The discs are indispensable tools for disc golf players. You have to carry many disc golfs to the field, and choosing a suitable number of discs can help you keep an eye on them as well as gather them easier.
So, how many discs do you need to play disc golf? I will discuss this issue and help you choose the right number based on your purposes, playing styles, and conditions. Keep reading to find out!
How Many Discs Do You Actually Need For Disc Golf?
You need a minimum of 3 discs to play disc golf, including a driver, a putter, and a mid-range disc. Yet, the number can vary based on your playing style.
The Best Number
My favorite number of discs to accommodate a play is six, with two discs of each kind, including two mid-range discs, two putters, and two drivers. If I accidentally lose or break my disc, there is still a backup option.
I have encountered many situations when a player loses a disc and has to borrow another one. You should always prepare at least one disc of each type in case you cannot retrieve your lost disc.
However, it is not a fixed number, and you don’t necessarily have to carry six discs in all situations. Some of the disc golf players I know carry up to 10 or 16 discs for each play, while some friends just need three discs.
Meanwhile, most professional disc golf players prepare at least 20 discs in their bags for each play. It’s understandable since they cannot let a lost disc interrupt their plays, but you don’t have to follow that number.
What Is The Best Number Of Discs For You?
Most disc golf players use a large bag to carry their disc golf discs and other equipment to the court. The general rule is that the more discs you have, the larger the bag.
If you carry many discs, the bag may not have sufficient space, limiting the room for other equipment. Yet, it should do well if you take only six disc golf discs.
Some of my buddies invest in separate bags to carry disc golf discs, allowing them to carry up to 20-40 discs at a time.
However, it may hinder your movement and make you feel uncomfortable, especially when playing on a large court. Also, many discs are harder to manage, and you can quickly lose one or two discs without knowing.
Therefore, you should follow the general rule (6 discs minimum) or even three if you need more room for the other equipment and supplies. It also helps you count and manage the discs more effortlessly after each playing time.
How Many Discs To Carry In Your Bag?
Most disc golf players I know use a large bag to carry their disc golf discs and other equipment to the court. The general rule is that the more discs you carry, the larger the bag.
If you carry too many discs, the bag may not have sufficient space, limiting the room for other equipment. However, it should do well if you carry only six disc golf discs.
Some of my buddies invest in a separate bag to carry disc golf discs only, allowing them to carry up to 20-40 discs at a time.
However, it may hinder your movement and make you feel uncomfortable, especially when playing on a large court. Many discs are harder to manage, and you can easily lose one or two discs without knowing.
You should follow the general rule (6 discs minimum) or even three if you need more room for the other equipment and supplies. It also helps you count and manage the discs more effortlessly after each playing time.
The Kind Of Discs You Need For Playing Disc Golf
As mentioned above, you need three primary disc types to play disc golf. Each category features distinct characteristics, weight, and design since it serves a particular throwing style.
Before dwelling on the detailed features, you should know that the driver discs have a thinner profile and a wider rim, plus a narrower edge on the outer side.
Meanwhile, the rim of a putter disc is skinnier while its profile is thicker. For these reasons, the driver is suitable for shots that prioritize distance, while a putter enhances short-range and gliding throws.
Driver
The driver discs are excellent if you want to achieve the highest potential distance. The driver discs can minimize air resistance more effectively thanks to their wider rims and sharper edges on the outside.
However, it would be best if you generated significant arm power to use the driver effectively since it requires a long flying distance and an adequate speed.
When the rim’s width increases, the disc’s curved finish will get harder to finish.
Mid-range
As its name suggests, a mid-range disc is suitable for fairly straight throws, especially on a wooded disc golf course. It can fly in a straight trajectory and reduce the risks of deviation.
If you want to generate a successful mid-range throw without needing much arm power, mid-range discs are more suitable than drivers.
Putters
Putters can outperform the two other disc types when making straight flights. With its narrower rim and wider outside edge, a putter requires significantly less arm strength and power.
If you need time to improve your arm speed, the putters are an excellent option.
Although they may not fly as far as drivers or mid-ranges, which have deeper inner rims that slow them down, putters can still travel long distances when thrown with enough power.
I recommend using putters for finishing short-range shots near the basket. In addition, learning how to throw a putter is also the first thing many disc golf players have to start with.
Nevertheless, you will need all three categories to play a disc golf course game. They can accommodate your playing style and help you achieve better results.
Are The Numbers On The Disc Important?
Yes, the numbers on a disc are critical since they help you pick a suitable disc for your throwing style and purposes. Here are some core numbers to consider when choosing a disc.
- Speed (1 – 14): This scale helps you know how fast the disc can travel through the air. The driver discs usually have the highest rate, which is the opposite of putters.
- Glide (1 – 7): Glide indicates a disc’s capacity to hold its loft during the flight. A disc with a larger glide scale can stay in the air for longer, thus increasing the overall distance.
- Turn (-5 – +1): If you throw a disc using your right hand, the disc will turn more to the right if this scale is large.
- Fade (0 – 5): Fade is the opposite of turn, which indicates a disc’s ability to turn to the left side. Discs with higher fade scales are optimal for skip or spike shots.
How To Choose A Disc Golf Bag For Your Discs?
There are various types of bags designed for disc golf, which possess different storage capacities, designs, and extra features. Many people have told me that you don’t need a disc golf bag for this sport.
While it is true that a regular backpack can store your discs, it won’t protect the discs as effectively as a disc golf bag. The disc golf bag gives you not only more storage space but also extra protective features.
Therefore, it can preserve your bag in fine conditions for significantly longer than a regular bag. The particular design of disc golf bags allows users to store and access the discs quicker on the field.
Since there are hundreds of products on the market, you just need to stick to the one that suits your preference. Consider a few factors, like the weather in your neighborhood, the fashion trend, or your fashion style, to decide.
For example, if the court in your neighborhood sees regular rain or low temperature, you should go for disc golf bags that offer extra protection against water and moisture.
Is It Necessary To Have A Bag?
Though you can choose not to use a bag, I always recommend using a disc golf bag to carry your equipment and discs. It will bring tremendous benefits, especially when you play disc golf regularly.
Firstly, a bag can help you protect and keep track of your belongings, equipment, and items more effectively. It also makes your throws more efficient since you don’t have to hold the discs with your other hand.
Without a bag, you must put the discs on the ground every throwing time, which is very inconvenient. A typical bag allows users to carry between 20 and 30 discs.
Meanwhile, just carrying around five discs is uncomfortable enough to hinder your experience. If you don’t use that many discs, there is always room for food, water, and other items.
What The Heck Is A Disc Golf Cart?
The disc golf carts are small and portable carts that can carry a large number of disc golf discs, plus many other disc golf items. You can also keep your belongings like money, phone, or towels in the cart.
Most disc golf carts are rollable, allowing players to move them around on the disc golf courts conveniently. You can choose affordable disc golf carts with cooled designs offered by reliable producers from online retail websites.
If you want to bring many personal belongings and items to the court, I recommend choosing a spacious cart. It should have extra space for food, water, and snacks to supply you with energy during break times.
If you don’t want to invest much money in a bag, use an old backpack or bookbag from your closet. However, the professional bag will make you look more trendy and fashionable on the field.
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Final Thoughts
You need a minimum of three discs (a putter, a mid-range disc, and a driver). However, I recommend you carry six discs to accommodate your play fully.
In fact, you can carry three discs if you feel comfortable doing that. The number of discs a player needs is not fixed, and you can pick a number that suits your playing style and preferences.
If you carry a lot of discs, ensure to keep an eye on them to avoid wasting or losing your discs. I hope you are satisfied with the answer provided in this post.
Thank you for reading!
Further Reading
How many discs do you really need to play all shots? – Reddit
