Disc golf gaining popularity in the Sault

Disc golf enthusiasts made their way to Pointe Des Chenes Park this weekend for the Sault Disc Golf Association’s second annual tournament. The sport has been steadily gaining popularity around the Soo, with new courses opening in and around the city - and more people looking to give it a try.

It’s like ball golf–only it’s played with discs and instead of a hole, the object is to sink a disc into a chain basket.

Chad Ingram, President of the Sault Disc Golf Association, says local interest in the sport has been growing over the last couple of years.

“We’ve noticed our membership go up quite a bit; the tournament is basically sold out,” Ingram said.

“This is a brand new course; it’s in its first year. We have two courses in town, and Northern Ontario is growing, so definitely a big boom.”

Ingram was a regular on the links before giving disc golf a try. He says playing with discs took a little while to get used to.

“The act of throwing a frisbee, getting it nice and flat, getting it to fly out nice and far, took some time,” he said. “I think once you see a disc fly to its full potential, regardless of your skill level, there’s something addicting to that and you want to come back and do it again.”

Noah Roode, a participant in this year’s tournament, says just as there are different clubs for different shots in ball golf, there are discs of varying weight in disc golf.

“Similar to ball golf, you have your tee pad, and you would typically (start with) a driver-style disc, because it’s going to be the thinnest and can cut through the air the easiest, so less drag, get the most distance,” Roode said.

“If you’re close enough to the basket where you feel you can putt, then you grab your putter and go from there.”

Roode, who has been playing disc golf for a year, says while it’s a difficult sport to master–much like ball golf–it’s quite exhilarating to sink your first disc.

“Once you figure out the way that you’re comfortable and start getting a lot more consistent, it’s very satisfying,” said Roode.

“That’s really what ties, I find, a lot of people into the sport and progressing.”

Roode says disc golf also requires less of a financial investment compared with regular golf when it comes to equipment. The Sault Disc Golf Association has indoor putting leagues for players to keep their skills sharp year-round.