How to Choose Disc Golf Baskets for a Permanent Course
The short answer
For a permanent disc golf course, choose a PDGA-approved basket with a chain assembly that stops discs reliably and a construction that withstands weather and heavy use year after year. The Prodigy T2 is a PDGA Championship-level basket with 24 chains in two rows, a powder-coated basket and a hot-dip galvanised pole. It is available as an in-ground version for permanent installation and as a portable version.
The basket is the single most important piece of equipment on a course. It is on every hole, every player touches it, and it largely decides what the course looks like in five or ten years. A good basket catches discs reliably, withstands weather and vandalism, and does not need constant maintenance.
This guide explains what to require from a course basket, how the Prodigy T2 meets those requirements, and how to install baskets so they serve the course for its whole life cycle.
What a course basket needs
A backyard basket and a course basket face completely different demands. A backyard basket is often light and foldable, while a basket on a public course stands outdoors all year and takes tens of thousands of throws a season.
PDGA approval
The PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) tests and approves disc golf baskets. A course with approved baskets can host PDGA-sanctioned competitions. Approval also means the basket's dimensions and chains meet the sport's common standards, so players know what to expect. Championship level is the highest rating a basket can receive.
Chains that hold the disc
Nothing frustrates players more than a basket that spits discs out or lets them pass through the chains. A two-row chain assembly with enough chains also stops hard putts and putts that hit slightly off centre. This directly affects whether players enjoy the course.
Durable materials
A basket that stands outdoors all year needs a finish that withstands rain, snow, frost and UV light. Powder coating protects the basket and keeps its colour visible, and hot-dip galvanising protects the pole and the ground sleeve from rust.
Installation and mobility
A basket anchored in concrete is sturdy and cannot be taken away without permission. With several ground sleeves on the same hole, you can move the basket and spread wear. Being able to remove the basket for the winter or for maintenance is also useful.
Spare parts and support
A course lasts for decades, so spare parts must be available years later. When all baskets are the same model from the same supplier, maintenance is simple.
How we help: we supply baskets, tee pads and signs as one compatible package, and spare parts remain available for years.
The Prodigy T2 at a glance
The Prodigy T2 is approved by the PDGA at Championship level. Its Prodigy StrikeZone chain assembly consists of 24 chains in two rows: 16 outer and 8 inner chains. The design also stops putts that hit slightly off centre, and it is very hard for a disc to pass through the chains or bounce out.
| Feature | Prodigy T2 |
|---|---|
| PDGA approval | Championship level, approved 16 July 2017 |
| Chains | 24 chains in two rows: 16 outer and 8 inner |
| Chain material | Hot-dip galvanised steel |
| Basket | Powder-coated steel, blue |
| Pole | Hot-dip galvanised steel, 4.8 cm diameter |
| Basket inside diameter | 66 cm (26 in) |
| Basket depth | 24 cm (9.4 in) |
| Basket height above ground | 83.5 cm (32.9 in), PDGA measurement |
| Chain assembly width | 54 cm (21.3 in) |
| Versions | In-ground and portable |
Technical data: PDGA approval data and Prodigy Disc.
In-ground or portable
The Prodigy T2 comes in two versions. Both have the same basket and the same hot-dip galvanised pole. The difference is what the pole is fixed to.
| In-ground | Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Includes | Basket, pole and ground sleeve for concrete installation | Basket, pole and portable base with two wheels |
| Best for | Permanent courses: parks, municipal courses, campsites | Competitions, events, schools, practice areas and temporary courses |
| Stability | Anchored in concrete, stays in place | Stable base, moved on wheels |
| Theft protection | Good, as the basket is fixed in the sleeve | Store in a locked space after use |
Because the pole is the same in both versions, a basket can be used either fixed or on a portable base. At a competition, for example, extra holes can be set up with portable bases, and a permanent course basket can be moved to a portable base during maintenance.
Product pages: Prodigy Disc T2, in-ground and Prodigy Disc T2, portable.
How to install the baskets
The ground sleeve of the in-ground T2 is set firmly in concrete. The easiest way is to use ready-made concrete bases designed for traffic signs. They come with a clamping ring that lets you hammer the sleeve firmly into place. A traditional concrete footing also works.
Order of work
- Mark the basket positions on site according to the course plan.
- Check for underground cables and pipes before digging.
- Install the concrete base or pour the footing to the depth given in the installation instructions, with the sleeve vertical and the basket at the correct height above ground.
- Insert the pole into the sleeve and fit the basket to the pole.
- Cover the area around the basket with a wear-resistant surface, such as artificial turf or wood chips.
Several sleeves on the same hole
With two or three sleeves on the same hole, you can move the basket between positions. This spreads wear around the basket and gives players variety on the same hole. Install all sleeves at the same time, because adding them later is more work.
How we help: we mark the basket positions on site during course design and provide installation instructions, so the work can be done by your own staff, a contractor or volunteers.
How many baskets and sleeves you need
| Project | Baskets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Practice area | 1–8 | A putting area can be part of the course or a separate neighbourhood facility |
| 9-hole course | 9 | Plus 1–2 baskets for a practice area if there is room |
| 18-hole course | 18 | 2–3 sleeves per hole if you want to rotate basket positions |
| Competitions and events | As needed | Portable baskets for extra holes or a temporary course |
It pays to buy baskets for the whole course at once. All baskets are then the same model and colour, and the playing experience is consistent throughout the round.
Maintenance and service life
- Check the chains and their fixings at the start and end of each season.
- Check that the pole sits firmly in the sleeve and the basket does not wobble.
- Keep the area around the basket tidy and repair worn spots early.
- Remove the basket for the winter or during maintenance if needed.
- Replace worn parts from the same supplier so they fit together.
A well-installed and maintained basket serves a course for years. On a heavily used course, the renovation cycle for structures is about ten years.
Where T2 baskets are used
Prodigy T2 baskets are used on some of the most popular courses in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
- Valbyparken, Copenhagen, Denmark: 19 holes. According to its UDisc listing, it was the most played disc golf course in the world in 2022 and 2023.
- Luolavuori Disc Golf Park, Turku, Finland: 18 holes, venue of the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Turku Open in 2024 and 2025. Owned and operated by Prodigy Disc Europe since the 2026 season.
- Talin Frisbeegolfpuisto, Helsinki, Finland: one of the oldest and most played courses in Finland.
- Disk Golf Park Riga, Latvia: a new 18-hole championship course in Kleisti Eco Park with Prodigy baskets and tee pads.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best disc golf basket for a permanent course?
For a public course, choose a PDGA-approved basket with a chain assembly that stops discs reliably and a construction that withstands outdoor use all year. The Prodigy T2 is a PDGA Championship-level basket with 24 chains in two rows, a powder-coated basket and a hot-dip galvanised pole.
What are the dimensions of a disc golf basket?
The Prodigy T2 basket has an inside diameter of 66 cm (26 in) and a depth of 24 cm (9.4 in), and it sits 83.5 cm (32.9 in) above the ground, measured by the PDGA. The chain assembly is 54 cm (21.3 in) wide.
What is the difference between an in-ground and a portable basket?
The basket and pole are the same. The in-ground version includes a ground sleeve for concrete installation, and the portable version a base with two wheels. The in-ground version suits permanent courses, and the portable version competitions, events and schools.
Does the ground sleeve need to be set in concrete?
Yes. The easiest way is to use ready-made concrete bases for traffic signs, where the sleeve is hammered into place with a clamping ring. A traditional concrete footing also works.
How many ground sleeves should each hole have?
One is enough, but two or three sleeves per hole let you rotate the basket position. This spreads wear and gives the hole variety.
Can the baskets stay outdoors in winter?
Yes. The basket is powder-coated and the pole hot-dip galvanised, so the basket withstands outdoor conditions all year. You can also remove the basket for the winter if the course is not maintained in winter.
How to get started
Tell us about the area and who the course is for. We design the course, mark the basket positions on site and supply baskets, tee pads and signs from one place.
Read also: How to Build and Design a Disc Golf Course: The Complete European Guide and Disc Golf Tee Pads: Materials, Size and Installation