You must be excited about your first disc golf game. However, excitement is not enough for your experience. So what do you need to play disc golf?
After choosing the course, think about packing for the game. Even when you only miss one tool, it will ruin your mood and affect your performance.
Today, we will share some tips for newcomers, including the necessary things to pack and extra tips to improve your game. Let’s get ready!
What Do You Need to Play Disc Golf?
To prepare for the course, you need at least three disc golf discs, a carrying bag, and other accessories, such as snacks, towels, water, and more, depending on your requirements.
Discs
Discs are the most important things to bring to the course. However, locating the best gear as a beginner will be challenging. But don’t worry! We will share some tips right here.
Types of discs
There are four primary types of discs used in disc golf. Your score may differ considerably depending on the sort of disc you use.
- Distance drivers
As their name implies, distance drivers have the best potential for long-distance travel. They also need to fly at the highest speed possible to maintain their intended flying qualities.
Drivers have bigger rims and more pointed noses. As a result, there are better options for novice, slower-armed, and young players.
- Fairway drivers
The rims of fairway drivers are smaller than those of distance drivers, making them easier to handle because they fly slower.
Although fairway drivers can’t go far, they are an excellent option for shorter shots, hits with straight trajectories, strokes with less bounce at the end, and tighter lines. As a result, both novice and expert golfers can use these discs.
- Mid-range discs
Midrange discs are suitable for your first practice sessions. While distance and fairway discs may vary from the desired path when thrown improperly, you don’t have the same problem with midranges.
The small rims of these discs make them rest comfortably in your hands. Meanwhile, their inner rims are deeper than the drivers.
Midrange strokes are highly effective for negotiating restricted fairways and executing approaches near the basket.
- Putters
Putters are the slowest and deepest discs with the thinnest rims. They work best for short distances and straight lines. Moreover, since they have the slowest spin, they can’t deviate off the line as well as other discs.
Putters are the best gear to get into the basket, although they can’t fly far beyond that. Hence, your use of these discs is important to score well.
Flight ratings
Flight ratings of disc golf discs are a series of four digits. The rating accurately depicts the disc’s speed, turn, glide, and fade as it glides through the air during a game of disc golf.
- Speed
A disc may move through the air at a specific speed. Speed 14 of distance drivers are the speediest. They have the maximum wind width regulated by the PDGA.
Faster discs are easier to throw upwind and slice the wind with much less effort. Although slower discs need more force to toss, they can travel further downwind accurately.
If you are a beginner, do not choose high-speed discs. They need much more power and control for a novice player to handle.
- Glide
Glide refers to the disc’s ability to keep its loft when flying. New players should choose ones with a higher glide score to achieve a maximum distance.
If you want your discs to fly farther, choose ones with more glide. And if you deal with high wind conditions, ones with less glide will be better.
- Turn
High-speed turn describes a disc’s ability to roll over or bend to the right early in its trajectory. A disc with a turn rating of +1 is the least likely to roll over. But, the one with a score of -5 turns the most.
Roller discs are best with ratings of between -3 and -5. In the wind, discs with less turn will be more accurate. And if you just start your disc golf game, choose ones with a higher turn rating because they are easy to throw.
- Fade
The term “fade” refers to how sharply to the left your disc ends its flight for a right-hand backhand player.
Higher fade will often make the disc more unstable and cause it to crash to the ground at steeper angles. You can’t ensure a straight flight if your disc has a high fade rating and an understable turn rating.
Instead, a disc with a -3 turn and a -3 fade might result in an S-shaped path, but a disc with a 0 fade and 0 turn would most likely fly straight.
Bag
The bag acts as an organizer for your discs and equipment. A simple bag can keep the discs safe if you are a beginner. But once you gain more experience, you will need a larger bag because you want more tools to serve your games.
Starter bags
The starter bag is ideal for beginners who only have a few discs. Depending on the type and manufacturer, it can carry anywhere from 3 and 18 discs.
Larger bags
This kind of bag is bigger and suitable for experienced players. You can use it to carry up to 30 discs, having quick access to your gear and helping you organize the content easily.
Backpacks
If you want the most storage for your discs while being able to carry all of your discs with comfort, a backpack must be a brilliant option.
Thanks to the big size, the backpack can handle many things, including your water bottle and mobile phone.
Accessories
The discs and carrying bag are essential. However, there are other miscellaneous things to optimize your experience. For example:
Snacks
Playing sports will definitely be tiring. To energize the disc golf course, you should bring some backs in your bag.
Non-perishable snacks are the best options because they won’t go wrong at the end of the day. Here are our recommendations:
- Granola bars
- Beef jerky
- Trail mix
- Sunflower seeds
Permanent marker
When competing with other players, you can use the market to mark your discs to distinguish them from others.
Moreover, you may use the marker to mark your disc when you score a hole-in-one or an ace.
Another use of the market is to sketch the flight path on each disc. This tip will assist your practice sessions.
Scorecard
Scores determine the winner. So if you plan to play disc fold competitively, bring a scorecard with you. Then, you can track your scores in a well-organized way.
If you don’t intend to compete, the scorecard can still be helpful for your improvement. It allows you to track your progress throughout the rounds. Follow them, set your goals for the next goals, and try to accomplish them. That’s how you get better.
Towel
If you are in a muddy and wet condition, carrying a towel will be a good idea. Your performance will decrease if your hands get dirty or wet while throwing the discs.
So, you need a towel to wipe your hands and discs, protecting them from weather elements. After that, you will be more confident with your shots.
Water bottle
Water is even more important than snacks. You will walk across the course, so hydration is essential, especially on hot days.
The ty[pe of bottle you use doesn’t matter. However, if possible, use an insulated bottle to keep cold water. Nothing is better than drinking cool water when you are tired.
Disc golf retriever
Having a disc golf retriever with you can help you play more quickly and effectively. For example, if your disc lands in water or somewhere difficult to reach, the retriever will help you quickly grab it without entering the water.
Disc golf rangefinder
In disc golf, a rangefinder is a crucial piece of equipment used to measure or keep track of your throw distances. This tool increases your shot’s accuracy by informing you how soft or hard to strike the ball to get it into the intended hole.
Shoes
Since walking is a part of disc golf, ensure your shoes are sturdy and comfortable. They should have a solid grip and traction to support your throws.
Using footwear that can withstand the course’s terrain and weather is also a good idea. For example, choose waterproof shoes if you plan to play your game on wet courses. And if you expect rough terrain, go for rugged footwear.
Improvement Tips For New Disc Golfers
Choosing the right disc is a part of your practice. But you need to focus on other things if you are serious about the sport.
Play with proper form
If you want to perform accurate and consistent throws, you must work on your form. It involves your stance, arm motion, grip, and follow-through.
Experiment with different discs
You must find which suits you best because they all have different flight characteristics. The only way is to experiment with multiple types of discs from different brands and materials.
Study course layouts
You may choose your shots more effectively if you are familiar with the court’s structure and the numerous obstacles.
Practice regularly
Practice makes perfect. You can’t become an expert with just a few attempts. So visit the course regularly to sharpen your skills day by day.
If possible, ask your friends to go with you. Having someone around to compete will give you a big motivation.
Playing with more experienced players to learn and develop your skills is beneficial. They may give valuable tips to speed up your progress.
Check the weather
It is crucial to be aware of these conditions and adjust your shots as necessary because they significantly impact the flight of the discs.
For example, your disc will fly slower when there is a headwind, whereas it can travel quicker in a tailwind.
Besides, moisture and rain make the disc slippery. In this case, you just need to adjust your grip appropriately.
Learn the rules
If you just play disc golf for fun, your ultimate goal will be hitting the target. However, if you are serious about this sport, you should learn the rules.
Knowing the rules will benefit you in playing professionally and with dignity. In addition, it can benefit your card partners by making the game more enjoyable for everyone.
If you join the PDGA, you will have a rule book to learn about disc golf’s official rules. You can also find them on the PDGA website.
How To Play Disc Golf?
You can play disc golf similarly to golf. However, instead of balls and clubs, you will use flying discs.
Here is a brief explanation of the basics of disc golf:
- Stand at the tee pad and make a throw toward the basket.
- Keep throwing from wherever the disc lands until it falls into the basket.
- Once you complete the hole, continue to the next tee pad.
Your game is over when you complete all the holes. You are the winner if you have the lowest number of throws.
Where To Play Disc Golf?
There are many disc golf courses across the USA. Each facility has special features that give you different experiences.
There are various factors to determine if it’s the right course for you, such as:
- Course design and layout
- Level of challenge
- Scenes
- Course maintenance
- Amenities (such as water fountains and restrooms)
Please check this video to discover your options:
Related
What Are Disc Golf Basket Dimensions
Conclusion
What you need to play disc golf are affordable equipment pieces. They will help you develop your skills and speed up your progress.
There are multiple choices for those tools. It would be best to experiment with different models to find the best ones for your needs.
Do you have any special equipment for your disc golf game? Please share with us in the comment section.
Thank you for reading!
