What is disc golf? What to know about emerging sport from courses to rules to Simon Lizotte

Move over pickleball. Disc golf is the latest sport emerging in popularity.

Disc golf is similar to golf, hence the name. But instead of clubs and balls, disc golf players utilize flying discs on the fairway. During a round of disc golf, the objective is to get the disc in the baskets at the end of each hole in the least amount of strokes, considered a throw.

The sport is growing. There are more than 254,700 registered Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) members across the world.

Here's everything you need to know about disc golf, from the scoring system and rules, to what terms like albatross even mean.

What is disc golf?

Disc golf is similar to golf. But instead of clubs and balls, disc golf utilizes flying discs. During a round of disc golf, the objective is to get the disc in the baskets each round in the least amount of strokes, considered a throw.

Different variations of disc golf date back to the early 1900s, but the modern game was formalized in the 1970s by Ed "Steady" Headrick, who trademarked the Frisbee in 1966 and the Disc Golf Pole Hole in 1975.

What does a disc golf course look like?

Disc golf is normally played on a course featuring nine or 18 holes. Instead of holes in the ground, disc golf targets are wire baskets connected to hanging chains that catch discs. Course obstacles include trees, bushes, terrain changes, water hazards and out-of-bounds zone, which results in a penalty throw.

The first official disc golf course was installed by Headrick at Oak Grove Park in Pasadena, California, in 1975.

There are more than 9,000 disc golf courses in the United States, according to the PDGA.

Disc golf rules

A player starts each hole at a tee box and must toss the disc without crossing over the tee line. Players then pick up their disc where it lands on the fairway and throw again until they reach the target. Each throw counts as a stroke and the total throws for all holes represent the player's score for the round. The player with the fewest strokes on the previous hole tees off first on the next hole, with the player whose disc is the farthest from the hole going first after all players have teed off.

How is disc golf scored?

The scoring system is also similar to golf. Each hole has a predetermined average score: par. One stoke under par is a birdie, two strokes under par is an eagle.

Three strokes under par is an albatross.

If a player hits the basket from the tee in one shot, that's called an ace.

One over par is a bogey, two over par is a double bogey and so forth.

What is a Mando in disc golf?

Mando is short for "mandatory." According to Disc Golf United: 

What is overstable, understable in disc golf?

Players are allowed to use a variety of discs on different shots, just as golfers are able to use different clubs. A putter, mid-range, and high-speed driver are the three most common types of discs. Stability also varies. On a right-handed, backhand throw:

• an understable disc typically fades right during flight (and is considered better for beginners)

• a stable disc typically flies straight during flight

• an overstable disc typically tracks to the left during flight (and used by more experienced players)

Is disc golf an Olympic sport?

No.

Who is Simon Lizotte?

Lizotte is a German professional disc golfer who previously held the world record for longest throw of a disc at 903.9 feet in 2016. Lizotte has five Disc Golf Pro Tour wins under his belt and was named the European Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. According to the PDGA, Lizotte has participated in 245 events with 77 career wins. He has earned more than $247,000.

In January, Lizotte signed a ten-year sponsorship deal with MVP Discs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disc golf scene explainer: Courses, rules, scoring and Simon Lizotte