I hate playing disc golf in cold weather …
Sweater weather, yes.
Siberian POW, no.
Still, in the dead of a Utah snowstorm, I’ll often develop a disc-golf itch that needs immediate scratching. Unlike many devout disc golfers, I don’t have a cold-weather bag filled to the putter pouch with softer, more gummy discs. That’s just too much work; I don’t love the sport enough.
Whatever the weather, I tote the SAME bag with the SAME discs. What I do do (hilarious) differently, however, is adjust my play to account for the way discs fly in colder temperatures.
First, the “science” behind this …
In theory, as cold air is more dense, discs should fly more understable. Resistance leads to flippier flight paths. For this reason, when a disc is thrown into a headwind, it turns more.
At the same time, though, dense air means more friction and drag on a mid-flight disc. Disc golf doesn’t yet have teams of smart guys in lab coats performing tests on frisbees – but ball golf does. Tests show a two-yard loss in ball carry for every 10-degree drop below 75 F …
Discs are different, but the environment isn’t …
That adds up quickly.
So shorter, and (maybe) more understable.
There’s MORE here, though …
If you swear your discs not only fly shorter, but more overstable during the fall and winter, you’re probably right. While air density is a factor worth considering, so is the less-scientific stuff any idiot with a few functional brain cells can pick up on – check it out, Ms. Frizzle:
- Truth No. 1 – Cold bodies move slower.
- Truth No. 2 – Bulky clothing is restrictive.
- Truth No. 3 – Rock-hard plastic flies beefy.
- Truth No. 4 – Frigid fingers don’t generate spin.
- Truth No. 5 – Slippery teepads screw with footwork.
See what I mean?
If it’s a moderately brisk day in October, but you’re not dressed for an Antarctic expedition, you might see a bit more turn on your Lucid Raider than you’re used to. But if there’s a foot of snow on the ground, the air could be as dense as a pack of Silly Putty – you’re not bombing that day.
Opt for the ESP Scorch over the Star Boss – it’ll help.
The Pro Tour might be off for a few months, but YOU don’t need to be …
Death to disc golf’s supposed off-season.
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