Disc Golf
Disc golf has become one of the country's fastest-growing sports. It is considered a lifetime sport for the whole family, offering a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise while having fun. The City’s Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs (PRNA) Department offers three disc golf courses to challenge any skill level, located at Tom Brown, Jack L. McLean Jr. and Paradise parks.
Both Tom Brown and Jack L. McLean Jr. parks feature varied elevation, unique for Florida terrain. Nine of the holes at Tom Brown Park play through wooded areas, while the remaining holes are in open areas with large oak and pine trees on the fairways. There are also a few out-of-bounds (OB) areas around the course to create interest and increase the challenges of the game. The Jack L. McLean Jr. Park course is more of a "target" course, winding through tall pines and large oaks that will give the more experienced player the challenge they are looking for. The newest course, located at Paradise Park, features many short-distance holes on flat, open land, with only a few wooded obstacles, making it a great option for beginners or those who want to work on their putting skills. The City’s disc golf courses are free to play, and unlike traditional golf, there’s no need for a tee time—players can start whenever they’re ready.
There are special discs made for the game. Each disc is used for a specific throw, such as drivers, mid-range and putters. Players are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and pack plenty of water.
Disc golf leagues and other organizations periodically organize competition events. For details and upcoming events, check the message board at Hole One. If you have any questions about disc golf or would like to host an event, please call PRNA at 850-891-FUNN for details.
Ready to play? Click on the links below for maps, scorecards and directions:
- Disc golf is played like ball golf, but your using a flying disc. One point is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The object is to acquire the lowest score.
- Tee throws must be completed within or behind the designated tee area.
- After the tee-off the thrown disc must be left where it came to rest until a marker disc is placed on the playing surface between the hole and the disc, directly in line with the hole, touching the thrown disc.
- After the tee-off the player whose disc is farthest from the hole always throws first. The player with the least amount of throws on the previous hole is the first to tee-off on the next hole.
- Fairway throws must be made with the foot closest to the hole on the lie. The other foot may be no closer to the hole than the lie. A run-up and normal follow-through, after release, is allowed.
- With 10 yards of the pole, a player may not step past the point of his or her lie in making their putt. Falling or jumping is not allowed.
- A disc that comes to rest in, not on top of, the pole hole basket constitutes successful completion of that hole.
- A player may not move, alter, bend or hold back any part of a tree or bush between the lie and the hole. However the player may obtain relief from casual water, loose leaves or debris, broken branches no longer connected to tree, or motor vehicles.
- A thrown disc that hits another player, spectator, or animal shall be played where it comes to rest.
- Any disc that comes to rest more than 6 ft above the ground is considered unplayable. After declaring an unplayable lie the disc must be thrown from the new lie on the ground, directly underneath the unplayable lie (1 throw penalty).
- A disc shall be declared lost if the player cannot locate it within three minutes after arriving at the spot where it was last seen.
- A throw that lands out of bounds must be played from where the disc went out of bounds. Over a fence, in the road and across the road is out of bounds (1 throw penalty).
- Do not throw until the players ahead of you are out of range. If people are on the fairway, call "fore" to let them know that you are playing through.