How to Start a Disc Golf Club
To help ensure success when you start a disc golf course it helps to start a support group. That organization usually takes the form a disc golf club. The club has to stay solvent so expect to raise money. When money is involved it is best to get a business license and a bank account.
Now that you are legit you can ask to be a distributor of discs – which can help your club raise money. The more people you can get involved and interested the better your chances of success. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Organize a group of at least 3 like minded individuals.
- Set your short term and long term goals
- Get a small business license
- Get a bank account
- Assemble the initial Board of Directors with these suggested positions:
- President
- Vice president
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Public Relations Director
- League Director
- Tournament Director
- Focus on promotion
- Host Tournaments (One day minis work)
- Establish a Disc Golf League – Set up at least one program that people can play on a weekly basis.
- See if you can get a monthly mini – tournament started. League fees can help a disc golf club achieve its goals.
It helps to have regular meetings and publish a regular newsletter or start a website. The point is to keep people informed. If you want a website for your disc golf club contact me
According to the PDGA, disc golf clubs are often made-up of 5% leaders, 5% doers, and 90% baggers. Set your expectations accordingly. Not everyone will have the same motivation or commitment to club projects and programs. Expect frustrations and be sure to give thanks and praise to those who do help, because that will probably be their only compensation.
Disc golf clubs go through different phases as they grow:
Phase 1 – Course Development and Construction.
Phase 2 – Club Start-up / Honeymoon.
Phase 3 – Growth / Burnout / Regroup (Repeat).
Phase 4 – Expansion (Additional courses / Repeat Phases 1 & 3) or Dissolve the club
A disc golf club is made of people with personalities, egos, and agendas. As you grow, you will go through periods of conflicts with leadership, personality conflicts, and fragmentation into cliques. The success of your disc golf club can depend upon how you deal with these issues. You don’t all have to be friends; you just have to find a common ground for consensus. Just remember, this is about a game and having fun.