Fore! Clear! Beer! These are three of the most common expressions you'll hear on the disc golf course, possibly the best place to be on a scorching afternoon or cool summer's night in Michigan.

“Fore,” you would hear for obvious reasons. You shout out “clear” when your group is done at the hole and the next group can throw. And “Beer! Beer! Beer!” is the appropriate warning you give to a fellow golfer when their beer has fallen over and is spilling out onto the grass.

Disc golf is a world renowned, competitive, serious sport. But, it's also a community of easy going folks willing to coach newcomers. A typical disc golf course is situated in a park and attracts people who like to escape into the woods, walk across different terrains and drink a few beers while having some friendly competition.

To get involved in this ever-growing sport, you'll first need at least one disc to throw around. A lot of beginners pick up their first disc at a party store nearby a course. However, what might work best is going right to the course and trying out a few different types of discs and seeing which kind flies best for you.

Most golfers carry bags filled with dozens of discs and may even let you try one. The course is probably the best place to purchase a disc, too. Some golfers make a side job out of finding lost discs and selling them for a fair price as they play, or sometimes they sell them out in the parking lot. It's wise to buy used, especially for a newbie, because you will lose a disc.

I could go into technique and the mechanics of throwing a disc, but I'll spare you the boring details. Besides, I'm not that good, yet. Basically, you just want to step up to the tee and throw it. The technique will come to you after observation and lots of practice. Don't get discouraged and don't be afraid to look like a fool, this is not a judgmental crowd.

To get you started, here are some courses in the area. Most will have a variety of hole lengths, terrains and obstacles – but don't think that once you've seen one course you've seen them all...

A word of caution to the ladies: most golf courses were not designed with us in mind. When these listings say that there are restrooms, this usually means that there is one and it is in the parking lot, which does not help when you're deep in the woods. Don't expect a portable john at the ninth hole. If you bring beverages and plan to play more than nine holes, be prepared to make friends with a tree.

Civic Center Park, Auburn Hills
This is a very short course, only 1,094 feet in total length with nine holes. All the holes are less than 300 feet in length and are located in a groomed-park setting. The tees are dirt and there are signs that give information about each hole. There aren't too many opportunities to lose your disc here and you may even make par your first time through. The Community Center has Lightning discs for sale Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a free course with restrooms.

Take I-75 to Exit 79 (University Drive), go east and take a right on Squirrel, then a quick right into Civic Center Park at the police station, follow signs to Community Center. 1827 N. Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hills. 248-370-9353

Raintree, Troy
This is a short, quick, wooded course with only nine holes with signs and concrete tees. There are, however, thick trees at many of the holes, which require an accurate drive. Restroom facilities are near the first tee. The course is a mere 2,194 feet in length. Eight holes are under 300 feet and one is between 300 and 400 feet in length. The short, wooded holes will give a beginner a fighting chance against a seasoned golfer. Discs are known to hit a tree and bounce around like a game of Plinko instead of getting close to the basket. This is a free course.

Located on the west side of John R. Road between Big Beaver and Wattles. Contact Parks and Recreation office of Troy 248-524-3484.

 
Holly Woods, Holly Recreation Area in Holly
Only a year old, this 20-hole course is tucked in the Holly Recreation Area. The tees have signs and rubber mats, which is hard to get used to after playing on concrete tees. Twelve of the holes are less than 300 feet and eight of them are between 300 and 400 feet in length. Deep swamps and dense trees line the fairways on most of the holes, with a few that are in open meadows.

There is a decision point at the eighth hole: To play nine or 18? You could play out holes 8a and 9a, which will take you back to the parking lot, or play 8b which leads you to the back 10. Course length is 2,542 feet with an alternate length of 4,793 feet.

There are restrooms, handicap accessible facilities and camping. Cost to get into the park is $6 for a day pass and $24 for the rest of the calendar year.

Take I-75 to exit 101 and go east on Grange Hall road for one mile to McGinnis Road. Take McGinnis Rd. approximately 3/4 of a mile to the Holly Recreation park entrance on the right. Go straight after clearing the park ranger booth. 8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly. Park phone: 248-634-8811.

Firefighters, Troy
There's lots of variety at this level 18-hole course including shots over the water, wooded areas and open meadows. There is a stream cutting through the course, which you have to cross several times. One side is an open meadow and the other side is wooded. This is a nice back-and-forth on hot days to alternate keeping cool and getting sun.

Most of the holes are short and straight with a good chance for an ace. The course is 5,145 feet long with 12 holes less than 300 feet and six that are between 300 and 400 feet in length. There are restrooms available and a seasonal concession stand. This is a free course.

Take I-75 to the Crooks Road exit and go north. Turn left on Square Lake Road (next light) and go a half mile to the park on the right.

Cass Benton Hills, Northville
This course is for the adventurous with its 18 holes featuring a mix of insane inclines and deep woods. It requires a good deal of distance and accuracy.

Each hole has concrete tees and a detailed sign of where the basket is with creative names for the holes like Swamp Monster and Question Mark. Nine holes are less than 300 feet, four are between 300 and 400 feet and five holes are more than 400 feet in length for a total course length of 6,363 feet with an alternate course length of 4,980 feet.

Do not wear flip-flops on this course or you may twist your ankle. Stick with hiking or tennis shoes. Restrooms are available. This is a free course.

Take I-275 to exit 169A to west on 7 Mile Road and go 1.5 miles to left on Northville Road and the entrance will be on the right after the railroad tracks. Wayne County Parks and Recreation: 734-261-1990.

Stony Creek Metro Park, Utica
Stony is a popular, well-established course with 24 holes that are a combination of long and open and lightly wooded. The tees are concrete and there are signs that tell how long the hole is. There are eight holes that are less than 300 feet, eight that are between 300 and 400 feet and eight that are more than 400 feet in length for a total course length of 7,838 feet.

The 24^th hole is a doozy at nearly 1,000 feet (about three football fields). It was rated the most difficult pro layout in Michigan by the Professional Disc Golf Association. It costs $4 for a day pass into Stony or $20 for a year pass. Some people walk or ride bikes to get in for free. There are restrooms near the parking lot, which are handicap accessible.

The entrance to Stony Creek is off of 26 Mile Road, between M-53 and Dequindre. After the toll booth, stay right and the course is located in Gladeview Picnic Area. 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township. 586-781-4242 or 800-477-7756.

Riverbends, Utica
This 24-hole course is very scenic and is located in the beautiful Clinton River Valley. Expect to see herds of deer running through the valley or crossing the river at dusk. Each hole has concrete tees and is designated by huge rocks painted orange with the hole number and hole length also painted on it.

There are several holes where you throw directly over the river (not recommended for somebody with a short drive) or along the river on a curve. The total course length is 8,360 feet. The restroom facilities are outhouses located in the parking lot.

Take M-59 to Dequindre, north to a right on Auburn, to a left on Ryan, to a right on 22 Mile. The park entrance is a half mile on the right. Main park address is 5700 22 Mile Road, Shelby Township. Park office: 586-254-8625.