Disc Golf Growing in Snellville

Disc Golf is growing in popularity in Snellville, thanks in part to two specially designed courses in the area.

For enthusiasts who participate, the sport is a welcome time for getting outdoors and enjoying time with family.

“To watch the flight of the disc and enjoy the time outdoors with family," said Greg Pothier, a local disc golfer, "it doesn’t get any better than that.” 

Pothier is a board member of the Gwinnett Disc Golf Organization, which hosts events at Alexander and Lenora park, two parks that have a large, beautifully landscaped disc golf course. They are also in charge of course maintenance and host fundraisers to raise money for park improvements. 

Disc golf began as an officially recognized sport in the late 1970s. The concept is similar to traditional golf, except that instead of a ball and club, the game is played with a flying disc, similar to a Frisbee, and basket. 

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, a golf disc is thrown from a tee area to the elevated metal basket, or Pole Hole.  The player throws again from wherever the previous throw landed.  Each hole is completed once the disc is in the basket.  

According to Pothier, who has been involved in the sport for around three years, the popularity of disc golf has grown significantly in Snellville over the past two or three years. He attributes part of the growth to the highly visible court at Alexander Park, along Highway 124.  

In 1976, there were only seven disc golf courses across the country.  Now, there are over 2,000.  

“It’s definitely a family-friendly game,” Pothier said, “and it’s free.” 

Besides the price -- generally just the price of the disc -- it's easy to see why the sport is popular. It's a great way to enjoy some competition while getting exercise and enjoying the great outdoors. It also doesn't take too long. Most games last an average of an hour and a half.  All ages are welcome to play, and leagues are made up of both men and women.  

Snellville resident Ryan Lambie is a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association, the Gwinnett Disc Golf Organization and the Atlanta Disc Golf Organization.  

“I started playing back when I was 18 in high school,” Lambie said.  He played off and on at Lenora Park, the course that has been around the longest in Gwinnett.  “I play just about every day.” 

He stepped away from it for a number of years, but returned to it two and a half years ago when he was looking for a way to lose weight and still be competitive.  

His first tournament was in Toccoa.  

“I went up there and camped out with my dad and [former] brother-in-law,” he said.  “I now play with friends, my dad and my kids.  All age groups can play and have a good time.” 

Every Saturday, Alexander Park hosts random draw Doubles ($10 to participate), where names are drawn out a hat and people are paired together to play competitively.  Between 30 and 40 people come out regularly.  Lambie has placed first in those tournaments at different times, and second and third in single tournaments.   

Lenora Park hosts Glow Golf during the cooler months, when the sun sets earlier in the day.  Players attach glow lights to the discs and baskets and play by the light of the moon.     

“I’m very much an outdoors person,” Lambie said.  “I enjoy meeting the new people, being outdoors, and the competitive nature of it.  It’s fun, and you can play around without really keeping score if you want.” 

One thing Lambie enjoys in particular is connecting to the scenery of each course.  Courses in Orlando, Florida, for example, vary greatly from the courses in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He enjoys connecting to the outdoors and seeing the cities in their natural element. 

The exercise itself is mild but enough to leave you feeling accomplished at the end of a game. The fresh air (minus the smog of recent days) and opportunity to be outdoors is a reason unto itself to give disc golf a try.  Lambie’s kids and new bride often go with him to play.   

On August 6, the Gwinnett Disc Golf Organization will host the Alexander Arial Armada to raise funds for disc golf in Gwinnett County. Contact the GDGO for more information. The winner gets a trophy and the proceeds go toward improving the park. 

For more information, visit the Professional Disc Golf Assocation or Disc Golf Atlanta.