Frisbee is a game for towheaded surfer dudes and dogs that wear bandannas around their necks. It’s in the same category as Hacky Sack. A no-brainer game for beachgoers. A way for college kids to skip class and enjoy some sunshine. So what are three kids from Norristown doing tossing their plastic playthings in the snow, miles and tens of Fahrenheit degrees from the nearest beach? When questioned they admit they almost didn’t come out today, but they are disc golfers and disc golfers can often be a diehard bunch.

"We play year-round," boasts John Di Sciascio over the phone from his South Philly home. Di Sciascio (known to his golfing buddies as "Stash") is in charge of public relations for the Friends of Sedgley Woods, an organization made up of Fairmount Park disc golf enthusiasts. But what exactly is disc golf? Do you hit a Frisbee with a club? "I call it poor man’s golf," explains Di Sciascio. "It’s a lot like regular golf, but a little less uptight."

Imagine a course similar to a regular "ball golf" course, only somewhat shorter and with more obstacles. Players toss their discs through brush and trees, uphill, downhill and over water into specially designed metal baskets. There are no dress codes, greens fees or clubhouses. There are no carts or caddies.

In place of the usual golfer’s bag, a disc golfer carries a duffel bag arsenal. Discs (the non-trademarked term for a Frisbee), come in various weights and sizes. The variations change the distance and stability of flight. A seasoned golfer carries discs for driving, approaching the basket and putting. It’s always good to have a few of each, because just like golf balls, golf discs get lost easily. To play like a pro, you could spend 30 or 40 bucks on discs, but beginners can make do with the dog-chewed Frisbee in their garage.

The friendly nature of disc golf is something that Di Sciascio stresses every chance he gets. "It brings all kinds of people together from all walks of life — men, women, teenagers, people in their 40s." His organization was formed in the late ’70s by a group of Frisbee lovers. They established the first course on the East Coast in Fairmount Park. It remains the second oldest disc golf course in the world. Since the group’s earliest incarnation as the Philadelphia Frisbee Club, the Friends have been careful to maintain a balance between serious competition and laid-back recreation. "The game is a fun way to get some exercise, that’s the first thing," says Di Sciascio. He directs me to club member Phil Ross’ "five rules of disc golf" for further clarification. Rule number one is to have fun. Rule number three refers you to rule number one. There are other rules like "let the disc do the work," or the all-important "throw the disc in the basket." Number five is a variation on the golden rule: "Respect the course and others."

In 1992 some golfers must have missed that fifth rule. Maybe they never got past rule number three; caught in a loop, they just kept referring back to rule number one. For whatever reason, their idea of fun involved taking 10 of Sedgley’s golf baskets home with them. The theft galvanized the Philadelphia disc golf community. Course patrons donated a lot of time and money to restoring Sedgley. Some shelled out around 350 bucks and bought an entire basket themselves. Now almost a decade later, the club is thriving. Almost 200 golfers pitch in to maintain and further develop the course.

According to Di Sciascio, golfers come from all over the world to visit Sedgley. "Disc golf is really getting big in Japan," he says. A little digging on the Web turns up 34 courses in the land of the rising sun. Sweden has ’em beat with 47. Even Guam has a course. "Anyone who likes to throw a Frisbee will like this sport," Di Sciascio assures me. But you’re not limited to just throwing your disc. In addition to the standard backhand beach toss, you can forehand it, sidearm it, chuck it over your head or even roll it. No word on what method the Japanese prefer.

Just like the variation in the type of discs, different rolls and throws have their own unique advantages. Low-hanging branches may be avoided with some strategic bowling. Downed trees can be cleared with a light toss. You might even get help with your technique by talking to Sedgley’s course pro Barry Noakes. After spending some time perfecting your game, there are tournaments to be played, prize money to win, private courses to play and groupies. Well, maybe not groupies.

No matter how popular or glamorous the sport gets, disc golf will remain a sport for the average Joe. Sure, there have been big tournaments with local radio coverage. Yes, there have been events that drew 5,000 spectators. It’s true, there’s even a video game. But on an unseasonably cold day in April, Sedgley is occupied by one lone threesome. They lose their discs in the snow, bounce shots off trees and slosh across greens that resemble small lakes. One of them throws hard and takes a nasty spill in the mud. There won’t be any product endorsements for that guy, but he’s having fun, and according to Phil Ross, that’s rule number one.

Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course is a free public course located on Oxford Street in East Fairmount Park. Visit www.sedgleywoods.org for more information and detailed directions.

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