Everyone Should Have a Disc Golf Go-Bag!

The disc golf go-bag not only gives new life to old discs, but it also gives you a chance for some much appreciated spontaneity. There are many other benefits as well, which we’ll get into… Make sure you have a go-bag at the ready so you can always capture those precious disc golf moments…

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Some of my best memories are the ones that happened spontaneously. Life presents you with a zag, then you grab it and run with it…

I could probably go into a “back in my day life was more spontaneous and kids weren’t always so crammed with activities, blah, blah, blah…” but who wants to hear that? Besides, if I wanted others to be so spontaneous, I should probably do it myself…

You know, practice what you preach…

Well, in this post I’m going to tell you how I get some of that precious spontaneity back into my life with a simple disc golf go-bag. With the go-bag you can grab those moments as they present and turn an otherwise average day into a memorable one.

There are some other benefits I’ve uncovered as well that I’ll get into. These just so happened to have benefited my game as well…

For now, let’s look at what a disc-golf go-bag actually is…

What’s a Disc Golf Go-Bag?

Quite simply, the disc golf go-bag is a set of discs and a bag that are separate from your typical discs and bag.

The number of discs in the go-bag could vary considerably based on how many spare discs you have lying around. If you have lots, you may even consider having multiple go-bags.

Also, the discs should represent the variety of discs you would use in a normal round. In other words, right now I use fairway drivers, mid-ranges and putters. So, most likely, my bag would have at least one of disc from each of those categories…

For the bag, I just use that old backpack I never threw out from middle school. Any bag that has some durability, and you wouldn’t mind being seen with, works fine. Personally, I wouldn’t use a paper bag (no durability) or my grandmothers old purse (vanity), but to each their own, and I promise I won’t judge. And based on what I’m seeing, I don’t think the disc golf community will judge either…

If you’ve upgraded your disc golf bag then the old one is probably ideal, but I wouldn’t buy any new bags for this (it goes against the spirit of the go-bag). Buying used, should work though…

Then, I just keep my go-bag in my car (and my wife’s car…hidden under back seat…shhhh) and know that I can grab those moments as they arise…

A nod to Spontaneity

“You must never stop being whimsical…”

Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

Like I said in the intro, some of my favorite memories were not planned. There is something inherently novel about a spontaneous event. It makes a more indelible imprint on your mind.

There are even arguments to be made for how spontaneity (vs. being overbooked) can augment your emotional/mental health.

For me, I’ve found that I tend to enjoy those spontaneous disc golf moments a bit more. I’m not hyper-focused on breaking my course record or anything of the like. I’m more inclined to recognize that I’m playing a game I enjoy and to appreciate the moment…

With a disc-golf go bag, you drastically improve your chances of finding yourself in such an enjoyable experience. Let me show you how…

“Oh, the places You’ll Go…” (dr. Seuss)

Now, that you have a go-bag in your car, you can seize any moment that presents itself.

If you’re driving and you pass a random course… Go-bag

When the weather unexpectedly turns favorable and you never thought to bring your regular bag… Go-bag.

When there’s an unseasonably warm winter day and disc golf was the farthest thing from your mind that morning… Go-bag.

If you pass an open field and want to put those new tips you got from last night’s video to the test… Go-Bag.

You get the idea. Because your go-bag is always in your car, you can capture the opportunities to play at the drop of the hat.

“But that is not all. Oh no, that is not all” (Dr. Seuss…again)

Other Benefits to the Disc Golf Go-Bag

By far my favorite side-benefit (other than wonderfully spontaneous rounds) has been a rekindling of long-lost love… er… I’ll explain…

Basically, by having a go-bag I’ve re-“discovered” old discs that I had put out to pasture.

If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. As we gain more experience, we get better (mostly and hopefully). So, it stands to reason that a disc that “wasn’t working” for us in the past, could suit us much better now.

This can also be true as you gain understanding of how discs are intended to fly (as well as the flight numbers). Now that you have more experience/understanding, you are more likely to work the disc to it’s original intent… For more information on this, check out the following post I wrote on the many benefits of knowing your disc.

This absolutely happened to me with the Buzzz SS. There are two reasons it worked. 1. Because I’m an idiot and thought the mnemonic for SS was “super stable” (it’s actually “so straight”). And 2. because I better understood what the disc was supposed to do and was astounded by how well it flew for me compared to my initial experience.

As a result of “rediscovering” my old Buzz SS, I put this disc in for strong consideration as a candidate for a post I wrote on which disc to use in a one-disc round.

Now, that disc is part of my permanent bag and I use it almost every hole! It’s even a part of my ageless 3-disc starter set that I think all beginners should have and keep in their bag as they get better.

Another benefit I’ve noticed is that I tend not to force any discs from my go-bag. Because I’m out there enjoying the round, I slow things down a bit more and am doing a more natural throw (vs. tightening up and trying to “rip” the disc).

It gives me permission to let go of scores and I have uncovered some important lessons that I carry over to my general game…

Other Considerations to keep in mind

I have only a few other considerations to keep in mind for your disc-golf go bag. They are as follows…

Hot cars in Summer – If the temperature gets to a certain point, discs can heat up and warp. Though I’ve also heard that if your disc is warped you can leave it on the dash of your car in a hot day…

This is less concerning because they are not your main discs. Also, if you keep your go-bag in the trunk or under a blanket in a hatchback, then you should be all set (don’t hold me to that, but it’s worked just fine for me…)

Other items to Carry – I always have some poison ivy prevention in my bags. If poison ivy gets you like it gets me then check out the post called Disc Golf and Poison Ivy: A Complete Guide. It will tell you all you need to know about how to keep that evil plant from affecting your rounds.

In addition, I am always sure to pack some sort of tick/mosquito prevention. I just have a little spray bottle that I keep in the front pocket, in case I’m in a high-risk situation for either of those insects. Here’s a comprehensive post I wrote on disc golf, ticks and Lyme disease if you want to read more on the matter…

In Summary

The disc golf go-bag is easy to assemble and well worth the time.

Just grab some older lesser-used discs, a few other miscellaneous items (bug spray or poison ivy prevention) and an old backpack and toss it in your car. Now you are in business.

Soon, when opportunity presents, you can bring some valuable spontaneity into your life and play some disc golf at a moment’s notice.

Not only are you putting old discs/backpacks to use, but you may even “rekindle” your relationship with a disc that you had “retired”. In addition, because you are less concerned with scores (and more concerned with enjoying the moment) you might uncover some good habits that you can incorporate into your game…

And, of course, if I haven’t convinced you about using an old bag, there are some very affordable and smaller disc golf bags you can find here.

If you haven’t already, put together a disc golf go-bag. That way you can happily be disc golf’n a round whenever a moment presents…

Thanks for reading everyone! Let me know in the comments below if you already have a disc-golf go bag or whether you’re properly convinced you should put one together. Also, let us know if there are any discs you have “rekindled” with like I did with my Buzzz SS. As always, you can reach out and contact me any time. Also, at the time of writing this (5/10/22), Disc Golf Around is a very new blog. I encourage you to subscribe to get new posts delivered to your inbox and come along for the ride!