If John Wayne were a disc golfer, he’d cure a sweaty throwing hand the same way he’d mend a gunshot wound – by rubbing dirt on it. And it makes sense: It’s the “manly” thing to do, right?
Eh, maybe …
There are better ways of doing things.
Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing inherently bad about rubbing your fingertips in dirt before taking to a teepad. Again, it’s the more “rough-and-tumble” way to go about keeping those money-makers dry. And some of the planet’s most gifted disc golfers are BIG on it, too:
- Dirt-Lover No. 1 – Paul McBeth
- Dirt-Lover No. 2 – Chris Dickerson
- Dirt-Lover No. 3 – Eagle McMahon
Literally, if you like getting dirty, that’s pretty good company to be in.
The rest of us germaphobes, however, will need to find an alternate method (or two) to get back on track when our palms are sweaty – especially if the knees are weak and the arms are heavy.
[Something About Mom’s Spaghetti]
You better lose yourself in this thing:
1. Use a Whale Sac or chalk bag
Most disc manufacturers produce some kind of durable bag filled with clay, chalk or sawdust that helps dry the hands. In fact, believe it or not, there are companies out there that specialize in nothing but ensuring disc golfers keep their fingertips grippy: Whale Sacs is one of ‘em.
The two, three or fifteen times a year I order discs on Infinite Discs, Disc Golf United or Foundation Disc Golf, at the last minute, I’ll often toss in a Whale Sac – or something similar.
They’re durable; they last forever.
And you’ll lose it LONG before it runs out of its hand-drying goodness.
* Pro Tip #1: It’s totes in vogue to use a rock climber’s chalk bag – Prodigy even makes ‘em.
2. The disc is a fan in and of itself
Kevin Jones is the MASTER of this method …
It’s simple – here’s how it works:
- Step No. 1 – As you normally would, make your way through your pre-drive routine.
- Step No. 2 – Then, with your off hand, fan your throwing hand with the chosen disc.
- Step No. 3 – It’ll seriously dry your hand off – and you’ll look pretty cool, as well.
Besides, that max-weight Star Destroyer you’ve tricked yourself into thinking you can hyzer-flip 375 feet is far too overstable anyway – might as well get something of use out of it, right?
* Pro Tip #2: Even if you choose to chalk-up, do this right before a forehand – it’s real nice.
3. Take to a good, old-fashioned towel
There’s hardly any need to reinvent the wheel with this one …
Towels are made for drying things: Wet or muddy discs, the forehead – your throwing hand also fits the bill, of course. There is a SERIOUS downside to going the towel route, though …
Warning: Once a towel gets mega-wet, it tends to stay mega-wet for hours.
Whether they’re for discs, your hands or the front of the teepad during a rainy tournament round, pack multiple towels in your bag. And better yet, pack your extras in sealable Ziploc bags, too.
* Pro Tip #3: The Innova Dew Fly Towel is the best one on the market – micro-suede or bust.
4. Your face comes equipped with a built-in blow dryer
It’s your mouth …
Your mouth is the blow dryer.
In spite of the built-in fingertip fan that’s part of 99% of bowling-ball return machines, right before hurling 16-pounds of whatever bowling balls are made of, pay attention: Those guys blow on their fingers every single time. Disc golf, bowling, darts – they’re all cut from the same cloth.
* Pro Tip #4: I’ve got nothing for you – any idiot’s capable of doing this, really.
Yeah, dirt’ll do the trick, I guess …
But why play checkers when you can play chess?
Disc golfers, keep it classy: Go with one of the above to keep your hands dry.
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