An article in today's
Chico Enterprise Record discusses the pros and cons in a debate over whether a disc golf course can peacefully co-exist on a ball golf course in Bidwell Park in Chico, CA.
In the Chicago area, we're lucky to have two such courses: The
Edgebrook Disc Golf Course and the
White Mountain Rec Center are both located on existing ball golf courses.
I've had the pleasure to play Edgebrook, and it was one of the most enjoyable disc golf experiences I've ever had.
One concern mentioned in the article is cost. Disc golfers are used to playing for free, which is one of the great advantages of disc golf.
But at Edgebrook, a round with a cart costs only $12. To me this is a great deal, especially when you're playing on a beautifully maintained course with amenities like a pro shop, concessions, bathrooms, and water coolers. And you get a cart! If you haven't had the pleasure of playing with a cart, let me tell you, your legs will thank you!
Still, times are tough right now, and $12 may be out of reach for many disc golfers. It would be interesting to know what the attendance has been at the two Chicago fly 18 courses.
I take issue with a couple of points raised in the article: One is that having two sets of players on the course could be dangerous for the players, and the other is that older ball golfers don't like younger disc golfers on the course.
Based on my experience, I see no reason to worry. Playing the course with discs was no more dangerous than playing with clubs, and the older gents seemed to get a kick out of us younger disc throwers. In fact, last the last time I played I ended up giving throwing lessons to some old timers.
My biggest gripe in this article comes from disc golf advocate Lon Glazner who said "local disc golfers probably wouldn't be happy on manicured lawns." This guy obviously doesn't have a roller in his shot repertoire. In my opinion, there is no greater thrill in disc golf than throwing a roller 600 feet or more on a perfectly manicured fairway. Does he think we'd be happier in weeds up to our ankles?
The article also misses a big advantage of mixed courses: You can play ball golf and disc golf in the same group! The last foursome I played with at Edgebrook included two of my ball golfing buddies. We played seamlessly, and had a great time!
Read for yourself and let me know what you think:
Will disc golf work on the regular links?
Enterprise-Record - Chico,CA,USA
Is there room at Bidwell Park Municipal Golf Course for disc golf? Randy Abbott and Christina Aranguren, members of the park's Citizen Advisory Committee for the master management plan, suggested the city investigate that option.
Aranguren told the commission she had talked to Michael Belchik, the professional course designer and professional player who worked on a possible redesign of the upper park disc golf course.
Belchik had told her combining the golf games has been done at other courses.
In a phone conversation with the Enterprise-Record on Wednesday, Belchik said there are pros and cons to combining play.
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