May 2026 • Nebraskaland 35
Grant Gartner and son Eli play
on the well-manicured course at
Windmill State Recreation Area.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
A SPORT FOR ALL
Much of the sport's popularity is attributed to its
accessibility.
"It's an easy outdoor activity that anybody can go out
and do. It's a good excuse to go for a walk and meet up with
people," Rodiek said.
Baskets have sprung up in city parks across the world,
and the equipment to play is inexpensive. A set of six discs,
including driver, putter and mid-range options, can be had
for under $25.
"It can be really affordable, but like any hobby you can
make it more costly and buy hundreds of discs," said Rodiek,
who carries 12-15 discs when playing in tournaments. "You
don't have to do that. You can pick up just one and go out
and play."
When finding places to play, disc golfers refer to UDisc.com
with its interactive map, detailed descriptions and player
reviews about courses throughout the world — including
information regarding a top-notch experience in Lincoln.
AN ELITE COURSE
For what could be called an elite experience for the sport,
players flock to the Beal Slough Disc Golf Course in Lincoln,
a rarity with its green fees.
The $5 helps maintain the course, solely dedicated to disc
golf capitalizing on the woody, hilly terrain of the 47-acre
Beal Slough Greenway, an important part of the city's
drainage system.
Development of the course was spearheaded by James
Fleege and fellow members of the Lincoln Flying Disc Club,
a non-profit organization that helps manage all of the
courses in the capital city.
UDisc rankings have put it at the top of the state's
offerings, and as high as 70th in the world. Fleege said
about 50,000 rounds are played at the course each year with
people from almost every state.
"We regularly get visitors traveling in for the weekend,"
he said. "Trips from Kansas City, Des Moines, Colorado,
stuff like that, just specifically to play this course, which
is very cool."
High praise from those who play the game is appreciated,
but a lofty ranking on UDisc isn't the primary goal when
constructing disc golf courses in places such as state park
and recreation areas, Rodiek said.
"When putting them in state parks, you have to avoid the
fishermen, campers, cabins, trail rides, and all sorts of things,"
he said. "We're installing them for a family-friendly park
activity that people can do when they're staying at the park."
Temporary baskets introduce the sport to attendees of the annual
Outdoor Discovery Program at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
