I’ve never been the sporting sort, but your SF Agenda editor must admit that he’s taken a fancy to the occasional round of disc golf on the impressive free course in Golden Gate Park.

I used to say that the only golf course you’d find me on was the kind with a windmill and an 18th Hole clown face eager to swallow your balls. Now, while I cannot vouch for any ball swallowage, I can say that you’re likely to find some of the friendliest, most laid-back scruffy hipster dudes hanging out at the disc golf tees waiting to whiz their plastic platters at the chain basket targets placed throughout a stretch of heavily wooded terrain. They often bring refreshments—quaffable and smokeable—as should you. And bring enough to share. It helps take the competitive edge off of a sportsman’s afternoon, turning it into quite a nice, casual social event where you’ll find yourself chatting with folks you might otherwise never cross paths with.

Now, don’t be mistaken. To many, this is a serious sport as well as a pastime, but there’s a leisurely collegiality to the scene that makes it feel entirely reasonable for the spazzes of the world (yours truly) to seek some more expert advice on throwing skills from the more advanced players.

One preparatory note: While disc golf doesn’t require greens fees or caddy tips, you ought to have a minimal amount of proper equipment. Large Frisbees of the sort you might throw on the beach don’t offer the kind of control you need here, so pick up a basic mid-range golf disc, available for $10 or less.