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South Georgia Disc Golf Changing the Playing Field
Posted: 05.14.2012 at 1:23 AM
Andrew Schnitker

Andrew Schnitker is the sports director and sports anchor for WFXL and Mysouthwestga.com

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ALBANY, GA -- Disc golf is changing the way people think of the word- golf.

It's a sport that replaces the striking of a ball with the rattling of chain posts. With 40,000 Professional Disc Golf Association registered members, disc golf is a rapidly growing sport.

“The history of the sport has been pretty dramatic given that we're only talking about a 25 or 30 year history or so. It's really progressed at a rapid pace,” South Georgia Disc Golf member Mike Griner said.

The South Georgia Disc Golf association is also spreading at a fair pace with 30+ members. And with parks from Albany to Valdosta, the disc version is taking away from the crowd on the links.

“As a ball golfer, I didn't feel like it was physical enough...not to take anything away from ball golf, but for me it's just a little bit more physical,” Griner said.

Even with the physicality, it’s a sport that doesn’t discriminate by age. 70-year-old David Walters plays to stay in shape.

“It's very physical and you're using all parts of your body in this thing. At that time, I was 66 or 67 and I said this would be the perfect thing for therapy,” Walters said.

With disc names such as the beast, boss and destroyer, this game is hardly a walk in the park. Picking the right disc at the right time and walking an 18-hole course takes a toll on the mind and the body.

“It’s a very heavy mental challenge...you gotta know the disc, you gotta know your plastic and what to throw...that's what makes it so challenging,” Walters said. “When people see disc golf they think that's nothing, but a Frisbee- I can do that. But when you actually take one of these things in your hand, and you try to throw that thing 280 to 300 feet...all of the sudden it becomes...”oh boy, whoa,” Walters added with a chuckle.

It's a sport that goes year round and it may not be long till a larger audience sees the light.

“I think we're right at the verge quite frankly of really turning in to a mainstream- seeing it on ESPN type of sporting event. It's really coming on strong,” Griner said.

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