The other day, I saw a poll on Twitter (X) about whether respondents preferred to disc golf with their mini markers in their front or back pockets. My honest response wasn’t represented …
Neither.
Back in the bag is best.
I want nothing in my pockets – and I mean it.
No gum, keys, wallet, brass knuckles, etc.
Nothing.
The worst of possible pocket residents, however, is the smartphone. This isn’t a stance on stepping away from technology while out in nature with a sack full of frisbees, either. I’ve written about that, though. Click here for an inadvertently Ted Kaczynski-inspired take.
Instead, the issue is the weight of the phone – there’s too much. Mine isn’t a block of cheese, but when I’m loading my hips and ripping on a disc, it might as well be. Even with the slim-fit stuff covering my lower-half, that thing’s whipping around like a rag-doll in a Rottweiler’s mouth.
Not for me.
Is the weight of a phone in a pants pocket really that big of a deal?
Not at all.
Even less so with an item as featherweight as a plastic mini marker. But it’s something that gets in my head. Also, unlike most of what goes into a skillful sidearm or backhand bomb, this is a factor that’s easy to control: Just toss the smartphone in your bag – and then leave it there.
For good.
That’s one less thing to worry about, while I focus on fine-tuning my form.
Be it a smartphone or something else, thankfully, not everybody is this anal about having their pockets empty while disc golfing. But there are more of us out there than you’d think …
There’s room for one more, too.
Put the phone away.
Throw freely.
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I’m having flashbacks to how I used to be. I used to empty all pockets, and take off all watches, rings etc. for every sporting venture. Even the wedding ring on my off hand would be removed for bowling.
I must admit, disc golf has changed me some. I ultimately got more annoyed with having to dig my phone out of my bag between each hole(UDisc for casual rounds, PDGA Live for sanctioned), than keeping it in my pocket.
I do somewhat cling to my former ways when it comes to minis…I only buy the rubber ones(like the ones given out at Trilogy tournaments)…I can’t stand the hard plastic/rigid ones. I do purposefully wear golf shorts, that have legitimate, stationary, pockets…so there is minimal shifting when I’m moving(running shorts, and that type of looseness would drive me crazy).
I respect your stance…and if I get a cart that makes phone/mini access quick and easy, then I might return to your camp. Thanks!
Great explanation, David!
I’m anti-UDisc for casual rounds, so it’s not as big of a deal for me …
But if I was committed to UDisc, I’d (probably) be right there with you.
I can understand that much, at least 🙂
Yeah, once my son was old enough to record legitimate scores…it became a nostalgic exercise to use UDisc with casual rounds.
There you have it!
Nothing wrong with that 🙂
Getting an apple watch so i can score on udisc from it, amd leave the phone in the bag, was a life changer for me.
Oh, that’s not a bad idea …
Didn’t Garmin team-up with UDisc once-upon-a-time to create a “disc golf watch” or something?
Or did I just make that up?
I might’ve made that up …
They did. Youre not crazy. I live in kansas city, where Garmin is headquartered, and they have a large contingent of engineers that are disc golfers. I got one f their base models that works with udisc for my golf buddy. Was only ~$250. Worth it!
Hey, that’s not too bad of a price for a watch …
Maybe I’ll look into this a bit more.
Sound like a cool option 🙂
The phone in one pocket balances out the range finder in the other pocket.
Oh, gosh …
I can’t even imagine.
Swinging pockets for dayzzz. Haha.