Your Course Needs You
The vast majority of disc golf courses in America are maintained partly or entirely by volunteers. Local disc golf clubs organize work days where players clear brush, repair tee pads, install signs, paint OB lines, and perform the unglamorous work that keeps courses playable. Without these volunteers, many courses would deteriorate beyond playability. Volunteering is how you give back to the sport and ensure the courses you love stay in great condition.
Common Volunteer Tasks
- Brush clearing: Trimming overgrown fairways, clearing fallen branches, and cutting back encroaching vegetation. This is the most common and impactful volunteer task.
- Trash pickup: Walking the course and collecting litter. Simple but essential, especially on courses in public parks with heavy foot traffic.
- Tee pad maintenance: Sweeping debris, filling cracks, leveling uneven surfaces. Well-maintained tee pads are the foundation of every good course.
- Sign installation: Mounting tee signs, painting directional arrows, marking OB lines. Signage makes courses navigable for new visitors.
- Erosion control: Building steps on steep hills, installing drainage, adding mulch to muddy areas. These improvements prevent course deterioration during rain.
How to Get Involved
Find your local disc golf club on Facebook or through the PDGA's club directory. Most clubs organize monthly or seasonal work days and post them on social media. Show up with work gloves and a willingness to get dirty. No experience needed — club leaders assign tasks and provide tools. Many work days are followed by a free round or casual tournament as a thank-you for volunteers.
If your local course doesn't have an organized club, consider starting one. The PDGA offers resources for establishing new clubs, and even a small group of 5 to 10 dedicated volunteers can dramatically improve a neglected course.