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  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 2:32 pm on April 18, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , Newsletter, ,   

    April Newsletter from Explore Disc Golf 

    It’s that time again for Explore Disc Golf’s monthly newsletter!

    Every third Thursday of the month, we send out our company newsletter to bring you up to you speed on all our happenings — from new course design projects and installations to contracted summer appearances by The Mobile Disc Golf Experience and additions to our merch line.

    Give the article a read, as this month’s newsletter touches on Brian Giggey — Explore Disc Golf’s owner and Landscape Architect professional — signing with the Innova Ambassador Team, and lists May appearances by The Mobile Disc Golf Experience in Vermont, Massachusetts and Virginia.

    Read the newsletter, here.

    The Mobile Disc Golf Experience at Strangecreek Campout in 2012

    The 1st basket of The Mobile Disc Golf Experience at Strangecreek Campout in 2012

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 7:05 pm on April 15, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: Amherst, , , , , , Innoca Champion Discs, , , , NEFA, New England Flying disc Association, , , , UMass Amherst, UMass Amherst Disc Golf   

    Explore Disc Golf installs 9 hole course on UMass Amherst campus 

    Explore Disc Golf — a full-service disc golf design-build firm — has broken ground and installed a 9-hole disc golf course on the UMass Amherst campus this March! The course is located on the historical grounds of Massachusetts Agricultural College, and provides a technical, yet beginner friendly layout that offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and on-site water features.

    The course brings to light the historic property through environmental education, and disc golf beginner tips on each hole. A meeting by the University at the end of May will determine the installation of the back 9, and permanent tees and signage.  Explore Disc Golf was contacted by the Hampshire Daily Gazette a couple weeks back to do a story.

    Read the article here.

    UMass Brian Giggey Innova

    Explore Disc Golf’s landscape architect professional and Innova Ambassador Team member, Brian Giggey

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 9:46 am on February 28, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Landscape Construction, , , , Tee Pad Installation, Tee Pads   

    Understanding “Pitch” in Disc Golf Tee Pad Installation 

    Disc golf tee pad construction varies from course to course — be it the preparation and installation, or the materials that make up the tee pad itself. The most common types of tee pads in disc golf are: concrete, rubber, pavers and natural. This article isn’t going to focus on the materials that comprise the tee pad, but will be taking a look at the preparation of the teeing area itself, and understanding how “pitch” can make our break the longevity of your tee pad.

    “Pitch” is found in every safe hardscape installation — think of patios, walkways, gathering spaces or disc golf tee pads — yet it is almost undetectable to the human eye. “Pitch” is used to move water off the surface area of a space, as it is either a slipping hazard in the warmer months or an ice sheet when below freezing. The standard “pitch” in the landscape construction world is ¼” for every linear foot. So using a standard 5’ x 10’ tee pad as an example — the front of the tee pad should be2.5” lower than the back of the tee pad.  If you wanted to get into cross “pitch,” the tee pad should “crown” in the middle — like a highway road — and sheet water off to each side. The center of the tee pad would be about 0.5” higher than the sides, but for this example, it’s not necessary to address.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Disc Golf Tee Pad Installation

    Careful preparation before installation of any type of tee pad will ensure proper “pitch.” A “pitch” of 1/4? every 1? will ensure the water sheets off the teeing area for safer play.

     

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 11:06 am on February 26, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , , , Innovation Grant, , , , ,   

    UMass Disc Golf Course Close to Installation 

    The University of Massachusetts Amherst campus will soon be the home to a nine hole disc golf course beginning in March. While Explore Disc Golf’s full blown design of the course includes 18 baskets, the University has agreed to a nine hole “pilot installation” where the committee can gauge the interest of the student body and the demands the course will put on Facilities Management. As the school year winds down in May, the committee will then meet to determine the success of the course. If the course is deemed to be a good fit, the University will grant permission for permanent tee pads and signage, in addition to looking at the next steps for installation of the back nine.

    One of the main focuses of the course on UMass’ campus is education. While the course provides multiple technical shots, the primary objective was to offer a “beginner-friendly” course that acted as outdoor classroom for the surrounding schools in the area. The course will boast the opportunity to host field days for physical education classes coming from adjacent elementary schools, in addition to providing a canvas for University departments to participate in making the course a community project. Project opportunities can range from Stockbridge students identifying and expanding the University arboretum, to Green Building Technologies incorporating structures on site that will aid in the experience of the course — possibilities really are endless.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    UMass Disc Golf Course

    The 9th tee at the UMass Amherst Disc Golf Course is situated under this gorgeous, specimen Oak with views of the Pioneer Valley beyond the basket.

     

     

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 10:12 am on February 19, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , DX, DX Plastic, , Innova Champion Discs, , , , ,   

    Disc Golf Beginner Tip: Throw DX Plastic 

    This article is going to talk specifically about DX plastic — which is a grade of plastic produced by Innova Champion Discs — and why throwing it is a great way for beginners to get hooked on the game of disc golf. Two of the main reasons that beginners are encouraged to throw DX plastics is due to the exceptional feel of the discs and its ability to fly the way it’s supposed to right out of the box.

    Fly the way it’s supposed to right out of the box? What does that mean?

    Innova Champion Discs have four grades of plastic: Star, Champion, Pro and DX. Discs comprised of Star, Pro and Champion plastic, while superior plastics, take a little bit longer to beat in. These types of plastics have more longevity, but don’t consistently hit their intended flight pattern until they are beaten in over a couple of months. DX plastic, on the other hand, has a shorten life span, but hits it’s intended flight pattern of the disc, or “flies the way it’s supposed to” right out of the box.

    As a beginner in the sport, starting off with discs made of DX plastic is great because you are trying to learn the flight characteristics of the disc. These discs aren’t like Frisbees, and each one has its own intended flight patterns. While no one expects you to learn all the flight patterns, DX plastic helps with the learning curve since, if thrown properly, beginners can see exactly how that type if disc is supposed to fly. As you learn the overall flight of the disc(s) — while throwing as a righty or left, forehand or backhand — you will eventually begin to learn which discs are overstable and which are understable.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    DX plastic disc golf discs

    DX plastic discs are great for beginners due to their exceptional feel and flying on their intended flight pattern right out of the box.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 10:24 am on February 14, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , Conifer, , Disc Golf Basket Installation, , , Disc Golf Installation, , , , , , , , Sprinker Valve Box, Valve Box   

    Using Irrigation Valve Boxes in Disc Golf Basket Installation 

    As many of you have probably already seen, there is a wide array of installation methods when it comes to sinking baskets in the grounds. While metal sleeves are the standard, course can be more cost effective and use PVC pipe — enabling them to offer multiple pin positions on each hole while keeping their costs down. While there is no tab to lock the basket to the PVC pipe, this isn’t a common method, but one seen at several courses around the United States. While the traditional process of basket installation requires a metal sleeve to be placed in a concrete footing, or a concrete bucket sunk in the ground, it’s always enjoyable to valve boxes included in the process.

    Valve boxes? Like an irrigation valve box? Yes, that’s them!

    After you have dug your hole and put the proper base materials down, fill concrete around the sleeve that will house the pole of the disc golf basket. After making sure the sleeve is plumb before moving forward, the valve box is then submersed in the concrete. Take the top of the valve box off so you can see the contents of everything in the hole. While the valve box doesn’t really HAVE to be level or flush to the ground, it’s highly recommended that it is, if possible. When concrete has dried and installation has been complete, the cover can either remain off while the basket sits in the metal sleeve, or a hole can be drilled in the top so the valve box is closed at all times.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Valve box disc golf installation

    Valve boxes protect the sleeve of the disc golf basket as well as providing ease of switching basket locations.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 9:39 am on February 11, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , Equipment Rentals, , , , , , , Pocket Courses, ,   

    Number of Disc Golf Holes: Something is Better than Nothing 

    This blog post was inspired by the ongoing number of conversations we’ve had with disc golfers that are adamant about the fact that disc golf courses MUST have 18 holes. While we’d love nothing more than to see every course have 18 shiny Innova DISCatcher Pro baskets, many locations just aren’t suited for that many holes. Some scenarios may be limited by budget, but more times than not, the amount of disc golf holes are typically dictated by the parcel, the owners of the land, or the overall interest in the project.

    We spent the majority of last summer going on tour with The Mobile Disc Golf Experience which is a 3-6 hole traveling disc golf course whose primary mission is to make disc golf as accessible as possible to the general public. Once contracted for a fair, festival or event we scout out the property for the best location of a 3-6 hole disc golf course. After the site planning phase, we get down to the nitty gritty of course design, and follow that up with installation of the baskets. After the design, installation and signing of the holes are complete, we setup our vending booth and hand out free disc rentals for all to play the course.

    Don’t get us wrong, players are very appreciative that a company would come in and setup a well-designed 3-6 hole disc golf course for a weekend, but would that be the case if the course was permanent? We ask this question because we have been hearing a lot of varying reactions to current projects at UMass Amherst and the town of Peabody, MA. While both of these courses are two different monsters, their similarities are the fact they will each have 9 holes, not 18.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Life is Good Festival map

    This map depicts the grounds at the 2012 Life is Good Festival in Canton, MA. The Mobile Disc Golf Experience designed 3 holes behind the on-site pond (dotted line) — taking advantage of a space that was previous off limits in years past.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 11:36 am on February 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: Birdie, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Sit Soft, Sitting Soft   

    How Innova’s Rhyno and Birdie are Good for “Sitting Soft” 

    I’ll never forget the first time I held a Birdie by Innova Disc Golf. After playing for a couple years, I had gotten used to the beveled-edge nature of all the discs and amassed a fair amount, but was still looking for a putter that I felt comfortable with. While the Birdie didn’t end up being the right putter for me, in it I did find a straight flying approach disc that could “sit soft” and really put on the brakes when it had to.

    I originally put the Birdie in my bag for the “go for it” nature it is described as providing, but I never got over the awkward feeling of the disc on those ticklish feel shots and putts from 30?. Instead, I started hucking it in a field with a friend who was a big ultimate player at the time. While the purpose was to ease my buddy into disc golf from his Frisbee lifestyle, I really enjoyed the feel of the disc while being able to really give it a rip. After that pass and catch session with my buddy, I took it to the course and took a few pulls — I watched it fly straight and slow before sitting like mud. I was full on in love with the Birdie at that point.

    In contrast to a soft sitting golf ball or a Birdie/Rhyno that stops on a dime, one of the really exciting parts of disc golf is playing the skip of the disc. If you really know your discs, you’ll know when and where to use this technique, or at the very least, be able to compensate for another 20 feet or so before the disc rolls out before stopping. While I love this part of the game, I always found myself telling the disc to “sit soft” or “sit quick.” After enough of that, I did some research and found the Birdie. After half a season of playing with the Birdie, I put it away. Fast forward to the next year and I found myself playing a round with a buddy who owned a Rhyno, and the “sit soft” love affair was back on.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Birdie from Innova Discs

    The Birdie is a great “got for it” putter and can also be used as an approach disc that is best suited for “sitting soft” and stopping on a dime.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 10:21 am on February 5, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Positive Thinking,   

    Disc Golf Beginner Tip: Think Positive! 

    No matter what skill level you are currently playing at in the sport of disc golf or traditional golfer, there is always room for improvement within the mental side of the game. While incredibly frustrating at times, it’s actually quite impressive when you sit back and think about how much your own thoughts can affect your game. While honing the “one shot at a time mentality” and “blocking out” anything other than the shot you are currently on takes years of constant practice, there is a slightly easier mental game requirement that you do have a bit more control over when playing disc golf —thinking positive!

    In my honest opinion, I never see myself feeling the pressure of playing tournament disc golf as much as I did while playing traditional golf. While a lot of it has to do with the fact that I was in high school and playing large state and regional tournaments while trying to keep my ranking and win-loss record intact; I believe that a lot of the associated pressure came from many of the nuances that disc golf is, and always will be, missing. Some examples of these nuances are: the varying speed and undulations of the greens from course to course, the tightly tucked pins that are almost impossible to access, the range fully stocked with players working on the final tweaks before tee time, the large galleries and television cameras, and the intimidation factor of a highly ranked player, amongst many other factors.

    Nuances aside, there is still a large cross over within the mental side of the game, and while good course management and the “one shot at a time mentality” goes a long way, so does thinking positive. The majority of this article will be coming from a traditional golf perspective, but is completely applicable to disc golf.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.
    Traditional golf hole over water

    Take “don’t hit it in the water” out of your vocabulary and replace it with positive thinking!

     

     

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 12:15 pm on February 1, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , Donald Ross, , , Golf Course Design, , , , , , Pinehurst #2, Pinehurst Golf, , Turtleback Green   

    The “Turtleback Green” Concept 

    “Turtleback greens” are a design technique synonymous with famed traditional golf course designer, Donald Ross. While many later designers began to use this concept on their course designs, the most famous example is from Donald Ross’ design of Pinehurst #2 in North Carolina — a true destination for any traditional golfer, be it as a spectator or player. The gentle, rolling nature of the course almost lulls golfers into believing that it’s not as challenging as seen on television, while as soon as you step foot on the lighting fast greens that look like upside down saucers — you think again.

    “Turtleback greens” are defined by GolfClevelandOhio.com as “Old fashion greens which are high in the middle and low at the edges, similar to the outer shell of a turtle.” The basic concept of the design is to award great shots while rejecting poor shots. This article will eventually look at this design technique from a disc golf point of view, but initially, we will study why it’s so treacherous for traditional golfers and should be incorporated in disc golf course design, when possible.

    Unlike Donald Ross, though, disc golf course designs and their associated projects typically have small budgets. It is due to this fact that movement of earth and creation of “turtleback greens” is less than common — yet it can be done. The 6th hole at Hornet’s Nest in Charlotte, NC (cover photo) is a perfect example, as is our design of the 3rd hole of The Mobile Disc Golf Experience in Roseland, VA. Designers don’t need bulldozers to move earth around, but they do need to be creative — look for landfills or the remnants of fallen trees like the 13th hole at Beaver Ranch in Conifer, CO as natural “turtlebacks.”

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Turtleback green in traditional golf

    “Turtleback greens” in traditional golf have a crowned center and run away on all sides — rewarding great shots and punishing poor ones.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 8:38 am on January 30, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , Distance to Basket, , , Golf Greens, , , , , Professional Disc Golf Associations. PDGA, , Yardage Markers   

    The Integration of Fairway Distance Markers in Disc Golf 

    Several weeks ago, we posted a picture of the 12th hole at Hyzer Creek in Providence, NY on our Facebook page and asked the question — “Would you rather know the distance of your drive off the tee, or how far you are from the basket?” As expected, responses ranged from simple answers to less subtle comments like “It’s simple math — you can find one from the other!” As we did agree with this statement, what if you don’t remember the hole length and there is no scorecard to reference?

    The picture we posted was from a long, open par 4 field hole measuring 711’ in length. In the center of the fairway were two large stones — one marked 400’ and the other marked 500’. Both distances expressed are how far players were from the tee. Coming from a traditional golf background, the only time you would see this is in a long distance driving competition or a driving range where the yardages were in the middle of the fairway. While it’s wonderful to know how far you threw a disc or hit your drive, it’s rather meaningless as you should be meticulously calculating how far you are from the basket (or green in traditional golf), and doing so without the need to subtract how far your drive was from the distance marked on the tee sign.

    One of the main differences between disc golf and traditional golf that makes it a bit harder to mark distances to the basket is the fact that “holes” in traditional golf are relegated to greens, while basket locations can be moved in several different areas on a disc golf hole that provides a challenge and allows reduced soil compaction. The reason we bring this up is because in traditional golf all yardage markers — typically in increments of 50 between 100 and 250 yards from the green — are marked “OC” or “On Center” which is in reference to the middle of the green.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.
    Hyzer Creek Disc Golf
    The 12th hole at Hyzer Creek displays distances from
    the tee — forcing players to remember the total hole
    distance and subtract from that to know how far they
    are from the basket.
     
     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 10:09 am on January 29, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,   

    Disc Golf Beginner Tip: “Miss Right” 

    The beginner tip to disc golfers of “miss right” is applied to Right Handed Back Hand (RHBH) players, and can be used as “miss left” for the opposite handed player. “Miss right” is a simple phrase I coined when I first began playing, and one that I still use to this day to encourage players to snap their wrist at release. “Miss right” may not be the best technical advice, and we understand that, but it encourages players to do whatever it takes to turn their disc over, and gain distance through greater disc rotation.

    In a nutshell, “miss right” means don’t miss left. So many RHBH players grab drivers when they begin, throw with their entire arm and wonder why the disc breaks hard to the left. Besides that fact that they probably shouldn’t be throwing a driver this early in their disc golf career, the reason it breaks hard left is because it takes a tremendous amount of wrist snap to give the disc the amount of spin it needs to fly straight — eventually breaking left when it begins to slow down.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    The Wolf by Innova Disc Golf

    The Wolf is an understable mid-range in DX plastic that helps beginners move the disc to the right with proper snap.

     

     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 11:17 am on January 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , Disc Golf Bag Tags, , , , , , , ,   

    Encouraging Friendly Competition through Disc Golf Bag Tags 

    Bag tags are a wonderful way to encourage friendly competition on a disc golf course, all the while creating revenue for your club. Courses typically put in a small investment to purchase a determined amount of bag tags, and then sell them to players for $20-25. The revenue created from the bag tags helps with course finances or growing the sport in a local community. While the money raised typically goes towards course upgrades, the spirit of bag tags fosters a friendly, competitive environment for players to challenge one another throughout the season.

    While the number of bag tags at a local course is determined by how many the disc golf club purchases, a fair number is usually 25 tags. When you originally purchase a bag tag, you get the number given to you — let’s say for this example you are #15. Now the main rule of bag tags is pretty simple: you can challenge any bag tag holder at any time. The purpose of bag tags — besides encouraging friendly competition and creating revenue for your club — is to obtain a higher number bag tag throughout the season, ultimately ending the year with #1.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Disc Golf Bag Tags

    Numbered bag tags should be visibly clipped onto bags, encouraging friendly competition through spontaneous challenges.

     

     
    • TooNA

      TooNA 11:21 am on January 25, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      The one issue that has popped up a few times is that the one with the #1 bag tag never showed up with it. Always MIA.

  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 10:46 am on January 23, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , , Etiquette, , , , , , , ,   

    Disc Golf Etiquette: Not Standing in Someone’s Line of Sight 

    As incredible as disc golf is, there are still many facets of traditional golf that haven’t made their way into our sport. As you can, I’m a large advocate of integrating traditional golf techniques when appropriate.  There are many similarities between the two, but one seldom translates over for the common player are some forms of etiquette that make traditional golf so much fun. While it may not be a big deal to some — talking while someone is throwing shouldn’t happen. If it’s a friendly round, by all means have a blast, but if you are playing in tournaments or with serious players, this is the simplest form of etiquette. While there are many forms of etiquette that can be addressed, we are going to look at standing in someone’s line, or being in their line of sight.

    Many of these following forms of etiquette that will be discussed aren’t necessarily in the rule book, but are common forms of “gentlemen’s rules” in traditional golf. When on the course, there are many things you don’t do:

    - Don’t walk through your playing partner’s line (between their ball/disc and the hole). DEFINITELY don’t step in their line (more applicable to traditional golf).

    - Move your shadow if it is in their line. This is an incredible distraction, as it also “moves” with your movement.

    - Don’t stand in someone’s line of sight. If they are putting, don’t stand behind them. Don’t stand in the distance where you can be seen when they look at the hole. They shouldn’t have anyone in their line of sight while putting, or hitting/throwing in general.

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.
     
    Disc Golf Etiquette
    Make sure to give your playing partner
    a clear view of the basket — don’t stand
    behind them or in their extended
    vision beyond the basket.
     
  • Explore Disc Golf

    Explore Disc Golf 9:51 am on January 21, 2013 Permalink | Log in to leave a Comment
    Tags: , , , , , Ground Plane, , , , , Professional Disc Golf Associations, Signage, Wayfinding, Wayfinding Signage   

    Designing the “Ground Plane” on Disc Golf Courses 

    Improper wayfinding in nature can cause stress and a disinterest in returning for many. One way to combat this is by varying techniques in designing the “ground plane” of a space. Design of a space is broken down into three simple components — floor, wall and ceiling. This article is going to focus on the floor component, which will be referred to as the “ground plane” herein. Taking advantage of designing the “ground plane” on disc golf courses can be an inexpensive substitute for signage, and a simple aesthetic that will keep disc golfers returning for future rounds.

    When in conversation about disc golf course design, it is common for many to naturally think about getting down to the scale of individual holes, and designing them in such a fashion that players must exhibit a variety of shots to succeed in achieving par of the course. While there are several other facets of design — like the flow of the overall course, utilizing topography and change in elevation, connectivity to the surrounding context and minimizing your environmental impact, we urge you to think about the simplest of design techniques — designing the “ground plane.”

    Read the blog it its entirety, here.

    Disc Golf walkways

    Designing the “ground plane” of the disc golf course is a simple practice that helps move users throughout a space without the need for expensive signage.

     
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