Despite recent snowfall, summer recreation season is approaching — and disc golf has grown tremendously in Minnesota.

Minnesota now has 434 disc courses statewide, and is considered the seventh best state in the country for discing, according to UDisc. 

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers two of these disc courses: a nine-hole course at Minnehaha Regional Park, around Wabun Picnic Area and an 18-hole disc golf course embedded around the Theodore Wirth Par 3 Golf Course. 

The Meet Minneapolis website describes the Theodore Wirth course as “a mix of open and technical holes which some players say lends to a variety of shots and putting challenges.” 

“Regulars say it’s a fun course that keeps you on your toes, and the old school golfers sometimes let the disc golfers play through,” the Meet Minneapolis webpage reads.

Traveling a little outside the cities, however, opens up an even wider course variety. 

“My favorite that I’ve been to is called The Driftless 18, which is a little further away, in Rochester,” Colin Hughes, a Waconia resident, said. He added Crown College and Bryant Lake, near Minneapolis, were other favorites of his.

Hughes, who has been playing disc golf since 2016, said one of the best aspects of the sport is getting to be  outside with friends

“It’s just a good way to spend a good day,” Hughes said. 

Hughes noted another upside to the sport is that, with some exceptions, courses are usually free to use, and getting started with the sport doesn’t have to cost a lot either.

“A used sports goods store will a lot of times have the discs that you need to play,” Hughes said. “Technically, you only need one disc to play, but probably two would work: a driver, and a putter.” 

“Just go out there, search up the course, find a free course, and just go out and play,” Hughes said. “Maybe grab a few friends, ’cause that usually makes things more fun.”

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is also promoting a range of other outdoor activities this season, from adult sports leagues to free entertainment in neighborhood parks.

“We also offer growing opportunities for outdoor leisure sports leagues like Bocce, Cornhole, Kubb and Mölkky,” Ben Johnson, interim media relations and social media manager at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, said. 

The board’s spring and summer program includes volleyball clinics and the Ramble Ride “build-your-own-adventure” bike ride at Lake Nokomis in May. Later in the season, Music and Movies in the Park will return on Memorial Day, with more than 200 free outdoor concerts and 60 movie screenings planned throughout the summer.

Meet Minneapolis also encourages residents and visitors to take advantage of the city’s outdoor areas.

“With more than 180 parks, 22 lakes and miles of trails woven throughout the city, Minneapolis offers an unmatched opportunity for people to get outside, connect with nature and each other, and enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle,” Kevin Kurtt, public relations and communications manager at Meet Minneapolis, said.

Kurtt added the recreational spaces benefit both residents and the city.

“Visitors are drawn to our lakes, trails and outdoor events, generating spending that supports local businesses, jobs and the broader hospitality industry,” Kurtt said.