What’cha got in the bag, dad?
The contents of the disc golf bag of a man with delusions of adequacy:
What I carry when I'm pretending I know how to play disc golf.
From back to front:
- Innova Champion Groove – Serious distance driver. Once I started throwing forehand, this became my driver of choice. Goes like nobody’s business, but it’s not very forgiving if you let it go wrong.
- Innova Champion Monarch – Distance driver. Good for backhand and learning. Better when you can get some spin on it.
- Innova StarFire – Distance driver with a wicked fade. This one took some getting used to. Now that I can throw forehand somewhat, it’s actually useful because I can use it to bend around trees 30-40 yards out.
- QuestAT Scream DT – Distance driver. Thrown backhand, this one will go pretty straight and get good distance. If you tilt it at all, you’re hosed.
- Innova DX Leopard – Fairway driver. This is a great disc for midrange shots from the fairway.
- Innova Star Kite – Midrange disc. This one is a bit more understable than the Leopard. I use this more for driving situations where I want an early fade.
- Innova KC-Pro Roc – Midrange disc. Slower disc with a wicked fade. I like this for when I need to get around a tree.
- Innova Champion Aero – Putt/Approach disc. This one’s really got too much glide for putting, but it’s dead straight if you let it go right.
- Innova Aviar P&A – Putt/Approach disc. Significantly shorter than the Aero. I’m getting pretty good with this for my approach shots from 10-15 yards out. And this one is not bad for draining the long putts either.
- Aerobie Arrow putter. I’m experimenting with this. I was using a Gateway Magic, which was great when I was learning since I was never trying to putt from more than a couple yards out. But lately it’s been doing the “bite and roll away” on me, so I’m experimenting.
Oh, the bag? I like it. It has room for the big water bottle I carry, and a big side pouch for snacks, camera, whatever.
Why so many discs for someone who’s been playing for three months? Simple – I’m nuts.
Seriously, I’m learning. I’m adapting. My throwing has changed completely from when I started, and the discs that I used to get what I thought were awesome results just aren’t working for me any more.
I used to carry a 153 gram Monarch. I can’t throw it worth a damn any more. The first time it went was the longest drive of my life. Now it can’t stay out of the trees.
I might pare it down a bit more, but for now, this seems to be working. On the course we play the most often, I’ve got my disc choices nailed down for about half of the holes, and I’m pretty consistent with them. Holes 3,6,8 and 14 continue to kick me in the balls.
My scores aren’t improving as fast as I’d like them to, but I’m spending less time pulling discs out of the woods and I haven’t dumped one in the tall stuff on hole one in a long damn while. Of course, now that I’ve said that I’m going in next time, aren’t I?