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'''The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition''' has several resources that can inform the process of designing Disc Golf courses that share the same enjoyment, conservation and environmental goals as the land trusts operating in the state. | '''The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition''' has several resources that can inform the process of designing Disc Golf courses that share the same enjoyment, conservation and environmental goals as the land trusts operating in the state. | ||
Among other things, each year they have a [https://massland.org/events/land-conservation-conference Land Conservation Conference], with meaty presentations such as the 2020 [https://massland.org/sites/default/files/files/apr_27_sustainable_trails.pdf Sustainable Trails: Pathways to Nature] or the [https://massland.org/sites/default/files/resources/trails_guidelins_best_practices_dcr.pdf Mass DCR Trail Guidelines and Best Practices Manual]. The Sustainable Trails presentation notes that while permitting is done by local Conservation Commissions under both MA Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and local bylaws, '''unpaved pedestrian walkways less than 3 feet wide for public access on conservation property in buffer zone and riverfront''' [310 CMR 10.2(2)(a)] are exempt from WPA.<ref>This is more or less a quote from the legislation. | Among other things, each year they have a [https://massland.org/events/land-conservation-conference Land Conservation Conference], with meaty presentations such as the 2020 [https://massland.org/sites/default/files/files/apr_27_sustainable_trails.pdf Sustainable Trails: Pathways to Nature] or the [https://massland.org/sites/default/files/resources/trails_guidelins_best_practices_dcr.pdf Mass DCR Trail Guidelines and Best Practices Manual]. The Sustainable Trails presentation notes that while permitting is done by local Conservation Commissions under both MA [[Wetlands Protection Act]] (WPA) and local bylaws, '''unpaved pedestrian walkways less than 3 feet wide for public access on conservation property in buffer zone and riverfront''' [310 CMR 10.2(2)(a)] are exempt from WPA.<ref>This is more or less a quote from the Massachusetts [[Wetlands Protection Act]] legislation.</ref> | ||
[[File:DCR trails guidelines best practices 2019.pdf|alt=DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual|thumb|DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual]] | [[File:DCR trails guidelines best practices 2019.pdf|alt=DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual|thumb|DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual]] | ||
Revision as of 09:58, 18 November 2025
Who is the sponsor for the course? A town Rec Department? A local school? Regardless of who you are working with, you have to expect that not everyone is going to be an avid disc golfer and know every last detail about the sport, conventions, and considerations. Therefore, its helpful to outline and discuss even the small details that would make course development a success[1].
Before you design a disc golf course, be sure you are familiar with the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Disc Golf Course Design Elements. A leading provider of course construction is DiscMania, who have developed the concept of "DiscGolfPark" and related programs and services.
We'll cover some additional information and details here.
Site Planning
It almost goes without saying that one of the first things you have to do is identify where the course is going to be built. It may seem obvious ("we're going to build it right here"), until you get into the details of construction and layout, conservation approval and more. Your town or state probably has a GIS system that will show property / tax boundaries that help in defining the subject property, as well as abutter's property. A simple screenshot of the area, with the correct aerial photography layer and boundaries can serve as your canvas.
On site tips
One little suggestion is to use 4' stakes or sticks pounded into the ground to mark proposed basket locations. Place a large plastic bottle, or bucket on the pole to make a temporary target that is visible, and even throwable if there is already a good 'line' for the hole. Mark the rectangle of the tee box with small wire marker flags. They come in many colors, but they are not very visible at all until you're stepping on them so an extra stake, or driveway marker is good to mark the location of the tee box. Remember to bring a sharpie to write on the flags.
Trail Building / Conservation / Environment
The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition has several resources that can inform the process of designing Disc Golf courses that share the same enjoyment, conservation and environmental goals as the land trusts operating in the state.
Among other things, each year they have a Land Conservation Conference, with meaty presentations such as the 2020 Sustainable Trails: Pathways to Nature or the Mass DCR Trail Guidelines and Best Practices Manual. The Sustainable Trails presentation notes that while permitting is done by local Conservation Commissions under both MA Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and local bylaws, unpaved pedestrian walkways less than 3 feet wide for public access on conservation property in buffer zone and riverfront [310 CMR 10.2(2)(a)] are exempt from WPA.[2]
Boardwalk Construction Guidelines
The Acton Land Stewardship Committee steward to 2000 acres in Massachusetts has resources like the Boardwalk Construction Guidelines or their Kiosk Design
US Forest Service - Puncheons, Boardwalks and Bog Bridges
Wetland Trail Design and Construction: 2007 Edition goes over construction techniques for Corduroy, Turnpikes and Causeways among other wetland concerns. In their publication, they note "At least eight types of trail structures are commonly built in wetlands. Some of these are built with no foundation. Others have sleepers (sills), cribbing, or piles as foundations. Most of these structures are built of wood."
The 2000 Edition of the Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook discusses Puncheons has an Appendix of selected Trail Construction and Maintenance references
The 2007 Edition of the Wetland Trail Design and Construction by the USFS Technology and Development Program is 90 pages of good information.
Software
Hole maps / Teepad signs
Given a "canvas" on which to draw a course layout, the actual process of depicting tee pads, paths, baskets, OB, etc. can sometimes be done in creative ways. The example here was done with Inkarnate - online software for mapping fantasy worlds.
You can even do signage in PowerPoint like this other example. It is purely a drawing or diagram and not a map at all.
Other possible 'drawing' tools
- https://www.photopea.com/ - online PhotoShop workalike
- inkscape - vector drawing tool (foss - respects your privacy)
- sketch, canva and sketch.io are online drawing tools.
Course maps
While a tee pad sign can be a highly abstract drawing, the underlying full course map needs to be done precisely - at least in the planning phase. We call this more of the "blueprint". To do that, you'll need to employ Geographic information system (GIS) software. We give an overview of software options at GIS and dive into specifics at Using OpenStreetMaps to design a Disc Golf Course. When the "blueprints" are complete, you can still go back to 'drawing' tools to create a stylized version for public signage, websites, etc.
References
- ↑ Here is some advice during the development of the Weare-Merriman course in Seabrook, NH
- ↑ This is more or less a quote from the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act legislation.
