Spokane, WA

Last weekend, my friend Colin was in town for a wedding. I rarely get to see him, since he “lives” in Seattle, but really makes a frequent habit of working in Ireland for a year, for example, or doing a twenty-seven month Peace Corps stint in Mongolia. I knew my globe-trotting do-gooder friend enjoys catching up in active ways, rather than sitting in a coffee shop. So, I knew just what to do: play Frisbee golf (“frolf”) at Downriver Disc Golf Course—the weather was gorgeous, we’re both athletically competitive, and the best part: it’s free.

I met Colin and we proceeded up Northwest Boulevard, turned south on H St, made a right on Columbia Circle, and another right at Downriver Golf Course. Downriver Drive runs downhill just north of the golf course, and we followed this road down to the disc golf course, which is at the bottom of the hill on the river side of the road.

We arrived at the course at around 4pm. Since it’s a first come, first serve sport, it’s best to take off from work early to beat the after-work rush that can happen on sunny days. Colin, having never played disc golf before, stepped up to the first tee box and let fly with a horrendous, hooking shot that went no more than 25 yards. After making fun of Colin (he’s good for some sarcastic back and forth), I flicked my disc down toward the first metal basket, and the game had begun. I’m still a beginner, but my skills have stepped up since the weather has finally gotten nice. After a few holes, Colin had the knack of throwing the special golf discs with more distance, and he started scoring well, making for a competitive game. Even so, we stopped keeping score after a while, and just caught up with the events of each other’s lives. That’s the beauty of disc golf: it’s free, so you don’t have to take it seriously. It’s a walk in the woods by the beautiful Spokane River, it’s good exercise, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy someone’s company while being active at the same time.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED! It is important to note that disc golf requires specialized discs: don’t show up at Downriver with that big ol’ Ultimate Frisbee you toss around on college campuses. Yes, someone will probably laugh at you. Golf discs are smaller, and made from heavier, more flexible plastics in order to fly further than a standard Frisbee. You can pick them up at Mountain Goat Outfitters (Sprague and Division downtown) for as little as $7 apiece. The players who really get into it carry a bag of special discs, one for each shot. I’m a casual player (and a cheapskate), so I just carry a distance disc, a mid-range approach disc, and a “putter” (a disc that’s easier to control around the metal and chain disc-catcher baskets).

Downriver Disc Golf course, like other local courses, is maintained with the support of the Spokane Disc Golf Association, a great bunch of people who like to have fun, walk in the forest, and can really throw these tiny discs a long way, with precision. If you play at Downriver, make sure the only thing you leave behind is the occasional disc you accidentally lose into the water—keep our courses free of litter. Now, get out there, and let those discs fly!