How to build a disc golf course - Part 1

Hello Friends,

For a few years now I’ve been sure I would build a disc golf course. But over the last year or so I’ve started to action on it. As one of my best friends says, “Make it happen”.

So what do I need to do and what have I done?

1. Register an LLC - Check: Wheels Up, LLC

2. Create a website - Check: Wheelsupdg.com - Now enabled for payments!

3. Buy land - working on it and will share some of my learnings in this post

4. Design, build, and maintain a course

5. Enjoy!

So far I’ve seen 7 properties. Made 1 offer - unsuccessfully - and have another property that I’m waiting out but plan to offer on in the spring. Once I have the land there will also be some paperwork items needed - insurance, possibly zoning variance requests, etc.

What I’ve found while looking at properties:

• Most pro disc golf courses have an average of an acre or more per hole, so I expect to need a 20 acre lot or more.

• Dry enough to be safe and have places to install the teepads and baskets

• Can’t have too many trees where it’d be difficult to get DNR approval to make fairways

• Neighborhood needs to be the right vibe - death shack next door (did tour one of those) or other houses too close (for their sake)

Preferred:

• Some elevation changes, trees, or unique topography but still fairway friendly

• Ideally a paved road vs gravel and I won’t mess with easement roads or paths

• Possible for other monetization plans - good land for renting as camping or hunting ground (will talk about more in a future post).

For me, I don’t have heavy equipment so I’m looking for a place where the ground cover of the property is workable. Many of the properties in the price range I’m looking for are neglected and undeveloped. The undeveloped (raw) land doesn’t bother me but ideally it’d be knee high brush or lower and trees are fine if not constrictive. Grazing land is something I’ve had my eye out for since it is comfortably trampled but usually has some trees around.

Little creek running through your land in a tough spot to yield crop around it? Too close to busy roads or too wooded to easily build on? Downsizing your herd of cattle and need less grazing land?

Maybe you’ve got land you should consider putting a disc golf course on too - or email wheelsupdg@gmail.com if you have 20+ acres like that in MN.

Wheels Up!

P.S. Will be slowing down on posting new T-Shirt designs but will be doing a what's in my bag for disc golf post and attempting the tough task of making a top 5 games list post.