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Disc golf is played in a similar manner as ball golf. The initial "drive" is taken from a designated tee area. Each subsequent throw is taken from just behind the spot where the disc came to rest. Each throw is added to your tally. As with ball golf each hole is given a par rating. A common strategy for a par-three hole, as in golf, would be drive (long hard throw toward the basket), approach (medium throw to the "green"), putt (short throw into the basket). Your hole is scored when the disc has come to rest in the basket of the target.
A typical course would be 18 holes. Many smaller courses have only 9 holes, while an increasing number of courses offer an additional 9 holes to make 27 available holes to the disc golfer. Many disc golf courses are in open, grassy public parks, but more challenging courses are set in semi-wooded and hilly areas, some quite rough and natural. It may be the only sport in which a player may be charged with a rules violation for damage to the course's flora. Since most courses require no greens fee in order to play, the social structure of disc golf is quite egalitarian and relaxed.
The target in Disc Golf is usually a metal basket that is suspended parallel to the ground about two feet from the ground, and attached to a vertical pole that is a few feet tall. To better allow discs to come to rest in this basket, chains are suspended from another circular section near the top of the pole and allowed to hang limply to a point where they are connected to the pole in or near the receiving basket.
There are a wide array of discs, divided into three basic categories: putters, approach discs, and drivers. There are several classes of drivers intended for different distances. Mid-range drivers tend to be the most versatile discs, and are very good for beginners. For longer drives there are many variations of long-range and extra long-range drivers.
Stability is one of the most important disc properties when choosing a disc. There are three stability classifications, based on the behavior of a disc when thrown using a level right-handed backhand:
The stability of a disc depends on a number of factors, including the weight, size and shape of the disc and the speed with which it is thrown. Thus, a disc that is overstable for one player may be stable or even understable for another. The ratio of disc spin, angle upon release, and air speed (partially related to arm speed) are important control factors.