Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing pastimes in the United States. From the family playing on a Saturday afternoon at their local park to the professional competitors of the PDGA, young and old alike can learn to play the game and play it well. This article will discuss the history and basics of the game and how Sun Kings Discs can play a vital role as you start your disc golf journey. Our disc golf website and retail store feature the unparalleled Sun King discs collection as well as a broad array of disc golf accessories.
This article includes a guide for your first recreational game. When you’re done here, you’ll have everything you need–and maybe even a little bit extra.
The Game of Disc Golf
While it is difficult to determine exactly when people started playing disc golf, it became a recognized sport with courses and competitions popping up across the country in the 1970s. It is believed that the game was first introduced to children as a way to allow them to participate in the game of golf; but rather than giving them clubs and a small target, they played with frisbees and larger baskets.
Today, with over 14,000 disc golf courses spread across the world—many in public parks and recreational areas—disc golf is played by people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. The sport is governed by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
To demonstrate a sense of growth in our sport: in 2016, the PDGA had over 30,000 members. As of the writing of this piece, the PDGA has over 250,000 members. There are thousands of disc golf events every year, including the Disc Golf Pro Tour, ESPN features, super-star pro athletes making millions of dollars with big sponsors, and even international tournaments.
Visit https://www.pdga.com/history to learn more about the sport, its history, and current events.
Sun King Discs
Sun King Discs is central Florida’s ultimate disc golf retailer. Our storefront in Port Richey, FL has a wide variety of disc golf gear and hundreds of disc golf discs in stock for you to browse. Our online store showcases the same Sun King Disc collection and accessories as well as various promotions and sales connected to various disc selections available to you.
History of Sun King Discs
Sun King Discs has been a leading disc golf retailer for over 20 years. When our founder, Michael Barnett, was first introduced to the sport he quickly became enamored by the possibilities. Over the years, his vision to provide quality discs and accessories to the public has helped to ensure that Sun King Discs’ first priority is always its customers.
In addition to serving our community, we also partner with multiple professional disc golf athletes to provide them with the quality disc golf equipment and support they need to compete at the top of their game. We call this Team Sun King. Ever heard of the professional disc golf superstar and long-thrower, Garret Gurthie? He’s one of our members on Team Sun King. We bring this same mindset of excellence to all our customers, whether you have been playing the game for years or just heard about it for the first time.
Shipping, Refunds, and Substitutions
Sun King Discs is committed to providing excellent products with exceptional customer service. We guarantee to ship orders out by the next business day. Any order over $50 always ships for free. New items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund in the form of a Sun King Discs gift certificate. If you prefer a credit card refund we will deduct the shipping charges.
Sun King Discs will not make any substitutions (size, color, etc.) to your order without contacting you first.
Sun King Discs Collection
The Sun King Discs Collection features discs of all kinds from every major manufacturer, and probably some you’ve never heard of.
We regularly add new products to our disc golf store, so check back often to find the next disc to add to your collection.
One of our newest disc collections is the Ledgestone Wave 3, released earlier this summer. This collection includes the following discs:
- Colorshift Z Zone
- Swirl Soft Challenger
- Midnight ESP Roach
- CryZtal Focus
- TriFoil Big Z Buzzz
- Midnight Z Meteor
- CT Blend Wasp
- TriFoil Big Z Undertaker
- ESP Lite Sparkle Raptor
- Z Glo Flx Heat
- Midnight Z Vulture
- TriFoil ESP Glo Nuke
- ESP Swirl (2023 Tour Series) Punisher
- Flag Dye Z Force
- Midnight ESP Surge
Don’t Worry, We Carry All of the Basics Too
While our inventory is always rotating, you can typically find these discs in a variety of plastics (from base to premium), weights (light to heavy), colors, special stamps, stock discs, special runs, tour series discs, etc.
- Innova Star Destroyer
- Innova Roc
- Discraft Nuke
- Discraft Buzzz
- MVP Glitch
- MVP Envy (the holy shot disc)
- Discmania Cloudbreakers
- And just so many more you have to see for yourself …
Our discs are organized by brand and collection, with pictures and details of each listed in the description. We stock distance drivers, fairway drivers, midranges, putters, and every other type of disc you can imagine, including some that glow in the dark.
Questions About the Sun King Disc Collection?
If you are looking for a specific type of disc and aren’t sure where to find it, give us a call at (727) 388-3473 and one of our friendly disc golf experts will be happy to help. Or, stop by our store Monday-Saturday 9:00 am- 6:00 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm to discover all we have to offer.
Other Disc Golf Accessories
In addition to discs, Sun King Discs also supplies various disc golf equipment to make the game more enjoyable. Disc golf gear from Sun King Discs includes:
Disc Golf Bags
Consider a stylish and simple way to store and transport your discs. The ergonomic straps and padded sides provide a comfortable and reliable home for your discs. Sun King Discs’ broad selection of disc golf bags also features extra pockets for a water bottle, sunglasses, and other accessories.
Disc Golf Carts
Not your typical bulky golf cart! Disc golf carts are designed to be lightweight and collapsible. Sun King Discs As the preferred dealer of Rovic Disc Golf Carts, Sun King Discs provides this durable and practical addition to your essential gear. The Rovic RV1D includes a place for your umbrella, water bottle, and a secure place for valuables. It easily collapses down to 13″ x 15″ x 24.”
Apparel
Serious disc golfers sometimes have to play through hot, cold, and wet weather. That is why it is important to have appropriate performance apparel for your weather conditions. Currently, Sun King Discs offers men’s t-shirts in cotton, micro polyester, and a cotton/poly/spandex blend. More apparel options for men and women coming soon!
Improve Your Game: Tools for Feedback and Consistency
Putting Practice – the best way to practice putting is to make sure you have regular access to a practice basket. Frankly, most people purchase a basket and put it on their property somewhere: yard, garden, patio, garage, or even indoors. Please be mindful of your surroundings, as the chains and the metal of the basket can produce loud sounds (satisfying sounds, but loud). You can also purchase putting aids that attach to the chains and help you focus when aiming your putts. Try the DiscDot today.
Rangefinding – The Apex NF600 Rangefinder is a helpful tool if you want to measure the distances from you to your target accurately. You can measure the distance to the next object as well as other data points including the slope, height variation, and more. It will also measure how fast you threw the disc. The rangefinder stores up to 20 measurements at once to gauge your progress.
As you progress through the sport, knowing how far away certain things are becomes more important. Knowing these distances will help you select shot shapes and the correct discs.
Other Fun Stuff
Sun King Discs also sells fun accessories and branded products to enhance your disc golf experience. As disc golf grows in popularity, more and more vendors are getting in on the game. Check out sunkingdiscs.com/accessories to see all that we have to offer, including
- water bottles
- sport towels
- umbrellas
- hats
- card and dice games
- cooler bags
Essentials For Your First Recreational Game of Disc Golf
As a guide for beginners, we want you to feel confident stepping onto the course for a casual round. Sun King can provide that confidence. At the end of this section, you’ll feel confident showing up to a course and playing your round. You want:
- Equipment
- A Course or a Field
- Rules of the Game
Note: this is for recreational purposes, not tournament play. Tournament play is different, and Sun King can help you with that.
Equipment
Equipment is what allows you to play the game. Make sure you have the following with you:
- Discs (putter, mid, fairway driver, distance driver (optional))
- Clothing (weather appropriate)
- Proper Shoes (hiking through a park or field)
- Water and snacks (stay hydrated)
- Disc golf bag or cart (something to carry your discs and hold your stuff)
- Scorecard or the Udisc app (we all use Udisc)
Bonus tip: when playing disc golf you’re in nature. Sometimes in the wilderness, sometimes in populated areas. Bring stuff that might help in those situations: hats, gloves, parasols, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
What Do I Do When I Get to the Course?
The courses themselves (usually) will have tee pads, baskets, and signage to help you navigate through the course. In general, disc golf courses are either on private property or in public parks. In both cases, it will be rare to find a disc golf course with no people on it. We’re a welcoming, active, and friendly community. Introduce yourself and you will almost certainly be welcomed.
The basic assumption is that groups of 2-4 players will tee off from hole #1 when all players are ready, and then continue through the course, playing each hole in sequential order, at a reasonable pace of play.
If you approach hole #1 and there are people present, here is what you do: If it looks like someone is on the tee pad preparing to throw, do your best not to be disruptive. If nobody is actively throwing on hole #1 it’s normal to ask one of the people waiting what the throwing order is. It’s typically first come, first served at these courses, and sometimes people will wait by hole #1 to reserve their spot in line while waiting for the rest of their group to show up.
If nobody is there then walk up to the tee pad and start your round by throwing from hole #1.
You can play with larger groups. It’s not uncommon to see groups of 5-8 people playing together. Nor is it uncommon to see individuals walking the park playing by themselves.
Pace of play is simple: if the group behind you catches up to you, you probably want to offer for them to “play through”. Play-through customs are highly localized. Ask around to find out those specifics.
Basic Flow of Play
Start from hole #1 and play each hole in sequential order until the marked course is completed (usually 18 holes, but not always). Each hole begins from a tee pad and ends with a target (chain basket). Complete each hole in as few throws as possible. To complete a hole the disc must come to rest inside the basket or the chains of the target. To advance the disc you must propel it, unassisted, with your body from where it lies (we do this by throwing the disc). Each throw counts as one stroke. Those are the basics, but it is recommended that you become familiar with the rules of the game. The PDGA governs these rules, and are a great resource.
Call your friends, get your stuff from Sun King, and go play some disc golf. You’re ready.
Visit Sun King Discs
The next time that you need new disc golf accessories, stop by Sun King Discs. We offer quality products at an affordable price and every item is backed by our customer satisfaction guarantee. Allow our knowledgeable staff to assist you in your search for the next great piece of disc golf equipment. We look forward to coming alongside you in your disc golf journey as together we share the game of disc golf with the world.