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The other 18: Get ready to bogey at Ladera with disc golf
While there may be multiple disc golf options in the Duke City, there’s only one that can be found on a public golf course.
Officially established in 2020 at Ladera Golf Course — not to be confused with the Ladera (Old Dam) course — this is the only pay-to-play spot for disc golf in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Disc Golf Association (ADGA) worked in conjunction with Ladera director of golf Bill Harvey, the Ladera grounds crew and the city of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation on the design of the course.
“To get it installed, the key was to be playing in conjunction with golfers,” said ADGA president Sam Kent. “Typically, on disc golf courses, you don’t want a wide-open area. We do want some obstacles to go around.
“But the key thing was to make sure we could incorporate it and play with the actual golfers on the golf course. So it weighed heavily on the design of it. You’ll see that some holes on it are on fairways, and a lot of it is in the waste areas of the golf course where there’s more trees.”
The end result is a large, well-maintained course that plays alongside the executive nine of the traditional golf course at Ladera. According to the Ladera website, it measures just over 5,500 feet.
“It’s challenging. It’s long. It can be difficult at times, especially when the wind kicks up,” Kent said.
Kent’s personal favorite hole is No. 16, which includes what is known as a “double mando.” In disc golf, that means the disc must travel between two arrows (usually attached to obstacles) set up on the course. If the disc doesn’t travel between the arrows, the player is penalized.
“It’s the most challenging one there is out there,” Kent said. “So double mandatory (means) you have to make it in between these two massive trees that are on the fairway. If you miss it, then you obviously get a stroke (penalty).”
The course plays host to two annual tournaments — one in May and another in November. According to Kent, the spring event attracts around 60 participants and lasts two days, while the fall tournament is a little larger.
“We were able to do several pin positions there when we designed it,” Kent said. “There’s a tournament setup and then a regular setup for actual working with the golfers.”
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For normal play, Kent would eventually like to see Ladera add intermediate tee pads — rectangular areas where a player begins a hole — to the disc course. Currently, there are only pro tee pads implemented, which makes it quite challenging for novices. However, he adds that shouldn’t deter beginners from giving the course a shot — especially if everyone in a group is of a similar skill level.
“I mean, if you’re just there with your friends, it’s stroke play,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s long tees or short tees, but it would definitely be more enjoyable to get a birdie every once in a while.”
The key thing to remember when visiting Ladera for disc golf is that traditional golfers get the right of way on the course. Those seeking additional information on the course can visit udisc.com.
“They can use (the site) to navigate through the course, but it is very well marked,” Kent said. “Every tee box has a map that shows it, tagging all the pin positions that it could be in. There’s signage on every hole. Just (remember) the right of way (for golfers) is the biggest thing out there.”
