At AADG we are trying to bring disc golfers together through our community, and increase public awareness and respect for the sport. Although it is taking longer than we would like to get the actual site up and running, we now have about 280 unique visitors a month.

We both understand that leaving comments on blogs isn’t exactly the most exciting thing to do, and that forums are a much better place to talk about disc golf (and we are working on a forum) SO, with that in mind, there is a way to have your voice heard.

I just read an article out of the Lexington Kentucky newspaper online, about a recent meeting regarding expansion of activities in their parks. There was barely a mention of disc golf and the one line that was in the article was this “Other suggestions at Monday night’s meeting included expanding opportunities for disc golf and retaining Meadowbrook Golf Course, the city’s only 18-hole, par-3 golf course, ideal for beginners and seniors.” Ok, so it wasn’t even a full sentence, they quickly changed the subject to ball golf.

Getting to the point, the director of parks, Jerry Hancock is looking for the public’s voice on this matter. Soooo, this is a great opportunity for our readers, no matter where you live, to send Jerry Hancock a little email, a letter, or give him a call and cast your vote to expand and create other courses around the city. There are currently 3 disc golf courses in the city according to DG Course Review. This is better than some cities but if the parks are looking to expand activities, disc golf is always a great way to go. You can find out more about Jerry including how to contact him here : http://www.lfucg.com/parks/director.asp

I’m going to write him and let him know what we are doing with the AADG and that we would support him expanding the disc golf presence in Lexington (which is the 2nd largest city in the state). We will let him know about the rapid growth of this sport and the draw it will have in his area in the coming months and years. I know that most disc golfers look for new courses to play whenever they travel, so this is something else to consider about drawing tourists into the park system.

If you want to speak out as an advocate for disc golf, this is a great way to start, and it will only take a minute to get it done.

Thanks to everyone who has been visiting our site and wishing us well. Look for good things to come.
Oh, if you want to read the entire article about the parks plans to expand, click here.

As with all sports, a solid foundation built around the fundamentals is essential to be competitive and to improve your abilities. The best athletes in every sport always attribute their skills to consistently practicing the fundamentals. Disc golf should be no different, and any disc golf instructor will reinforce that.

With that in mind, I took a look at how golf’s fundamentals compare with disc golf’s fundamentals. The basics are about the same, here’s a rundown of some basic golf fundamentals, I think you will see how they are equally important in disc golf:

Pre Shot Routine
Grip
Stance
Alignment
Swing Path
Putting

More on Disc Golf Fundamentals

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 4th Annual Fernburner at Lucky Mud, an almost overwhelmingly positive experience. I say experience, because while the Fernburner is technically a tournament, it amounts to so much more. You’re can stay at the inn or camp out on the course, are fed ample amounts of great home cooked food, and have plenty of opportunity to kick back, take a deep breath and lose yourself in serenity of your surroundings. Not to mention, you’re surrounded by a group of great people who all likeminded and share a common love. Sure, the competition is there if you want it, but it just seems to be one facet of this gem.

On the Sunday following the tournament, some of who camped out had a round of casual random draw doubles. My partner was Jenn, the only woman playing in the doubles. My game was simply not there in the morning, and Jenn had to do the majority of the work for us. And you know? I’m not embarrassed to admit that. The girl has game. She’s a solid player that could give a lot of guys a run for their money, and would probably do very well in PDGA tournaments. I’d even go so far to say she’d quite possibly dominate in the WA State Series, were she to play in it. But no, she only plays one tournament a year, and that’s the Fernburner. More on If not tournaments, then what?

This past Memorial Day weekend, I was able to take a road trip with a few friends northbound to Bellingham (the last major town before you reach the Canadian border here in Washington), and had the pleasure of getting to see the early stages of disc golf courses being built. Having done quite a few work parties on my home course, I know how much work it takes to simply maintain a disc golf course, but to completely build one from scratch…well, let’s just say I have nothing but respect for those that are willing to take on a project of such magnitude.

The first course we stopped at was the Northern State Recreation Area in Sedro-Woolley, WA. The site is in a 756 acre space that was once a dairy farm associated with the Northern State Hospital, a bygone mental institution. Basically, it is a lot of land that has not been used for much else besides walking trails, old farm buildings can be seen throughout the course, slowly giving way to nature. More on The Roots Grow Deep in Northern Washington

If I ask ten different people why they play disc golf, I almost always get a top three type of answer. In no particular order, they are: because its a good time, becuase it’s cheap, because of the great sense of community among other disc golfers. Other answers I often get are; it’s challenging, it gives me something active to do outside, and it’s a great way to meet like-minded people. More on The Reasons We Play

I find myself defensive, when I tell someone I play disc golf, and they ask what it is. And after my explanation, the response I get is either a laugh or the comment, “are you serious?” But instead of showing anger or frustration at the responses I get, I’ve decided to apply my energy in a different direction. More on Disc Golf: Public Perception vs. Reality

Today, as I do every Thursday, I went to my local course to play 9 holes before dark. It’s something I look forward to every week after a long day at “my real job”. Only lately, when I have gone, I’ve found myself secretly wishing for a pay to play course close by. I’m definitely all for the free courses too, but having to step over other people’s trash (and even found a gatorade bottle IN one of the baskets) I long for a course where everyone respects the game and their surroundings.
More on Pay To Play vs. Free