Good decisions about disc golf need more than rough estimates. The English Disc Golf Association (EDGA) tracks verified course infrastructure, grassroots footfall, and physical activity data to support local clubs, municipal landowners, and our application for formal Sport England recognition.
2026 National Participation Floor
Data provided in partnership with UDisc, the disc golf app and course directory.
The figures below represent tracked digital activity recorded on English courses using UDisc. Because casual rounds played without scoring apps are excluded, these figures represent a conservative participation floor; true footfall across English parks is substantially higher.
1. Active Players & Recorded Footfall (2026 Year to Date)
- 47,818 Recorded Rounds: Up 3.6% year on year, reflecting consistent growth in regular play across England.
- 3,661 Unique Player Accounts: Up 8.3% year on year. The faster growth in unique players compared to total rounds confirms that disc golf is widening into a broader recreational pastime, drawing in new casual players.
2. Physical Activity & Public Health Footprint (Trailing 12 Months)
When working with local authorities and public bodies, EDGA focuses on health and active recreation. Disc golf operates much like hill-walking or hiking with a purpose, offering low-impact exercise in open green space:
- Over 200 Million Steps Tracked: Walked by players on English courses in the last 12 months.
- Over 90,000 Hours of Outdoor Recreation: Delivered across public parks, woodlands, and private facilities nationwide.
3. Course Network & Public Access
- 114 Standard Courses Nationwide: 59 permanent courses installed in the last five years alone.
- Over 30% in Municipal Public Parks: Freely accessible to local communities with zero green fees.
- National Public Woodland Partnership: 10 dedicated 9-hole family and beginner courses operated by Forestry England.
Upcoming Research & Further Releases
EDGA is currently working with UDisc on a comprehensive multi-year research report to be published later this autumn.
Upcoming releases will cover:
- Multi-Year Growth Curves (2018–2026): Evidencing sustained post-pandemic growth to support our formal recognition submission to Sport England.
- Municipal Pitch Benchmarks: Data packs designed specifically for grassroots clubs pitching local councils, showing typical course visitor numbers, step counts, and green-space activation.
- Regional & Course Mix Analysis: Regional course distribution across England and participation trends across 9-hole beginner layouts versus 18-hole championship courses.
Pitching a Local Council or Landowner?
Are you a club, parish, or local group seeking permission to install a new disc golf course on public land?
Do not rely on guesswork when speaking with council park officers. EDGA can provide verified regional footfall estimates, health metrics, and comparative course data to demonstrate how disc golf activates public open space safely and affordably.
Get in touch with our team to request evidence support for your local proposal.