Diffusion of Disc Golf Courses in the United States

Over the past several decades, geographers have examined the expansion of golf facilities throughout the United States (Adams and Rooney 1985, 1989; Rooney and Pillsbury 1992; Rooney 1993; Napton and Laingen 2008). These studies have described the changing spatial patterns of golf courses over time and the evolution of golf regions. In addition, they have analyzed the macro-level factors that have influenced the diffusion of golf. More recently, geographers have broadened their focus to include the accessibility of golf for populations who have had limited or restricted access to the sport in the past (Mitchelson and Lazaro 2004; Wells and others 2008). This theme of diffusion and access to new places and people has also been investigated in the geographic analysis of other sports, such as bowling, auto racing, and hockey (Harmon 1985; Aldermen and others 2003; Hurt 2005; Coleman 2006). The purpose of this research is to utilize the conceptual framework developed by geographers and other social scientists for the analysis of golf, and apply it to the relatively new sport of disc golf. We will begin by looking at the diffusion of disc golf courses throughout the U.S. We will then examine the emergence of disc golf regions and consider the macro-level factors that may have led to the current spatial distribution. Lastly, we will examine the results of two surveys. The first survey was administered to disc golf players to create a profile of individuals who participate in the sport, determine why they play, and understand how the sport diffuses at the individual level. The second survey was administered to persons who had observed disc golf being played, but had not played the sport themselves. This data should help to uncover possible barriers to diffusion among individuals. Hence, we add to the existing body of knowledge on geography and sport in two ways. First, we provide a descriptive analysis of disc golf facilities. Second, we examine the relevance of traditional macro-level factors in explaining the diffusion of disc golf courses, and assess several micro-level factors to better understand the diffusion of sport among individuals. DISC GOLF AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF SPORT Disc golf as an organized sport began approximately thirty-five years ago (Gregory 2003). It is played by throwing a flying disc similar to a Frisbee. Players begin from a tee box and throw their disc at a metal basket. Each toss is counted toward a score, just as club strokes are counted in traditional golf. A hole is completed when the disc lands in the basket. As in traditional golf, the fewer the number of tosses, the better the score. A round of disc golf generally consists of eighteen holes. The length of the holes varies from as little as 100 feet to over 500 feet, although most holes are between 200 and 400 feet. In addition to distance, the difficulty of a hole is also influenced by obstacles such as bushes and trees or streams and ponds. The standard "par score" for a hole is three tosses, although extremely long holes may have a higher par. Most disc golf courses are comprised of eighteen holes, although "half" courses with nine holes are not uncommon, and some courses have expanded to offer more than eighteen holes. Over 90 percent of all disc golf courses in the U.S. are public courses (Professional Disc Golf Association 2010). These public courses are almost always part of an existing park that offers other recreational opportunities. In some instances, they are integrated into a traditional golf course that is no longer in use. Most public disc golf courses can be played free of charge, although some parks charge a nominal fee for entry to the park or use of the course. Like many other sports, disc golf fits nicely into the conceptual framework for examining the relationship between geography and sport (Bale 1982, 1989, 1996, 2003; Terrell 2004; DeChano and Shelley 2006). Several basic traditions of geographic research including space, human-environment interaction, spatial and locational analysis, and regionalism are all relevant. …