Disc golf, otherwise known as frisbee golf, has become increasingly popular in the past few years. Invented in the 1960’s, it has grown to over 7000 courses in the United States and is played in over 40 countries worldwide. It is played in a manner similar to conventional golf. A disc is thrown from a tee pad at a target. The target is a metal pole in the ground with a cylindrical basket and chains. The chains are present to deflect the disc into the basket.
Discs are 21-30 cm in diameter and weigh no more than 200 g. They vary in the shape of the edge and width of the rim depending on the type of disc; driver, mid-range or putter. There are many manufacturers of disc golf discs and they use a variety of plastics to alter feel (grip), durability, glow-in-the-dark, and floatability of the disc. The same disc mold can be available in different plastics, with one manufacturer listing over ten types of plastics for their discs. The discs are made using injection molding or 3D printing.
Pyrolysis GC-MS is a useful tool for identifying polymers. This study will show how the GERSTEL pyrolysis system and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry can quickly determine a wide range of plastic types with minimal method development. Disc golf discs were analyzed since they provide examples of many plastic formulations.