When building a disc golf bag, there are a number of things to consider. You have to figure out what matters to you. Is it brand, color, stability or type of disc? Maybe you prefer stock stamps or cool artwork from signature runs or tournaments. The key to finding the right discs for your bag are finding those that produce results and those that make you happy.
For me, it is a combination of the above notes. As a member of Team Discmania, I'm naturally bagging only Discmania. I can’t imagine trying to build an open bag filled with any and all brands these days. There are so many great discs across a huge number of companies.
When building my disc golf bag, I like to find a few staples, meaning discs that I love and can lean on. This means I’ll pick one or two discs from each slot to build the core of my bag.
Starting with putting putters, I have found that I am most successful when I have a stiff, grippy putter. The Discmania Evolution Hard Link has recently caught my attention for putting duties. For my throwing putter, I really prefer a low profile feeling disc. The term “low profile” means is that the disc isn’t very tall or deep in your hand. It’s easy to get your fingers under the rim. This is key for getting the disc to spin. In this slot, I’ve found recent success with the Soft Link. Unlike my putting putters, I like my throwers to be on the softer side.
Moving on to the midrange slots, I am a big fan of neutral flying discs. By controlling release angles and speed, I’m able to manipulate a neutral flying disc like the Discmania C-Line MD. The MD just fits my game so well. It’s easy to throw and had lots of glide, plus with it being a neutral flying disc, it doesn’t let me hide any flaws in my throwing form.
While the neutral mid is a huge part of my game, I also love a slightly overstable mid. Some days it feels easier to just pound on something hard and let it fly. The Discmania MD3 is that disc. It has some stability, but not too much, and with that stability there is glide. I have been leaning on either Eagle McMahon Glow or Color Glow MD3s.
Continuing up the speed chart brings us to the fairway slot. Discmania’s newest fairway driver is the Discmania Evolution Instinct. This is a great all around fairway driver. Glide and a touch of stability also make it a sneaky far flier.
Having an overstable counterpart to a disc like the Instinct is a must. And for me, that is the Discmania FD3 and specifically the Simon Lizotte Doom Bird III. It’s flat, grippy and has some sweet artwork. Most importantly, it is overstable! It can handle wind and be trusted both forehand and backhand. Overhands and short rollers make this a great all around utility disc for the bag.
While the Instinct can fly far, it is only a speed 7. Having a few higher speed options is a must. The Discmania CD2 is a hybrid fairway and distance driver. It’s got a smaller rim, but gets out there like it is a distance driver. For players with slower arm speed, this can even be your main distance disc. For me, I need a little more speed and stability so I’m carrying the Discmania DD3 in my distance slot. I’m able to smash on this both backhand and forehand, no matter the wind. If you have 400+ foot power, the DD3 is a necessity in the bag.
So going through each “slot” and finding a disc you really like is where you should begin when building your bag. I can have the confidence in any of the discs that I choose. Just with those eight discs that we’ve mentioned, nearly every shot is covered.
The Little Things
For a disc to earn a spot in my lineup, I’ll first have to like the feel of the disc. If it doesn’t feel good, it probably isn’t for you.
The look of the disc is also a key factor for me. Depending on the season, I’m not going to put a certain colored disc in the bag (for example, I won’t add a yellow disc to my bag in the fall). Look and feel are secondary, while the most important thing is you have to like the flight.
If you find gaps in your bag, fill them in with some utility discs. Too many discs can be a bad thing though. If you have too many options, you can quickly distract from the shot in front of you. Keep your bag tight and simple.
Real World Testing
In order to really build your bag, get out to the field and test discs out. Throw it on every angle, both forehand and backhand. Learn the limitations. Getting the disc on the course is the next step in the process.
Play a round where I throw that certain disc on every single hole, whether as my first shot or a practice shot. Again, this is where I learn what I can and can’t do. And finally, using the disc during competition is the final step from being a tester to a truster.
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- Dana Vicich
