Have you ever seen baskets like these and wondered what they are?

Disc golf basket at Bird Bay golf course in Venice, Fla. Photo by Maggie Clark

Not to worry, I didn’t know either. But after spending an afternoon playing disc golf with Venice resident Andy Clark, I learned they’re a key element to a game growing in popularity in the Sarasota region. As Clark often says, it’s the sport of the future.

Andy Clark, 27, enjoys disc golfing in Venice. Photo by Maggie Clark

The baskets are goal posts for disc golf, which is sometimes referred to as Frisbee golf. But, since Frisbee is technically a trademark, the community uses the generic term “disc golf”.

The game bears striking resemblance to regular golf (or “ball golf”, as disc golfers call it).  Golfers line up at the start line to each basket, and throw their disc a few hundred yards, just like ball golfers hit the golf ball in the direction of the hole.

Photo by Maggie Clark

Golfers then walk to their disc and throw it again, each time getting closer to the basket. There are different types of discs for different distances- putters for short distances, drivers for long ones.

Disc golf basket at Bird Bay golf course in Venice, Fla. Photo by Maggie Clark

If this sounds like fun to you, you’re not alone. There are loads of local places to play. In Venice, Pinebrook Park has a nine hole course and Bird Bay golf course has disc golf baskets at all 18 holes. For a small fee, you can either walk the course or drive a cart.

Photo by Maggie Clark

In Sarasota, Payne Park has a nine-hole course and both Lakeview Park and North Water Tower Park have 18-hole courses. They’re all free to use.

So grab your water bottle (it gets hot out there) and some discs and get to throwing. Bonus: disc golf is also kid-friendly.

Weston Clark, age 2, gets in on the action. Photos by Maggie Clark