The brightly colored plastic circle seems to glow as it cuts a swath through the blue sky. It impacts a tangle of shining chains and comes to rest in a steel cage. Hearing the crash is a satisfying feeling to the player — and that’s just the first hole.
Disc golf, an eclectic and fast-growing sport has its grip on Snohomish and King counties. There are hundreds of regular players who hit the courses multiple times a week, and they’re bringing along friends to catch the fever.
The game is simple: Throw a plastic disc — erroneously called a Frisbee — and aim for a metal basket on a pole. After that, it’s all technique.
Lowell Shields, acting president of the Seattle Disc Golf Association, is a disc golf old-timer, in the best possible way. He’s been playing since the birth of the sport in the late 1970s. Disc golf was invented by employees of the California-based company Wham-O, the people that brought the world Hula Hoops and Silly String.
“I believe in disc golf above all other sports,” Shields says.
He tries to get out to his favorite course at Mineral Springs Park by Northgate Mall at least three or four times a week.
Shields has taken on the mantle of disc golf director for Snohomish and King counties. He participates often in disc golf tournaments around the state, and if you run into him, ask to see his discs — he carries around an assortment in his big maroon van.
Golf discs seem like they should be simple to choose and buy, but Shields warns that with today’s technology, “these aren’t your dad’s discs anymore.” He laughs at the thought of trying to buy equipment at a sporting goods store.
“If you’re interested in the sport, come out and watch,” Shields says. “Call me and I’ll sell you a disc.”
Disc golf is a gentleman’s sport, with polite rules about taking turns and not damaging foliage and plants in or near the course. Players can be spotted in the parks all day long, but tend to congregate at around either 9 or 10 a.m. or 2-5 p.m.
It’s an all-age sport, from “original” players like Shields to people in their 20s and 30s. It’s also a great family sport, Shields says.
If it’s your first time out, watch other players to learn disc golf etiquette and the proper way to throw. Be ready for a mile or two of walking — a bit more than people may be used to. A good starter course is at Mineral Springs Park, which was known as North Park until recently.
If there’s no local disc golf park near where you work, live or play, contact the county parks department to show your interest in the sport. But don’t be in too much of a hurry, because sometimes “it takes a long time to cause any change,” Shields says.
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