I write for a disc golf blog …
I’m trying out new discs all the time.
As most come to me free of charge, it’s a perk – I’m not going to act like it’s not. In exchange, I’m tasked with throwing them, taking notes on them and then blogging about my experiences with them. While a sweet gig, man – it feels good to throw a round (or two) with MY discs.
Which brings me to the point of this thing:
You’re (likely) test-driving too many molds.
Disc golfers do it all the time.
I’ve got a buddy with whom I play most of my casual rounds. Six or so months ago, we were driving to a nearby course together. In the passenger seat, his disc golf bag was nestled between my legs on the floor – mine was in the backseat. We’re tight, so without asking, I started rifling through his bag to see what he was working with. I kid you not, here are four of what I found:
- OS Putter No. 1 – One R-Pro Pig
- OS Putter No. 2 – One DX Rhyno
- OS Putter No. 3 – One Star AviarX3
- OS Putter No. 4 – One BT Hard Harp
And just to clarify …
This is one bag.
In my main man’s defense, I don’t think he kept ‘em all in there – we still play together weekly. But you don’t need to be the second-coming of Dave Dunipace to see the problem here …
Overlap.
He doesn’t write about discs. He doesn’t have a YouTube channel. And he’s not tight with some rando who can hook him up with plastic. No, he went out and purchased EACH of those discs.
Here’s a better way of doing things:
- Step No. 1 – Try out a few discs – used, if possible.
- Step No. 2 – Focus on flight, but let feel play a role, too.
- Step No. 3 – Once you find what works, commit to the thing.
* Note: This isn’t marriage, of course. Switch things up if a disc no longer works – duh.
The BIGGEST reason to approach bag-building this way?
Listen, I’m well aware there are differences in how a Pig, Harp, Rhyno and AviarX3 fly. But even if you’re a devout thrower of any of those molds, you have to admit – they’re minimal.
Should you actively bag that many molds that fly that similarly, it’s harder for intuition to work its way into the equation. Out on the course, you want disc-selection to be a grab-and-go process. You shouldn’t need a master’s degree in physics from Harvard or Yale to make the right choice.
Put this in a fortune cookie:
- Fewer options means quicker decision-making.
- Quicker decision-making means less second-guessing.
- Less second-guessing means more confidence in your game.
- More confidence in your game means better tournament finishes.
See what I mean?
Try out discs until your heart’s content – I’ll be doing the same for Green Splatter.
But when you find one that works, stick with it for the long haul.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
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