"Anyone Can Enjoy After Just 30 Minutes of Learning"—International Disc Golf Tournament Lands in Korea

An international disc golf tournament, which can be played as an official match after just 30 minutes of practice, was held in Korea for the first time, drawing significant attention. The sport is easy to learn and affordable, making it a popular eco-friendly activity for all ages, from young people to seniors, and is gaining recognition as a family-friendly sport.
Crown Confectionery announced on the 29th that it successfully hosted the 1st Yangju Art Valley Disc Golf Championship at the Yangju Art Valley Disc Golf Course in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province over two days, from the 25th to the 26th.
■ Fierce Competition Among Athletes from Eight Countries
This was the first official tournament since the completion of the Yangju Art Valley Disc Golf Course and was conducted under the official rules of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). While disc golf has already gained explosive popularity in the United States and Europe, this international open tournament was organized to help popularize the sport in Korea, where it is still relatively unknown.
A total of 105 professional and amateur players from eight countries, including Korea, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, and Taiwan, participated. The professional competition, held on the 25th and played over two rounds of 18 holes, featured 50 players competing in men's and women's divisions. After a close contest, Manabu Kajiyama of Japan claimed the men's title with a score of -20, while Su Meiyang of Taiwan won the women's division with a score of -3.
The amateur division, which was held in five categories, also determined winners in each group through two rounds of 18 holes.
■ Next-Generation Sport in Harmony with Nature
Disc golf follows the same rules as traditional golf but is played with a disc (frisbee) instead of a ball. With simple equipment and clear rules, it is considered an eco-friendly sport accessible to everyone. In particular, courses can be created with minimal artificial construction by utilizing the natural terrain, making it a 'green sport' that can be enjoyed without environmental damage.
The Yangju Art Valley Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole course that preserves the natural landscape of the mountainside. Gentle slopes, forest trails, and sections near valleys add variety and excitement to the game.
Currently, over 12 million people play disc golf in the United States, and more than 10,000 dedicated courses have been established in parks, campuses, and walking trails across the country, making it a mainstream sport.
Disc golf is played by throwing a disc from a tee pad toward a target basket. The number of throws per hole is counted as strokes, and the player with the lowest total score wins, just like in traditional golf. Players must strategically use natural elements such as wind, trees, and terrain, and depending on the course difficulty, various discs—including drivers for long distances, mid-range discs, and putters for short throws—are used.
One of the sport's biggest advantages is its accessibility for all ages. With simple equipment and short game times, disc golf offers a low-cost, easy-to-approach sporting experience.
■ Anticipation for Domestic Infrastructure Expansion
In Korea, the Korea Flying Disc Association is actively working to train instructors, establish game regulations, and expand courses. Recently, the construction of dedicated disc golf courses by private companies has contributed to the gradual expansion of the sport’s infrastructure.
A representative from Crown Confectionery stated, "We hope disc golf, a sport that anyone can enjoy in nature, will become a mainstream sport in Korea. We look forward to seeing more people visit and enjoy the Yangju Disc Golf Course."