Disc Golf at Maiko Kogen Resort

If you haven't had a go at playing disc golf yet, it is high time you try it out. It is golf with a frisbee instead of a ball, with large metal baskets taking the place of the holes. The fewer throws it takes you to get the disc into the basket, the better. It is a fun game for all ages, and Maiko Kogen Resort is a great place for it. Fantastic views down the valley and plenty of green fields, trees and mountains all around.

The check-in for the Disc Golf is at the base of the Maiko Kogen Hotel. There is a choice of three courses from beginner to expert, and the opportunity to play 9 or 18 holes of each. You can play any of the courses no matter what your level, as there are different start points getting progressively closer to the hole.

We had a go at the expert course this time and were given a bag of 3 discs. A driver which is designed to go a long way but was difficult to control, a mid-range driver which was slightly more stable, and a putter/approach disc for those shorter shots requiring more accuracy. Don't worry if your technique is not the best as you get a quick lesson on the art of disc throwing before you head out to the course.

The longest hole on the expert course is a couple of hundred meters. This might not seem much but stretches away into the distance when you are trying to get a little plastic disc to the far basket. The holes are laid out over an old golf course and some of the winter ski runs. The fairway is a mown strip between the tee and the basket, and there are trees, shrubs and long grass waiting to snag your frisbee if you stray too far away from this. We spent a good deal of time looking for discs when we were trying for long distance but lost any semblance of accuracy. It was always a pleasant stroll though, and at least the discs are bigger than golf balls and brightly colored, so usually easy to find.

Disc golf is great fun and a surprisingly good work out. Lots of walking, and your throwing arm will get plenty of practice. If you weren't a competent frisbee thrower before your round of disc golf, it is a good bet that you will be much more proficient after 9 holes.