If you’ve been to various parks in the area, you’ve noticed that new structures have appeared in some parks over the past few years: chain-link hoops that serve as holes on disc golf courses. You may have noticed.
The sport has grown in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Disc golf is both very accessible and a challenge for those who want to go further.
“Discs are cheap, so anyone can go out and throw one.” said Zachary Schallman of New Ulm. “And once you see the consistency and you understand how the disc works and how you can move it along the line, it becomes a lot of fun. It’s very easy to get involved. But if you want to keep pitching, the ceiling is really high.”
Schallman is a major organizer for the Brown County Disc Club (BCDC) and has been an avid disc golfer for several years. Schallman started playing disc golf casually with his brother Jonathan, but soon realized there was much more to the sport than it had to offer.
“I think this is true for most people for the first two years.” Charleman said. “For the first two years, it was like holding a disc and just trying to throw it as hard as I could, but eventually I figured out how the disc worked.”
Charleman quickly discovered BCDC and became a full member, playing golf with the league playing at various courses in the area.
Disc golf is basically a simple game where you throw a disc into a hole. This means that anyone can participate, regardless of age, gender, or ability. But Scharman was quick to point out that there are many layers to the sport that can keep someone hooked forever.
“Rather than chuck it as hard as you can, it’s more about trying to get the disc along a very specific line that the whole disc wants.” he said. “I’m throwing consistently enough and I know how they work so I can make them do what I want them to do, which is really great. It takes time to get to that point.” It takes a while, but if you stick with it until you figure it out, the sport becomes completely different.”
In contrast to a Frisbee, the disc is designed to twist and rotate in the air before landing. It not only strengthens your arms and wrists, but also your core and legs. This determines the number of turns and the speed of the turns.
“It may take a long time to learn the differences.” Charleman said. “But once you learn to put your whole body into it and you see how these discs start flying, and once you understand that, you can understand how all those discs are arranged. Because they all behave differently.
BCDC holds several events each week at local courses, with doubles and singles events being common. League buy-ins are as low as $5, and members encourage anyone they meet on the course to join them while they play.
What BCDC is considering is starting a more beginner-focused league to help people develop their skills and love for the sport. However, as it stands now, the league is divided into beginners and experienced players to keep doubles play balanced.
Schallman emphasized that New Ulm’s league focuses on the social and community aspects of disc golf, not the competitive aspects.
“Going out and pitching the course while talking to your friends and the love of the game is why we do what we do.” he said. “The atmosphere is casual, so even those new to the sport are welcome.”
BCDC’s leagues and events typically have about 10 to 20 participants, and Schallman said he has noticed more and more people playing the course in recent years. Charleman theorizes that COVID-19 may have sparked more people’s interest in the sport.
“It’s really fun to have more people together.” he said. “There’s no doubt that COVID-19 brought a huge population of people because it was something you could go out and do. But beyond that, when you get to the point where you can do what you want to do, it’s a sport that you get hooked on. I think once you reach that point, I don’t know many people who don’t keep playing. It can be addictive because the ceiling is so high.”
One of those who got hooked was Angel Muñoz from Farfax. Munoz began playing during the coronavirus pandemic and plays in a competitive league in the 50-and-over division, qualifying for the national tournament last year, but this year in the qualifying round in Moorhead. He lost by just one stroke. Munoz said he enjoyed the game because it was simple and challenging. He often plays golf with his niece’s husband, Ray Perez, and Ray’s son, Jeremiah. Munoz introduced Ray to the sport a year ago, gave Jeremiah a set of discs about six months ago, and the three have been playing golf at many courses in the area.
There are several disc golf courses in and around New Ulm, with three nine-hole courses in New Ulm alone.
“It’s so great to have three courses in New Ulm, and they complement each other so well.” Charleman said. “Neals (Park) is where I see the most people and those holes are really, really open and long, which is great. MLC opened the course probably four or five years ago. The course is open to the public when there is no practice and is a bit shorter and more technical. South Park has some long and short holes and obstacles along the way to keep you in shape. These two holes are very well combined, which is what you need.
The area also includes nine-hole courses at Winthrop and Madelia, as well as a new course at Sleepy Eye, which is undergoing improvements and work, although there are still many temporary holes and tee pads.
“My brother was working with the city to build that course at Allison Park.” Charleman said. “I think this is a great example and a great course to start with. Every hole has some kind of line that needs to be cut, but at the same time they are shortened. This is a great course to learn how to get things to work the way you want them to.
For 18-hole courses, St. Peter offers a more forested course at Riverside Park, and Mankato’s Land of Memories recently reopened after flooding this summer. Fairmont also has three 18-hole courses in the woods, offering a higher level of difficulty for those looking for a challenge.
“Growing the sport” has become an unofficial motto of sorts for disc golfers looking to introduce new members. Schallman said anyone who wants to try it can find out how to get started on BCDC’s Facebook page.
“If you want advice, if you have any questions about it, or if you just want to meet and talk to one of us and have a quick chat, this is the place to be.” Charleman said. “This is a great community, and we value that. We have people from middle schoolers to seniors over 60. Some of the 60-year-olds can throw distances well over 300 feet. Let’s talk about sports for everyone. Once you understand it, it’s a lot of fun.”
Schallman added that if someone is thinking about trying disc golf, they should just give it a try.
“Continue until the disc does what you want.” he said. “If you take the time, this sport really takes off from there. If you haven’t tried it, you should try it. It’s very accessible and low cost…get out on the course. So give it a try, and have an open mind about it and don’t think you’re not ready for it because it’s a really accessible sport.”
Ray Perez reaches the tee box at Land of Memories Disc Golf Course in Mankato.
Angel Munoz of Fairfax throws a disc at Land of Memories Disc Golf Course Mankato.
Jeremiah Perez prepares to throw a disc at Land of Memories Disc Golf Course in Mankato.