Tauranga's 'jewel in the crown” park will soon have a shiny new addition as plans, six years in the making, to install a permanent 18-hole disc golf course take shape.

Players taking part in disc golf. Photo: supplied.

After years of installing temporary ‘holes' for local and national events, Tauranga City Council this week announced plans for the new course have been finalised with the help of the sports national body.

Played much life traditional golf players use a frisbee, instead of a ball and clubs, aiming to throw the frisbee into a metal basket or ‘hole' with the least amount of shots.

Back in 2008 through its McLaren Falls Reserve Management Plan council outlined it would provide the land for disc golfers to install the 18 ‘holes' for a permanent course within the park.

The report states McLaren Falls Park as the ‘Jewel in the Crown'for Tauranga City owned parks, fulfilling the role of a regional park providing a significant recreational resource for both Tauranga District and Western Bay of Plenty District communities.

Tauranga City Council communications advisor Marcel Currin says this week this was finalised with Disc Golf NZ, along with its Tauranga branch, raising the necessary funds ahead of next month's installation.

Tauranga Disc Golf member Myles Darrell is rapt the days of installing temporary baskets in order to play the game are nearly over.

The club is in the final stages of finalising its sponsors and funding, and remains optimistic installation will go ahead in December.

Myles says for the 18-hole course $500 is required per hole for a basket and tee pad – an overall cost of $9000.

'At this point we have been hosting a national event each year the Tauranga Extreme Disc Golf Tournament which is part of the national tour.”

The Disc Golf New Zealand website outlines the current McLaren Falls set up as ''Extreme” disc golf at its best with punishing with gusty winds and steep hills at times.

Tauranga hosted the Disc Golf nationals in 2001, testing the country's top players to the max.

'Each year for the tournament we set up temporary baskets that slows the tournament to go on. So now with the permanent installation that will change and make things more accessible to everyone.”

In the Bay of Plenty there are three courses, McLaren Falls Park, Omokoroa Beach Reserve and Yatton Park.

The 2014 NZ Disc Golf Tour runs from January 18 through to December 7, with 17 legs of the nationwide tour including Tauranga, Gisborne, Wanaka and Waiheke Isaland.