Relatively inexpensive start-up costs and access to numerous courses makes disc golf a popular Western Slope activity.

“It has provided me with a lot of fantastic experiences,” said Pete Wade, a local professional player.

Wade designed and helped install the 18-hole course at Powderhorn Resort, which he said was an honor.

Disc golf courses across Colorado are free to play, and beginners can purchase discs at nearly any sporting goods store for about $8 per disc.

Wade said a beginner could pick up disc golf with a starter pack of three discs for less than $25 and hit some local courses to learn.

Wade suggested beginners go to the Westlake course, which is behind the City Market at First Street and Orchard Avenue. The course is short.

“I would dare say easy,” Wade said. “A good player there will birdie most of the holes.”

The terminology and scoring for disc golf is the same as for traditional golf, but there are no tee times in disc golf. Discs used in disc golf are not the same as Frisbees thrown around in parks or beaches, Wade said.

Disc golf has a professional association to oversee the rules and regulations of the game. Disc golf courses are typically consist of nine or 18 par-3 holes.

There are several courses in the Grand Valley. There also are disc golf courses on nearly every ski resort in the area.

Disc golf is one of the most affordable activities people can do on ski resorts in the summer because reservations are not required, no transportation is needed to play and the equipment can be rented or brought in.

Wade said it’s not uncommon to stop by Riverbend Park in Palisade on a summer weekend and catch people from out of town playing the 18-hole course.

“The park itself is beautiful,” he said. “Everybody is real cordial out there.”

The Palisade course will host the Colorado State Championships for amateurs and professional disc golfers Sept. 27–28 and Oct. 11–12, respectively.

“It’s a SuperTour event with national exposure,” Wade said. “This is something I have dreamt about for this place for a long time.”

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E-mail Melinda Mawdsley at mmawdsley@gjds.com.

WHERE TO PLAY
Log on to www.pdga.com/course/ and search its directory by state for a list of area courses.
For more information on disc golf in the area, visit the Grand Valley Disc Golf Club’s Web site, www.gvdiscgolf.org.