Frisbees: a Dog's Toy or a Human's?

 

Kamir with her frisbee at the HB Disc Golf Course, Photo:E.Ozlen

            So after two great weekends of venturing around Orange County with Kamir, I realized the first two weeks both venues were completely dog friendly.  Both Huntington Dog Beach and Park Bench Café had all accommodations, expecting the dogs to visit.  This weekend was different.  I am an active person who loves sports and competing, so I thought what could I enjoy with some friends that would also be fun for the dog?  I thought, it doesn’t have to be a “dog place” per se, just a place that I like, that Kamir could tag along, knowing that she is usually happy just being in our company.  A light bulb went off in my head, leading a car full of friends and one dog, to the Huntington Beach Disc Golf Course.

            Disc golf, or “Frisbee golf,” is a sport that has grown tremendously over the past decade, and the course in Huntington Beach is the second oldest in the world!  I am no veteran to the pastime, but its inviting atmosphere makes anyone feel comfortable trying it.  There are no dress codes or expensive equipment such as traditional golf courses require, and could you imagine bringing a dog along to a country club, trekking over the manicured grounds?  I think not.  That is another plus that makes this place so special.  Dogs are welcomed to join their owners on a day of disc golf.

A local disc golfer practicing, Photo :E. Ozlen

            At the welcome shack, you can rent or buy discs, and a couple of dollars gets you all the frisbee throwing you can handle, sun up to sundown.  I asked the old man working if dogs are ok and if they had to be on leashes, he said, “Don’t worry about a leash if you can control your dog, just bring baggies with you and help keep our course clean.”  By the way, they didn’t have dog treats for sale, but a plethora of candy bars and Gatorade.

            We made our way to hole one of eighteen, with no commitment to play the entire course, which could take up half of your day just like traditional golf.  Kamir was already in full on explore mode, sniffing away, unsure of where the journey would take us.  After my friend’s odd body-twisting windup and sudden extravagant heave of a frisbee, Kamir was spooked and didn’t know what we were aiming at.  She doesn’t play fetch but after all of us threw our discs she knew there was nothing to worry about.

            As we headed towards the second hole while walking down a wooden staircase, I realized the sheer size of the course, which is part of the city’s Central Park.  It spans over a lush upper grassy area, with towering trees serving as shade and obstacles to throw past, as well as the lower levels that are mostly dryer land with hard-packed dirt.  The huge park is a perfect place to bring a dog with endless pathways for one to follow their nose.

            I could see other dogs playing near a swing set in the distance, and as we made our way to the next hole, Huntington Lake was within our eyesight.  The lake is beautiful and makes a mini hike with an occasional throw, pleasant as it provides a year-round breeze.

Kamir at Lake Huntington near hole 4, Photo: E.Ozlen

            As you walk the course you should be aware of flying discs, and just as in traditional golf, it is customary to yell “fore” as you make your throw.  While walking along you will hear the rattle of a frisbee hitting its target, a chain-linked basket, usually followed by cheers and applause by the golfer and their friends.  

            As we made our way further through the course, several friendly locals were resting on park benches between holes eager to say hi to Kamir and make small talk about her age, breed, among other things.  I’m not sure if the park technically allows the consumption of alcohol, but there is some unwritten rule of the tolerance of drinking in public and the smell of “funny cigarettes” in the air was also evident.  All of the parks golfers were extremely friendly and harmless, an example of the easy-going Huntington Beach vibe.

HB Central Park's disc golf course resting area, Photo: E.Ozlen

A local showing off his collection of discs, Photo: E.Ozlen

            The walk from hole to hole is an adventure in itself, as you will pass ducks, swans, seagulls, squirrels, and a beautiful natural landscape.  As you make your way back to the upper level of the course, besides the wild animals you can see the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center, which has riding trails alongside some of the disc golf target baskets.    I spoke to two women riding horses that are kept there who said they “Enjoy watching disc golfers while they are on their rides, and are happy to see people enjoying the park just as they are.”  I asked how their horses felt about dogs and one lady replied, “My horse loves dogs, her’s is scared of them.”  I think this was Kamir’s first time in her life seeing a horse, and she definitely seemed reserved as she cautiously kept her distance.

Horses from the HB Equestrian Center walk along the disc golf course, Photo:E.Ozlen

          Huntington Beach Disc Golf Course is a local gem, and a historic relic, important to those who love the game most.  It offers fun with friends, four legs or two, on an amazing piece of land that feels like a natural oasis.  Dog toys and human toys aren’t much different, the course is a place we both enjoyed.

A damaged disc due to excessive chewing, Photo: E.Ozlen

Click Below for a review of HB Disc Golf Course

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=415&mode=rev

Click below for a link to the HB Equestrian Center
http://www.hcpec.com/hpr/hpr.html