History of disc golf at Essex

Our Original Platinum Course

The original disc golf course was opened in 1983 and laid out within this historic parkland. Designed by Charlie Mead established the University’s disc golf course in 1983, it was the very first in England and the eighth oldest in the world. The original 9 and 18 hole 1983 course was much loved, with its 6,615ft course, 3 hole lengths under 300ft, 8 between 300 and 400 ft and 7 over 400 ft. Its major features were the lake throw and the popular valley throw and 2021. The University of Essex has a rich history of hosting disc golf events using this layout, including 3 World Championships, 6 European Championships, 15 British Championships and as one of a handful of courses in the East of England, it has hosted a range of other regional competitions

The course has seen some upgrades over its 40 year history including in 2017 the installation of Mach 3 baskets and some course remodelling by Tim Herring and Andy Lucey. However, over 40 years the original course has understandably started to show signs of its age. The University has grown from around 3,000 students to 15,000 students on the Colchester Campus, with new buildings, facilities, paths and trees criss-crossing the original course, disrupting line of sight for shots for players – and creating a hazard for pedestrians. The fairways have not been easy to maintain, there is no signage it was not always obvious where the tee locations are without local knowledge.

Over the last 40 years new courses in the UK and across the world have built on the Essex disc golf course success, with new ground-breaking designs and challenges, with many more signature throws, artificial grass tees, baskets and improved facilities. The best courses have also integrated new technologies, for example using Udisc to see individual hole designs and navigate with GPS.