North Valley Park: The Hidden Gem of Disc Golf in Minnesota

North Valley Park Disc Golf: A Guide for Beginners and Pros

Disc golf is a fun and exciting sport that anyone can enjoy. It involves throwing a plastic disc into a metal basket on a specially designed course. The goal is to complete each hole in as few throws as possible. Disc golf is easy to learn, but challenging to master. It offers a great way to exercise, relax, and have fun with friends and family.

north valley park disc golf

If you are looking for a place to play disc golf in Minnesota, you should check out North Valley Park in Inver Grove Heights. This park features an 18-hole disc golf course that is open year-round. The course is suitable for players of all skill levels, from beginners to pros. It has a variety of terrain, elevation, and obstacles that make each hole interesting and unique.

In this article, we will give you a guide on how to play disc golf at North Valley Park. We will cover what you need, how to throw, how to score, and why you should visit this course. Whether you are new to disc golf or an experienced player, we hope this article will help you enjoy this sport more.

How to Play Disc Golf at North Valley Park

Before you head out to the course, you need to prepare some things. Here are some essentials that you need for playing disc golf at North Valley Park.

What You Need

Discs

The most important thing you need for disc golf is, of course, discs. Discs come in different shapes, sizes, weights, and colors. They also have different flight characteristics that affect how they fly in the air. Some discs are easier to throw than others, depending on your skill level and throwing style. Generally, there are three types of discs: drivers, midranges, and putters. Drivers are designed for long-distance shots, midranges are for intermediate shots, and putters are for short shots and putting.

If you are a beginner, we recommend you to start with a few basic discs that are easy to control and fly straight. Some examples are the Innova Aviar (putter), the Discraft Buzzz (midrange), and the Innova Leopard (driver). You can buy these discs online or at local sporting goods stores. You can also rent discs at the park office for a small fee.

If you are a pro, you probably have your own set of discs that suit your preferences and style. You can bring your own discs to the course and enjoy the challenge of each hole. You can also try out new discs or buy more discs at the park office or nearby disc golf shops.

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Shoes

Another thing you need for disc golf is proper shoes. Shoes are important because they affect your comfort, stability, and performance on the course. You will be walking, running, and throwing on different surfaces, such as grass, dirt, gravel, sand, and concrete. You will also encounter some hazards, such as rocks, roots, water, and mud. Therefore, you need shoes that are durable, comfortable, and supportive.

We recommend you to wear shoes that are designed for hiking, trail running, or disc golf. These shoes have features that make them ideal for disc golf, such as rubber soles, toe caps, waterproof materials, and breathable fabrics. Some examples are the Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX (hiking), the Salomon Speedcross 5 (trail running), and the Keen Targhee III (disc golf). You can find these shoes online or at local outdoor stores.

Accessories

Besides discs and shoes, there are some accessories that can make your disc golf experience more enjoyable and convenient. These accessories are not essential, but they can be useful for certain situations and conditions. Here are some accessories that you might want to consider:

- A disc golf bag: This is a bag that can hold your discs and other items, such as water bottles, snacks, towels, sunscreen, etc. A disc golf bag can help you organize your discs and carry them easily on the course. Some bags have straps that allow you to wear them like a backpack or a sling. Some examples are the Dynamic Discs Trooper Backpack (holds up to 18 discs), the Innova Standard Bag (holds up to 12 discs), and the Prodigy BP-3 V3 (holds up to 17 discs). You can buy these bags online or at local disc golf shops. - A mini marker disc: This is a small disc that you use to mark your lie on the course. A lie is the spot where your disc lands after each throw. You place the mini marker disc on the ground in front of your disc and pick up your disc. Then you throw from behind the mini marker disc. This helps you keep track of your position and follow the rules of disc golf. You can use any small disc as a mini marker disc, such as a bottle cap or a poker chip. You can also buy official mini marker discs online or at local disc golf shops. - A towel: This is a cloth that you use to wipe off your discs and hands when they get dirty or wet. A towel can help you keep your discs clean and dry, which can improve your grip and flight. It can also help you keep your hands warm and comfortable in cold weather. You can use any towel that is soft and absorbent, such as a microfiber towel or a cotton towel. You can also buy special towels that are designed for disc golf online or at local disc golf shops. How to Throw

Now that you have everything you need for disc golf, it's time to learn how to throw. Throwing is the most fundamental skill in disc golf. It involves holding the disc in your hand and releasing it with force and direction towards the basket. There are many factors that affect how your disc flies in the air, such as wind, speed, angle, spin, etc. To throw well, you need to master three aspects of throwing: grip, stance, and technique.

Grip

The grip is how you hold the disc in your hand. The grip affects how much control and power you have over the disc. There are different ways to grip the disc depending on the type of shot you want to make. Here are some common grips that you can try:

- The power grip: This is a grip that is used for long-distance shots with drivers. To do this grip, you wrap your four fingers around the rim of the disc and tuck your thumb on top of the flight plate. You squeeze the disc firmly and keep your wrist straight. This grip gives you maximum power and stability, but less accuracy and finesse. - The fan grip: This is a grip that is used for shorter shots with midranges and putters. To do this grip, you spread your four fingers on the underside of the disc and rest your thumb on top of the flight plate. You hold the disc lightly and keep your wrist relaxed. This grip gives you more accuracy and touch, but less power and distance. - The forehand grip: This is a grip that is used for sidearm or flick shots with any type of disc. To do this grip, you place your index and middle fingers on the inside rim of the disc and your thumb on the outside rim. You curl your ring and pinky fingers into your palm and hold the disc firmly. You rotate your wrist and arm to throw the disc sideways. This grip gives you a different angle and spin on the disc, which can be useful for certain situations. Stance

The stance is how you position your feet and body before you throw. The stance affects how much balance and leverage you have over the disc. There are different ways to stand depending on the type of shot you want to make. Here are some common stances that you can try:

- The standstill stance: This is a stance that is used for short or precise shots with any type of disc. To do this stance, you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and