A lot has been written about designing a �World Class� course but what about the Junior High School Crowd? What distances would you use for a first time player in a gym class taking Disc Golf 101? Assume that the course is going to be on the school grounds and will be played by all skill levels but mostly beginners. I eagerly await your input.

The only experience I have playing Disc Golf with that age group is a number of rounds with my 14 year old sister in law. She actually has a more accurate throw than I do, so tight, tunnel like fairways aren't out of her skill set. However, the only holes that she can realistically par are under 300' par 3's. Remember though, that she is a novice. I think with some more experience she could par a 300' par 3, but anything longer than that should probably be a par 4. I would say that having two tee's per hole, or two different pin placements would be good to incorporate because as the program progresses, you are going to have a wide variety of skill sets. That being said, the novice holes should be about 50' shorter per par stroke than a regular am length, and the more experienced players of that age should have no problem parring out and even duecing regular am length and difficulty level pars.
Good luck and remember: SAFETY FIRST!
:D :D :D :D

Here's a new PDGA design document to help determine reasonable design distances for different skill levels. The Red level includes beginners:
http://www.pdga.com/documents/2004/PDGAGuides2004.pdf

Also, check out lengths on this 9-hole learning course which also has E.D.G.E. Skill Shot stations like the ones set up for the Sunday field events at Worlds:
http://www.highbridgehillssc.com/chestnut_grove.cfm

Chuck, don't you think he should also put in white tee's because as the program continues through the years, not all the players will be novices?

I would only consider putting in a second set of White tees if the terrain was interesting enough. Most 9-hole school courses I've seen are put on relatively plain terrain or on a property area that is limited to just placing Rec tees on it. I am an advocate of multiple tees but only where they would be of decent quality to change the look of enough holes to make it wothwhile.

True dat. :p

Mark,

Carlton Howard designed a nine hole course for East Wake Middle School (http://www.radl.biz/Courses/EASTWAKE/main.htm) in Raleigh, NC. Shortest hole is 100'; longest is 429'.

Apologies in advance but...

Re: How would you deign a 9 hole course at/for a Junior High School?

I would deign it a good thing, indeed.

Couldn't resist. ;)

I wish my school had a course :(

Apologies in advance but...

Re: How would you deign a 9 hole course at/for a Junior High School?

I would deign it a good thing, indeed.

Couldn't resist. ;)



Just too quick for me, Blarg, deign the luck. :D

I deign that it is put in at my school so I can practice and get better. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Hey Mark -

Great Job with Worlds.

I am in the process of designing the ninth school course in Rock Hill. With each new design, I really try to understand who the primary intended users will be and what role the course is to fulfill. If the course is available only to students and has to provide for a complete round in a 50 minute class, it will need to be on the shorter and easier end of the scale. If the class periods are longer and/or the course fullfills a community recreation role, you may want to make it longer or consider a second set of tees. We have done both types in Rock Hill based on what was indicated by the principals and physical educators of the particular school.

Once I know the target audience and intended role for the course, I try to follow my list of 10 rules for designing school disc golf courses.
1. Keep it Safe. Kids are kids. Give a little extra room between holes. Do not use blind holes. Stay away from streets, parking lots, or other activities

2. Make it Fun. Start with a shorter hole that will encourage even the newest player. Include an ace run (a hole less than 75 feet) early on in the course. Play as many downhill holes as possible. Everyone loves to play downhill.

3. Start and finish the course as close as possible to the "dress out" area.

4. Make sure that the number of holes accommodates the anticipated class size. Plan for foursomes. Playing Groups of five or more will get bogged down and make completing a round in a short class period nearly impossible. For example, a 9-hole course can accommodate 36 students simultaneously.

5. If there is rough or water on the course, try not to place it at the end of a long throw, especially on the left side. Since most players are right handed, the left side is where the greatest percentage of errant throws land for newer players. The longer the hole, the wider the spray area for shots particularly on downhill holes. Make it almost impossible for a student to lose his or her disc.

6. If you need to have a "power hole" and have limited space, throw uphill. Inclined fairways are a great way to dissipate power.

7. Avoid long transitions if possible. Idle hands are the devil's work tools.

8. If space permits, give the students a chance to throw it as hard as possible. Kid's crave opportunities to cut loose.

9. Locate Hole 1 and target 9 close to each other. This will allow groups of students to continue without interruption, especially during shotgun starts.

10. Keep it Safe. Make it fun.

By the way, Great job with the Worlds. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Take care,

Harold