Worksheet #2: Weather Analysis

Take readings on several areas of your course or proposed course property to determine wind conditions, rain and standing water, and other weather related items that could affect course design. Pay particular attention to wind direction on fairway areas and ground areas that are or could be eroded by heavy rainfall.

Impact Analysis
The first two steps of impact analysis are to determine the appropriateness of the proposed location and then apply the general impacts analysis to the specific location in question. Finally, you should determine what mitigation measures can be taken to lessen impact. So first, we will talk about appropriateness of location, then generalized impacts, and finally mitigation. Remember, this applies to proposed courses.

Appropriateness of Location
Disc golf is appropriate for the vast majority of parks and open spaces that are designated for recreational use. Indeed, if the area has already been designated for recreational use, then chances are that a specific site analysis has already been completed, and you can build on that work. So, find out what general plans exist for an area to see what issues have been identified. This step can save an enormous amount of work. If no plan exists, or if the existing plans are too generalized, then some site specific analysis may be appropriate. For this, contact the environment committee for further documentation and site analysis techniques.

General Impacts
Disc golf courses generally do not require major land alterations, and usually do not require the use of chemicals. Although some disc golf courses are watered, it is not required, and many of the best disc golf courses in the country are played on land that is close to its natural state. Indeed, part of the joy of disc golf is being in a natural setting.

In most places, disc golf is a highly appropriate use of open space and has little lasting effect on the environment, and even heavily used courses have little lasting impact if properly maintained. Disc golf course designers and players everywhere need to be aware of the effects of their activities, and be aware of the simple things they can do to help. Regular maintenance is required for heavily used courses, but when regular maintenance is performed, environmental impacts are minor.

Specific Effects of Disc Golf and Mitigation Measures: A disc golf course alters the numbers of people that walk through a given area, and players walk through places that would otherwise not normally see much foot traffic. This can have several effects, the magnitude of which, varies widely from site to site and depends on the volume of players passing through the course. Proper maintenance can largely negate this effect, however.
When designing a new course, evaluate where the high foot traffic areas of the course will be. Each fairway should have a well defined main trail that will draw the bulk of the foot traffic, especially in areas with elevational relief. In high traffic areas, build in proper erosion control features into the course from the beginning. Examples of erosion control features include, stairs or steps, stabilizing side hill trails with logs or cut-banks, building small bridges over seasonal or permanent creeks, blocking access to sensitive areas using brush or other traffic control objects, and the use of ground covering materials such as gravel or wood chips. Proper use of these techniques can significantly reduce the impact of a disc golf course to a given area. Contact the environment committee for further information on these techniques.
Don't wait for a problem to develop before initiating maintenance or building proper foot traffic trails.

Litter: The PDGA has taken an active role educating players about not littering. For example, littering is a courtesy violation in the Rules of Disc Golf, and it is clearly stated that cigarette butts are considered litter. The vast majority of courses have resulted in cleaner parks, and in many cases, disc golfers have initiated extensive clean-up efforts prior to installing their course. It is important to have trash receptacles so that people can do the right thing.
Remember, local situations require local solutions. Now, go out and have some fun!!
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