The Ultimate Disc Golf Course Design Guide

Everything You Need to Know to Design a Great Disc Golf Course

Introduction

Disc golf is booming. With millions of players picking up discs around the world, the demand for high-quality, thoughtfully designed courses has never been higher. Whether you're a city planner, educator, landowner, or disc golf enthusiast, creating a course is a rewarding opportunity to give back to the sport and your community.

This guide is your step-by-step blueprint to designing a disc golf course from the ground up. From evaluating terrain to using modern tools like Parkdly for signage and maps, we’ve got you covered.

What You’ll Learn:

• How much land you need—and what kind
• Core principles of great course design
• Infrastructure essentials: baskets, teepads, signage
• Budget tiers and funding ideas
• Tips for launching and maintaining your course
• How to promote your course and build community

Understanding the Disc Golf Community

Today’s disc golf community is diverse. From families enjoying casual rounds to touring professionals, understanding your audience is the foundation of effective course design.

The PDGA has over 125,000 active members, but the broader disc golf community includes an estimated 7.5 million recreational players globally. That means your course should balance beginner-friendliness with opportunities for advanced play.

Use Cases to Consider

Your course’s purpose will shape its design. Start by defining its primary role:

• Free-to-Play: Common in public parks and schools. These courses prioritize accessibility and growth of the sport.
• Pay-to-Play: Found on private land or premium facilities. These offer enhanced amenities and can generate revenue.
• Public Courses: Funded by cities or counties; open to all.
• Private Courses: Located on resorts, campgrounds, or private estates.
• Schools & Universities: Growing in popularity as a low-cost, inclusive fitness activity.
• Clubs & Leagues: Often the heartbeat of local disc golf development.

Choosing the Right Land

Good terrain is the foundation of a great course. The more variety in elevation, trees, and natural features, the more design opportunities you’ll have.

Land Size Guidelines

• 9-hole course: 5–10 acres (2–4 ha)
• 18-hole recreational course: ~20 acres (8 ha)
• Championship-level course: 20+ acres (8+ ha) with elevation and technical diversity

Public vs. Private Land

• Public: More accessible, but may require permits and stakeholder support.
• Private: More design freedom and flexibility.

Key Terrain Factors

• Elevation changes for shot variety
• Tree coverage for challenge and separation
• Parking, restrooms, and safe access
• Avoid proximity to trails, roads, or schools

Working With Stakeholders & Securing Approval

Even the best design can’t succeed without buy-in. Getting community leaders, landowners, or funders on board requires a clear, compelling proposal.

Build a Strong Proposal

• Outline costs, benefits, and safety plans
• Include data from PDGA or UDisc to project usage
• Add mockups using Parkdly to visualize teesigns and maps
• Gather community letters of support
• Highlight health, tourism, and inclusivity benefits

Budgeting: Choose Your Tier

• Low (€5,000–€10,000): Portable baskets, rubber pads, basic signs
• Mid (€15,000–€30,000): Concrete teepads, pro baskets, durable signage
• High-End (€40,000+): Championship quality with terrain work, branding, bridges, benches, and more

Seek funding through local grants, parks departments, or private sponsors.

Core Principles of Course Design

Designing a course is part art, part logistics. Keep these core principles in mind:

• Know Your Audience: Are you designing for kids, beginners, or pros?
• Stay Flexible: Avoid irreversible choices—especially cutting trees.
• Aim for Flow: A great course feels natural, intuitive, and fair.

Safety Comes First

• Keep tees and baskets clear of other paths or high-traffic areas
• Use elevation and foliage to separate holes
• Minimize blind shots and shared fairways

Layout & Flow

• Design continuous loops, not zigzags
• Minimize walking between holes
• Include clear “Next Tee” signage

Challenge & Variety

• Mix of shot shapes: hyzers, anhyzers, straight drives
• Incorporate mandatories, OBs, and water features
• Use alternate pin or tee positions for replayability

Environment & Sustainability

• Avoid wetlands, erosion-prone areas, and wildlife habitats
• Use existing clearings and trails
• Retain large trees whenever possible

For a deeper look at what makes a disc golf course truly enjoyable and functional, check out our post What Makes a Great Disc Golf Course? Core Design Principles Explained.

Course Infrastructure: Baskets, Teepads, and Signage

Once your layout is solid, it’s time to install the elements that turn land into a course.

Baskets

Choose durable, PDGA-approved baskets with weather-resistant materials. Look for:

• Powder-coated steel
• Galvanized chains (inner and outer)
• Optional sleeve system for alternate pin placements

Installation tip: Anchor baskets in concrete (50 cm deep) for security and long-term durability.

Teepads

No universal standard—but consistency and footing are key. Typical sizes:

• 1.5 x 3 m or 2 x 4 m
• Choose based on local climate:

Tee Signs & Course Maps

These are must-haves for player experience.

• Every tee should have a clear visual map of the hole
• Include: hole number, distance, par, OB zones
• A central course map near the first tee provides orientation and rules

Use Parkdly to create high-quality, consistent, and branded signage and maps. It’s built specifically for disc golf and trusted by designers around the world.

Want to use a free template for tee signs? Read more from our blog: How to Design a Disc Golf Tee Sign (with Free Template)

Other Infrastructure

• Trash bins and benches
• “Next Tee” arrows or OB indicators
• Restrooms or water stations (if possible)

Installation & Launch

The design is done. The permits are in place. Now it's time to build and open your course to the world.

Installation Tips

• Plan ahead: Create a detailed installation checklist
• Lean on volunteers: Local disc golfers are often eager to help
• Hire pros for concrete work, bridges, or complex signage
• Use durable materials that match your climate

Launch With a Splash

• Host a grand opening tournament or clinic
• Promote the launch with social media teasers and map previews (made in Parkdly)
• Add your course to UDisc

Maintaining & Evolving Your Course

Building a course is only the beginning. Ongoing maintenance ensures safety, playability, and repeat visits.

Regular Maintenance

• Inspect baskets and teepads monthly
• Clear paths and trim vegetation
• Refresh or replace damaged signage
• Empty bins and maintain amenities

Seasonal Tasks

Involve the Community

• Organize volunteer workdays
• Set up a feedback form or suggestion box
• Encourage course reviews and photo sharing

Promoting Your Course & Building a Community

A course thrives when it’s played often and supported by its local community.

Spread the Word

• Create an Instagram or Facebook page for the course
• Use QR codes on signs to link to maps, events, or your Discord
• Share Parkdly-made maps on UDisc and local websites

Host Events

• Start leagues or weekly meetups
• Apply for PDGA-sanctioned tournaments
• Run clinics for schools or youth groups

Build a Support Network

• Partner with local clubs or businesses
• Track usage data to show community impact and secure future funding
• Foster a "Friends of the Course" group for upkeep and event organizing

Conclusion: Designing for the Future

Designing a disc golf course is a lasting contribution—to your community and to the sport. With thoughtful planning, a solid toolkit like Parkdly, and an engaged community, your course can become a beloved destination for years to come.

Ready to Start?

• Try Parkdly for free – your complete tool for teesigns and course maps
• Join the Parkdly Discord – connect with designers, get feedback, and share progress