How to select the discs that go in your bag
Build your disc golf bag. It’s something that you will be doing throughout your disc golf days. Here are some ways to build your bag.
With so many discs out on the market, each available in unique plastics, you can really spend a long time finding the perfect discs for your bag. Most people start playing disc golf by going with a friend and using their discs. If they like it they might buy one or two depending on the color or shape. I did this. I then bought a few discs based on their look and played with them over and over and eventually started to figure out what they are supposed to be used for (ie. their disc flight ratings).
Eventually, over the course of a few years I realized a few of the discs I liked better than others. Some just seemed to fit in my hand better and released cleanly and went where I wanted them to go. Then I learned about the ratings and started seeking out discs that lended to the courses I liked to play and the types of throws I felt most comfortable with.
My friends always had these enormous bags they would take out and I wondered if they knew what each disc was capable of, after all they were better players than me, but not by much. After watching a few videos of the pros “What’s in my bag” on YouTube, I started to build a strategy for myself. And while part of it is just what I’ve had access too, I’ve began to see what kinds of discs I’d likely incorporate into my future bags.
Building a disc golf bag strategy:
1) Determine on number of discs you’re comfortable carrying
I want to build a bag that doesn’t have a ton of discs in it, between 10-12 max. I just feel that for my current needs I don’t need anymore than that. Some people haul around these 20+ disc bags and for me that just seems to much. At some point the paradox of choice has to interfere and I don’t want to be mentally stuck trying to decided between two discs.
2) Have a few discs molds of your favorite go to disc
One thing I noticed about the pros is that they rely on a handful of models of discs, in different plastics, weights, and wears. This kind of struck me when I first realized it. It makes sense though, you get comfortable with a particular disc in your hand, then each plastic lends itself to different wear and stability. So In my bag I try to have only a handful of models and some with different weight or plastics. For example, I’m currently holding two Innova Firebird’s: one at 150g one at 175g — the 150g is my go to disc, but I picked up the 175g for extra windy situations.
3) Change your bag depending on the conditions of the course
Disc selection is going to be different for everyone. That’s what makes the “What’s in my bag” series so interesting. For me, I currently have 4 distance drivers, 3 fairway drivers, 1 mid-range driver, and two putters, and one beat-up semi-experimental roller disc. So my bag is somewhat an all around bag right now, but depending on where you’re playing you might want to switch up your bag for the conditions of the course.
4) Buy and try – have a few experimental discs
There are literally thousands of discs on the market and if you’ve gotten to a spot where you want to dive deeper into disc golf, then try different discs! Try some distance drivers from MVP, some putters from DGA, a Mid-Range disc like the Roc3, and if you don’t like them sell them on eBay or Disccoursereview.com. Some will feel better than others and when you know the difference you’ll be a stud out on the course!
5) Take notes on practice rounds & aim for continuous improvement
So that is how to build your bag. It can take time, and there’s probably at least one disc that is not in your bag that feels probably feels better in your hand and can get the job done better. Another plastic that is just around the corner — So try new discs! Don’t forget to bring a disc or four that you want to experiment with on practice rounds, and take notes! Load up that bag everytime you take off for a round and you’ll continue to knock strokes off your score.
