A New England Twist on the Fairway: Disc Golf in the Heart of the State

by Chris Coyle

Disc golf, an outdoor sport, resembles regular golf played with a ball except that players instead compete with a flying disc like a smaller frisbee. Opponents throw a disc toward and then into a basket with the goal of having the lowest number of throws to complete each hole.

Disc golf has become quite popular in recent years. North Central Massachusetts hosts several disc golf courses.

Although one can play disc golf alone, groups often enjoy it with up to four or even eight players. It does work better for eight players to play as two groups of four each. Enthusiasts play disc golf year-round, regardless of cold weather and snow.

Disc golf helps relieve stress and achieve harmony with one’s inner self, as well as providing healthy aerobic exercise, according to the blog Disc Golf United. The sport brings people together as friends. Beautiful North Central Massachusetts has several disc golf courses to welcome players.

A short distance from the center of Ayer, Devens hosts two disc golf courses. An old military training course hosts The Hill, the original course on a hill amidst huge boulders and towering pines. Hilly, wooded, rocky, and sometimes tight spots characterize the terrain. A newer course, The General built in 2013, also hilly and wooded, has longer holes than the original course.

An eighteen-hole free disc golf course at Coggshall Park in Fitchburg represents the newest addition to the already beautiful212-acre wooded park. Coggshall Park Disk Golf Club maintains the course. The site UDisc says  Coggshall brings you on a quintessential New England disc golf experience.”

Sterling’s Meadowbrook Orchards eighteen-hole course encompasses parts of a scenic hundred-acre apple orchard and farm in surrounding woodland. Among disc golf courses, Meadowbrook uniquely has a restaurant on the premises. Players can enjoy beautiful vistas of scenic North Central Massachusetts along the course.

The 18-hole public course located at Barre Falls Dam offers a challenging public course with significant elevation changes. Players can take advantage of picnic tables, grills, and bathrooms. A collaborative effort between the Army Corps of Engineers and volunteers from the disc golf community, players golf free of charge on public land.

Farther west located in Athol, Flat Rock Disc Golf Course dates from 1999 and offers a challenging, tight, and technical disc golf experience. Flat Rock’s website describes the course as “showcasing the natural beauty of the land.” Players may purchase an annual membership or pay for the day. The course sponsors annual tournaments throughout the year. The Flat Rock course has committed itself to environmental stewardship and player respect, according to the website.

Whether playing disc golf competitively in a tournament or just for fun, players can enjoy the great outdoors and get exercise in a terrific North Central Massachusetts activity.

Local Disc Golf Locations