Fun pastime or serious sport, disc golf popularity is growing

By Lethbridge Herald on August 27, 2025.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Disc golf is popular because it is an accessible, affordable, and inclusive fun outdoor activity that appeals to a wide range of ages and fitness levels. Its key factors include low cost with free courses and inexpensive discs, physical and mental benefits from exercise and concentration, and a welcoming, social community. 

“The best thing about disc golf is the way it brings together people of all ages, skill abilities and backgrounds,” says 22-year-old professional disc golfer Noah Higgins of Lethbridge. “Disc golf is a great way to spend time in nature and with family and friends.”

The format for disc golf is based on traditional golf. Each course has 18 holes and each hole has a par between 3-5. There is also a lot of similar terminology. From scoring (birdie, par, bogie) to equipment (putter,driver). Also out of bounds and hazard. 

Disc golf has a lot of its own terminology though, in reference to how the disc is thrown or flies. Hyzer, anhyzer, overstable, understable, glide, fade, thumber, tomhawk, turbo putt.

The Lethbridge Disc Golf Association (LDGA) mission is to support and develop the sport of disc golf in Lethbridge and surrounding area. The LDGA has about 70-80 paid members with hundreds more casual disc golfers in the community.

“Disc golf is less formal for casual play, less expensive and we would say, more fun,” says Rebecca Johnson, former LDGA president and Noah Higgins’ mother. “Most disc golf courses are free to play and require only a small investment in equipment.”

A new disc golfer can get started for as little as $20 to $40 by purchasing a single, inexpensive beginner disc or a low-cost starter set and using a free, public course.

Many courses are free, and disc golf is a relatively affordable sport compared to traditional golf, requiring only a few discs to begin playing and enjoying the community and outdoor activity.

Lethbridge has four free courses. Eighteen-hole courses are located at Nicholas Sheran Park, Aperture Park and Peenaquim Park and a nine-hole course at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

As with traditional golf, more serious competitive disc golfers invest more in their equipment.

“Serious disc golfers carry 12-20 discs (and usually have dozens more at home) and have good bags or disc golf carts,” says Johnson. “Other gear will include towels, water bottles, disc retrievers, good shoes and rain gear, as well as range finders. To set yourself up properly for competitive play you’ll need anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand if you’re into it.”

Like the monetary investment, the amount of effort you put into the game can vary as well.

“Disc golf is an easy sport for anyone to play, but it is very difficult to master and play consistently well,” says Higgins, who turned pro at the age of 15.

The most recent local tournament Tok place on Aug. 16. A group of 44 serious male and female disc golfers (41 amateurs and three pros including Higgins) gathered at Aperture Park outside the University of Lethbridge (UoL) for the National Amateur Disc Golf Tour (NADGT) Canada Exclusive; an amateur event with an added pro division. 

The youngest competitor was 15 and the oldest players were in their 60s. The nine winners in each division, including Higgins who won mixed pro open (MPO) division, have been invited to the NADGT National  Championships in Austin, Texas this fall, and were also invited to the Canadian NADGT championship in Calgary which took place last weekend.

“The LDGA has something for everyone. From a variety of leagues (regular league, women’s league, PDGA sanctioned league) to tournaments (unsanctioned, C-tier, B-tier and A-tier). We can also  support youth groups or others interested in learning.”

Disc golf’s roots in Canada go back to 1926 in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, where a game called “Tin Lid Golf” was played using tin plates. 

Disc golf evolved from early informal games using flying discs to the organized sport recognized today, driven by “Steady” Ed Headrick in the 1970s and 1980s, who also invented the first basket. 

Key milestones include the introduction of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) in 1976, the development of the modern basket, and the establishment of the first permanent course at Oak Grove Park in 1975. 

The popularity and growth of disc golf continues with the establishment of clubs and the installation of more courses across Canada.