The chains rattle as a flying disc sinks into a metal basket while other discs zip by as the Disc Golf Club members prepare for another season.

Disc golf’s popularity is on the rise as more people are getting out on the courses and trying out the sport.

“I would say it’s one of the fastest growing sports in my opinion,” said Calvin Song, sophomore in pre-business. “A lot of people try it out once and start getting competitive.”

As a result of the current disc golf trend, there are more tournaments available, more sponsors and better payouts.

“It’s a good trend. It’s an active sport where you walk around to see some nice places and go out and have fun with friends,” said Jacob Lane, sophomore in construction engineering. “I think that’s what’s pushing it, the ease of the sport.”

Song is the leader of the disc golf club this year, and he and other club members have expectations are high for this upcoming season.

Last year, one of the teams within the club went to South Carolina for the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships. The four players on the qualifying team placed in the top-100 and Joey Lane, senior in management information systems, placed sixth.

“My expectations are high,” Lane said. “I want to win a qualifier and get back to South Carolina.”

The four starting players are returning and the club is ranked 20th in the nation after placing high at the championships last year.

With a lot of leadership present, the club would like to strengthen its other players and take its game to the next level.

“I like sharing what I know,” Lane said. “I’m not the best or the worst but I’ll help whoever needs it.”

To balance out the competitiveness and fun nature, the disc golfers have two teams: one for championship competition and one for a more laid back atmosphere, called a first flight team.

As the club prepares for league play, which starts next Sunday, they intend to take outings and practices seriously.

Although, the club strives for its big goals this season, Lane said, the main goal is to have fun.