Domestic tourism, nature and a clear opportunity for towns connected by train
In Spain, we talk about tourism a lot. But we almost always do so thinking about foreign visitors: flights, hotels, beaches, getaways "from abroad".
And we're missing something huge: domestic tourism and regional mobility .
Not everyone travels by plane.
Not everyone has a car.
But millions of people live in dense cities like Madrid or Barcelona and are looking for a simple plan: clean air, nature, moderate physical activity and a real reason to get off the asphalt .
That's where disc golf fits in in a surprisingly logical way.
A sport with more than 50 years of history (and a very simple logic)
Disc golf is not a recent fad. It has existed for over 50 years , and its international success is based on something very easy to understand:
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It is played while walking, outdoors.
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It adapts to natural terrain.
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It has a low barrier to entry (simple material, reasonable cost).
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It's social, but without pressure.
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And, above all, it creates recurring visits.
Unlike other sports, it doesn't require major construction projects, lighting, or heavy infrastructure. What it needs is a suitable space and responsible design.
And in Spain, that type of space exists everywhere.
How does it work in practice?
A disc golf course is a marked course (like a trail) with "baskets" as the final objective of each hole. People walk through the natural surroundings, throwing a disc (similar to a sports frisbee) until they complete the course.
The experience is very similar to a combination of:
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nature walk
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play/physical activity
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personal challenge
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social plan
That's why it works so well in large forest parks, peri-urban woodlands and pastures: because it doesn't fight against the landscape, it integrates into it .
Understanding how Spain really moves
When a municipality wants to attract activity, it often thinks about "putting something up" and hoping people will come. But in Spain, the key detail is how people actually get there .
Many nations have a real advantage that is not always taken advantage of:
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Commuter Rail Station
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Medium Distance Stop
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regional rail connection
If a suitable area can be reached on foot in 10–15 minutes from the station, the municipality opens the door to a huge public: urban residents without cars .
And that crowd doesn't just come to "play sports." They come to spend the day:
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walking in beautiful surroundings
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play for 2–3 hours
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eat a set menu
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drink coffee
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buy something from local businesses
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and, if there's an event, even stay overnight.
That's not mass tourism. It's consistent, sustainable, and repeatable tourism .
Where it makes sense (and where it doesn't)
For it to work well — and to avoid conflicts — disc golf must go where there is room:
✅ Recommended:
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pastures
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mountains and extensive peri-urban parks
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extensive forest parks
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agricultural/natural transition zones
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areas with existing hiking or mountain biking trails (designed to ensure safety)
❌ Not recommended:
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small urban parks or parks with very high foot traffic (like Retiro Park)
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areas where coexistence with pedestrians is inevitably conflictive
To put it simply: it's not about "putting it" anywhere , but about doing it right so that it's safe, integrated, and durable.
What about mixed use with agricultural land? Yes, but with careful planning.
Spain has a huge advantage here: there are many areas that are neither "urban parks" nor "untouched nature." They are rural or agroforestry spaces with seasonal uses.
For example: farms or land where there is livestock or pigs only a few months of the year , and the rest of the year the land is quiet, with trees, paths and open areas.
In these types of spaces, disc golf can fit as a compatible use , provided it is designed sensibly:
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respecting seasons and areas of livestock activity
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defining clear routes and access points
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signposting well
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avoiding interference with agricultural work
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and prioritizing safety and coexistence
This type of implementation can be particularly interesting because:
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activate the environment without "urbanizing" it
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generates visits without large infrastructures
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It brings a new activity without erasing rural identity.
Simple economics, real impact
A municipal field does not need to attract thousands of international tourists to provide value.
As long as I get:
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20–80 recurring visits on weekends
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club matches
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municipal introductory workshops
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some small tournament per quarter
…is already generating local economic activity.
And, in addition, it provides something that is often lost in reports: community . People who come back, who get to know each other, who create a routine.
Closing: an invitation (no posing)
If your municipality has a train station, or good regional connections, and has a large natural area or even agroforestry land with seasonal use, you may already have the key ingredient to create a new, sustainable activity with a real return.
There's no need to "invent" tourism. Sometimes it's enough to design a plan that works with the real Spain: the Spain of trains, walks, set menus, and getting out of the city to breathe .
If you'd like to explore whether this could be a good fit for your municipality, write to us at Mad Disc Golf.
No commitment: the first thing is to look at the land, understand the uses, and see if it makes sense to do it right.