a short history of disc golf
Disc golf began to take shape in the mid-20th century, though its roots go back even further.
Early Origins (1900s–1960s)
Informal versions of disc golf were played as early as the 1920s and 1930s, with players throwing tin lids or pie plates at targets like trees or trash cans.
In the 1960s, students and Frisbee enthusiasts across North America started playing more organized versions of disc golf, often in parks or on college campuses.
One early group called themselves the "Frisbee Golfers" and played a version of the game at Rice University in Texas and elsewhere.
Modern Disc Golf Begins (1970s)
1974: The first formal disc golf tournament took place in California, organized by disc sports promoter "Steady" Ed Headrick.
1975: Ed Headrick, working with Wham-O (the maker of the Frisbee), coined the term "Disc Golf" and helped standardize the rules.
1976: Headrick invented the Disc Pole Hole, the familiar chain basket target still used today. He patented it and installed the first permanent course at Oak Grove Park in Pasadena, California.
Organized Play and Growth (1980s–1990s)
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) was founded in 1976 and became the governing body for the sport.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the sport gained popularity, with more courses installed across the U.S. and internationally.
Disc technology also evolved, with new plastics and disc designs for drivers, mid-range, and putters.
21st Century Expansion (2000s–Today)
Disc golf saw steady growth through the 2000s and a massive boom during the COVID-19 pandemic as people looked for outdoor, socially distanced activities.
Today, there are over 15,000 disc golf courses worldwide, and the PDGA has hundreds of thousands of members.
Professional tours, like the Disc Golf Pro Tour, have brought increased visibility, sponsorship, and broadcast coverage to the sport.
Disc golf continues to grow rapidly as a fun, accessible, and low-cost sport enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels around the world.