The last time I set foot on a "real" golf course was more than 10 years ago, in Smithfield.
One particularly errant slice hit a telephone pole, bounced back onto the driving range and scattered other, much-better players, who were miffed at the actions of such an obvious "hacker." Needless to say, I haven't been back there since.
So when a friend from Texas, Peter Lufkin, visited last year and suggested we go golfing, I was mortified. Visions of angry, injured golfers swam in my head.
Even when he told me he was going disc golfing, I was still a bit reluctant.
"You mean with Frisbees?" I asked.
"Some of the pros don't like to call them that. They call them 'flying discs' or just 'discs,' " he said.
"Yeah, right. Whatever," I thought and decided just to watch as Peter and my twin brother Scott, a first-timer, played a round. But after watching them "drive" and "putt" with discs, I regretted that decision and resolved to try it the next weekend.
My first time out, I managed not to hit anybody with a disc — though I did nearly lose one of the things, which are slightly smaller and heavier than a regular disc. In fact, the experience was so positive that now I'm hooked, so to speak.
In the months that followed, Scott and I played the course in Holladay (in Creekside Park, just off Murray-Holladay Road) several times, and we have been waiting anxiously for the weather to clear up this year so we can start playing regularly and, we hope, get better.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, disc golf has actually been around since the 1970s and is played in the same way as traditional golf. Disc golf courses usually have either nine or 18 holes — though instead of a ball and clubs, players use discs, which are thrown from a tee area to a target, which is called the "hole." (The most common of these is called a "pole hole," an elevated metal basket.)
And like "ball golf," the object of the game is to complete each hole in the fewest number of strokes — or, in this case, the fewest number of throws.
"Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway," said Martin Bohn, who heads up the Provo chapter of Team Utah Disc Golf, an organization that is trying to promote the quickly growing sport.
"There are a few differences, though," he said. "It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status."
Stress that latter part. It's cheap to start playing disc golf. For one thing, there are no greens fees or cart rentals, and you don't have to buy expensive clubs (quality golf discs cost between $10-$15, though some sports stores sell used ones for less than half that).
In fact, Bohn said, the sport only requires participants to have one disc, though he quickly pointed out that most avid disc golfers have at least a half-dozen of them.
Also, the sport is something that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels — although there are disc golf "professionals" and there are competitive tournaments nearly every month.
"Players of limited fitness levels can start slowly and gradually increase their level of play as fitness improves," Bohn said. "Scheduling is also flexible. A round takes one to two hours and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times. Here you never get stuck with a bad 'tee time.' "
The sport also offers nearly year-round opportunities. Hardy pros like Utah Team Disc Golf President Doug Smith like to hit the courses even when it's raining or snowing.
"I have played 'frizz' for most of my life. I love it," he said.
And, of course, there's the fact that it's fun to play the game.
"What I really love is the whole atmosphere and skill of the game," Lufkin said. "The courses I love to play are usually set in some sort of scenic, peaceful setting, and I love the whole nature aspect of it."
(Like the one at Creekside, most of the courses in the state or around the country are located in parks or existing "ball golf" courses.)
One thing avid disc golfers like Lufkin, who says he's still learning the sport, advise for first-timers is bringing along a partner.
"Find someone who will stick with you and just go out and have fun. I think it is a must to go with someone when you are starting just to keep each other motivated," he said. "And don't get discouraged. Rome was not built in a day.
"Also, don't try to overexert yourself just because you see other people acing the holes. Everyone has their own style," Lufkin added. "Just play at a leisurely pace, and I have found that with each time out, you will throw it a little farther and a little more accurate each time."
Professional disc golfers have some advice of their own, including practicing on a level playing surface — such as a football field or a park — to increase the distance of "drives." "And have two putters, so you can stand around and practice putting," Jim Sontag said. "Do this as often as possible and a few minutes before a round."
Sontag, Smith and other pros also encourage newcomers to the sport to join them when they play. Groups of "better" disc golfers play at Creekside Park Tuesday nights or at the Rotary Bicentennial Park in Provo on Thursdays.
"My advice to a novice is to play in the 'weekly.' Also play in all the tournaments you can," Sontag said.
"Play as much as you can, get with better players and learn. Get involved with local clubs. And most of all, have fun," Smith added.
In addition, there are a variety of Web sites with information on the sport, including sites for the Professional Disc Golfers Association www.pdga.com and DiscLife online magazine www.disclife.com. There are currently four disc golf courses in Utah. For a national directory of courses, go to the Professional Disc Golf Association's online directory www.dgc-online.com.
Creekside Park, approximately 1400 East and Murray-Holladay Road (4780 South). Eighteen holes: three of them 300 feet or shorter, five between 300-400 feet. Contact: Doug Smith, 282-8645.
Ogden Golf and Country Club, 4197 Washington Blvd. Still in early stages and without pole holes. Eighteen holes: nine of them 300 feet or shorter, five of them between 300-400 feet and four of them 400 feet or longer. Contact: Jabin Gonzalez, 1-801-392-6246.
Rotary Bicentennial Park, 1400 S. 1600 East, Provo. Nine holes: four of them 300 feet or shorter, five of them between 300-400 feet. Contact: Erich Hofmeister, 1-801-361-9226.
Zion Park, just off the Zion National Park I-15 exit in Springdale. Eighteen holes: 11 of them 300 feet or shorter, five of them between 300-400 feet and two of them 400 feet or longer. Contact: Morgan Eisinger, 1-801-772-0609.