Getting Started in Disc Golf: What is the cost of disc golf?

You may be fairly new to disc golf. You might not have ever played before. Like any new sport or hobby, you are probably curious about how much it really costs to play disc golf. What can you expect to spend as you get started? Or perhaps more importantly, how much will it cost if you really get into disc golf as an avid player?

Your First Disc Golf Discs

The truth is disc golf is one of the most affordable hobbies that you can start with minimal equipment. You can play your first round with one or two discs if you want. Quality used discs aren’t too hard to find at local sporting goods stores or online. You can buy a decent used putter for and average cost of $5-10, and that may be all you need to get started banging those chains. If you want to try multiple discs, look into mid-range discs (with speed ratings between 4-5) as your next option behind putt and approach discs (speed ratings between 1-3). After that, you may consider trying out a fairway driver (speeds 6-8) if you want more distance.

The faster the disc, the more distance potential it can offer. However, it will also be more difficult to control and throw consistently for a beginner disc golfer. It takes more power and better form to get the best results out of disc golf drivers. Eventually, you can work your way up to high-speed distance drivers (speeds 9-14) for max distance drives. Otherwise, new disc golf players should start with the slower discs as you learn how to play the game of disc golf.

A very easy and affordable way to start playing disc golf is to purchase an Innova Starter Set. It comes with three brand new discs for less than $30, including a DX Leopard fairway driver, a DX Shark midrange, and a DX Aviar putter. These are three of Innova’s most popular disc models that are very beginner-friendly for your first rounds of disc golf. The DX plastic is our base plastic, which is the least expensive and easiest to throw right out of the box.

Disc Golf vs. Ball Golf

Many people think of traditional ball golf and how expensive of a sport it can be to play. It sometimes scares people away from trying disc golf. Yes, the rules of disc golf (and obviously the name) are derived from ball golf, but this is a much more accessible sport in terms of cost. A vast majority of disc golf courses are free to play. Those that do charge are generally much cheaper than even the least expensive ball golf courses—or at least the same price if the baskets are on a regular golf course. As we mentioned, you can get started playing disc golf with just a few discs as opposed to buying a full set of golf clubs, balls, tees, etc.

In addition, disc golf has a shorter learning curve than regular golf for most players. Hitting a little golf ball consistently is very challenging. Learning to throw a flying disc comes more naturally. You can get pretty decent at disc golf pretty quickly if you play a lot. It will, however, take a ton of practice and commitment if you want to reach the highest levels of professional competition—just like any other sport.

Cost of Playing Disc Golf Courses

Like we said, most disc golf courses are located in public parks and are completely free to play. You can pull up to the parking lot and head out to the first tee. There are usually no tee times required. Disc golf continues to grow in popularity and courses are getting more crowded. Still, you can generally play any day of the week as long as there isn’t a big tournament event going on. Some disc golf courses do have a pay-to-play policy. They may charge a few bucks or upwards of $10-15. Sometimes, the course is located in a regional park or sports facility that may charge for access and parking. Lastly, there are many shared-used facilities where disc golf baskets and tees are installed on ball golf courses. They may only allow disc golf rounds at certain days and times. The cost of playing may be similar to a round of golf, or a little less in many instances. It depends on the course and their policies. Some may even have golf cart rentals available with an extra fee, and that can be a fun way to play!

Additional Disc Golf Equipment Costs

The more you get into disc golf, the more money you are likely to spend on disc golf equipment. It can be a little addicting buying and trying new discs. How much you want to spend on discs is ultimately up to you. Some players stick with a simple selection and tight budget, while others go hog wild and buy every new disc that comes out. It’s smart to set a budget for yourself and try not to get too carried away.

Eventually, you will probably have at least enough discs that you will want to purchase a disc golf bag. Innova offers disc golf bags in a variety of sizes and configurations (backpack bags vs. shoulder strap bags). Some bags will carry 30+ discs while others may comfortably hold 10-15 discs. Innova makes awesome disc golf bags to suit your disc golf needs and budget. Here are some other disc golf accessories you may want to purchase as you become an avid disc golfer:

• Disc Golf Apparel & Shoes
• Disc Golf Towel
• Disc Golf Umbrella & Rain Gear
• Disc Golf Mini Markers
• Disc Golf Cart or Portable Disc Golf Stool
• Disc Retriever
• Disc Golf Rangefinder
• Disc Golf Grip Enhancer (Innova Sportsack)
• Disc Golf Training Tools

The Cost to Play Competitive Disc Golf

As you continue to fall in love with disc golf, you may want to start playing more competitively. Or, you might just want to meet more disc golfers in your area. This is where disc golf clubs and local leagues can really help expand your horizons. Almost every disc golf course will have a local group of players who host organized (or semi-organized) events and rounds. Many will play for cash prizes with weekly and/or monthly tournaments. Some will offer different competitive divisions or utilize a handicap system to level out the playing field. Some may have dubs rounds, where are paired with a partner and play a team best-shot format. Disc golf putting leagues are also very popular, with people meeting up at a bar, community center or lighted disc golf course and competing with different putting challenges. Disc golf league rounds may cost anywhere from $5-25, depending on the club and the size of any given event. Playing with a local league is a great way to meet fellow disc golfers and get introduced to some competitive style of play. Most clubs are still pretty casual, so it may be less intimidating to start here rather than jumping straight to bigger PDGA events.

There are local clubs and leagues that offer fairly casual competitive play and smaller cash buy-ins/payouts. Then, there are the bigger tournaments. These are usually PDGA-sanctioned events. PDGA stands for the Professional Disc Golf Association, but you don’t have to be a professional disc golfer to play in one of these events. In fact, PDGA tournaments offer many different divisions to encourage participation from players of all ages and skill levels. There are both amateur and professional divisions, as well as age-protected divisions for junior players and disc golfers who are over the age of 40.

PDGA events will generally be more expensive to play. Costs may range from around $40 for a smaller tournament to several hundred dollars for the biggest professional tournaments. Amateur players will always receive a player pack that may contain discs and other disc golf goodies, which helps offset the cost of the tournament entry. Amateur prizes are generally only trophies or sometimes credit to a disc golf shop (“scrip”). Meanwhile, those playing in the professional divisions don’t get a player pack and are competing for cash prizes.

You do not need to be a PDGA member to play in lower-sanctioned PDGA events (C-tier or X-tier, for example). You will need a current PDGA membership to compete in higher-sanctioned tournaments like B-tiers, A-tiers and Elite Series events). An amateur PDGA membership will cost $50 per year and a professional PDGA membership will cost $75 per year. A junior membership only costs $30. Being a PDGA member does have its advantages, including getting your own PDGA member number and earning a player rating that shows how you stack up against other competition. Rating points are earned with each PDGA-sanctioned round you play and your rating is updated each month. Your rating can help you decide which division to play in any given event.

Tips for How to Get Started

If you have a friend or know someone who likes to play disc golf, talk to them and see if you can join them for a casual round. This can be a less-intimidating way to experience disc golf for the first time. They might also have some discs they’ll be willing to let you borrow. Make sure you get a disc golf putter as one of your initial discs to throw. Otherwise, visit your local sporting goods store (one that carries disc golf discs, of course) or check out the DGU store to pick up an Innova Starter Set or a few basic Innova discs. Your area may have its own disc golf shop with people there who can help you decide which discs to try—including cheap disc sets for beginners. Some courses with pro shops will have disc rentals available for first-time players. Head out to your local course and just start playing. Maybe find a field near you to get some throws in before heading out to an actual disc golf course.

It may take some time to understand all the rules of disc golf, as well as course etiquette and disc golf terminology (hyzer vs. anhyzer, for example). However, the best way to learn is to get out there and play. Most tee signs will help show you the details of each hole and specific rules to follow. You can also watch YouTube videos for throwing tips and tutorials, along with professional disc golf coverage that will help you learn how the game is played by the best in the world.

You don’t have to spend much money to get started playing disc golf. Once you are hooked on it, though, you will probably start to spend more and it’s up to you how crazy you want to get!

Q: How much does a disc golf disc cost?

A: The cost of a disc golf disc can vary depending on the brand and quality. On average, you can expect to pay between $10 and $20 for a single disc.

Q: How much does it cost to play disc golf?

A: The cost to play disc golf is relatively low compared to other sports. You will need to invest in a few discs, which range in price, and most courses are free to play.

Q: What are the best disc golf brands?

A: Some of the top disc golf brands include Dynamic Discs, Discraft, and Innova. These brands offer a variety of discs to suit different playing styles and skill levels.

Q: How do I get started with disc golf?

A: To get started with disc golf, you will need a few discs, preferably a putter and a mid-range disc. You can find beginner disc golf sets that include multiple discs and are designed for newcomers to the sport.

Q: How much does disc golf ebook cost?

A: The cost of a disc golf ebook can vary depending on the author and content. Prices range from a few dollars to around $20.

Q: Where can I buy disc golf discs?

A: You can buy disc golf discs at local disc golf stores, online retailers such as Infinite Discs, and even some sporting goods stores. There are many options available for purchasing discs.

Q: How much does disc golf cost to get started?

A: The cost to get started with disc golf can vary, but you can expect to spend around $30 to $50 for a few discs. This cost can increase if you choose to invest in additional equipment such as a disc golf bag or practice basket.

Q: Is it expensive to play disc golf regularly?

A: It’s almost criminal how cheap disc golf is to play regularly! Once you have your discs, most courses are free to play. The only ongoing expense may be replacing discs if you lose them.

Q: What do I need to play disc golf?

A: To play disc golf, you will need at least one disc, preferably a putter or mid-range disc. You’ll also need a disc golf course to play on. Many courses are available for public use.

Q: Where can I find the best disc golf courses?

A: There are many great disc golf courses around the world. You can find recommendations from other players online, join disc golf communities to discover top courses, or visit websites like infinitediscs.com that provide course reviews and information.