Using existing park roads as tee pads?

[Almighty_Ed]

Our local course has yet to receive concrete tee's and since the weather has turned the natural tee's to slop, we've been stepping back and using the park road as a tee box where we can. Traffic is never heavy and is always slow when the occasional car comes by.

So what are the opinions on having some tee's concrete pads and leaving some of them as asphalt road tee's and just painting a box? Good, bad, retarded?

This is a small rural community park by the way and not really suitable for large tournaments or events. It's just a local get your throw on type course.

[dheathx]

I've seen this done with sidewalks, but never roads. It could be dangerous, i mean one idiot answering a cell phone could plow right into a group of people playing DG. Also, it might bring up some ill will with city residents toward DGers standing in the road, potentially stopping or causing traffic. I don't think it would be that big of a deal but I also dont think any of us want any negative feelings toward our sport in a time where we are striving for acceptance and growth.

[Almighty_Ed]

This park is out in the country and the road is a small, 10mph, one way, curvy, park only road. Being hit by a car or holding up traffic will not be an issue here at all. Worst case scenario, you might have to postpone your drive for a minute while a car passes. We already have to do that anyway because some shots are over or really close to the road.

[SomeChump]

I've played several courses like this. It works fine. You can even paint in a t-box and no one will probably say a thing.

[jobwilson]

Not a big deal. Go for it.

[jobwilson]

Ed, are you coming to the Ice Bowl next Saturday?

[dheathx]

This park is out in the country and the road is a small, 10mph, one way, curvy, park only road. Being hit by a car or holding up traffic will not be an issue here at all. Worst case scenario, you might have to postpone your drive for a minute while a car passes. We already have to do that anyway because some shots are over or really close to the road.

If thats the case, i don't see a problem either. Go for it!

[JMONEY]

I've seen lots of city parks use this for the tee pads on the course usually the sidewalk or even corner of a parking lot.

[Almighty_Ed]

Ed, are you coming to the Ice Bowl next Saturday?

Probably. Not sure about 2 rounds at Mesker in the cold on 40 yr old knees though.

[hognosesucker]

go for it. I've seen similar things done at courses. At some point, I gotta get down to your neck of the woods and playthe course, Ed. It's the last course south of I 74 in IL that I haven't played. I'll pm you when I'm coming down (most likely a weekend).

[Paulie]

Sounds ok for temporary occasional use in your situation so long as someone yells "car!" when one's coming and everyone clears out quickly.

[biscoe]

i think it's a lousy idea but sounds like you already have holes crossing the road which i also think is a lousy idea so why not.

[New013]

yea life is full of times when something should of been okay.

[sloppydisc]

New013, you cynical SOB. I would usually agree since I really don't like road/path treads, but if you got no money or room you probably take your pads where you can get them. If the park is under-utilized enough it should work. Heck, I play at Middle Creek. That course has #2'running right along the main road with school buses and dozens of cars coming and going. It sucks. And it used to have #1 teeing off across the road. It used to be fun to try amd time your run up between cars. We had some close calls back then.

[Green Aarrow]

I've played several courses like this. It works fine. You can even paint in a t-box and no one will probably say a thing.

I'd advise against painting on the road, even if it's park-only. If need be, spray a foul-line just off the road.

[New013]

I disagree, if you are going to play off the road. Then you should definitely paint something on the road letting cars know that there might be people standing in it.

[ejvogie]

I've seen this done at 2010 Am Worlds. I think it may have been an all-purpose path, but similar concept.

FWIW, I'd get permission to paint on the road if that's the route you choose to go.

[Steve West]

DON'T DO IT.

Have you ever been hit and run over or dragged by a slow, occasional car? It hurts. A lot.

There are never any teenagers or drunks in your area who drive faster than they should on that road?

Notice how people here are already saying "It's OK because I've seen something like it elsewhere"? Next, someone will put tee pads on a road with not-so-slow and more frequent cars. They'll say "It's OK, Ive seen something like that at your course".

How stupid would you think a designer of a baseball field was if he painted third base in a road or parking lot? Or had a road going across the outfield? Come on!

If a car will EVER drive on it during play, you shouldn't make it part of the disc golf course. Period, done, it's not open to voting.

[Paulie]

I don't think anyone is advocating putting tee pads on the interstate as the normal course of action.

[Almighty_Ed]

Let me clear this up. "Being hit by a car or hitting a car will not be an issue here". Unless you rode a short bus or wore a helmet to school, you should have no trouble avoiding the traffic at this place. If you see a car, step back. It's that simple.

I asked the question just to see how people feel about not having an actual, dedicated to disc golf only, tee pad.

One more question about this. Instead of painting a 5x12 "box", what about just painting the forward end or putting just corner markers and the hole number on the road?

[denny ritner]

DON'T DO IT.

Have you ever been hit and run over or dragged by a slow, occasional car? It hurts. A lot.

There are never any teenagers or drunks in your area who drive faster than they should on that road?

Notice how people here are already saying "It's OK because I've seen something like it elsewhere"? Next, someone will put tee pads on a road with not-so-slow and more frequent cars. They'll say "It's OK, Ive seen something like that at your course".

How stupid would you think a designer of a baseball field was if he painted third base in a road or parking lot? Or had a road going across the outfield? Come on!

If a car will EVER drive on it during play, you shouldn't make it part of the disc golf course. Period, done, it's not open to voting.

i agree with steve. the downsides of this practice could be big. if you want cement tee pads, then find a way to finance them, whether that be public money, sponsorship, or greens fees, otherwise keep throwing from the grass.

[jobwilson]

I have been to the park and played the course. There is no traffic that comes through this small park. It doesn't have a road passing through that cars use to get from one road to another. The park road is contained within the park. Also, you have to realize that this course is in a really small town with a small group of players playing it.

I think Ed has made it clear that tee-pads are in the future plans. Until those pads are in, use the road. It's not going to be an issue at all.

[Fleshgordon]

its crazy how carried away things get around here.
Dont paint anything, throw from where ever you like.

All these dazzling urbanites may have no idea what its like to not see a car for hours at a time.
Probably can see them coming and going, and if you get hit by one you deserve it.

[jobwilson]

its crazy how carried away things get around here.
Dont paint anything, throw from where ever you like.

All these dazzling urbanites may have no idea what its like to not see a car for hours at a time.
Probably can see them coming and going, and if you get hit by one you deserve it.

I agree with everything except the part about painting. If the park will give you permission, I say paint two 90' angles on the front area that you wish to be the end of your tee-pad.

[tmahan]

Given the circumstances you described, it may be workable as a temporary solution depending on the location of the road tees and DG's relationship with the park management. Any road tees should be located where there is at least 100 yards of visibility in both directions, both from the golfer's point of view and the driver. Then I'd mark them with those little red wire flags and pitch them to park management. Mention that you're trying to avoid injury teeing off from a mud pit, tearing up the park landscape, and that they're temporary until proper tees can be installed. Emphasize that you've located them where there is ample visibility and see if they go for it.

I realized there is a school of thought that says it's better to ask forgiveness than permission but imo it's better in the long run for golfers to foster a good relationship with park management.

[Almighty_Ed]

I realized there is a school of thought that says it's better to ask forgiveness than permission but imo it's better in the long run for golfers to foster a good relationship with park management.

We have a pretty good relationship with the park management. We've also expanded the usable park grounds by around 4 acres by clearing/cleaning up a bottoms area that had never been usable or even accessible until disc golf. So we have that on our side as well.

[bjreagh]

I have played many courses where a road was a tee box. Flyboy and Camp Cullom come to mind.

How about just putting down a couple of minis to mark the end of the box if painting is an issue?