Okay, so in the case of disc golf bags …
They actually are meant for towels.
D-rings, I mean.
If you don’t know what a D-ring is, it’s one of these things:
It’s shaped like a D, hence the name.
Most disc golf bags come with one or two of ‘em, at least. That way, using a clip, clasp or carabiner, you can hang a towel from the side of your bag for ease of use during a round.
Great, right?
Not in my book.
Going the D-ring route with your towel presents a couple of obstacles. First, when you set your bag down to throw a shot, that towel of yours acts as a magnet, clinging to any dirt, sticks or leaves with which it comes into even the slightest contact. Furthermore, stored outside of a pocket in your disc golf bag, it’s fully exposed to the elements – this includes rain.
Which is wet.
No bueno.
And yes, I get it: It’s a disc-drying towel, so it’s supposed to get dirty – it needs no coddling. But having to pick off a bunch of crap multiple times a round before using it is annoying. This is especially true if you’re someone who frequently (compulsively) wipes down your discs.
Next, attached to a bag, your movement with a towel is seriously handicapped. Remember that scene from “Seinfeld” where Frank and Kramer play pool in George’s childhood room?
This should jog your memory:
This is like that …
But with a towel.
You’ll want more space to get the job done. With a towel tethered to your bag, unless you’ve got a caddie, you’re required to literally bend over to dry your discs. There’s also no freedom to talk with a cardmate, walk around to inspect your lie or gather your thoughts away from the group, while cleaning your muddy frisbees. Because where your bag is planted, there YOU stay …
You’re a prisoner to it.
Not for me.
However, I will say the perma-attached towel offers a few benefits:
- You won’t lose it.
- You save room in your bag.
- You look pretty freaking cool, too.
There’s just a better way of doing things.
And that “better way” is using your D-ring for something that doesn’t see nearly as much action. That lucky rabbit’s foot you won at Discovery Zone back in elementary school, for example.
Put your towel in your bag.
Or, put it in your pocket.
And be done with it.
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Editor’s Suggestions:
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I can fit 4 of those 12×12 micro fiber cloths you get a Walmart inside a quart zip lock bag and that more or less stays out of the way in the bowels of my disc pack. Seems to be enough for me for 9 holes.
Amen to that, Sir Charles!
I’m one of those people who walks around for an entire round carrying my discs in a bag, and a big towel in my other hand. Awkward and not very ergonomic.
But, hey – it gets the job done.
In spite of all this, you love to disc golf.
No problems detected.
I agree with Charlie…smaller towels in a zip lock bag is the way to go. If it is raining/wet, I put one in my back pocket and then cycle them through as needed.
I kept a nice towel on a D-ring for years…but recently quit the D-ring for all the reasons mentioned in the article.
Also: I’ve begun bringing an extra bag to use to collect towels left behind on the course. If the towel is no good…then, I’m helping with a litter problem. If the towel is nice, it goes directly into the washer when I get home. I have quite a collection building.
Not a bad idea …
But goodness:
How often are you finding used towels on the course?!
More often than you’d think. Probably average 1 per round. The courses in the Charlotte-area get played a lot…and I think more people have abandoned the D-rings and are trying to just carry them in their pockets, or in a bag pocket…so, more prone to losses.
Now, most of the ones I pick up are just dish towels…or something super cheap. Finding a legitimate, disc golf specific towel is probably 1 out of 10 or 20…understandably, people probably guard those closer.
Makes sense!
And hey, in Charlotte, you guys are just nuts about disc golf …
So with more people playing, you’re bound to find more stuff.
This goes for towels, but it goes for discs, too.
That’s likely the case.
2 quick tips ..
Put a grommet (or just poke a hole) in the towel on the opposite border of where it attaches to the d ring. Fold towel in half and attach both places. Towel doesn’t touch the ground anymore and makes a nice pouch for drying.
Carry a stool. Set your bag on the stool. You don’t have to bend over to use the towel, or get your discs in/out of the bag
Very cool, Stew – thanks for the tip!