Trying to find fun things to do outdoors with kids can be a bit tricky when they get older. After about the age of nine or ten it can be difficult for parents to compete with friends and Minecraft and extracurriculars.

That’s where disc golf comes in! It’s fun, played outside, great light exercise, and provides the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with older kids, one-on-one or with a group. Of course, younger kids can play too – adjustments can be made for the number of “holes” you play with shorter attention spans.

How to Get Started

You can buy a starter kit of frisbee discs for as little as $10 at any sporting goods store, and a great tutorial that will answer all your questions about the basics of the game can be found on the PDGA website. Another perk of playing disc golf – there are no greens fees like in regular golf. No tee times either. Just a relaxed, inexpensive game families can play together.

Parent Pro-Tips for Playing with Kids

• Study the course maps before you go – it helps show you where to park, where the first hole is located, and where the bathrooms are (if any).
• Play in the mornings – it’s less crowded and hot. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen!
• If you’re on a course with lots of roughs, wear long pants. Stomping through tall grass looking for a rogue disc can get hairy.
• Start out with courses you can practice putting a lot on or with an abbreviated 9-hole course. As kids progress and get better at throwing and aiming the frisbee, work your way up to longer courses.
• Don’t be afraid to let others play through – it’s good disc golf etiquette and keeps you from holding up the game if you need some extra time on a hole.
• Losing a disc is bound to happen. Don’t get upset! Buy brightly…