In my own warped world, 2014, like 2013 was the year of the "bad back". Having a bad back definitely limits participation in many sports, so recognizing my limitations and in an effort to change my sedentary lifestyle, I bought a starter set of discs in April 2014 and went to the City Park Disc Golf Course.

My first few visits here were "just ok", as I could not throw the discs as far as I had hoped. I also threw a few in the water, which is no fun either. The grass on the course was high and this made locating your discs somewhat of a pain if you didn't watch exactly where it landed. But I felt good about being outside and at least I was getting a little exercise as I walked the course. It's easy to gain proficiency rather quickly in this sport and I watched my score go from the 80's down to the low 60's in just 2-3 months of casual play.

In the summer of 2014, the course started receiving more attention and the grass was getting cut more frequently and they installed several brand new baskets. They also started repositioning many of the baskets and eventually reversed the entire order of the course. If you haven't played in the last few months, the course layout will brand new to you, and the new layout presents more challenges.

Some of the trickier holes (baskets) can be:

Hole 1 - This short hole forces you to throw parallel with the water to your right and makes you go around a tree next to the shoreline. Therefore, you have to throw it out far enough to get around the tree, but high enough to make sure it gets back to the shoreline.

Hole 2 - The tee box to this hole forces you to throw across the lagoon, but unless you hit the tree on the other side, there is little chance of losing a disc.

Hole 3 - Unless you play it safe by going along the shoreline, this hole will force you to throw over the water into a basket on a peninsula. And yes, I have lost a few discs here.

Hole 4 - Here is another hole where you can play it safe by throwing parallel to the shore as there is over 225 feet of water on your left to cross to the basket.

Hole 6 - Although short, you have to throw straight or your disc will bounce between trees like a pinball.

Hole 8 - Grip it and rip it as this hole is even longer than it appears.

Hole 11 - Overshoot this basket on top of a hill and your disc will disappear in the brush.

Hole 13 - This will test your skill at making your disc perform a right hook in order to reach the basket. Hook it too much and you are in thick brush.

Hole 18 - If you want to make a par, you better be able to throw at least 225 feet straight over the water.

The course has steadily improved this year, as has participation among local residents. It can be played and enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic ability and I would recommend this course to anyone. It's a fun sport that requires very little start up costs and no greens fees such as the real game of golf

If you do happen to play, use a sharpie marker and write your name and phone # on all of your discs. I have had at least 5 discs returned to me by "Joe", who regularly fishes them out of the lagoon.

Hope to see y'all out there.