View source for Disc golf in Estonia

{{short description|Overview of disc golf practiced in Estonia}}
{{Infobox sport overview
| boxwidth =
| title = Disc golf in Estonia
| image = Pirita disc golf 1.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_alt = <!-- alt text, which will be seen when hovering over the image -->
| caption = [[Basket (disc golf)|Basket]] at Maarjamäe kettagolfipark ([[:et:Maarjamäe kettagolfipark|:et]]), a beginner-friendly 10-hole course in [[Pirita]], outside [[Tallinn]]
| union = Estonian Disc Golf Association (EDGL)
| country =
| noncountry = <!-- other country this country represents -->
| teamlabel1 = <!-- overrides the "National team" label with custom label -->
| teamlabel2 = <!-- overrides the "Representative team" label with customer label -->
| repteam = <!-- overrides the representative team link, requires full wikitext syntax -->
| nickname = <!-- nicknames -->
| first =
| registered = 1201 (October 2021)<ref name="pdga-players">{{cite web |title=PDGA Player Search - Estonia |url=https://www.pdga.com/players?FirstName=&LastName=&PDGANum=&Status=Current&Gender=All&Class=All&MemberType=All&City=&StateProv=All&Country=EE&Country_1=All&UpdateDate= |website=Professional Disc Golf Association |accessdate=1 December 2020 |language=en |date=1 December 2020}}</ref>
| clubs =
| national_list = [[Estonian Open (disc golf)|Estonian Open]]
| club_list =
}}
[[Disc golf]] (in {{langx|et|discgolf}}<ref>{{cite web |title=EKI keelenõuanne |url=https://keeleabi.eki.ee/index.php?leht=4&act=2&vld=46 |website=[[Institute of the Estonian Language]] (Eesti Keele Instituut) |accessdate=18 June 2020 |language=et}}</ref>) is a popular sport in [[Estonia]], where it is played at the recreational, club, and international competition levels.<ref name="next-hub">{{cite web |title=Estonia - Next hub for disc golf in Europe? |url=https://www.discmania.net/blogs/discover/estonia-next-hub-for-disc-golf-in-europe |website=Discmania |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=3 September 2015}}</ref>
'''Disc golf in Estonia''' is governed by the Estonian Disc Golf Association (EDGL, in {{langx|et|Eesti Discgolfi Liit}}). Its mission is to promote disc golf as an exciting and accessible sport.<ref>{{cite web |title=ARENGUKAVA 2020 - 2024 |url=http://discgolfiliit.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Eesti-Discgolfi-Liidu-arengukava.pdf |website=Eesti Discgolfi Liidu |accessdate=18 June 2020 |language=et}}</ref>
== Popularity ==
Disc golf is the fastest growing sport in Estonia. It has enjoyed an exponential surge in popularity since the early 2010s,<ref name="wfdf">{{cite web |title=Estonia to host the WFDF 2019 World Team Disc Golf Championships |url=http://wfdf.org/news-media/news/press/2-official-communication/878-estonia-to-host-the-wfdf-2019-world-team-disc-golf-championships |website=World Flying Disc Federation |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=26 July 2018}}</ref> quickly making Estonia a hotbed of the sport, together with [[Disc golf in Finland|Finland]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisenhood |first1=Charlie |title=PDGA Fully Cancels 2020 National Tour; Pro Worlds Tentatively Rescheduled for September |url=https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2020/05/20/pdga-fully-cancels-2020-national-tour-pro-worlds-tentatively-rescheduled-for-september/ |website=Ultiworld Disc Golf |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=20 May 2020}}</ref> In the [[PDGA]]'s Year-End Demographic Report for 2019, Estonia had 930 active members, 135 courses, and organized 44 PDGA-sanctioned events.<ref name="pdga-year-2019">{{cite web |title=2019 PDGA Year End Demographic Report - Memberships, Courses, and Events |url=https://www.pdga.com/files/2019_pdga_year_end_demographics_-_final_2.0.pdf |website=Professional Disc Golf Association |accessdate=19 June 2020}}</ref> In June 2020, there were 864 active PDGA members and 628 expired memberships.<ref name="pdga-players"/>
The surge in disc golf popularity in Estonia is generally attributed to its close proximity to disc golf hubs around the [[Baltic Sea]], namely [[Disc golf in Finland|Finland]] and [[Sweden]]. Rene Mengel, Estonian disc golf pioneer and the country's main disc golf promoter, attributes the success of the sport to a large number of disc golf courses throughout the country, and to the fact that disc golf discs can be purchased from local retail stores in Estonia in addition to specialized online retailers, helping make the sport accessible.<ref name="next-hub"/>
== Courses ==
[[File:Hoiatussilt 'Märka lendavat taldrikut' Tartus, Tähtvere spordipargi taldrikugolfirajal, 3. juuli 2014.jpg|thumb|A sign at an Estonian disc golf course warning about flying discs]]
Approximately 2% of the world's disc golf courses are located in Estonia. Some of the most notable ones include Kõrvemaa, Jõulumäe, Alutaguse, Mäetaguse and Elva disc golf courses.
Most popular courses in Estonia are Männiku Wakepark, Tartu Roosi, Kurna, Coolbet Järve and Discland disc golf courses, of which 4 (excluding Tartu Roosi) are inside or in close proximity of Estonia's capital, Tallinn <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discgolfmetrix.com/?u=courses_top&orderby=NumScorecards&countrycode=EE&timespan=365|title = Metrix}}</ref>
In 2019, [[Tallinn]] was rated #4 on [[UDisc]]'s list of Top 5 Disc Golf Cities outside the United States.<ref name="udisc-top5">{{cite web |last1=Williamson |first1=Alex |title=Top 5 Disc Golf Cities — International: #4 Tallinn, Estonia |url=https://udisc.com/blog/post/top-5-disc-golf-cities-international-4-tallinn-estonia |website=Release Point - The UDisc Blog |accessdate=18 June 2020 |date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
As of May 2021 Estonia has 212 courses,<ref name="discgolfirajad">{{Cite web|url=https://discgolffanatic.com/estonias-disc-golf-in-numbers-2020/|title=Estonia's Disc Golf in Numbers (2020)|date=24 May 2021}}</ref> Estonia has the highest density of disc golf courses per square kilometer of any country, and the second-highest number of disc golf courses per capita, after [[Iceland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Disc Golf Courses in Estonia - Disc Golf Course Review |url=https://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?country=70&private=1&paytoplay=1 |website=www.dgcoursereview.com |accessdate=20 June 2020}}</ref>
Discgolfi Rajad is a disc golf course directory exclusive to Estonia. It allows players to filter courses by one of Estonia's 15 [[Counties of Estonia|counties]] ({{langx|et|maakond}}, plural ''{{lang|et|maakonnad}}'') and provides hole-by hole information in addition to maps.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discgolfirajad.ee/ |title=Home |website=discgolfirajad.ee}}</ref>
== Market ==
Disc Golf Metrix is a highly popular Estonian disc golf website. Between a third and half of its traffic originates from Estonia.<ref>{{cite web |title=discgolfmetrix.com Traffic Statistics |url=https://www.similarweb.com/website/discgolfmetrix.com |website=SimilarWeb |accessdate=20 June 2020 |language=en |date=20 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=discgolfmetrix.com Competitive Analysis, Marketing Mix and Traffic - Alexa |url=https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/discgolfmetrix.com |website=www.alexa.com |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=20 June 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622013753/https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/discgolfmetrix.com |url-status=dead }}</ref> It facilitates tournament management and allows players to keep track of their progress. In February 2020, the [[Fédération Française de Flying Disc|FFFD]] selected Disc Golf Metrix as its tournament management solution for the 2020 National Tour, the most prestigious tournament in France.<ref>{{cite web |title=France Disc Golf |url=https://www.facebook.com/FranceDiscGolf/photos/a.301801306837670/1057150637969396/ |website=www.facebook.com |accessdate=20 June 2020 |language=en |date=6 February 2020}}</ref>
=== Manufacturers ===
{{See also|List of disc golf brands and manufacturers}}
Founded in 2017, Disctroyer is Estonia's first and only manufacturer of PDGA approved discs.<ref>{{cite web |title=DISCTROYER {{!}} Estonian first disc golf company start up story |url=https://www.disctroyer.com/copy-of-lugu-eng |website=DISCTROYER |accessdate=18 June 2020}}</ref> Trindem OÜ manufactures the Discrait [[basket (disc golf)|basket]], which was certified by the PDGA at the Championship level in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Target Your Championship Course With Discrait |url=https://www.pdga.com/announcements/target-your-championship-course-discrait |website=Professional Disc Golf Association |accessdate=18 June 2020 |language=en |date=4 April 2017}}</ref>
=== Tourism ===
[[File:Keila, sport 09.JPG|thumb|Disc golfer putting in [[Keila]]]]
Estonia is a popular destination among Finnish disc golf enthusiasts.<ref name="next-hub"/> Disc golf courses are marketed on Estonia's official tourist information website, and they are available as a map layer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mäetaguse Disc golf, Estonia |url=https://www.visitestonia.com/en/maetaguse-disc-golf |website=Visitestonia.com |accessdate=18 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Map of Estonia |url=https://www.visitestonia.com/en/map-of-estonia |website=Visitestonia.com |accessdate=18 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
== Mass media ==
=== YouTube channels ===
* Eesti Discgolfiliit - 2,040 subscribers and 102,699 views <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpKl8veTfjnXk8NVveL25A/ | title=Eesti Discgolfi Liit - YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
*Margiti Discgolfikanal - 2,270 subscribers and 686,005 views <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/user/nellatella/ | title=Discgolfi Kanal - YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
*Albert Tamm - 2,370 subscribers and 42,910 views <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/c/AlbertTamm | title=Albert Tamm - YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
*DiscSport Europe - 1,890 subscribers and 187,737 views<ref>{{cite web |title=DiscSport Europe |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7AgwowgE5Gi38eAgAxGxqw/featured |website=YouTube |accessdate=17 June 2020 |language=et}}</ref>
* DiscFish - 640 subscribers and 154,835 views<ref>{{cite web |title=DiscFish |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCINpc6q633pcKnF6BE6cMsw/featured |website=YouTube |accessdate=17 June 2020 |language=et}}</ref>
== Competitions ==
[[File:Avavise.jpg|thumb|Disc golfer teeing off]]
* [[Estonian Open (disc golf)|Estonian Open]] – A-tier PDGA event<ref>{{cite web |title=Basic Facts |url=http://estonianopen.skoorin.com/ |website=Estonian Open 2020 |accessdate=20 June 2020}}</ref>
* Innova Baltic Tour Pärnu Open<ref name="baltic-tour">{{cite web |title=Innova Baltic Tour {{!}} About |url=https://innovabaltictour.eu/tour/about |website=Innova Baltic Tour |accessdate=20 June 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
* Baltic Disc Golf Championships Alutaguse Open<ref name="baltic-tour"/>
* [[World Flying Disc Federation|WFDF]] 2019 World Team Disc Golf Championships<ref name="wfdf"/>
== Notable Estonian disc golfers ==
Notable disc golfers include Albert Tamm, Silver Lätt, and Estonia's top women's disc golfer [[Kristin Tattar]], who was the first European to win the US Open, and the number 1 ranked female in the world as of May 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ruus |first1=Kaspar |title=Võimas! Kristin Tattar võidutses discgolfi USA lahtistel meistrivõistlustel |url=https://sport.delfi.ee/news/varia/muu/voimas-kristin-tattar-voidutses-discgolfi-usa-lahtistel-meistrivoistlustel?id=87507529 |website=DELFISPORT |accessdate=20 June 2020 |language=et |date=22 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Roosna |first1=Märt |title=Kettataltsutaja inspireeriv edulugu. Nelja aastaga nullist maailma parimate sekka |url=https://sport.delfi.ee/news/varia/muu/kettataltsutaja-inspireeriv-edulugu-nelja-aastaga-nullist-maailma-parimate-sekka?id=84116824 |website=DELFISPORT |language=et |date=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=UDisc Staff |title=Do Ratings Take A Dive In Estonia? |url=https://udisc.com/blog/post/do-ratings-take-a-dive-in-estonia |website=Release Point - The UDisc Blog |accessdate=20 June 2020 |date=26 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kristin Tattar |url=https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/player/5187/kristin-tattar/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Ultiworld Disc Golf}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Disc golf in Finland]]
* [[Disc golf in the United States]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://discgolfiliit.ee/ Eesti Discgolfi Liit], Estonian Disc Golf Association (EDGL)
* [https://www.discgolfirajad.ee/ Discgolfi Rajad], Estonian disc golf course directory
* [https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer?mid=1jcxKH-I50c5s4i4lGjBK3xxsM8I Eesti discgolfi rajad], Disc golf courses in Estonia on [[Google Maps]]
* [https://et-ee.facebook.com/pg/DiscGolfEestis/posts/ DiscGolfEestis], Facebook profile
{{World topic |title=Disc golf by country |prefix=Disc golf in |state=expanded |noredlinks=1}}
{{Disc golf|state=expanded}}
[[Category:Sport in Estonia by sport]]
[[Category:Disc golf by country|Estonia]]
[[Category:Outdoor recreation in Estonia]]