Disc Golf
Visit Cascade, get outside, and have some fun!
Disc Golf is gaining popularity in part because it’s a fun way to get outdoors and get exercise, it’s easy to get started with little investment, and most courses are located at public parks.
Whether you’re just getting started or you have been playing for a while, Cascade, is home to one of the best Disc Golf courses in southwestern Idaho. A great course to explore as part of a visit to Cascade, it’s easy to get to since it’s located right off Highway 55. You’ll find 18 holes here, with a mix of long and short holes, and it’s fun for the whole family!
Read on to learn the rules of Disc Golf, as well as get insider tips, and maps of places to play!
Disc Golf Rules
Just learning the game of Disc Golf? The rules are fairly simple and, if you’ve ever played golf (or mini-golf), you can pick up the game pretty quickly. The rules of disc golf are similar to traditional golf, but you play with disc golf discs instead of balls and clubs.
One throw (called a “stroke”) is counted each time you throw the disc. The goal is to play the fewest strokes as possible for each hole. When you get the disc in the disc golf basket, you’ve completed the hole. The player who gets the fewest strokes for the entire course wins. That’s the basics—enough to get started.
Want a little more in-depth understanding? Review the rules here, get out and try it, and have some fun!
Safety First
As with any sport, it’s important to stay safe—both for yourself and for those around you. With Disc Golf, using common sense and paying attention to your surroundings will mostly keep you safe. For instance, only throw when other people are out of range. And always give non-players the right of way.
Tee Throws
Start each hole with a tee throw and make sure your throw stays within or behind the designated area. Also, take note of where your disc lands—that location is called the “lie.”
Fairway Throws
When you’re on the fairway, take your throws from right behind the lie. If you’re within 10 meters (about 30 feet) of the target, stay where you are—don’t move past the lie until the disc lands.
Unplayable Lie
If your disc lands anywhere other than on the ground, the disc must be thrown again. Count the first shot and throw again from the closest spot you can to where it landed.
Out Of Bounds
A throw that lands out of bounds must be thrown again (remembering to count the first throw). Throw it from an inbound spot within 1 meter (about 3 feet) from where it went out of bounds.
Completion Of Hole
Did you get your disc in the basket or chains? Nicely done! You successfully completed the hole.
Be Courteous
When playing, here are a few tips for how to be respectful of other players, other people at the park, and the park itself:
- When others are throwing, remain quiet and avoid unnecessary movements.
- Stand behind the player who is throwing until they are done.
- Allow faster groups to pass you.
- Help new players learn the rules.
- Pick up trash and throw it away properly.
- Leave the course (and trees, bushes, etc.) the way you found them.
Throwing Order
The player with the fewest strokes on the previous hole is the first to tee off on the next hole. After teeing off, the player whose disc is farthest from the hole throws first.
Mandatory
“Mandatories” are trees or poles that must be passed. You’ll recognize they are officially a “mandatory” by the arrows that point around them.
Want to Learn More?
Here are some resources to help you get the hang of the game!
Disc Golf Rules for Recreational Play
Disc Golf Tournaments: A Beginner’s Guide
Six Things to Know Before Your First PDGA Tournament
Disc Golf Maps
Whether you’re looking for a long course, a short course, a challenging course, or an easier course, there are lots of great places to play Disc Golf in Southwest Idaho. Here’s a sampling of some of the top spots—all of which are free for public use!
Cascade Sports Park
Looking for a large disc golf course in Cascade? This is your spot! Located right off Highway 55 >after the South Bridge, you’ll find 40 holes here, with a mix of long and short holes. This course will be fun for the whole family and it’s a great way to meet locals, who are usually out enjoying it. It’s a good idea to bring a coat for this one, as it can get pretty windy.
With 40 holes—ranging from a playtime of 2 and a half to 3 and a half hours—you might want to bring snacks and water too. After your game, be sure to head to downtown Cascade to enjoy a beverage or post-game meal. You’ll find lots of options on and near Main Street, including Checkpoint Wine and Tapas Bar, Cascade Java, Palooza Basecamp & Eatery, and Whistle Stop.
Tamarack Resort
You know about Tamarack Resort for skiing, but did you know you can play Disc Golf there too? The resort’s challenging 9-hole course is located at the Village base. To get there, park in the main Village parking area near the Wildhorse Dome. While you’re enjoying the outdoors, look for some morels in the spring and huckleberries in the summer!
McCall Disc Golf Course
In the heart of McCall, this 9-hole course is across the street from the high school. This 10-acre course is a family-friendly option (with the exception of the first and last holes), as it is flat and moderately wooded. Keep your eyes out for deer while you are there!
Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin is a great place for plenty of non-winter sports, including Disc Golf. Here you’ll find a challenging 18-hole course, starting near Pioneer Lodge, which rambles through ups and downs and lots of trees. While this course is not for beginners, it is a great way to experience this mountain!
Eagle Island State Park
Eagle Island State Park, located off of State Highway 44, is a great place for the family to hang out and relax with a number of activities, including playing Disc Golf. At this 18-hole course, you’ll find scenic views and landscapes. Bonus: This course is flat—perfect for anyone at any skill level. Once you’re done playing, enjoy a swim in the lake and a turn down the waterslide.
Ann Morrison Park
Ann Morrison Park is one of the most loved parks in the Boise area for a reason. Starting off the American Blvd. entrance to the park, this lovely Disc Golf course takes you on an adventurous journey through one of Boise’s most beautiful parks. Located on the Greenbelt, you can take a scenic walk by the water and through the trees, and play this 18-hole challenging course. Remember that in the summer this park is quite popular, so be prepared to share the course with kids, families, and dogs who are there enjoying the park.
Brundage Mountain
Located in the base area of Brundage Mountain, this 9-hole course is a good place to try Disc Golf for the first time because you can rent (or purchase) discs at the Fall Line Bike Shop & Retail Shop. Start near the main lodge and along the way you’ll find a good mix of grassy open holes mixed with some more challenging areas with trees and brush.
Camp Pinewood
This is an 18-hole short course that is only open Saturdays and Sundays during the season. To find it, enter the “Private Property” gate on Mission Street directly across the street from the entrance to the McCall Cemetery. There is no vehicle parking inside the gate, so you’ll need to find a wide shoulder of the road to park on, then enter the property on foot. Once inside, close the gate, and turn left to find Tee Pad #1 next to the fence line. Since it’s marked for the 24-hole layout, you’ll need the Udisc app and map to locate the correct tee pads and targets for the 18-hole layout. Remember to close the gate behind you when you leave.
Get to know Cascade,
get to know disc golf
Whether you are an avid Disc Golf player or you haven’t played yet but are curious to learn what the hype is, Cascade, Idaho and the surrounding areas are home to over several amazing Disc Golf courses, with all their own unique attributes—so there’s a great place for you to play whether you’re an expert or a new player.
The course in Cascade is a great one to explore when you are visiting Cascade. It’s also easy to get to since it’s located right off of Highway 55. Be sure to head to downtown Cascade before or after your game to take a stroll, eat some food, and meet the locals!
