Gripe No. 21: Disc golf courses that lack proper signage

Why do you love disc golf?

I’ll give you a second to answer …

For me, above all else, it’s fun. I sit in a chair all day at work. When I’m finally done with it, why would I want to do the same thing in front of a television? I’d rather be out and about moving. And if I’m going to be moving, there’s no better place to do it than the outdoors.

The biggest reason, though?

Disc golf relaxes me.

DGPT: Joel Freeman

Even during (and after) my worst rounds, though my words and antics indicate otherwise, I’m calm. But you know what’s capable of completely undoing all of that zen-driven goodness? When, through no fault of my own, I’m unable to mindlessly drift from hole to hole …

The course navigation sucks.

Yes, senseless vandalism or a freshly installed course could be to blame. And thankfully, if the local disc golf club knows what it’s doing, most of the time, those things can be made right. 

But when a four-star course on UDisc has multiple layouts, concrete teepads and quality baskets with crap signage, I’m left to wonder who built this thing: Eric McCabe or Cookie Monster?

This is a problem.

DGPT: The 2023 Las Vegas Challenge

I’ll come clean: I know ZERO about course design.

As a frequent course user, however, I’m positive a tell-tale sign of a strong setup is a first-timer being able to get through it both quickly and confidently. The guy shouldn’t have to crash a local’s card, answer a series of riddles or talk to a dude in a trench coat to get in 18 holes.

Here’s what you love to see:

  • Need No. 1One sign at each teepad.
  • Need No. 2 – Each sign displays the layout and distance.
  • Need No. 3 – And lastly, on or near the basket, an arrow to the next teepad.

And don’t think these need to be Louvre-worthy signs, either. While traveling, I’ve easily made my way through courses with little more than heavily laminated card stock stapled to a wooden pole at each hole. No, it’s not perfect, but for the time being, it works – upgrade at a later date.

DGPT: Hailey King

Build courses everybody can play without pulling their hair out

Ease of use is a big part of that.

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Lucas Miller

Lucas Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Green Splatter. When he’s not out tossing a Champion Rhyno in his native Utah, he’s watching true-crime documentaries with his wife, wrestling his twin boys and praying the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebuild passes quickly.

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