Disc golf continues to gain popularity

WASILLA — You may be no good at golf or Frisbee, but don’t worry because that doesn’t apply when it comes to frolf.

Disc golf — also known as “frolf” — is a precision and accuracy sport in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket. According to Paul Ince of the Professional Disc Golf Association “the object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc.” According to the association, since 2000 the number of disc golf courses has more than doubled and the sport is played in over 40 countries and throughout the U.S.

Disc golf is played in many styles and at many levels. There are a variety of discs, throwing styles and difficulty in the courses, and beginners can enter the sport with little investment. A starter kit at Target costs $14.99. Anyone who can throw a disc at least a couple feet can play frolf.

Typically, if it takes you three throws to get your disc in the basket, that is par and you remain at zero. Two throws is a birdie and you get one negative point (which, if you’ve golfed, you know is a good thing). If you are skilled enough to land in the basket first throw, that is an eagle and you get two negative points. Courses typically have nine or eighteen holes.

Alaskan frolf has a bit of a defiance for the textbook rules, though. Alaska’s courses are much more difficult with obstacles like trees, mud and — if you’re extreme — snow. Many people play their own rules where you only have to hit the basket rather than landing in it.

Wasilla High alumni Zach Grier, said he’s a daily frolf enthusiast.

“I frolf because it’s easy to learn, free, and fun to do with pretty much anyone,” Grier said. “I started a couple years ago and have been hooked ever since.”

Throughout Alaska there are over 30 disc golf courses. The most popular course in the Valley is Alcantra, located across from Larson Elementary in Wasilla. The course was just expanded this spring from nine holes to 20.

One man very passionate about both frolf and students is Lance Swick, a Houston Middle School PE teacher and founding member of the Matsu Disc Golf Association. In 2014, Swick offered extra credit to his gym students for helping clear out and clean up the course. Those were the first stages of the expansion of Alcantra.

Swick can still be found most days at Alcantra playing a game or laying more woodchips on the course. He said it’s the duty of the frolf community to keep up the course.

“The borough is pulling the funding for the Alcantra course, and if we don’t maintain it they will shut it down,” he said.

Swick and the DGA asks that fellow frolfers help take care of the course and report any suspicious activity or theft. Alcantra has had seven trash cans stolen in the last year, and anyone who plays can see the broken glass and trash scattered throughout the course.

Disc golf is a family friendly, inexpensive and a great way to get outside. Frolf can be anything from a first date, to a profession. With practice, though, it easily becomes a most favorite hobby.