HouckDesign Introduces Expanded Tee Area Concept at Parc Des Familles Ahead of the MVP Big Easy Open

Article by Charles McCraken, Disc Golf Pro Tour. DGPT.com.

03/06/2026

HouckDesign Introduces Expanded Tee Area Concept at Parc Des Familles Ahead of the MVP Big Easy Open - Disc Golf Pro Tour

HouckDesign will debut a new expanded tee area concept during the upcoming MVP Big Easy Open presented by Flight Factory, held March 13–15 at Parc Des Familles Disc Golf Course in Jefferson Parish, LA. Developed over the course of three years, the new HouckDesign HD-007 and HD-005 tee area designs aim to improve footing, safety, and consistency for players while creating a more sustainable and spectator-friendly teeing environment.

Two versions of the design will be used during the tournament. The larger HD-007 tee area will be installed on Holes 1 and 18, while the HD-005 version will be used on 9 additional holes throughout the course.

The design combines a traditional 6’ x 15’ concrete tee pad with a large surrounding concrete apron - often referred to as a “skirt” - that significantly expands the usable run-up area. Alignment lines incorporated into the surface provide visual references for players, spectators, and broadcast commentary.

While tee pads have remained largely unchanged since the early years of disc golf, the sport’s rapid growth and the increasing power and athleticism of professional players have prompted renewed discussion around teeing infrastructure, especially at the highest level of the sport. The expanded tee area concept is designed to address several challenges common at high-traffic teeing areas, including uneven run-ups, soil compaction, and erosion around the pad.

Initial designs were presented to the Tour by HouckDesign in 2023 and approved for development. The first full installation of the expanded tee areas is taking place at Parc Des Familles, where the course has undergone significant updates in preparation for its debut on the Disc Golf Pro Tour schedule. Jefferson Parish officials worked with HouckDesign, the DGPT, and local partners to implement upgrades across the course, including the installation of the new teeing areas across the course.

The additional concrete surrounding the tee pad allows players greater freedom in how they approach their run-up while maintaining a consistent surface beneath their feet. At the same time, the design helps reduce wear on surrounding soil and vegetation, which are issues that often arise at heavily used courses. While the design requires a larger upfront investment than traditional tee pads, it is intended to provide long-term durability while addressing common safety and maintenance concerns associated with smaller teeing areas.

Visual References for Players and Fans

One distinctive feature of the HD-005 and HD-007 is the set of alignment lines incorporated into the teeing surface. These lines create visual reference points that help players repeat specific run-up angles and footwork patterns during practice and competition.

For spectators and broadcast audiences, the lines are designed make it easier to observe how different athletes approach their drives. Subtle differences in run-up angles, foot placement, and timing become more visible, offering commentators additional context when analyzing player technique and strategy. Over time, the visual references are also expected to provide a framework for examining patterns in driving styles and shot selection.

A Design Rooted in Sustainability

The expanded tee concept grew out of Dee Leekha Houck’s ongoing focus on creating safer, smarter, and more sustainable disc golf infrastructure. After nearly two decades working in course design, Dee began exploring ways to improve the teeing area, which is one of the most heavily used and frequently degraded parts of any disc golf course.

Environmental concerns such as soil compaction, erosion, and uneven ground around tee pads were key motivations behind the development process. By enlarging the durable teeing surface and reducing reliance on surrounding soil for run-ups and follow-throughs, the design aims to help courses maintain more consistent playing conditions while lowering long-term maintenance needs.

The early version of these designs was filed for a provisional patent. However, after consideration, HouckDesign ultimately chose not to pursue a full patent process. This decision was made with the intention of allowing the design principles to be more easily adopted by courses interested in improving their tee area infrastructure. could be more easily adopted by courses interested in improving their teeing infrastructure.

Debuting on the Professional Stage

The MVP Big Easy Open will provide the first opportunity for professional players to compete using the new tee areas in tournament play. Early feedback from several touring professionals has been positive, with players noting the additional space and consistency offered by the expanded surfaces.

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Players and fans attending the event will be among the first to experience the updated course and teeing infrastructure at Parc Des Familles. HouckDesign and its partners look forward to gathering feedback from athletes, spectators, and course designers as the concept is tested in professional competition.

As the sport evolves, innovations in course design infrastructure will play an increasingly important role in ongoing venue development, and the Tour is excited to see these new tee pads in use in just a few days!

Spectator passes for the MVP Big Easy Open are available at tickets.dgpt.com.