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Disc Golf in Marshfield

by Jeff Howison

If you’re looking for a fun and free outdoor activity suitable for people of all ages and skill levels, look no further than disc golf! The sport has been around since the 1970s and is considered to be the brainchild of “Steady” Ed Headrick, inventor of both the Frisbee and of the Disc Golf Pole Hole (those odd-looking metal poles draped in chains scattered behind Hefko Pool and throughout the woods in Braem Park).

Although disc golf (sometimes called Frisbee golf or “frolf”) has been the fastest growing sport in the United States for several years, most Americans have not yet played or even heard of the game. Wisconsin is home to more than 400 courses, the 11^th highest total of any state. The rules and terminology of the game are adopted from conventional golf (or “ball golf”), and the game’s basic idea is also the same: to complete the round in as few “strokes” as possible. But unlike ball golf, which has the reputation of being stuffy and of requiring expensive equipment, a certain level of experience and an entire afternoon, disc golf is always played in a relaxed spirit of friendship and costs little to no money.

The only equipment required for play is a golf disc, which is slightly smaller, more rigid and heavier than a traditional Frisbee. While advanced players usually carry a wide array of different discs that are designed for particular uses – short-range shots, left-bending and right-bending curves, long-distance drives, etc. – a beginner or even novice player really only needs a single all-purpose disc, which can be purchased for about $10 – $12 at most outdoor sporting goods stores, including the Sports Den on Central Avenue.

Here in Marshfield, there are two beautifully maintained disc golf courses on either end of town. Constructed in 1991, Marshfield Disc Golf Course is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, and is situated directly behind Hefko Pool. This nine-hole course is set in a relatively open and flat space. While traditional golf uses sand traps, lakes and boundary markers to act as potential hazards, in disc golf, the only obstacles tend to be strategically located trees. At the Marshfield Disc Golf course, several of the holes are tucked behind and in-between large trees, adding a degree of difficulty to what would otherwise be unencumbered shots.

On the other end of town lies Braem Park Disc Golf Course, built in 2004, a full 18-hole course that, because it is in the middle of a somewhat dense forest, offers a more challenging experience. At the Braem Park course, there is a premium on accuracy as players must navigate narrow “fairways” surrounded by unforgiving trees that stand ready to deflect errant shots.

The next time you want to satisfy your recreational needs without the blood, sweat and tears (and money) that are often associated with other outdoor sports, pick up a golf disk and give it a try!

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