Central Minnesota Is Surrounded by Affordable Fun

We are waiting for the spring weather to get here, and a lot of people are antsy to go outdoors and enjoy what Minnesota has to offer in the warmer weather months.  

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If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the weather and time with family and friends that won’t cost you a bundle, Disc Golf may just be the answer. 

Full disclosure, I don’t know anything about Disc Golf, so I decided to visit “Disc Golf Today” on University Drive in St. Cloud and talk with the Owner Ken Wiggins.  

I wanted to know what the biggest misconceptions were about Disc Golf and Ken said some of the more common thoughts are that the sport is just for kids, or that you don’t get enough exercise while playing.  

Ken says if you play 18 holes, you can walk between two to three miles. Plus, the motion of throwing the discs is good for your back and arms, so you can get a pretty good workout.  

As far as this being a sport that is only for kids, the average age of Disc Golf players is around 40. So, if you’re like me a little older, and maybe not able to compete in more physically demanding sports, this is a terrific option.  

In addition to the perks of the exercise, I asked Ken about other perks of Disc Golf? The cost is a major perk. A lot of the courses in the area are free, so in a time where everything else is costing more and more, free has a bigger appeal.  

And on the topic of cost, you don’t have to spend a ton on the equipment to play. You can play with one disc if you choose to, but “Disc Golf Today” has starter kits that come with three discs for around $37 bucks, and that’s for the better-quality discs. Ken says that you can get a lesser quality starter kit for around $20 dollars.

You could get a bag and three discs for $50-$60 dollars. Compare that to playing a lot of other sports, and the economic upside to disc golf is impressive. 

There are three primary types of discs: 

Driver- which has a sharper edge and is more for distance 

Putter- rounder and is better for accuracy 

Midrange Disc- is a combination of the two 

I mentioned the opportunity to spend more time with friends and family, Ken says Disc Golf is perfect for that. He and his wife Barb played together several years ago and obviously both enjoyed the game since it’s their business.  

Another perk to playing Disc Golf, you don’t have to play a full round if you don’t want to, especially if you’re playing on a free course. You could play six holes or so in around 30 minutes or so.  

Plus, the game moves faster than playing regular golf, so you don’t have to commit a lot of time if you don’t have it to give.

If your doctor wants you to get outside and exercise, but you need to build up your stamina, playing a few holes of Disc Golf at a time until you can get stronger is a solid plan.  

 Ken Wiggins has been playing Disc Golf since 1973 and is a fountain of information and insight into the sport. “Disc Golf Today” has been serving the St. Cloud area for over 20 years and is the only locally owned disc golf focused business in the area.  

Disc Golf Today features a ton of inventory and carries some of the biggest names in discs and products.   

There are plenty of places to play, you can download the “u disc” app on your phone or check out udisc.com for a list of courses and their specific information.  

So, if you’re looking for a new hobby without having to spend a bundle to do it, or you just want to get outside and spend some time outside and get some exercise, give disc golf a try.