College shouldn’t have students drowning in a sea of research papers and part-time jobs. It is important to remember to give yourself a break and have some fun every once in a while.
There are a plethora of outdoor activities students can engage in, and one such activity requires only a frisbee disc – disc golf.
Prairie Park, located near NIU off of the Clifford Drive entrance, is one such park that sports nine holes for disc golf.
WHAT IS DISC GOLF?
Disc golf is an outdoor activity that is played similarly to traditional golf, however, the equipment that normally costs you an arm and a leg is unnecessary.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
The only equipment required is a throwable plastic disc and a metal chain basket, encircled by a cylindrical shaped tray and propped up by a metal pole.
HOW DO YOU PLAY?
Each player is tasked with completing a set course, usually with nine to 18 holes, in the least amount of throws possible.
Players will begin with their own disc with the objective of throwing it as close to the basket as they can, moving to the spot the disc landed at and, in doing so, advancing closer to the basket.
After each throw, players are allowed to move to where their disc landed and repeat the throw, or if they are playing against another player, wait for them to conclude their turn and then move according to where their disc landed.
Just like regular golf, every hole begins at the tee and ends at the hole, or in this case, the basket.
Once the disc is successfully tossed into the basket or collides with the metallic chains, the hole is complete and the player who scored will earn points depending on how many throws it took to reach the basket.
Aidan Henrichs, a senior computer science major, agrees that the activity requires little effort to prepare.
“Disc golf is a pretty easy activity to do with free time,” Henrichs said. “It is really easy and fun to do in your spare time.”
IS IT EXPENSIVE?
The best part about disc golf is that this activity rarely leaves a hole in your wallet as it only requires you to bring your own disc(s).
In some cases, you can find disc golf baskets in a few public parks, however, you can also set up your own handmade versions if necessary. The discs themselves can usually cost somewhere between $10 and $25 depending on the quality.
Zach Kocher, a junior communications major, says disc golf is a chill outdoor activity for college students.
“I think it is something that can get you outside,” Cocher said. “I feel like that’s good for college students.”
College students certainly need a break every now and then from the trials and tribulations of life, and engaging in activities such as disc golf can be a good starting point.
