Schoolyard Disc Golf Course
A 9-hole course around the playground or field where each group tries to land the disc in a hoop in as few throws as possible. Students practice accuracy, choose the right throw for each obstacle, and run their own game with a scorecard.
How to play
- Before class, set up 9 holes: a tee cone and a target hoop 15 to 35 yards away, using trees, benches, or goals as obstacles.
- Form groups of 3 and give each group 3 discs and a scorecard; each group starts on a different hole (shotgun start).
- On each hole everyone throws from the tee cone; after that, the player farthest from the hoop throws first, always from where their disc landed.
- The hole is finished when the disc ends up inside the hoop or touching it; record the number of throws for each player.
- Each hole has a par of 3 or 4 written on the cone; the group compares its score to par.
- On the whistle (every 2-3 minutes) groups move to the next hole until the course is complete; at the end, add up the throws and the lowest total wins.
Rules
- Only one person throws at a time while the others wait behind them.
- Always throw from the exact spot where your disc landed.
- Don't throw toward a hole if another group is in the flight path; wait and call out a warning.
- Safety: no throwing toward walkways, windows, or people outside the class.
Variations
Easier
Use short holes of 10 to 20 yards with large hoops or cone zones as targets.
Standard
Play a 9-hole course of 15 to 35 yards with simple obstacles.
Harder
Add required obstacles that force a curved throw or a throw with the non-dominant hand.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: design a course with accessible paths and let the student throw from a wheelchair with a one-stroke handicap.
- Visual impairment: a partner guides the student to the disc and claps from the hoop to give direction.
- Advanced students: they must alternate backhand and forehand on every hole.
Learning goals
- Choose the best throw for the distance and obstacles.
- Manage turns, scoring, and group safety independently.
- Follow fair-play rules by keeping an honest score.
Equipment for a class of 25
- frisbees: 27
- hoops: 9
- cones: 9
- cards: 9
Teacher tip
Draw a course map with arrows and post or hand it out; it saves a lot of explaining. Place holes so the flight paths never cross.
PatioLab has "Schoolyard Disc Golf Course" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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