4 Don't-Miss Disc Golf Courses

Louisiana's four state park disc golf courses offer a variety of terrain and difficulty.

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The official Explore Louisiana blogging team.
Louisiana State Parks disc golf courses are fun for the whole family.

The entire family can get in on the disc golf fun.

My family—rather, my husband and son – have recently taken an interest in disc golf. It’s a fun outdoor sport, no matter what your level of activity. Yes, it’s throwing a disc … but it is very different from throwing a Frisbee. I’ve learned that, just like in golf, there are various weights of discs to use; depending on whether it’s a long throw (a “driver”), a medium throw (an “iron”) or a short toss into the basket (a “putter”). Of course, the two guys are a bit competitive and I’m just focusing on not throwing my arm out of its socket. But we have a lot of laughs along the course because someone’s disc invariably gets caught in a tree or lands in a muddy ditch.

Louisiana’s State Parks have developed four 18-hole courses over the past few years. And given the varied terrain of our state, you can pick a course that suits you—all hills, mostly flat or a combination of the two. The courses are open daily from park opening until dusk, at no additional charge above the $2 per person park entrance fee. Maps and scorecards are available online and at the park entrance. Some parks have loaner discs on hand, but I recommend calling ahead to confirm.

Lake Bistineau State Park (Doyline, about 40 minutes east of Shreveport)

Lake Bistineau Disc Golf Course Facebook

The park’s course, with three practice baskets, is s set among huge cypress trees covered in hanging Spanish moss. It is mostly wooded with a variety of elevations and several challenging holes.

Lake Claiborne State Park (Homer, about 30 northeast of Ruston)

Lake Claiborne Disc Golf Facebook

Lake Claiborne State Park’s Whitetail course, the newest to Louisiana State Parks, winds its way through the camping and cabin areas. The course is in an all-hilly terrain with three levels of difficulty.

Lake D’Arbonne State Park (Farmerville, about 40 minutes from Ruston or Minden)

Located near the group camp, the course offers players a mix of short and long shots and a great area for bombing the disc down—a power line right of way. The front nine is a bit long, while the back nine is shorter … probably to accommodate those who are pretty tuckered by the 11th or 12th hole.

Sam Houston Jones State Park (Lake Charles, about 20 minutes north of I-10)

Bob Rodgers Memorial Disc Golf Course Facebook 

The course, named in honor of disc golf enthusiast and Lake Charles native Bob Rodgers, begins near the Longleaf Pine Trail with a challenging mix of wooded holes and two levels of skill. Rodgers’ son-in-law Joe Thacker, with the help of volunteers, designed the course and assisted with much of the work throughout the project.

So, get out to one of the State Parks with your family and ring that basket!