My Disc Golf "In The Bag"
- wmmille1
- May 18, 2023
- 3 min read
Disc golf "in the bags" are everywhere these days. You could get lost on Youtube watching them all day long if you aren't careful. Some are really interesting and some are...... well they're just not. My hope in doing this "in the bag" is to add value to the average disc golfer by explaining my top picks in each item class.
First things first, let's talk about disc selection. I'm not going to bore you with showing you all my discs or telling you how great they fly (although I could talk about that for hours). The truth is, disc selection is completely subjective. Each person throws a little bit differently and has different arm speeds. In my opinion, disc selection also depends on your preferred throwing style. For slower arm speeds (like me, unfortunately) it is easier to throw understable discs for distance, and forehands are more controllable when using overstable discs. That being said, I do have some top picks from each speed class that I think are worth talking about.
I've been playing disc golf for twelve years now and have experimented with many different products. The following list is what I deem to be essential to any disc golfer trying to get better, looking to enjoy the game more, and/or wanting to know what products are out there that they haven't thought to implement into their game yet. Each product I'm listing is one I use regularly. I love disc golf and discovering new and interesting products, so these items may change as I find new and more interesting and useful items.
Quick side note here: you may ask why I have a cart and a bag. If you are new to the sport and haven't played many different courses, that would be a very good question. If you have played as many as I have then you already know the answer, but I'll give it any for the newcomers out there. Disc golf can be enjoyed on a variety of different terrains. The golf courses/park-style courses are very easy to pull a cart around, and that can be a great way to save your back from carrying around so much plastic. However, some courses feature terrain that is more difficult to use a cart than carrying a backpack. You may encounter ditches to cross, tree roots sticking up out of the ground, or steep hills that can fatigue the most in-shape golfers around. When I'm going out to play a round of disc golf, I just switch my discs from on to the other depending on the terrain.
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Whew. Now that that's out of the way, let's get into it.
Putter: I use the MVP Atom as my putting putter.
This is the natural starting point for any new disc golfer. My suggestion, if you are just getting into the sport, is to stay away from higher-speed discs. The point of the game is to get the disc in the basket, so starting with the disc that you will more than likely be using every hole just makes sense to me. You will benefit more from figuring out how to throw a putter correctly than getting a few more feet of distance by throwing a higher-speed disc incorrectly. As far as recommendations for you or reasons I use the Atom as my putter of choice go: it's all about feel. Your hand and my hand are different. Using the putter that feels the best in your hand while trying to get the disc into the basket is going to inspire confidence on every putt, and putting is all about confidence and form.
https://amzn.to/41H4deQ
Mid-Range: The Discraft Buzzz is the gold standard.
There aren't many disc golfers who haven't heard about the Buzzz. It's the disc all other straight-flying mid-ranges are compared to. It comes in a variety of plastics and weights, so no matter your arm speed, you can find one that goes pretty straight. That just so happens to be one of the most valuable tools to have in disc golf, so I don't feel the need to over-explain this one.
https://amzn.to/3IoaOE9
Fairway Driver: I love the RPM Pekapeka.
This disc is one of my favorites. It's understable (flippy) and is a workhorse for me in the woods when I need to be able to shape shots to get around obstacles. Is this disc for everyone? Maybe not. I do think every disc golfer should have an understable option for wooded courses, but this one might be too flippy for people whose arm speeds are greater than mine. It could be used as a roller disc if it is too flippy for you.
https://amzn.to/3o6nSau
Distance Driver: The disc every other company tries to copy: the Innova Destroyer.
I DO NOT recommend this disc for new players or slower arm speed players at all. I really don't think distance drivers should be in the bags of those players. It will hurt your development more than it improves distance. For me it is a forehand distance disc because it can handle torque very well. I have no business throwing it backhand.
https://www.amazon.com/Innova-Discs-Destroyer-Robot-Driver/dp/B0BRNSLRVK?crid=1G7KE92AKBZF5&keywords=innova+destroyer&qid=1684390848&sprefix=innova+destroye%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-5&linkCode=sl1&tag=walkermiller-20&linkId=3bcd6e7127df7b61f4de2f092bb4f6fa&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Cart: My choice is the Zuca Compact Cart.
I have used a few different disc golf carts. I've even made a few DIY, but that's a story for a different day. There are push carts and pull carts. I think they are both useful in their own ways. The push carts work great on flat ground and roll effortlessly. The pull carts are more rugged and can go up and down hills and over obstacles a little better in my opinion. The cart for you will depend on the courses you play most.
https://amzn.to/3WeBw7P
Bag: Possibly my area of expertise. I use the Prodigy BP-1 V3 most often.
I kind of have a bit of a backpack obsession (my wife can attest to that). I don't know what it is about it, but I just love backpacks. I have tried all different shapes and sizes of disc golf bags, and what I've found is that the BP-1 V3 is the best overall bag. It finds the happy place between price and quality. There are more expensive-higher quality bags and less expensive-lower quality bags that are similar on the market. With tons of disc and accessory storage, good quality, and a reasonable price, you can't go wrong with this one.
https://amzn.to/3WbDaqZ
Towel: I carry many, but my favorite is the Innova Tour towel.
This is a no-brainer. You and your discs are going to get dirty sometimes. Which towel you choose to use doesn't matter a whole lot as long as you are able to scrape mud off your discs and dry them when they get wet (discs do go swimming against your will sometimes). I enjoy this towel the most because of the pretty picture. It is just as functional as all my other towels and gives me something to look at.
https://amzn.to/41OYpjA
Mini Marker: Trilogy Flexible Marker.
This is completely subjective. You can get minis for super cheap and don't need to have a high quality one. It is only for laying on the ground to mark you lie, so you don't have to put too much thought into it. I just like the flexible one because it makes a good fidget when I need one.
https://amzn.to/3oapiAC
Chair: Any tri-fold chair that is easy to carry.
I'm not linking the one I use because I have one that I got on clearance locally. This isn't something I carry with me every round, but if I'm going with a lot of people or playing in a tournament, this becomes essential. Disc golf is already a lot of walking, and when you have to wait before you can throw because you have extra people or a group in front of you, it's good to be able to rest your legs. In my opinion, this is the best type of chair because of the ease of carry.
https://amzn.to/3IqfU2H
Marker: No, not mini marker. Sharpie Pro.
Your discs should have your name and phone number on them. You are eventually going to lose one, or two, or seven. Most disc golfers will reach out to you if they find your disc on the course. We are nice like that. If your disc is unmarked there is no way to get it back efficiently. Tournaments also require that your discs are marked, so...... MARK YOUR DISCS!
https://amzn.to/3WbppbT
Basket: Hive Cross Chain Basket is the way to go.
There are many baskets out there, and I'm not going to tell you that you have to have one. What I will say is this: you should probably practice your putting. It's not as good as you think it is. When the pressure is on, and the stakes are high, you'll thank me for it. I have a few baskets. The Hive Cross Chain is the first one I ever purchased. The chains are light and don't like to catch discs as well as the baskets you will find on your local courses. I find that challenge to be useful. It helps me to develop a pace that will be consistent across all basket types by having to hit the center on my putts.
https://amzn.to/3o4MLTX
Shoes: You can't go wrong with the Columbia Flow.
At some point, you are probably going to standing on a hill or incline trying to get your footing to make your next throw or putt the disc into the basket. I believe the right shoes can make a huge difference in anyone's game. These Columbias are comfortable and have an aggressive tread that will keep you from slipping. It's worth it to make sure you have shoes that are going to allow you to throw the disc without slipping.
Well, there you have it. These are my recommendations based on what I have tried and continue to use. I really hope this list helps you to find the disc golf products you are looking for and maybe even some you didn't know you needed. I love the sport of disc golf and really enjoyed putting this list together. My only hope is that it provides some value to you either thru some of my perspectives or recommendations. If you enjoyed reading this list, but you'd rather be disc golfing check out this pair of socks that are may or may not make you a better player.
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