Counties with least holes per capita

[Whirlwind Disc Golf]

We Bay Area disc golfers are trying to convince San Mateo county to install a course, just one course, somewhere in the county. Right now, there is one 18-hole course, an awesome overcrowded course, to serve the ~1.5 million people in San Francisco and adjoining San Mateo counties.

That's roughly one hole for every 85,000 people. Do any other areas have fewer holes per capita? I suspect New York City would qualify...

 

[Halcón]

According to this site, there is only one course in all of NYC.

 

[bradharris]

How about the many counties with no courses at all?

 

[sidewinder22]

DC has zero courses.

 

[Rizbee]

Sounds like a fun GIS project for me this summer.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Of the counties that have a course, my guess is it'd be Queens County, NY.

 

[scarpfish]

High land values + strict environmental restrictions = good luck getting a course in.

 

[Whirlwind Disc Golf]

ok, what's the biggest county with no courses

After the boroughs of New York City, what's the biggest county with no courses? San Mateo county has zero holes for over 700,000 people. DC has zero holes and fewer people -- a little under 700,000.

San Mateo county is adjoined to San Francisco County with ~800,000 people and one course.

Another calculation: What's the average number of people per hole across the whole country? Hmm, ~3200 courses, ~12 holes average, ~320 million people... that's one hole for every 8,333 people.

Just to be average, the ~1.5 million people of San Francisco and San Mateo counties should have ten 18-hole courses!

 

[sidewinder22]

Boston also has zero courses and about the same population as DC.

 

[@iDiscGolf]

I've only played Golden Gate Park DGC once, it wasn't all that busy. I've seen worse...

 

[ed IV]

I live in a town of 63,000, approx 93 in the county and there are 54 permenant holes. so 1722 a hole. That and the 285 dream land is a 2.5h drive-

 

[ed IV]

-old favorites and up and comers all the way inbetween aswell

 

[Whirlwind Disc Golf]

hehe, busiest courses

I've only played Golden Gate Park DGC once, it wasn't all that busy. I've seen worse...

wish we had a way to track actual number of rounds played at all the courses on DGCR, or at least reasonably good guesses. we think GGP is in the top 5 busiest courses in the world, but have no way to verify.

 

[Steve West]

It's possible to calculate the demand for a new course. Here is what I did in 2009.

However, the demand from disc golfers for a new course is not the primary factor in whether a new course should go in. More important is the landowner's goals for the course. Disc golf should only go into a county park if it can help further the mission of the county parks.

If it can't, disc golfers should look for other landowners - for whom disc golf can further their goals. Maybe corporations or churches that want to "give back" to the community. Or resorts, camps, and commercial recreational areas looking to enhance their overall value.

 

[Whirlwind Disc Golf]

2015 update?

It's possible to calculate the demand for a new course. Here is what I did in 2009.

However, the demand from disc golfers for a new course is not the primary factor in whether a new course should go in. More important is the landowner's goals for the course. Disc golf should only go into a county park if it can help further the mission of the county parks.

If it can't, disc golfers should look for other landowners - for whom disc golf can further their goals. Maybe corporations or churches that want to "give back" to the community. Or resorts, camps, and commercial recreational areas looking to enhance their overall value.

Steve,

Yes, demand doesn't generate supply in disc golf.

I'd love to know the criteria for this map. I'm guessing PDGA registrations by zip code compared to holes within a certain proximity...?

Would it be a lot of work to produce a 2015 version?

Thanks,
Leonard

 

[Steve West]

Steve,

Yes, demand doesn't generate supply in disc golf.

I'd love to know the criteria for this map. I'm guessing PDGA registrations by zip code compared to holes within a certain proximity...?

Would it be a lot of work to produce a 2015 version?

Thanks,
Leonard

Population, distance to every course, and size of courses. The units of demand are people, and the number of plays per week is about one in every 200-400 people.

The first time I did it out of curiosity and for proof of concept. Now, it's enough work (from me and TimG) that I need a good reason to set aside all the other things I'm working on.

 

[BuzzSharpe]

Another Cool Question...

Would be what county or metro area has the MOST holes per capita?

 

[Jukeshoe]

I'd guess Chicago ^ for the above.

The county I live in has low property values, a ton of land, and yet only has 27 total holes for 111,460-ish people. :gross:

 

[sisyphus]

Cincinnati's not bad. I live east of town and have 570 holes within a 60 minute drive (according to mapquest). The Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area has 2,130,151 residents (2010 census, 27th ranked in the country), which means 3,737 people per hole. Compared to the above national average estimated at 8,333, I suppose we're blessed with a pretty good disc golf scene. :thmbup:

 

[bradharris]

Would be what county or metro area has the MOST holes per capita?

Morgan County WV is home to the Woodshed and Whippin Post (18 holes each) with a population of 17,541. That's 487.25 people per hole.