YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Fling golf, a new type of golf, is turning heads at golf courses across the country, including some here in central Pennsylvania.
Father-son duo Greg and Michael Arndt began playing the sport just two years ago, and now they are hooked.
"It's fun, it's addictive, and it really feels a lot like golf," said Michael.
"There's nothing like hitting a 300 yard drive," said Greg. "But there's nothing like sticking one from 100 yards with this fling stick either."
With nearly identical rules that give a similar golf course experience, you’ll find Greg and Michael flinging just as much as they are swinging.
"It takes practice like anything," said Greg. "I would say I play both, just as much. I love it."
You can find Greg and Michael at Bridgewater Golf Course playing the new sport. They have caught eyes from other golfers and golf course workers. So much so, they are now know as the "fling guys."
They've received some pushback from courses for the untraditional form of golf, however Bridgewater Golf Course managing partner Joe Ambrosio sees it differently. He sees it as a way to get more people on the course.
"I think anything that really brings people into the sport, whether it's fling golf or traditional golf, is great for the sport," said Ambrosio. "We're very happy to have them here playing and we've even talked about possibly hosting a tournament."
It's a vision the fling guys see as well.
"Fling golf is about getting out on the golf course and experiencing the golf course," said Michael. "[You're just] playing golf with a new type of tool, a new type of equipment that's recently come along. We still wear golf attire, and we still dress the part, we still play the game. We fix our divots on the course; we take care of the course. But overall, it's [slightly] different and that's what makes it fun and unique."
Whether it’s flinging or swinging, the "fling guys" hope to see you next round.
"Try this. Give it a try. Look it up online. See what it's about," said Michael. "The people who don't enjoy golf, this can be a way that they can still enjoy the golf course, and I think that's a really important part about it."