a low glide, such as Innova Firebirds, are best for spike hyzers.

Anhyzer - an anhyzer is a throw that is designed to go against the natural angle of the disc. For example, an RHBH thrower who throws a disc that fades to the right would be throwing an anhyzer. To execute an anhyzer, an RHBH would tilt the disc to the right when he releases the disc. Under stable discs are best used for anhyzers. As with hyzers, soft and spike anhyzers are options. The Innova 'Roadrunner' and 'Stingray' are good for anhyzer shots.

Helix - a helix throw utilizes both aspects of the throw to produce an "S" flight shape. For example, an RHBH thrower will release and overstable disc (natural flight that finishes to the left) to the right in order for it to return to the left at the end of flight. This is a highly skilled shot requiring knowledge of disc flight dynamics and multiple angles. A very useful shot to avoid the obstacles that grace the disc golf course.

Turnover - a disc is 'turned over' when it flies against the natural angle of the disc. For example, an RHBH thrower has turned a disc over if it flies to the right when released flat. This differs from an anhyzer because of the angle of release. Turnover drives are generally released flat or at a slight angle, whereas an anhyzer is released at a more drastic angle. Ideally, the disc will 'flex' back to the natural fade, creating an 'S' curve. Some curves are more drastic then others. A more under stable disc will turn over harder than an over stable disc. Depending on the shot, a certain type of turnover drive may be required. Lighter discs will turnover much easier than heavier discs. An ideal drive for max distance is usually slightly turned over. Depending on the thrower, many discs can be used for turnover drives.

Hammer/Tomahawk - It is an overhand throw where the thrower grips the disc much like he would a forehand. This throw has a unique flight pattern which is best learned by throwing a few out in a field. It is useful for going over difficult obstacles. Mid-range discs with high glide are best for hammers. The Innova Max and Roc are good discs for hammers.

Thumber (or Scoobie) - an overhand throw that involves placing the thumb inside the lip of the disc. Like the hammer, the thumber has a unique flight patter than is best learned by throwing a few out in a field. It is also useful for going over difficult obstacles. The Innova Monster is a good thumber disc.

Grenade - This grip is similar to a Thumber grip with the thumb pad pressing against the inside wall of the rim, and the base of the thumb grabbing the bottom of the rim. The delivery is extreme hyzer backhand. This shot is similar to golf's sand wedge. The shot flies virtually straight up and straight down to clear obstacles and stick dead where it lands as it has backspin.

Roller - this is a shot designed to travel a short distance in the air and then roll towards the target. Rollers can be thrown forehand and backhand, and should be considered a very advanced throw. Many disc golfers can roll a disc farther than they can throw it. Rollers are very effective in going under obstacles, such as a circle of trees around the basket. They are difficult to control, and require a great deal of practice. Innova Sidewinders and Roadrunners make good long distance rollers, and Innova Leopards and Cheetahs make for good mid to short range rollers.

In-line Putting - a style of putting where the plant foot is directly behind the lie marker and pointed right at the basket, and the other foot is placed behind the plant foot. The disc is thrown from the chest generally straight at the pin. Some in line putters throw the disc with a bit of snap and run right at the basket, while others try to float the disc into the basket. This is just a matter of personal taste or what the situation dictates. In-line putters almost always putt backhand.

Straddle Putt - a style of putting where one foot is placed behind the lie marker and the other is parallel, rather than behind, the plant foot. The putter often squats a bit an uses their legs to propel the discs. Straddle putts can be used to navigate around obstacles and provide a clear line to the basket. Some prefer the stability of straddle putting for shorter putts and many use the stance for jump putting. Most straddle putts are backhand putts, though they can be forehand putts.

Jump Putt - outside the circle, jump putting is used to generate more power. It is similar to straddle putting except the putter jumps forward with the release of the disc. This is a tough skill that requires some practice, but can be very effective. Many golfers do not bother with jump putting, though many use it very effectively. Jump putting is illegal within the circle. Jump putting is almost always done with a backhand throw.

Turbo Putt - an interesting style of putt where the thumb is placed in the middle of the disc and the fingers are rested on the outer rim of the disc. The putter spins the disc slightly with the release and pushes with his fingers to propel the disc. This style of putting is not very effective outside of the circle.

Kneeling Putt - in disc golf, the situation often dictates that a throw must be made from a kneeling position. Any point of contact is legal as long as it follows previously stated rules, i.e., in line with the marker disc, no closer to the hole and within the acceptable distance behind the marker.

When putting, golfers also use unconventional stances. Golfers sometime contort their bodies in unique ways to navigate around obstacles. Sometimes a lunge position is utilized to putt, either forehand or backhand. Sometimes the golfer's feet are each at a different level of elevation. By rule, it is technically legal for someone to completely lie on the ground and throw, assuming their foot is behind their mini marker, and they do not use their body to decrease the distance between their marker and the pin.