Sports Talk: Fun with Frisbees

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Mar. 20, 2013. 

A disc, or Frisbee, is a very under appreciated item in the sports and recreation world.

The simple flat, round flying saucer like item can be used in so many ways to bring entertainment and what’s even better—anyone can do it. No really. I cannot throw a Frisbee straight to save my life.

But even this weekend, I found myself tossing one between myself (who is not very good), my husband (who can throw one in the exact direction he intends for a solid distance) and our three year old nephew (who doesn’t know the difference in throwing it outward and overhanded).

If you’ve never actually used a Frisbee for sport, you’re missing out. Throwing with a dog is great practice, particularly if the dog is trained at retrieving; then it doesn’t matter what direction the disc ends up going, you get it back. But beyond fetch with an animal, there are two games I’ve enjoyed with a disc, despite my inability to throw one straight or far.

One is Frisbee golf. If you’ve ever been to a park and seen the metal structures standing about four feet high with chains hanging down and wondered what the world they are for (I always thought they looked like some sort of space craft), now you know they are for Frisbee golf.

You can actually buy different style discs, similar to the way you have different clubs on the golf course. There are putters and drivers, etc. For me it doesn’t make a lot of difference what kind of disc I’m throwing, I end up in the trees (very similar to my actual golf game). You don’t have to have multiple discs to play the game. One will suffice; however they are smaller than the typical Frisbee.

It’s a fun relaxing activity. If you’ve never played, consider it on one of the non-rainy days this spring. Parks all over Kentucky have courses including one at Henry Jackson Park in Danville, Ky. You can also find them in Somerset, Harrodsburg, Nicholasville—the list goes on.

The second game I enjoy is quite the opposite of Frisbee golf. Aside from involving a disc, Ultimate Frisbee is basically the reverse style game. It is extremely fast-paced and far from what I would call relaxing. Think of it as soccer but with a disc. You’re constantly moving and playing with a team of others.

The beauty of this sport, much like soccer, is that it can be played anywhere with some open space. While competitive leagues exist and official field sizes and goals also exist, a playing field can be any size and a goal can simply be deemed as the space between two objects.

Some people play the sport regularly through the summer, but, again, you do not have to be practiced in it to play. You may not get picked first for teams, but if you’re like me, it doesn’t bother you that much anyway. (I know I’m not very good…)

As the weather turns, consider learning more about one or both of these sports and see what friends may be interested as well. If you’re the highly competitive type and want to stay active through summer, I suggest Ultimate Frisbee. Do some research and see what leagues might be nearby. If you just want a fun activity to enjoy with friends this summer, see what parks near you have a Frisbee golf course.