No Ultimate, try disc golf

As the weather finally starts to warm up and the ground recovers from the recent snow storms there will be more chances for Ultimate players to return to the field. However, for those still struggling to find a game in their area disc golf is a good way to get back into the swing of things.

Disc golf has grown tremendously over the years with courses popping up across the country. However, if not for some dedicated players back in the 1960s and 70s the sport may never have taken off.

According the Professional Disc Golf Association it is difficult to trace the exact origins of the sport because at first it was only played locally. However, in 1965 George Sappenfeld, a recreation counselor, believed kids could play golf with discs, and he contacted Wham-O hoping they could help make his idea a reality and in the years that followed the sport took flight.

Despite the initial efforts of the counselor disc golf was ignored by Wham-O, but it didn't stay that way for long. In 1974 a group of players from Rochester, NY decided to turn their local City of Rochester Disc Golf Championship into a national tournament in an effort to test the widespread appeal of the sport.

By 1975 disc golf had seen explosive growth and thanks to Dan Roddick, the winner of that 1974 tournament, it was included in the 1975 World Frisbee Championships.

In the years that followed national and international tournaments for professionals and amateur golfers have been created. And one doesn't need to look far for a course in their area.

I played disc golf for the first time at WIU on a course on campus. While playing with a friend I struggled to get used to throwing a disc that was smaller and heavier than I was used to.

Overtime though I got the hang of it, and stuck with my one disc. Other players carry bags full of different types of discs from distance drivers to putters. The drivers are meant for long distance, but are difficult to control. I have always used a fairway driver because it allows me to get the distance I want while still remaining accurate to some degree. The putters are the most accurate and meant for short range shots near the hole.

I hope to begin playing again this spring, and meet people on the course. With me will be my trusty Innova Viper disc. It's beat to hell, but it hasn't done me wrong yet.