Disc golf: 5 reasons to upgrade to a cart

I’ve never been big on carts …

Disc golf is a leisurely activity. As a guy who likes to get the heart pumping, anything that can be done to make the sport feel more like exercise and less like a (literal) walk in the park is a good thing. Because of this, I rock a bag at all times. Don’t shut the book on carts, though …

They have their benefits:

1. Take a seat

During casual play, this isn’t a big deal …

But come tournament time, it IS a big deal.

It’s in a tournament director’s best interest to open up as many registration spots as possible. The balancing act is doing this without sacrificing the positive experience a disc golf event should provide. But no matter how hard he tries, there’s bound to be a backup somewhere …

Having a seat is a difference-maker.

Even better, you don’t have to share it.

2. Battle fatigue

Most weekend-long tournaments are between two and four rounds on different courses with a variety of layouts – and often with more than 18 holes each. Come the end of a sanctioned event, it’s not uncommon to have played north of 80 holes – and that’s without a fancy ball-golf cart.

You feel it on Monday morning.

Disc golf might not seem like the most strenuous of sports, but combined with the mental stress of competition, the sun, pressure and incessant walking (and standing) take their toll on the body. If you’re in a neck-and-neck battle for the win, a cart could be the advantage you need …

Remember: Fresh bodies perform better than fatigued ones.

3. Storage for days

I’m of the opinion not much is needed to disc golf – even competitively.

For 99% of my rounds, I use an Upper Park Shift.

But when you DO need something beyond the regular, run-of-the-mill stuff, especially in a sport as mental as disc golf, you’re glad to have it on you: braces, snacks, jackets, Band-aids, rangefinders, athletic tape, etc. Yes, this is doable in a bag, but don’t kid yourself …

It’s easier with a cart.

4. Mitigate back pain

This is the grand-daddy of all the reasons on this list …

Back pain.

With a cart, there’s less of it.

I’ve been in disc golf long enough to remember when single-strap, over-the-shoulder bags were all the rage. Eventually, manufacturers wised up and started selling clip-on straps to convert said bags into backpacks – this helped the issue. So much so, in fact, that O.G. bags are now artifacts.

But you know what’s guaranteed to get rid of back pain?

Not carrying anything on your back.

Listen, I’m far from being a full-time cart guy. But as the years wear on, I openly recognize it’s only a matter of time before I make the switch – and permanently. Age is coming for you, too.

5. Backup discs (and more, too)

Fountain Hills.

If you’re going to play it (or something like it), you need a buttload of backup discs.

But don’t limit this to ONLY insurance plastic, either …

If you bag only a few molds and cycle ‘em like a madman, going the cart route should give you ample room to roll around your arsenal. Curious about a couple of frisbees? Work ‘em into the lineup. Discs you’re cool losing to a stream, pond or lake – even seldom-used utility discs …

Bring them along for the ride.

Many big-name guys (and gals) don’t use carts, so they’re not required for success. Ultimately, you should go with what makes you most comfortable during a high-stress round. If you look back over the above five reasons, individual comfort is exactly what each item speaks to …

Bag, cart or packing mule, whatever provides more of that for you …

Go with it.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

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