My First Missoula Folf Experience

Do you like hiking, drinking beer and throwing things? If so, then I’m pretty sure you’ll like playing folf.

Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of great things about folf — short for Frisbee golf — but I always thought it was a bit too “granola” for my liking. Boy, was I wrong.

I finally had the pleasure of taking in my very first folf experience this week at the Blue Mountain course located just a few miles west of town — which, I’m told by Missoula folfing experts, is one of the most beautiful courses around. After playing a round of 18 holes, I think I can also safely say that it is one of the hilliest.

When I agreed to join a couple of friends for an evening folf game, I expected a leisurely stroll through a small, fairly flat course. What I got was a long, sweaty hike through thick brush and near-vertical rocky slopes. And since I’m not the most accurate Frisbee thrower, I logged a lot of extra distance searching for my disc.

Still, it was a surprisingly enjoyable way to spend some quality time in the great outdoors while getting in a quality cardio workout. Plus, I met tons of cool people (most of whom made the rounds while gripping a beer can in one hand).

When I finished the course, I couldn’t believe how long I had been missing out on one of Missoula’s best summertime activities. With courses at Patty Canyon, Montana Snowbowl and Echo Valley in Frenchtown, there is plenty of variety to satisfy the local folf crowd.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and play while you can — before you know it, summer will be over and everything will be covered in snow again.

Brooke is a 2010 graduate of The University of Montana, where she ran track and cross country for the Grizzlies. She is currently working as a writer and editor in Missoula.