Trying a new sport often comes with a price tag, but a local disc golf player is working to make sure cost isn’t what keeps people off the course at Daviess County parks.
Dee Wardsky, a member of the local disc golf community, has received approval from the Daviess County Parks Department to install starter disc boxes at Yellow Creek Park and Panther Creek Park. The boxes will allow park visitors to borrow discs for free, giving newcomers an easy way to try the sport without spending a dime.
“We hope it’s a great gateway for people to try out a sport without having to invest any actual money,” Wardsky said. “The sport is very accessible for everyone, and having zero green fees, like traditional golf, allows for a low barrier of entry.”
Each box is designed to hold about 25 discs. Wardsky is jumpstarting the effort by donating 50 discs from his personal collection, and he expects the local disc golf community — known for maintaining and “self-policing” the courses — to help keep the boxes stocked.
The concept was inspired by the “Little Free Library” movement. After building a small library at his home to distribute books, Wardsky realized the same concept could work for disc golf equipment.
Disc golf can be surprisingly technical for beginners. Discs are labeled with “flight numbers” that describe speed, glide, turn, and fade — details that can be confusing for someone just starting out.
“People who are new to the sport likely don’t have any idea what those little numbers mean,” Wardsky said. “At retail, discs usually run from $10 to $25 each. A disc such as a ‘Felon’ would never fly straight for a new player. This box allows all skill levels to try different types of discs without making the investment.”
Wardsky took up disc golf in October 2022 after a friend invited her to play at Yellow Creek Park. Now over age 50, she said the sport has become an important part of her fitness routine, providing more than two miles of walking per round, fresh air, and a strong sense of community.
Wardsky hopes to eventually expand the program to Whitesville, Vastwood, and Ohio County. Those interested in supporting the project are encouraged to leave spare beginner-friendly discs in the boxes once they are installed. Larger donations can be coordinated by contacting Wardsky via email.
Wardsky also thanked Daviess County Parks for keeping local courses free and accessible, and encouraged players who want to purchase their own equipment to support local business at Creed Disc Golf inside the T&T Vendor’s Mall.
“We want people to fall in love with the sport,” Wardsky said. “Eliminating the cost of entry is a huge boost.”
