Folf Club Adaptive Disc Golf Launcher

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2013/05/19 - Updated: 2025/05/14
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: Disability Product Investors - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: The Folf Club Adaptive Disc Golf Launcher is an innovative device designed to make disc throwing accessible for individuals with limited coordination or upper body mobility. Developed by David Yakos and a team of engineers at Salient Technologies, the Folf Club enables users to participate in recreational disc golf and related activities by allowing them to throw standard discs with less effort and greater distance. The launcher accommodates about 80% of disc types, including both thinner disc golf models and thicker Frisbees, making it versatile for various users. Although not intended for professional disc golf competitions, the Folf Club opens up outdoor social activities to people who might otherwise feel excluded due to physical limitations. Its development by a reputable product design company with experience in adaptive equipment underscores the device's practical value and thoughtful engineering, making it a helpful tool for seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone seeking a more inclusive way to enjoy disc sports - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

NOTE: Unfortunately this product is not currently available.

Folf Club is the first device to enable widespread enjoyment of disc golf for the disabled community. After many frustrating attempts to convince his friend to throw a disc with him, David Yakos of Bozeman, Montana went on a search for an easier way to throw a disc. A quick online search returned no promising results, and he learned that a lot of people would benefit from a disc launcher. Instead of giving up, Mr. Yakos decided to make his own throwing assistance device. He, along with his team of engineers at Salient Technologies, Inc. designed such a device. The new product, called the Folf Club is intended to make disc throwing more accessible to a wider range of people.

Main Content

The Folf Club is ideal for people with less coordination or decreased upper body mobility and who want to get outside and throw a disc with friends.

Its long swing arm allows the user to throw a disc farther with less effort, enabling group activities previously inaccessible. The launcher works with roughly 80% of standard discs, including thinner discs typically used for disc golf as well as thicker discs such as Frisbees or dog discs. Smaller diameter discs fit into the launcher easier, take a more gentle swing to throw and are easier to control. Larger diameter discs fit into the launcher tighter and take a harder swing to release, but throw farther.

"I have many friends and family members who won't even touch a disc because they feel humiliated any time they throw one. The fun involved in recreational disc golf , playing fetch with the dog, or just throwing discs for fun shouldn't just be restricted for the highly talented, but should be accessible for all," says Yakos.

An activity where the Folf Club really shines is disc golf.

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The throwing distance required to play disc golf leaves many people reluctant to get outside and enjoy the sport. The Folf Club is not approved by the Professional Disc Golf Association (and likely never will be), but that is ok because it is not intended for professional level enthusiasts or to change the sport of disc golf. The Folf Club is for those who simply want to get outside and have a little more fun.

"I've never been able to throw a disc before, and now I see why people get excited when they see a disc flying away from them!" said one ecstatic tester.

Salient Technologies, Inc. is a product design company founded in 1998 and has developed many products for the disabled community including crutches, wheel chairs, and physical therapy devices.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.