Running the only full-time disc golf shop in Spain has taught me a lot—not just about plastics, but about people. Most days, at the Mercado de la Cebada, I end up talking to mothers, tourists, city hall workers, or people just passing through Madrid. And, time and again, I hear the same two questions:
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“Can we put only two or three baskets?”
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“Is this for kids?”
And while they seem like simple questions, they ultimately reflect a misconception. Because disc golf isn't a toy. It's based on the game of golf . And golf isn't a target: it's a journey .
Disc golf is not a point, it's a course
A disc golf course isn't a simple structure—it's a connected experience. Players move from hole to hole, each with distinct angles, natural hazards, wind, and terrain. Some holes you master. Others you fail. But there's always another one ahead, and that's where the magic lies: in the progress.
That's why three baskets aren't enough. You're not offering disc golf, you're offering a practice area.
If you want to really get people hooked, the minimum recommended is a nine-basket course, each with two different tees . These tees not only change the distance—they also alter the angle, difficulty, and strategy. So, with nine baskets, you can play 18 completely different holes.
Got room? Then build 18. A full field isn't just a game—it's a reason to come back.
“This is for kids”? Not exactly.
When parents see disc golf, the first thing they think of is toys—and I understand that. But disc golf doesn't usually hook kids on its own. Most kids under 13 who get into it do so because they play with their dad, uncle, or older brother. It's the shared experience that draws them in.
The reality is that disc golf is more like billiards or chess. It requires strategic thinking, precision, and patience. That's why it appeals to:
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Engineers, handymen and curious people , fascinated by the physics of flight
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Board gamers, role-playing gamers, and Magic gamers who enjoy designing strategies
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Adults looking for a free activity, without posing and surrounded by nature
Can kids play? Sure. But this game resonates especially with adults who value mental challenge and exploration. See all disc variants.
Why disc golf fits with rural tourism
And this is where all this makes even more sense: disc golf as a tool to attract sustainable tourism to towns or private estates.
Unlike traditional golf, a disc golf course requires almost no infrastructure. There's no need for irrigation, pesticides, or even the maintenance of an English lawn. Just keep the grass no taller than half a meter, mow it perhaps twice a year, and you're done. It's a low-maintenance activity.
And the best thing is that each field is unique .
The terrain of Bilbao , with its vegetation and northern humidity, will never resemble that of Seville , with its dry, sunny landscape. They are radically different ecosystems. And that's what makes disc golf special. Unlike other sports—basketball, paddle tennis, soccer—where the dimensions and surfaces are always the same, in disc golf no course is the same .
That's why people travel. That's why they book accommodations and extend their stays. Because each course is a new story, a different experience. And that's a real opportunity for towns that want to attract visitors with something authentic, ecological, and accessible.
Conclusion: Design the trip
To clearly answer these frequently asked questions:
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No , disc golf isn't just for kids—it's a game of strategy, community, and nature.
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No , three baskets are not enough to convey what this sport really is.
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Yes , people travel to play it—because every course is different, and every game is a new challenge.
How do I know?
I've been playing disc golf for over 30 years, in several countries and living permanently in different communities. I've experienced the sport from the inside: first as a young man attracted by the intellectual challenge and social aspect, and now seeing how many families discover it and enjoy it together.
It's simple, it's powerful—and when done right, it can transform a place.