Parent's Guide

Disc GolfOn the Traila parent's guide

Disc golf is golf played with flying discs instead of balls and clubs. Players throw from a tee pad toward an elevated metal basket, taking their next throw from wherever the disc landed, and the goal is to finish each hole in as few throws as possible. Courses are usually free public parks with 9 or 18 holes, so a round is essentially a two-hour walk in the woods with scoring attached.

Parent's Cheat Sheet

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Official Wording

Each throw, including penalty throws, counts as one stroke. A hole is complete when the disc comes to rest supported by the chains or the basket of the target. The player with the lowest total score for the round is the winner.

Parent Translation

Every throw is a point, and low score wins — same as ball golf. Each hole has a 'par' (usually 3), so if your kid takes 4 throws they're one over, and if they take 2 they're one under. Nobody keeps score in their head; there's a card or a phone app (UDisc) that tracks it.

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Before the Start

Essential Gear

See all 11 items

Youth Disc Golf Starter Set

A three-disc set (putter, mid-range, driver) is the standard entry point and is cheaper than buying discs individually. For kids, buy a set specifically labeled lightweight or junior — most adult sets are 165–175g, which is too heavy for a young thrower to turn over properly.

Est. $25 – $50

Putter Disc

The blunt, slow disc used near the basket and for short, straight throws. If you only buy one extra disc, make it a second putter — kids lose them in bushes and it's the disc that builds the best form.

Est. $8 – $20

Disc Golf Bag

A small backpack-style or shoulder bag that holds 6–10 discs plus a water bottle. Skip the giant tournament cart bags — a loaded 20-disc bag is miserable for a kid to carry over 18 holes of hills.

Est. $20 – $60

Mini Marker Disc

A palm-sized disc used to mark where the thrown disc landed so it can be picked up before the next throw. Required equipment in sanctioned play and costs about as much as a coffee.

Est. $2 – $8

Full gear guide

7 must-haves · 11 items total · Must-haves est. $106 – $251

View Gear Guide

Parent guide

What does my child need to start playing disc golf?

Short answer

A youth starter set of lightweight discs, a putter, a mini marker, a small bag, trail or turf shoes, a permanent marker to label discs, and a towel. The must-have items on this page add up to about $106–$251. Kids under about 12 usually throw best with lighter discs, and heavy adult drivers can cause bad habits.

By Parent Sideline · Published October 25, 2026

How youth disc golf is set up

Disc golf is golf played with flying discs. Players throw from a tee pad toward an elevated metal basket and take their next throw from wherever the disc landed. The goal is to finish each hole in as few throws as possible.

Courses are often free public parks with 9 or 18 holes, so a round can be a leisurely walk. Youth programs are usually casual, and many families simply play together.

Scoring and the lie, explained simply

Every throw counts as one point and the lowest score wins, like ball golf. Each hole has a par, usually 3. A player who takes four throws is one over, and two throws is one under.

The disc stays where it lands, and the next throw is taken from behind it. Players often use a mini marker disc in front of the lie and keep one foot on or behind it. Out-of-bounds areas, like ponds and roads, add a penalty throw.

Safety and etiquette basics

Make sure no one is near the throwing lane before throwing, and yell "fore" if a disc heads toward people. Wait until the group ahead is clear.

Follow course etiquette: be quiet when others throw, stay behind the thrower, and keep pace. Bring water, sunscreen, and shoes with good traction for uneven ground.

By age and level

Ages 5–8
Lightweight, easy-to-grip discs and short holes. Fun comes first, and scoring can be relaxed.
Ages 9–12
Discs of 150 grams or less are common. Accuracy and course etiquette are good goals.
Ages 13 and up
Heavier discs and longer courses as strength grows. Tournaments and leagues may start to appear.

Equipment and estimated cost

Checklist: first disc golf round · must-haves about $106–$251

  • Youth Disc Golf Starter SetIgnore the 'distance driver' marketing. Kids under 12 will throw a mid-range farther than a driver because drivers need arm speed they don't have yet.$25 – $50
  • Putter DiscSoft or 'base' plastic putters grip the chains instead of bouncing out — worth the extra couple of dollars.$8 – $20
  • Disc Golf BagMake sure it has a dedicated bottom pocket for the mini marker and towel so they're not dumping the whole bag out on every hole.$20 – $60
  • Mini Marker DiscBuy two. The mini is the single most-lost item in the sport because it gets left on the ground at the lie.$2 – $8
  • Trail or Turf ShoesWaterproof uppers are genuinely worth it — morning rounds mean soaked shoes by hole three.$40 – $85
  • Permanent MarkerDo it before the first round, not after the first loss.$3 – $10
  • Disc TowelGet one with a carabiner. Loose towels end up in the mud within one round.$8 – $18

Also helpful

  • Extra Mid-Range Disc$10 – $22
  • Disc Retriever Pole$25 – $50
  • Ranges are Parent Sideline estimates for entry-level to mid-range gear at major U.S. retailers. They are not live prices.
  • The total adds the low and high of each must-have item's range. It matches the must-have estimate on the gear guide.
  • Course fees (many public courses are free), league entry fees, and extra discs are not included.

See the full gear guide

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Common mistakes

  • Buying heavy adult drivers for a young player. Lighter discs are easier to throw correctly.
  • Buying a full bag of discs before trying a few. A starter set and a putter are plenty.
  • Throwing from the wrong spot. The next throw starts behind the disc.
  • Running past the tee pad before the disc is released, which is a foot fault.
  • Forgetting to label discs. Discs get lost easily in the woods.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy a lot of discs?

No. A starter set with a putter, a mid-range, and a driver is enough. Many families start with just two or three discs.

What is a mini marker?

It is a small disc used to mark where the disc landed so the player can pick it up and throw from that spot.

What is out of bounds?

Areas like ponds, roads, and marked lines. A disc that lands there adds a one-throw penalty, and play resumes from where it crossed the line.

Are there rules for the area around the basket?

Yes. Inside the circle around the basket, players must stay balanced after a putt and not step past their marker before the disc is in.

Sources

Rules and requirements differ by league. When a source and your league disagree, follow your league.

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