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Sports

Inexpensive, Addictive: Disc Golf is Close to Home

Local courses in Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox and Joliet make disc golf an attractive option and social sport that's fun to try alone or with friends and family of all ages.

There is a sport available for all ages that costs very little to play.

You can play it in your own community, throughout the United States and in more than 20 other countries. You also can play it year-round regardless of the temperature or if rain or snow are falling.

The sport provides an excellent upper- and lower-body workout with very little risk of injury.

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It doesn't eat up several hours of your day like a long baseball game or a round of golf where you're often waiting and waiting and waiting before taking your next shot.

It can take you to some of the most scenic areas and invites participants to socialize with friends and family as well as an opportunity to meet others.

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Regardless of your economic class, you can play it. You'll never have to worry about paying to play locally, and most other places for that matter, either. And you never have to schedule ahead to make sure there's an opening for you to play.

It's also addictive, very, very addictive, as the sport continues to grow each year. Perhaps not as much as lacrosse, but you don't need a team to play, you don't have to worry about concussions and you don't have to buy a helmet and bunch of equipment.

Any idea on what the sport is?

It's disc golf.

There are more than 3,000 disc golf courses in the world and nearly 90 percent of them are free to play. What may make it even more appealing to you,  though, is the fact that there are several courses nearby.

Where to Play Disc Golf?

Frankfort

Commissioners Park, 21972 S. 80th Ave., Frankfort, 9 holes. Established 2006.

Camp Manitoqua, 8122 W. Sauk Trail, Frankfort, 9 holes (private course).

There are also three baskets at Main Park, 200 S. Locust St., in Frankfort for players to work on their game. They are located at the south end of the park behind the tennis courts.

New Lenox

Haines Wayside Park, 200 Haines Ave., New Lenox, 18 holes. Established 1984.

Mokena

The Oaks, 10847 LaPorte Rd., Mokena, 27 holes. Established 2003.

Joliet (east side)

Highland (Pilcher) Park, 651 Highland Park Dr., Joliet, 18 holes. Established 2008.

Since Pilcher Park is right off of Gougar Road in New Lenox and also one of the most picturesque and challenging new courses you will find anywhere, we've included it in this list. There are other courses not too far from the area, including the 24-hole West Park in Joliet, one of the oldest courses around (1979). There are courses in Channahon, Lockport, Plainfield, Romeoville and Shorewood. Visit the Professional Disc Golf Association for a course directory.

Need Discs?

Ok, I'll give it a try, how do I begin?

Now, you know where you can play, but you still need a disc or two, or preferably at least three, to get started.

Dick's Sporting Goods, 1 Orland Park Place, Orland Park, (708) 675-3100. The store offers a variety of individual discs as well as a beginner's set for $27.99.

Mokena Oaks Recreation Office, 10847 LaPorted Rd., Mokena, located on the same site as The Oaks Disc Golf Course, (708) 390-2343. Individual discs available for $10-$19 and open 7 days a week for purchase.

Sports Authority, 11185 W. Lincoln Hwy., Prairie Crossing, Frankfort, (815) 806-0285. Individual discs are for sale as well as beginner's sets. For the newcomer, a beginner's set is a nice choice as it includes three discs (driver, mid-ranger and putter) and is available for $24.99.

Target, 2370 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Lenox, (815) 462-6001. Currently offering a beginner's set for $21.

Village Liquor Mart, 1306 North Cedar Rd., New Lenox. Employee Mike Patel said the store gets a lot of traffic during the summer and he tries to keep at least 100 discs in stock at all times. Discs are priced between $8.99 and $20.99.

Walgreens, 20002 Wolf Rd., Mokena, (708) 478-3244. Located close to The Oaks Disc Golf Course in Mokena, this store offers a nice selection of discs at a variety of prices.

How to play Disc Golf?

The game is very simple to play. Now, that doesn't mean you'll go out and dominate the course. It certainly takes time to learn the different types of throws you can make, but it's quite easy to go out to a course and throw the disc around for the first time.

Like traditional golf, the goal of a disc golfer is to complete each hole in the fewest number of strokes, or in the case of disc golf, throws. Instead of a small hole in the ground for a white ball, most holes in disc golf are elevated metal baskets with chains. Whereas traditional golf features hazards of waterways, sand traps and out of bounds, disc golf's obstacles are usually trees, shrubs and terrain changes as well as water and out of bounds.

The best way to begin is to pick up a beginner's set of discs, drive out to a local course with a friend or your kids, and give it a try. Unlike a traditional golf course, you want find a local pro sitting in a  clubhouse who offers lessons for a price.

Instead, a good way to further develop your game and learn more, is to tag along with others on the course who have played the game for some time. The disc golf community generally is friendly and by asking someone if you can play along them you often can learn more about how to improve your game.

Online is also a great resource for this growing sport. The Professional Disc Golf Association is the ultimate resource and you can find lots of different tutorials on how to throw discs on www.youtube.com.

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