Pay To Play Courses - Why Disc Golf Needs More Of Them

There are typically several controversial topics within any given sport, and when it comes to disc golf, the idea of pay to play courses tends to be near the top of the list. Whether you’re morally opposed to paying for the ability to huck some plastic or pay to play is your only local option, there’s reason to believe that increasing this type of course could have a positive impact on the sport. Let’s examine the idea of pay to play courses, why they receive such grief, and how they can make a difference.

What Is Pay To Play?

The idea of a pay to play disc golf course is quite similar to that of ball golf where you pay fees in order to obtain access to the area. Sometimes the course will run on an honor system and directs players to deposit their money into a locked box or use an on-site card machine while others have attendants who collect fees upon entry.

The costs will vary depending on the caliber of the course and the part of the country you’re in, with some 18 hole layouts charging $10 or more to play. Other more rural areas might cost half that and give you access to more than one set of holes on the property.

The True Cost Of The Course

If you haven’t been involved in the disc golf scene for very long, you might not realize how much hard work it takes to install and maintain a course. Even short pitch and putt courses are spread across acres of land that require an immense amount of time and effort to keep in line. If you’ve ever let your lawn grow unchecked for a few months, you get the idea.

Disc golf courses aren’t a “set it and forget it” type of situation, and keeping fairways trash free, trimming hazardous branches when needed, and trying to install new pin positions from time to time all cost someone money for tools and equipment. Unfortunately, many players feel that they shouldn't have to pay to enjoy the land that's intended for public use. Some disc golfers will flat out refuse to use a pay to play course simply on principle alone.

Elevating The Sport

While it might make disc golf more expensive for those who are addicted to playing during every free moment they have, the bottom line is that pay to play courses can help to make disc golf more legitimate in the public’s eyes. Instead of players stomping through overgrown woods to locate their discs, we can compete in high-level tournaments on manicured courses that make it easy for spectators to attend.

Pay to play courses might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those putting in the blood, sweat, and time to keep their local course looking great, a little bit of money to offset costs doesn’t hurt. At the end of the day, we’re all committed to growing the sport of disc golf. If a few extra dollars here and there leave our pocketbook so that we can experience cleaner and higher caliber play, isn’t that worth it?

Let us know your opinions on pay to play courses in the comments below!