This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
fitbody
disc golf
for fun & fitness
by Bill Flanders
d
on’t call it a Frisbee™. That’s Wham-O’s registered engineered it into a more efficient, usable form. That’s when
trademark for the flying disc that started it all in the interest took off. Headrick coined the disc golf label, later
1960s. The ubiquitous plastic toys have come a long founding several related organizations.
way from being a simple backyard pastime. Today, disc golf is Southwest Florida boasts several disc golf courses: Bo-
a worldwide, organized sport, with more than 2,500 dedicat- nita Springs Recreation Center in Bonita Springs; Florida Gulf
ed outdoor courses in the US alone, complete with competi- Coast University in Fort Myers; Bay Oaks Disc Golf Course
tions, celebrities and fans. in Ft. Myers Beach; and North Fort Myers Community Park in
What is the powerful attraction that draws such inter- North Fort Myers. None charge a fee to play.
est from such a diverse population of athletes and amateurs? “Disc golf players regularly conduct tournaments to raise
Mark Twain famously once labeled golf, “A good walk funds for individuals in the community and to collect goods
spoiled.” Perhaps this relatively new sport’s appeal is that it’s and cash for food banks,” comments Tim Townsend, a six-
more about the journey than the destination. year veteran who locates a course in whatever city he finds
Not only does disc golf provide a great outing of low- himself. “Volunteers also host kids’ clinics, where aspiring
impact fitness-building, it encourages the player to keep at it players easily pick up the fundamentals.” Inspiration comes
longer. While any bout of exercise or individual sports prac- watching the more experienced teachers tee off with 300-
tice might grow old after a half-hour, participating in a game foot drives, then sink 30-foot putts.
of disc golf extends the session to an involving hour or two of
gentle upper and lower body conditioning and aerobic ben- For more information about the Professional Disc Golf As-
efits. Players are out to constantly improve their handicap. sociation visit PDGA.com.
Hand-eye coordination strengthens, as do concentration
skills, all with less risk of injury than with many other sports. For directions to local courses call: 239-340-2841 in Bonita
Even individuals with a low level of fitness or disabilities can Springs; 239-590-3963 at FGCU; 239-822-2788 in Ft. Myers
join in, gradually increasing their activity as health recovers. Beach; and 239-707-7884 in North Fort Myers.
Economy and convenience are key attractions, too. A disc
can cost less than $10 and reservations are not required to
play. A dozen manufacturers offer a choice of discs and acces- Basic disc golf
sory equipment, including Gateway, Innova and Discraft.
Bill Flynn, commissioner of Trumbull County Metroparks,
distance driving – A throw for yardage.
in Ohio, notes, “The activity provides low-cost recreation
Hyzer –Takes advantage of the natural angle of the disc
to the community, while being low-cost for installation and
to navigate obstacles. A right-handed hyzer fades to the
maintenance.” Such benefits are important to park systems.
left. A soft hyzer fades gradually, while a spike hyzer fades
Disc golf courses can cover a variety of terrains and no
drastically.
irrigation is required. Areas unsuitable for other activities
can thus be used, affording players surroundings of natural
Anhyzer – Designed to go against the
beauty and inspiration that might otherwise be overlooked.
natural angle of the disc. The thrower tilts the
As a player advances through a 9- or 18-hole disc golf
disc opposite to the desired direction when
course, he tries to make his platters fall into a series of spe-
he releases it.
cial baskets, consisting of a chest-high metal frame surround-
Helix – Produces an S-shaped flight.
ed by a chain-link mesh. As in golf, the object is to reach the
end of the course in the fewest number of turns. Advanced
Roller –The disc travels a short distance in the
players choose from their bag of discs according to distance,
air and then rolls towards the target. Rollers can
curves and obstacles. Basic disc categories are drivers, mid-
be thrown forehand or backhand.
range and putters.
In-line Putting – Tossed from the chest, straight
One iconic figure on the disc scene is “Steady” Ed
at the pin, with variations.
Headrick. He didn’t quite invent the Frisbee, but in 1964, re-
 Collier / Lee Counties
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com. Publish online for free with YUDU Freedom - www.yudufreedom.com.