Have your kids ever tried playing disc golf? A variation on traditional golf, the sport is played with flying discs. The object of the game is the same—finish the course with the fewest strokes as possible. Instead of hitting a ball with a club, players throw discs at a basket. Several parks in the Des Moines area include disc golf courses as an amenity, all players need to do is supply their own discs.
Holes typically range from 150 to 300 feet, depending on the course difficulty. Just like any other sport, you can purchase specialized equipment. For experienced players, special disc golf sets are available, containing different discs for long and short throws. For beginners, any old flying disc will do.
For more information about disc golf, check out Des Moines Disc Golf Club’s Website.
Disc Golf Courses in Des Moines
Centennial Park
1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263
Centennial Park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. The 33-acre park is equipped with two sand volleyball courts, three ball diamonds, a 12-hole disc golf course, three playgrounds, one basketball court, a creek, a covered bridge, one open shelter and one enclosed shelter. There is plenty of open green space for playing soccer or enjoying a picnic with your family.
Grandview Park
3230 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines, IA 50317
Located next to Bright Grandview Golf Course (located at 2401 East 29th Street). Established in 1894, it has beautiful tall trees, rolling landscape, two playground areas, enclosed shelter, open-air shelter, children’s’ wading pool, tennis courts and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Heritage Park
300 NE Frisk Dive, Ankeny, IA 50021
With 21 holes in a wooded setting, Heritage Park is one of Central Iowa’s most popular disc golf courses. The course length is 3600 feet with an alternate course of 4100 feet. The holes have Mach 3 baskets. Tees have cement pads with signs. The course consists of gradual hills, many trees, and minimal water hazards with a mix of tight and open holes. Several disc golf events and tournaments take place here each summer.
Lions Park
507 13th Avenue SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Lions Park is well maintained and includes amenities such as softball fields and a run / bike trail. It also features a moderately treed 12 hole disc golf course. It is a good course for beginners as well as experienced players for fast fairly open play.
Memorial Park
Dallas Center, IA
Complemented by meticulously maintained trees and lawn, Memorial Park offers a half-mile walking trail, a nine-hole disc golf course, slides, swings, picnic shelters and grills, benches, drinking fountains, and restrooms. Hole numbers and distances are carved into the tees.
Pickard Park
1468 Highway 92 E., Indianola, IA 50125
Pickard Park offers a venue for many outdoor recreational activities. The park hosts cross country meets, horseshoe tournaments, youth and adult softball tournaments and disc golf tournaments including an annual National Tour featuring top professional and amateur disc golfers.
Southwoods Park
350 S. 35th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
A 40 acre natural preserve, Southwoods Park, includes the Rothchild Memorial Nature Trail. Hikers can discover scenic undeveloped land that follows Jordan Creek on its way to the Raccoon River. A nine-hole disc golf course is a popular feature of this beautiful park.
Walnut Ridge Park
Johnston, IA 50131
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is located near Saylorville Lake, which provides a wide variety of recreational activities. The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully manicured course contains both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots. Amenities include picnic shelters with water and electric hookups, flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails.
Do you have a budding disc-golfer in your house? Which disc-golf courses are your family’s favorite? Let us know in the Comments below.
