By Kristen Chen
Ever heard of disc golf? If you live in a city, disc golf may be a lesser known sport as many urban areas lack disc golf infrastructure and presence. It’s a sport that has seen exponential growth in the past decade, with more than 15,000 existing disc golf courses worldwide, and the number of disc golf courses in the United States surpassing the number of Dunkin’ Donuts shops (UDisc, 2024).
Photo: Eugene Mim
What is disc golf?
Disc golf is a sport played in parks, with the goal of throwing a flying disc (similar to a frisbee) into a metal chain basket in as few throws as possible. It has similar objectives to its traditional golf counterpart, but a key difference and strength of disc golf is its core attribute of being a largely accessible and affordable sport. The multitude of benefits that disc golf offers has still not been fully realized in urban areas. The sport also lacks diversity, and historically has been played by predominantly white male populations. There is a valuable opportunity to increase equitable access to disc golf for people who live in urban areas and are underrepresented in the disc golf community and industry. Populace’s mission is to make the sport radically more approachable through thoughtful design, culture, and community. A strong aspect of our mission is to share the joy and benefits of disc golf with players of all backgrounds, and to bring public awareness to how the sport’s accessibility allows for an opportunity to cultivate sustainable community resilience.
The benefits of disc golf
Disc golf offers a slew of social, environmental, and health benefits for individuals and communities, which can be considered in urban community-based initiatives. It is very affordable to play, as 89% of courses are free and the only equipment you need to play is one disc (UDisc, 2024). Playing the sport improves mental and physical health, and provides an avenue for seeing quick improvement through a fun activity. Disc golf is also inextricably tied to community building among other players and within its local communities, and offers a new way to appreciate the outdoors and foster social connection.
The introduction of disc golf into urban landscapes can positively enhance community resilience by offering an accessible sport for players of all ages, which also lends itself to intergenerational opportunity and cross-generational community building.
Recreational disc golf facilities can also provide valuable educational opportunities for children and young people. Programming can integrate principles of environmental stewardship and sustainability, while encouraging an appreciation for local amenities, green spaces, and neighborhoods. Combining a fun and engaging sport with learning about disc golf’s mathematical, physiological, and environmental qualities can also bolster the educational benefits of the sport.
Introducing disc golf to New York City
From a community planning perspective, the construction of disc golf courses in local parks can be a beneficial way to increase fitness and health outcomes, and keep pace with recreational markets. The construction of disc golf courses has minimal impact on the land, and the courses are usually designed to fit within underutilized parts of local parks. The installation of the first ever disc golf course in New York City is one such example of disc golf advocates working with community and park planners to introduce the sport to New Yorkers. The New York City Disc Golf Association, in partnership with
NYC Parks and the Paul McBeth Foundation, spearheaded the project and have led community-based programming to engage young children and families with the new park amenity in their neighborhood. Free and open to the public to play, the new 10-hole course in Highland Park represents the engagement and interest from NYC Parks and local community leaders in introducing the benefits of disc golf to the city. The existing disc golf community in New York City is also banding together in excitement over the new local course. According to UDisc – a popular disc golf app that allows players to find nearby courses and log their scores – the course was played over 650 times in the first month after it was installed.
Photo: Eugene Mim
In the midst of a loneliness and isolation epidemic, we need more ways for people to engage with others. The accessibility of disc golf positions the sport as a radically effective activity for community building, strengthening social ties, and connecting residents to their local green spaces. This powerful community-centered aspect of disc golf serves as a driving force for Populace and our dedication to providing the tools needed to get out to your local park, find your community, and get throwing.
