Diffusion of Disc Golf Courses in the United States^*

* The authors wish to thank the PDGA for all their assistance including a comprehensive database of disc golf courses in the United States. We also wish to thank Sara Beth Keough for her thorough and insightful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.

Abstract

This paper examines the diffusion of disc golf across the continental U.S. We provide a descriptive analysis of the spatial distribution of the sport beginning with its formal inception in 1975 through 2010. We investigate the role of common macro‐level factors in determining the diffusion of sports facilities, such as population and land availability. We also consider the role of micro‐level factors in influencing the diffusion of disc golf at the individual level. Our results demonstrate that disc golf has diffused rapidly and thoroughly throughout the U.S. Several disc golf regions have developed, including the upper Midwest, the mid‐Atlantic I‐95 corridor, and the Pacific Coast. Population has been an important determinant of diffusion patterns, with contagious diffusion evident at the local level. Disc golf facilities can be found in demographically diverse communities, however the overwhelming majority of disc golfers are white, creating an unintentional cultural barrier.

• Diffusion
• disc golf
• race
• regions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ray Oldakowski

Dr. Oldakowski is a professor of geography at Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, 32211; [[email protected]];

John W. mcewen

Mr. McEwen is a doctoral candidate in geography at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803; [[email protected]].