Bottom-of-the-barrel disc golf conversations seem to center around disc color …
I’m in the mood: Let’s have one.
And just so we’re on the same page, ZERO scientific research has gone into the creation of this list. Instead, this is just me at a word processor harping on what I’ve experienced over the years.
Here goes nothing …
1. Clear discs
Pump the brakes, Bill Nye: I get it …
Clear is NOT a color.
Regardless, disc manufacturers seem to have little issue churning out runs with no color whatsoever – they’re popular. I’ll give it to you: The overall look of them is cool. But unless you’ve got spotters tracking your shots on every hole, bagging ‘em is just asking for heartbreak.
It’s irresponsible.
2. I-Dye discs
I used to have this thing where I always had an I-Dye Champion Firebird in my bag. Incredibly, in spite of the pain those discs caused, I kept at it for five or six years – it became a tradition.
Under the eye-popping, hippie-inspired design is a clear disc, though. And given how bright and colorful the frisbee appears on the surface, you wouldn’t think these things would disappear.
Don’t be deceived …
They do.
3. Black discs
Black discs are more visible than clear ones …
But not by much.
The whole point of the color black is to NOT be seen. Interested in robbing a bank? You’d be smart to do it under the cover of darkness and with a black balaclava covering your face. Seriously, take a look at Missy Gannon’s putting putters in the below image …
You can barely see them – and you know they’re there.
That’s quality camouflage.
4. Dark-blue discs
Everybody loves the color blue.
Heck, Kristin Tattar actually goes out of her way to build an all-blue bag. Of course, not all shades of blue are created equal. Powder blue performs nicely. Depending on what you consider royal blue, the color is relatively easy to pinpoint, as well. Dark-blue discs, though?
They’re practically purple, which is practically black, which is practically impossible to find.
See the problem?
Death to dark blue.
5. Earth-green discs
Given the Green Splatter branding, this one stings …
I’ll defend Slime-Time-Live green like a madman, but anything else is just asking for trouble. It’s springtime: Look out your window. The entire planet is covered in the stuff. If the goal is to drive yourself insane hunting for misplaced discs in a field of freshly mowed grass, go green.
Otherwise, opt for something else.
My advice?
Stick with colors not readily found in nature:
- Hue No. 1 – Pink
- Hue No. 2 – White
- Hue No. 3 – Turquoise
- Hue No. 4 – Anything neon
Especially green.
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I totally agree with the green/earth tones. I’ve lost more of them then I care to admit. Fun fact, the last two times I’ve lost discs have been Gstar plastic…very little time was spent trying to find them 😉
ShimmyD, please tell me you’ve read Green Splatter’s take on GStar plastic …
Not worth your time: Good riddance.
Thanks for reading, man!
Dark red is also surprisingly easy to lose. Just looks like a shadow on the ground.
Oh, that’s a good one …
Can’t say that I’ve ever owned a DEEP-red disc …
And now, after having read your comment, I probably never will.
I have a translucent light green Roc that I use on approach shots requiring a severe hyzer around obstacles (trees, bushes). Have spent more time looking for that disc in the grasses, weeds and bushes. Any suggestions to make it more visible? Paint, tape ,etc that would not change it’s flight.
Jim, your best bet is probably dying it …
But even then, it’s not going to be great to find.
That light-green Champion plastic is awful.
I’ve felt your pain; I’ve cried your tears.
White is the worst it snows here. Nothing is as bad as white or clear hahahaha.
Noah, disc golfing in the snow is tough as it is …
Doing so with white or clear discs is a death wish.
Stay safe out there. Haha.
Can’t believe you left out brown! Aside from clear, possibly the hardest to find! At least for us woods golfers in New England, everything is brown. From the dirt on the ground to the leaves that fell last fall, to the sticks that get kicked around. NO BROWN DISCS!
Isaac, you’re right …
Brown ALMOST made the cut, but it didn’t, merely because there aren’t many brown discs on the market, you know?
Yes, they’re out there, but they’re hard to come by …
And probably because nobody can find them. Haha.
Being a solid amount of color blind, I LOVE white and black discs since I see neutral colors so well.
Woah …
You’re like a superhero out there.
Black discs?
That’s ballsy.
Hahaha! Great article, lighthearted, and fun, but I think it goes dark green, black, purple, clear, camouflage/tie-dye using orange plus any other color
Thanks for reading, D-Mo!
And yeah …
We tend to keep things pretty light-hearted.
And that’s a pretty good list you’ve got there!
Happy disc-hunting!