Disc Golfing in Sedgley Woods Park

I admit that I was a little hesitant at first (ok, resistant may be more accurate) to the idea of trying “disc golf,” “frisbee golf,” (or “FROLF” as my date likes to call it).  But after a few hours spent flinging discs, tramping through the woods, and feigning a competitive edge, I was sold.  This game is really fun!  And being that it’s totally free to play, it’s also a cheap date!  In fact, the Sedgley Woods disc golf course is actually one of the oldest free, public pole-hole disc golf courses in the United States.  A more detailed history of the sport here in Philadelphia can be found here.

Disc golf also has the benefit of being an outdoor sport that takes place mostly under the cover of trees — a definite advantage for hot summer afternoons.  And much like standard golf, you can go at your own pace, allowing plenty of time for flirting and joking around.  You will need to invest in a specialized disc, which is flatter and smaller than a traditional frisbee and specially designed for the sport.  Never fear if you find that aspect intimidating — there are usually some kind and friendly Friends of Sedgley camped out at the entrance to the park selling discs (proceeds go to benefit the park). The best part? The satisfying clang of metal you hear every time you throw your disc into the basket.

Benches!

How cheap we talkin’?: Entrance to the course is absolutely FREE! If you are a first-timer, you may have to invest $9-12 in a disc, generally available for purchase on site.

Why this will impress your date: Because throwing a frisbee is athletic but it is also laid-back. So you can show your date that you are (importantly) both.

The Inside Game: By showing your date the “back 9″ – an additional 9 holes that are more challenging than the regular 18, but will lead you into some lovely deep dark woods (read: where to MAKE OUT).

Score Extra Points: By bringing a picnic or some drinks. There are plenty of places throughout the course to stop and enjoy the view.

Next Date: Anytime! Sedgley Woods are open to the public year round, during daylight hours.  Check SEPTA for your exact route, but the 48 bus will get you within walking distance (the park is at 33rd and Oxford in East Fairmount Park).

The basic idea of FROLF is to get your disc into a metal basket at the far end of each hole.  I will not lie.  The art of throwing a small plastic disc 50 yards or more through/around multiple trees with the goal of having it land in a small metal basket is not an easy one to master. Or even achieve a medium level of competency in. I learned this quickly, as my first throw veered off sharply from the direction I was aiming for, and flew straight into a bush. My second, third, and fiftieth throws were not much better, but I did develop a special move that my date dubbed the “Samurai” by which I threw the disc vertically like as if I were throwing a knife (good for distance!). But my frustrations quickly dissipated every time I stopped to look around and realize how wonderful it is to just be out in the woods.  And make no mistake, this game is played in the woods.

Two ravines cut through the area, which you will have to descend if your disc lands there. Plus there are trees everywhere. Big ones.  With lots of leaves and branches. In fact, the course was designed such that the trees serve as natural hazards and each golfer must find their own way around them. Or not… My date’s disc landed nearly flat on top of a lone tree branch in the middle of the course and got stuck. We were throwing sticks and water bottles at it, trying to dislodge it, when two guys from a neighboring hole came to see what was going on. They watched us for a few minutes, then one of them calmly reached into his disc-holster and pulled out one of his many discs.  He nailed the frisbee on the second try, knocking it loose. Amazing!

It really is fun to watch the experienced “frolfers,” and the course is designed to challenge serious players and newbies alike.  Each hole is unique, both in length and the type and variety of hazards. The layout of the course can be confusing, especially because the holes are so spread out from each other, but a sign posted at the “tee” of every hole shows you the location of the obstacles and the basket.  Sometimes it can be hard to find the start of the next tee, but everyone is so happy to be helpful, it is really impossible to get too lost.

It took us about two hours to get through the course, but we were taking our time.  By the very end, I was almost getting the hang of it, or at least I wasn’t afraid anymore to just fling the disc will all my might. The worst that would happen would be more traipsing around in the woods, and on a warm spring evening with a cute date, who’s going to complain about that?

Tags: cheap date idea, cheap date ideas, disc golf, fairmount park, Friends of Sedgely, frisbee golf, Sedgely Park, Sedgely woods