Last week, my arms while getting a great workout, were getting tired of carrying around my ten year old, half broken, Innova bag that I cram way too many discs into. I wouldn’t mind it, but it started to affect my game a bit. It’s a great little square bag that I’d take out over the last ten years or so, but the time has come for an upgrade! Personally, I like the minimalist approach to disc golf; the less discs, the less over-thinking it, but I would like a little extra room to try out a new disc or two. So where to start evaluating the right disc golf bags for me?
Weight
My round yesterday tracked us at 5 miles, wow! 27 holes over mountainous terrain. On a pitch and putt 9 hole course weight not matter much, but for expeditions (and lost disc hunting) weight might be an issue. And it’s not just the weight of the bag. Higher capacity and more storage means more added weight. On that note, make sure you clean out your bag before heading out.
Shape
On my trek yesterday I took out a new bag I picked up called the NutSac (great name). While I love this bag for the price, materials, capacity, and overall look, I found that it’s circular shape kept falling over to the point I was going to loose something from the storage or a disc. It was lightweight and easy to carry, but became an annoyance. For my hilly areas, I think a more square or rectangular bottom would perform better.
Style/Type
Disc golf bags come in lots of options these days. Choose from a backpack, napsack, or over the shoulder cooler-style bag. A few things to look for before you buy are the quality of the straps, the shape of the bottom (how will it stand), and the various capacity and encloses of storage.
Storage
How much storage is another important thing to consider when purchasing a new disc golf bag. What do you want to carry with you out there. Here’s a short list of what you might consider:
- water/beverage
- bar/snack
- towel
- mini disc marker
- sand paper/repair kit
- sunscreen
- scuba gear
The list goes on. Consider your needs and find the right bag for you.
Disc Capacity
Obviously this is totally a preference thing. Remember, just because it can fit up to all those discs, doesn’t mean it has to. What you don’t take out with you could hold extra storage, or just a lighter load.
Good luck deciding on your next disc golf bag. There are a lot of factors to consider, there might be some compromise in there as well, and don’t be afraid to try a few out before making a decision. Amazon has a bunch, including the NutSac. Remember to check those return policies.
