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Disc golf: A fling and a prayer

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By Times staff | Thursday, July 03, 2008 |

VIDEO: Quadrants: Disc Golf
It's hard to say when disc golf first came into being. But there is no mist…
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It’s hard to say when disc golf (also known among the laymen as Frisbee golf) first came into being. But there is no mistaking the fact it has taken hold and is growing like a field of clover right here in the Q-C.

The Midwest is known for disc golf — with Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin leading the way.

That is “basically because we have a lot of land and a lot of nature,” said Brad Ellis, a member of the Q-C Disc Golf Club, or QCDGC.

In the Quad-City region, courses are sprouting up almost annually, with 14 completed at various park sites and more on the drawing board.

“Now, cities are coming to us or just planning to put them in. That’s a great step,” Ellis said.

The QCDGC has more than 40 members, which is impressive for a sport that requires no greens fees to play.

In the United States, there are more than 16,000 members registered with the Professional Disc Golf Association.

Most history lessons point to the 1960s as the birth of the sport in the United States, with the University of California-Berkeley credited with having the first official course back in 1970.

The Quad-City club puts on tournaments and creates an environment of fellowship while providing a link to like-minded lovers of the sport through its Web site, qcdiscgolfclub.com.

The sport is different from “ball golf” — a term disc golfers use to distinguish between traditional golf (think Tiger Woods) and this style of play using the disc or Frisbee — in many ways. For example:

* A golf ball may cost you a few bucks, a disc typically runs $12-$15. Discs can be purchased at many places, with the Iron Lion Disc Golf Supply in Moline being a leading provider in this market.

* Ball golfers can legally carry up to 14 clubs in their bag. Disc golfers can tote as many discs as they are able without being penalized.

* In both styles of golf, there are various clubs or discs that accomplish different things — putters, drivers, mid-range, etc.

* Ball golf holes are measured in yards and disc golf holes are measured in feet, but discs are weighed in grams.

Trying to throw a disc for golf like tossing an old-school Frisbee to your dog will not work. Trust us.