We all have friends that don't play. Some are "too busy", some hate being outside, some are perhaps not good at going outside their comfort zone and trying something new. When you invite a new player to the course, make sure to do some warm-up throws, don't over criticize (after a few throws, give them one or two things to think about at most), make sure to laugh and have fun - especially when the discs don't go exactly where they are supposed to. And above all, remember that you are walking around outside, with a friend, throwing golf discs. Have fun!

I know that some of our better halves may shudder just thinking about us talking about disc golf even more, but if we casually mention our favorite sport at church, boy scouts, school/college, then those people may just ask where we play. This is a perfect time to invite them to play. And this invitation is the number one way an individual can grow the sport.

They serve as a conversation starter. You get to talk about disc golf, and you didn't even start the conversation. If the person seems interested, invite them to join you the next time you play. Be vague and non-pushy. Let them digest the idea and then in a week or two tell them that you and a buddy or two are going to play. Do they want to come along?

During lunch or a "thinking break" (I have a lot of these! :-D), throw some minis into the basket. You won't even need to invite others to join in. Without being overbearing, tell them about the sport. If they're interested, tell them they should come out to the course someday. Next time you plan a trip to the course, invite them along. You've just grown the sport.

It seems that everywhere I go these days, I'm wearing a disc golf shirt and/or hat (and maybe even socks!) Invariably, fellow discers will make a comment like, "do you play?" or "what's your home course?" This has, in turn, gotten other folks in line to be interested and ask, "are those what the deer feeders in the park are for!" or "my son would be interested in that!" Wear your shirt, you never know who you could help introduce to the sport. With a quick, casual reference, Kevin Tiernan got me hooked.

If you are (or you know) a teacher, a church-goer and/or a scout/scout-leader, teach the sport to the kids. You can have them throw to baskets, trees, or trash cans. As part of your curriculum, show a video of pros driving, putting and approaching. Let them see what the real game is all about and give them cards that tell them where they can get some discs and give it a try. Join forces with your local store, they'll love you for it.

Invite others to give it a try. Talk with them about where you play and, if they are interested, demo a few drives and play catch. You'll be amazed what it will do for you as a person and for the growth of the game. Share the love.

Hit a putt, win a prize. Yes, it's that simple. And while people are putting, show a video of pros driving, putting and approaching. Let people see what the real game is all about and give them cards that tell them where they can get some discs and give it a try. Join forces with your local store, they'll love you for it.

The comments I received ranged from "litter your car with stickers" to "tastefully place one or two disc golf stickers on your car". Whatever works best for you, works best for disc golf. If you need the stickers to hold the rust spots together, the more the merrier. If your beamer can't swallow more than one tasteful disc golf sticker, then one will do. These serve three purposes. One, those of us that play the sport will probably give you a wave on the highway along with a quick throwing motion. Two, those folks who have played just once or twice will see that there are others that play, reminding them that they should go and play again. Three, those who have never heard of the sport will eventually recognize that they have heard of it.

Let everyone that you email know that you play disc golf. If they don't care, they can ignore it. But it will work in the same way that the bumper stickers on your car will work. Heck, you may even get some new disc golf buddies out of it that you didn't know also played.

Submit Disc Golf Live video magazine for broadcast at your local community access station.  (Copies of the show are free, stations are usually free to join.)  There are hundreds of stations across the country, with viewing audiences ranging from hundreds to millions of potential viewers. 

Just a friendly, "I'm headed out to Smith Park to play disc golf at 2:00 today. It is gorgeous outside, come join me! i've got spare discs if you need some."

We had over a hundred suggestions (thank you) and not all of them were things that an individual can do. So you know, I've added two significant TODOs to my list over the next year and hopefully we'll be ready to make some exciting announcement in 2012 thanks to all of this input. A pleasant, and unexpected, side bonus from getting input on this.

Basically what it comes down to is, let people know about the sport, tell people you play and how much fun it is, and then invite them to the course. Once you are at the course, enjoy the time. Have fun. And the sport will grow.