Discrimination and Barriers to Entry — Part II. Why Many Still Don’t Feel Welcome on the Course

In 2021, the German Disc Golf Association launched a nationwide survey titled “Discgolf für Alle” (“Disc Golf for Everyone”) to explore gender dynamics and inclusion within the sport, involving over 400 participants across gender identities.

You can read the part I, "Gender Gaps and First Steps into the Sport — Part I. A Study Sheds Light on Gender Disparities," from here.

The survey involved over 400 participants and aimed to uncover why women and TINAQ individuals (trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and queer/questioning) remain underrepresented in disc golf—and what changes are needed to make the sport more inclusive. Fast forward to April 2025: The findings were published in an updated report.

Image: EDGL. Mauri Levandi

Discrimination and Barriers to Entry: What’s Keeping People Out?

The German Disc Golf Association’s “Discgolf für Alle” study didn’t stop at participation numbers—it dug deeper into the lived experiences of players, especially women and TINAQ individuals. The findings paint a complex picture of inclusion, discomfort, and subtle but persistent barriers that shape who picks up a disc—and who puts it down.

What Discrimination Looks Like on the Course

Participants were asked to evaluate five scenarios depicting different forms of sexism, ranging from casual to overt. These included uninvited advice (mansplaining), diminutive nicknames like “sweetie”, and comments such as “not bad—for a woman.” A neutral congratulatory scenario served as a control.

Interestingly, men reported witnessing these behaviors more frequently than women or TINAQ respondents, yet women and TINAQ individuals were far more likely to say they had personally experienced them. For example, while only 27% of women said they had seen mansplaining, 84% said they had been on the receiving end of it​.

One respondent shared:

“I’ve lost count of how many times someone interrupted to explain a shot I didn’t ask about. It’s exhausting.”

Sexual objectification was also disturbingly common: over 20% of women and more than 30% of men said they had observed comments on women's appearance during play. While not always intended as harmful, such remarks contribute to an atmosphere where not everyone feels equally respected.

As the report puts it:

“Each of these four forms of sexism was both observed and experienced—not as isolated incidents, but as recurring patterns.”

What Keeps People From Starting?

To understand barriers to entry, the study also surveyed 20 women and TINAQ individuals who do not currently play disc golf. Their reasons for staying on the sidelines? The top three were a lack of interest, a lack of opportunity (e.g., no nearby course or no one to play with), and a lack of time.

Notably, two respondents mentioned the overwhelmingly male presence in disc golf spaces as a deterrent. One commented:

“I just don’t want to be the only woman out there. It feels like stepping into someone else’s club.”

Others cited reasons such as physical insecurity, competitive pressure, and not knowing where to begin.

When asked what might help them start playing, their responses were clear:

• More relaxed and social playing opportunities

• Beginners' training or “taster sessions”

• Access to equipment

• Spaces are explicitly inclusive and safe for women and TINAQ people

In short, while some obstacles are logistical, many are social and cultural—woven into the structure of how the sport is presented and who it implicitly welcomes.

You can read the part I, "Gender Gaps and First Steps into the Sport — Part I. A Study Sheds Light on Gender Disparities," from here.