Disc golf a cheap alternative

Sport is gaining momentum in area as people look for ways to stay in shape.

J.P. Perry plays disc golf at Wittenberg University. There are eight disc golf courses in the area, including two in Clark County — the course at Wittenberg and a newly installed 18-hole course at Buck Creek State Park.  Staff photo by Bill Lackey

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:22 PM Friday, August 7, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Sean Meier doesn’t need much to play a round of disc golf.

“It costs me nothing more than a bottle of water,” Meier said.

The Dayton Disc Golf Association president lives right next to Belmont Park and can simply walk onto the course whenever he likes, free of charge.

Disc golf is a sport where players throw a disc into a basket or at a target.

For beginners, he estimates it costs about $25 to start playing disc golf. All you need is a disc and a course map.

Every course in the Dayton area is free to play — which Meier says is a big attraction to individuals looking for exercise.

“You can get three discs and get started,” Meier said. “If you’re doing it for exercise or to spend time with the kids, it’s a very cheap alternative.”

There are eight disc golf courses in the area, including two in Clark County — the course at Wittenberg University and a newly installed 18-hole course at Buck Creek State Park. New courses at both John Bryan State Park and Urbana University should be completed by next year.

Damien Brown, a 1999 North High School graduate, is the course pro at Buck Creek and the founder of the Springfield Disc Golf Crew, which he started to help maintain the courses around the area and help make players better and more competitive.

The Crew holds random doubles tournaments twice a week — at Wittenberg on Wednesdays and Buck Creek on Sundays — for a small fee.

“It’s just like playing golf,” Brown said. “I love the concept of golf, but it’s hard to go pay. It’s definitely a sport you can improve on and you’re not tapping into your savings account.”

The local state parks department has also played a factor in helping promote disc golf throughout the area, allowing the Dayton Disc Golf Association to use land to make more courses.

“They’ve been great to give us the go-ahead and allow us to keep the course in shape,” Brown said.

Virgil Goodwine, regional parks manager for the Ohio Department of National Resources, said the disc golf courses allow the parks to maximize areas not often used. He said people have come from as far as the east side of Columbus to play the course at Buck Creek.

“It’s a very economical activity,” Goodwine said. “We’ve got people coming from everywhere. We see lots of parents dropping off their children at the disc golf course and spending the day in the marina restaurant.”

Meier doesn’t see the sport’s growth stopping anytime soon. He said beginners can check out the Professional Disc Golf Association (www.pdga.com) for more information on the sport.

“It’s very inexpensive and easy to play,” Meier said. “(People) are seeing what it is and the fact that it’s cheap and is a big draw.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.

Alternative sports/exercise ideas

Bocce: One-time cost of $30 to $70. Bocce is a outdoor game, a combination of cornhole, horseshoes and bowling. It can be played anywhere with grass and can provide an alternative to just plain walking.

Bouldering: Free. A style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs so that a fall will not result in serious injury. The rocks at Veterans Park near Wittenberg were cleared recently and provide a great opportunity to try a new sport.

Biking: One-time cost of $50 to $200. A bike ride is a great way to exercise, especially with all the trails in the surrounding counties. For a map of local bike paths, visit the National Trail Parks and Recreation District office on Mitchell Blvd.

Horseshoes: One-time cost of $20 to $80.

Running/Hiking/Walking: Free. It may not be the most glamorous way to exercise, but it gets the job done. For hiking options, you can check out the Glen Helen Loop Trail and the Little Miami River Loop and Spur Trial. For more information, log on to Trails.com.

Tennis: One-time cost of $20 to $40. Costs are greater for more experienced players, but if you’re looking for a cheap supply of exercise and friendly competition, tennis is a great alternative.

— Compiled by Michael Cooper

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