Golf vs. Disc Golf – What’s The Better Sport – Ultimate Guide

Golf vs. Disc Golf – What’s The Better Sport – Ultimate Guide

For true golfers, even mentioning the word golf will be exciting. To hear, there is another sport that is very closely related and based on the same principles can be intriguing.

Disc golf is growing, and people are enjoying everything that the sport has to offer. For those that love golf but may need a bit of a change, disc golf can be significant.

Like Foot Golf, Disc Golf is a variation on Traditional Golf where competitors throw different weighted discs down the course, trying to reach the target in as little throws as possible. It is a more light hearted sport that can still be incredible competitive, like it’s traditional counterpart.

If you have never played disc golf or traditional golf, this guide will help you choose which one could be a better sport for you.

Intro To Golf Vs. Disc Golf – Similarities/Differences

Disc golf and golf are two very different sports, although there are some underlying principles that are similar. In regular golf, you will use golf clubs to try and get a ball in a hole.

With disc golf, you will use something that looks very similar to a frisbee, and you will throw it around on each hole until you eventually throw it in a basket. The basket is the disc golf version of a golf hole.

When you play disc golf, you still have 18 holes to play, and you play outside in a wide open space just like regular golf. However, there is considerably less equipment needed, and the game is not quite as involved.

Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between these sports and help you break down, which is going to be best for you.

What Is Disc Golf And Where Did It Come From

Disc golf was first created in Canada in the early 1900s. The idea came from a group of friends that would throw tin lids around and have it land in a circle type goal.

The game evolved from there into what it is today. Disc golf continues to grow in popularity because it is affordable, fun, and easy to learn.

What Does It Have In Common With Golf

The biggest similarity that disc golf has with golf is that a course is played in very much the same way. Where soccer, basketball, and hockey are played on a court that goes back and forth between two baskets, disc golf has 18 baskets.

The 18 baskets are going to form a course, just like regular golf. When you play disc golf, you will walk from one hole to the next, and each course is going to be different. This is part of what makes disc golf challenging in that you will have to learn to play other courses.

Many golfers like to travel from one course to the next and see the scenery and how it changes. This is the same thing you will notice about disc golfers. Eventually, they will find a course that they love.

What Is Very Different From Ball Golf

The biggest difference between disc golf and ball golf is the equipment and the necessary skills. If you are playing regular golf, you will need an entire set of clubs, golf shoes, golf clothes, a golf bag, and a whole host of other gadgets and devices to make it as a golfer.

The disc golf equipment and needs are much less involved. When you play disc golf, you usually will need three discs. The basket will be in place for you, and most of the time, there is not a dress code involved when you play disc golf.

The three discs will be a driver, a mid range disc, and a putter as well. The equipment for disc golf is much less involved and will not cost you nearly as much money. Disc golf also tends to be much less expensive to play.

Depending on where you play golf, you can spend anywhere from $20 to $500 a round. Disc golf, over time, will prove to be less expensive than traditional golf. Some golf courses are private clubs that have large initiation fees, monthly dues, and more expenses. Disc golf is not quite like that

3 Reasons Why Regular Golf Is Better

Now that you understand a bit more about the differences between these sports let’s look at why regular golf is a better option for most people.

1)   History

The history of regular golf is intense. There are years of development and tournaments, and famous players. You could have a complete hobby that is just about golf history and never even play the game.

This history is rich in tradition, and those that fall in love with the game will tell you that golf history is a large part of its appeal.

2)   More Organized Competition

When it’s Masters Sunday, it is hard to say there is a better sport in the world than golf. Golf is so much fun to be involved in at an amateur level, but it is just as much fun on a professional level as well.

When you see the professionals play the sport, it can be motivating and take your golf game to the next level.

It is much easier to be a fan of professional golf than a fan of professional disc golf. The disc golf sport is still developing in popularity, and the road from being an amateur disc golfer to a professional is not quite as well laid out.

If you think you may want to become a professional in a sport, the path to that is going to be more clear when you play golf.

3)   Higher Level of Skill/Practice Time

Disc golfers that are good at their sport have quite a bit of skill. They will be able to get the disc in the basket in a few throws and move to the next hole.

Although we are not taking anything away from those that are great at and enjoy disc golf, there is more skill and perfection involved in golf, especially when it comes to the mental part of the game.

Many people will admit that golf is the hardest game there is. You will spend many days and years working on your game and perfecting it; most of the time, it will feel as though there is no end in sight.

This is what is so appealing to golfers. Golf is a constant struggle and battle to make it to that single digit handicap, and you can do it your entire life.

3 Reasons Why Disc Golf Is Better

Now that we have covered the reasons why golf is better for some people let’s look at some of the reasons why you may think that disc golf is better.

1)   Less Expensive

Disc golf is much less expensive than ball golf. Each time you go out to play, you will spend less to play, and your equipment will cost less overall as well. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, disc golf is going to be the place to go.

2)   Easier Access

One of the great things about disc golf is that as it is growing in popularity, there are more and more courses available for you to play. With traditional golf, you won’t see too many new courses; in fact, many are closing down.

You may also live in a town that is filled with private golf courses. This makes it difficult for people to find access to golf courses.

3)   Easier Sport To Play

Disc golf is traditionally a bit easier to get into than ball golf. When you play disc golf, you have to know how to throw a frisbee, but you will really not need too much more skill than this.

With traditional golf, there are a lot of skills to learn and lots of things to develop in your game. Overall most would say that disc golf is an easier sport.

Is Disc Golf Harder Or Easier Than Ball Golf To Play And To Master?

Disc golf is a going to be a bit easier to master because of the number of factors and muscles involved. When you play ball golf, you are going to have to think about the mental game, the positioning of your entire body and your fingers on both hands, your posture, your stance, and more.

With ball golf, there are right and wrong ways to play, and some ways will just not work. With disc golf, you will have more flexibility, and you can find strategies and techniques that work well for you. Long term, you will have an easier time mastering disc golf than you will mastering ball golf.

Different Types Of Discs Vs. Golf Clubs

When you play disc golf, you will usually use about three discs. Some of the better players may have a few more, but the idea is that you won’t want to carry too much around when you play either.

Having a bit less gear is not necessarily a bad thing and something that many disc golfers like about the game.

With traditional golf, you are going to need quite a bit more equipment. In a golfers bag, you will usually find. . .

• Driver

• Fairway Woods

• Hybrids

• Irons

• Wedges

• Putter

Golfers can bring 14 clubs with them, and most of them choose to bring all 14. This is undoubtedly a lot more to manage than a small bag with three discs in it.

Golf Course Vs Disc Golf Course – Similarities & Differences

The golf course for disc golf and regular golf are both going to be outdoors, and both will be 18 holes. For a disc golfer, the course is going to be a much shorter walk.

A disc golf hole will be anywhere from 200 to 400 feet as opposed to 150 to 550 yards for a golf hole.

When you walk a golf course, you will usually walk about 5 miles, which is quite a bit of distance to cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Feet Are Most Disc Golf Holes

Most disc golf holes are going to be between 200 and 400 feet. A disc golf hole cannot be less than 100 feet.

These holes are considerably shorter than a hole for traditional golf, and therefore disc golf courses need much less room to set up and require much less walking on the part of the disc golfer.

What is the target called in disc golf?

The target in disc golf is mostly referred to as the basket. Some will also call it the pole hole or disc golf target. Regardless of what you call it, all of the baskets are going to be a standard size.

Do Pro Disc Golfers Get Paid?

Professional disc golfers can make money, but not nearly as much as traditional golf.

The road to making money in disc golf is going to be a bit difficult, and it takes some time to get there. IF you are looking for a way to make extra money, there are probably easier and more lucrative ways than trying to make it as a disc golfer like starting an online business.

What’s The Pay Like Next To Real Golf

The pay for a disc golfer is not even going to come close to the pay for real golf.

Real golfers have been playing professionally for a very long time, and the sponsorship and deals that they have in place are going to far outnumber the disc golf sponsorships and marketing.

It will take disc golf a very long time to get to the level of professional ball golf pay.

Is Disc Golf Going To Outgrow Regular Golf In 10-20 Years?

If you look at the rate at which disc golf is growing, you can see that it is growing at high speed. Golf does not grow as fast as it once used to, but it is also not losing as many golfers as it once did.

For disc golf to surpass golf would be very surprising, as ball golf is traditionally a much more involved sport that becomes a lifestyle for people and a hobby for life.

Conclusion – Which Sport Is Better Overall And For Who

At this point, we have to say that for the majority of people, golf is going to be a better choice. Golf has more depth, scales better and people can be involved in a variety of levels as well.

It is also a more skillful sport that can take a lifetime to master, while throwing discs basically involves the same movement every time.

The only two things that would keep you from taking up golf would be budget and time.

You can get around a disc golf course much faster than a traditional golf course, and it will likely cost you quite a bit less money as well.

With these two concerns, we recommend going with disc golf as a far more accessible sport while golf is a lot more substantial and engaging in the long run.