Ditch the Golf Clubs, Try Disc Golf

Playing a round of golf with your family can be an ordeal—you need clubs, the right attire and a golf course, not to mention quiet and patient kids. Disc golf can be a fun way to introduce kids to the sport, but in a more relaxed fashion.

Disc golf is played just like regular golf, but instead of having a ball and clubs, you have a Frisbee-like disc to throw. The goal is to throw the specially-designed discs into a target, which is normally a metal chain basket attached to a pole. The winner will have the least amount of strokes between baskets. Each player has the choice of three basic discs: a putter, a midrange and a driver. These can be bought as a set at a local sporting goods store, on amazon.com or on websites such as discnation.com or everythingdiscgolf.com.

Most courses are free to use and are a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday outdoors. Kids will love picking out their disc of choice, while eventually learning which type is best for short or long distances. It is fun to see the entire family out on the course trying their hardest to aim and launch the discs into a faraway basket. It quickly turns into an afternoon full of laughter after seeing where the discs accidentally land. Here are some local courses to check out this weekend:

Perkerson Park

770 Deckner Ave. SW, Atlanta

One of metro Atlanta’s most challenging and longest-length courses full of several par fours and a par five. Short, red tee pads indicate a recreational to intermediate skill level and long, black pads indicate advanced skill level.

Wills Park

11925 Wills Rd., Alpharetta

The course has been renovated and sprawls throughout the park with well-maintained trails. There are creeks in play for several holes, which makes for some technical challenge around the water.

Oregon Park

145 Old Hamilton Rd., Marietta

The park is made of large, grassy areas for plenty of room for disc throwing—great for beginners who don’t have the best aim, but can also be challenging because of the distance between holes.

East Roswell Park

9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell

The course is located in a heavily-wooded area of the park, and offers some elevation challenges. Three sets of tee pads: black for the pros, blue and red tees for younger or more casual players.

Hunter Memorial Park

8905 Gurley Rd., Douglasville

Mix of both open and lightly-wooded holes with moderate elevation on most holes. One par four tunnel shot to try.

Alexander Park

800 Old Snellville Hwy., Lawrenceville

The course has both scattered trees and wide open holes in fields. There is a pond in play on number 17.

Village Greens Park

204 Willowbend Rd., Peachtree City

This course is only nine holes instead of 18, and is mostly flat with a lot of trees and some hilly areas.

Hobbs Farm Park

1147 Rome St., Carrollton

Play through fields, forests, marshlands and on the banks of the Little Tallapoosa River. The course signs are very easy to read, with photos showing the distance to the holes.