The sport of disc golf has grown, and is still growing, at an astounding rate. Despite all of disc golf’s positive qualities, it is deceivingly harmful to the natural ecology of the area in which it is played. Because of the sport’s increasing popularity and negative ecological impacts, it is important to know whether the benefits of disc golf courses are worth the cost. Moreover, because there are mitigation techniques available to offset the negative impacts of disc golf, it would also be meaningful to know whether players would be willing to pay, and how much, to help fund mitigation costs. Using non-market valuation survey techniques such as contingent valuation and contingent behavior analysis, this study examines: (1) players’ recreational demand for disc golf at Richmond Hill Disc Golf Course in Asheville, NC, and (2) their willingness to pay (WTP) to maintain the park. Results of this study indicate that there is a high demand for disc golf recreation at Richmond Hill, players value course maintenance positively, and are willing to change their behavior to offset negative impacts. The data collected from this study provides useful information for making decisions surrounding proposed and existing disc golf courses.
