Snaps. Clanks. Hyzers and Gaacks.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Typical golf course lingo includes words like eagles, birdies and bogies with traditional golf course play.  But snaps, clanks, hyzers and gaacks are terms you’ll hear on disc golf courses as players trade in clubs and a golf ball for a flying disc or Frisbee. In this game, participants throw a flying disc at a target – usually a metal basket. The object is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc.

West Virginia’s state parks are including disc golf courses to encourage outdoor recreation, exercise and park visitation. The game can be a lifetime fitness sport for any age. It is easy to learn. It is self-paced sport that is supported by the Professional Disc Golf Association for serious Disc Golfers. The sport’s popularity is growing every day and while the seasons change, the course evolves with the seasons.

The West Virginia State Park system has installed disc golf courses at five areas in 2011 and 2012: Stonewall and Pipestem resorts, Tomlinson  Run State Park, Chief Logan Recreation Center and Greenbrier State Forest.

Tomlinson Run State Park in New Manchester is in the Mountain State’s Northern Panhandle. The Tomlinson Run Foundation helped fund the purchase and construction of the course which is open to the public. The front 9 was designed to be for easier play and accessibility while the back 9 was designed through the woods with iconic signature holes for more challenging play. The park offers discs for sale at $10 or players may bring their own and play at anytime. Tomlinson Run features camping, fishing, hiking and general outdoor recreation. There is no admission to visit a state-operated park.  A disc golf scorecard and course map is posted at www.tomlinsonrunsp.com or call 304-564-3651.

Chief Logan Recreation Center recently installed an 18-hole disc system. This course, combined with the indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, elevated running track, indoor tennis courts, and weight center is less than a one-minute drive from Chief Logan Lodge in Logan County between Chapmanville and Logan. The course is open to the public for play. Discs may be rented or purchased. Chief Logan Lodge features 75 rooms with a restaurant and massive conference center. Chief Logan State Park is nearby with a focus on hiking, outdoor amphitheater and Museum in the Park. The state park hosts a Christmas light show in late November through December. For Chief Logan information, call 304-855-6100.

Pipestem Resort State Park installed an 18-hole course. “Its popularity is gaining daily with our visitors and area residents,” says Dave Caplinger, park superintendent. Pipestem Resort also features two traditional golf courses:  an 18-hole championship course and the short course, a challenging Par 3.   The park is open year-round with the 113-room McKeever Lodge, cabins, campground, restaurants, nature center, hiking, biking and classic fly-fishing opportunities. For Pipestem Resort State Park information, call 304-466-1800.

Stonewall Resort near Weston also sports a disc course located at the Roanoke Activities Plaza area of the park. "It isn't an Arnold Palmer design like our championship course," says Sam England, park superintendent. England, a Frisbee player from his college years, says disc golf is a great outdoor activity. The resort installed the system in 2011 along with repurposing the multipurpose building, now known as the Roanoke Activity Center, complete with climbing wall and other family-oriented recreation, including Segway tours.  For Stonewall Resort information, call 304-269-7400.

A state forest may seem a bit out of play for golf, but at Greenbrier State Forest, disc golf complements the multipurpose forest use. “Discs are rented and sold and the course at the forest is used quite heavily,” said Jeff Layfield, forest superintendent. “Folks play every day. There is a regular group of six to 10 that play every Sunday afternoon for a couple of hours.  It is a growing outdoor interest and can be a year-round interest.” Greenbrier State Forest features CCC cabins for rent from mid-spring until late fall, hunting, a shooting range, extensive hiking trails, overlooks, campground, picnicking and outdoor heated swimming pool.  The forest is located in Greenbrier County near Caldwell, WV.  For Greenbrier State Forest information call 304-536-1944.

To learn more about West Virginia’s state parks and forests, accommodations, activities and outdoor recreation, visit www.wvstateparks.com.