JC Parks employees maintain beautiful courses for beginners and athletes alike.
As the weather warms and springtime dawns on many outdoor activities for families, there is a family-friendly sport that shouldn’t be overlooked — disc golf. With hundreds of courses right here in Missouri, a disc golf course is easy to find. Fortunately, JC Parks has four 18-hole disc golf courses along with stand-alone baskets.
What is Disc Golf?
Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf or frolf, is a sport played like traditional golf, but instead of hitting a golf ball into a hole, a plastic disc is thrown into a chained basket. The goal is to throw the disc into the basket in as few throws as possible. Sounds simple, right?
The player’s first throw is from a tee, which is often a concrete pad, to the basket. On subsequent throws down the fairway, the players throw from the location where their previous disc landed. Many courses are immersed in the forests, which means that trees, shrubs, and terrain alter the difficulty. Just as golfers use different clubs, disc golf players use different discs based on the distance and trajectory of the throw.
Why Play?
Disc golf is designed to be enjoyed by all ages and abilities to promote physical fitness, social bonding, and outdoor exploration, making it a great choice for the entire family.
“To quote an old PDGA slogan, ‘to release a disc with power and accuracy is a marvelous feeling,’” says Chris Neff, Jefferson City Disc Golf Club president. “Picture this: you’re standing there; you’ve got 250 feet and a bunch of trees between you and the basket, but you see the flight path to get there. So you curve the throw to the right around the first tree and then left around the last tree, skipping it up to the basket for a drop-in birdie. It never gets old.”
There is a science to playing disc golf, often referred to as the physics of flight. Manipulating the disc and angles to avoid obstacles requires a unique set of concentration, skill, and disc selection. Many times, disc golf also shares the same passion and emotion as traditional golf, whether it’s joy from sinking a long shot or frustration when hitting a tree.
There are 18-hole courses at County Park and Holts Summit Greenway Park. For beginners, County Park provides a welcoming introduction with gentle slopes and open spaces, making it easy to find ones disc without many obstacles. There are stand-alone baskets at Memorial Park and Riverside Park for those who want to go out and practice throwing at the basket without any obstacles. JC Parks also maintains two championship-level, 18-hole disc golf courses at Binder Park: The Dam course and Joseph C. Miller course. Joseph C. Miller has unique and challenging holes that have two basket placements on each hole, catering to both beginners and experienced players.
“The Dam Course stands out as Jefferson City’s premier championship-level course,” adds James Mueller, owner of H.O.B Disc Sports and officer of the Jefferson City Disc Golf Club. “It’s a demanding layout with a strategic design that provides a thrilling experience for players seeking a competitive challenge.”
Each course features beautiful scenic backdrops where families can enjoy the outdoors and the fresh air while getting in their steps for the day. Beyond the physical benefits, disc golf fosters social bonding among family and friends with friendly competition and communication. This inclusive activity is a great sport for young families as the disc golf community provides a sense of belonging and opportunities to explore local parks.
“To quote an old PDGA slogan, ‘to release a disc with power
Chris Neff, Jefferson City Disc Golf Club president
and accuracy is a marvelous feeling.’”
The community is fortunate to have a prosperous and active disc golf club. Established in 2004, the Jefferson City Disc Golf Club is dedicated to promoting disc golf with events and projects that enrich the community and grow the sport. They host tournaments and weekly leagues for those looking to meet people and improve their disc golf game.
“We have two new courses on the drawing table, and we will be co-hosting the 2025 World Amateur Championships,” Chris says.
The club boasts a friendly, inclusive, and neighborly environment that welcomes new players and seasoned professionals the same. The club has members and officers who are readily available to answer questions and aid those starting in the sport.
For families interested in trying disc golf, here are a few tips.
“When introducing kids to disc golf, prioritize positivity, support, and patience,” James says. “Begin by practicing throwing discs in a field or the backyard to familiarize them with the basics. Take regular breaks to keep the experience enjoyable, ensuring that fun remains the central focus throughout the game.”
To play nine holes, it can take roughly 90 minutes. Playing in doubles or best throw format will quicken the pace of the game. In this format, the team picks the best throw from one of the team members as the disk lies, and this is where they throw from next. JC Parks courses have no green fees and can be played multiple times during open hours. The only cost is purchasing a set of discs.
