Brad Merzlock believes the spike in local disc golfers maybe do the fact that sport is fairly economical and easy to learn.
Merzlock, the president of the Portneuf Valley Disc Golf Club, said within the past three years local participation has doubled and in some cases tripled.
"It's not hard to learn at all, as far as basic rules go it's just stroke play," Merzlock said. "It's really similar (to ball golf) you just use discs."
The discs themselves are different than frisbees, made from harder plastic and in design, and much like in ball golf the discs each serve a different purposes, as with clubs. Rather than aiming for a hole, players aim at chain baskets or designated objects. Merzlock said a person can play with just a driver disc, but a basic arsenal of discs include putter, driver and mid-range. The three can typically be purchased for under $50.
Merzlock was introduced to disc golf a number of years ago by a family member. The relatively low start-up cost and the ease of game make it easy for most anyone to play, young and old. People can easily spend an afternoon picnicking and play a round of golf.
The local course have also made Pocatello a destination for visitors.
"We've seen a lot of new players and have seen people from other areas that have come or moved into town that seek us out," he said, adding that
most cities have only one course. "You don't find too many places that have three courses and (a population of) 50,000."
The year-round sport picks up in the spring, about the time when PVDGC starts its leagues. The leagues run April through October and are open to the public. Participants do not need to members of the club to join. Club membership is an annual $20 and league participation is a weekly fee.
The club also hosts a number tournaments year round. Merzlock said the events are unsanctioned, giving players the opportunity for competition, and without impact for Professional Disc Golf Association members seeking qualifying points.
Merzlock, who has also played "ball golf," believes disc golf is more "user friendly" and it might be easier for people to get a hole-in-one or a birdie, and for the more competitive is the opportunity to advance their skill-set.
"... There is technique involved and power and different discs involved that do different things," he said. "The more you play, the more you learn. It is definitely a growing thing. It is easier to play disc golf and more rewarding."
A course has existed at Idaho State University's Bengal Ridge since the late 1990s, located along East Terry Street and West Buckskin Road and just northeast of Alvin Ricken Drive. Courses were later added to Upper Ross Park and Sister City's Park. The PVDGC uses membership fees to help with maintenance of the local courses and host competitions.
"We just really pushed for it," he said. "We like the one course we had and initially started ... at Bengal Ridge and used to go to Upper Ross Park for family picnics and eventually picked trees to shoot at. Then, started the Southeast Idaho Monthly Series. What started out as playing at the parks, we played up there and turned it into a course. At Sister City we have a course there too. We like our variety here, too."
Merzlock said the club aims to not only promote the sport of disc golf but also welcomes all skill levels to join in the game. He said newbies are welcomed and seasoned golfers are often willing to share their love of the sport and expertise.
More information can be found online at www.pvdgs.org or on Facebook.com, search Portneuf Valley Disc Golf Club.