Just getting started...finding some discs
The purpose for this blog is to share information, and I love to write, so this works out well for me; it's a win-win. One of the reasons I got into disc golf so quickly is that there is so much information to absorb, the equipment, the techniques, the throws, the physics and an abundance of opportunities to play and get better.
The first thing you need to do is get some discs. If you know someone that plays, go out with them. Disc golfers are really a cool bunch and will certainly allow you to borrow a few, even recommending what discs are right to get you started. I didn't have that so much, maybe you're on your own too. It's ok, you'll make plenty of friends later once you get going.
Franklin makes a basic starter set that will cost you around $10-20 depending on where you find it. Now, Franklin makes a bunch of recreational gear, baseball gloves, street hockey nets, portable soccer goals, all over the board. It's kind of like buying an Emerson appliance, it's decent, but not the best quality. The discs are a hard plastic and don't have the most consistent grip, but again, they're inexpensive. If you have a garage full of sports stuff (like that surfboard you bought 6 years ago and never so much as got wet) then start here. It'll be a nice yard game for the kids if you get it with the basic target set (about $40-50) when you move on up to some better discs.
My personal recommendation, an starter set from Innova. This set also comes with 3 discs, with the lower end DX plastic version for about $25, again, depending on whether you shop online or in person, you can find these for more or less than that. Typically, this set comes with a putter, mid-range and fairway driver (named Aviar, Shark and Leopard.) It's a good basic starter and the Aviar putter may be the disc that stays in your bag for awhile, although, each of these discs could be in your bag for a long period of time based on how quickly you get up to speed and get into the sport.
Resale shops like Play It Again Sports will have both new and used discs in addition to accessories (baskets, bags, etc.) It can also be a place to find a new starter set, which is where I got mine before my very first time playing. I have an outdoor store near me in Wilmington that has a small section just around the kayaks, and a specialty store that does mostly tennis, running, a little soccer and other recreational activities that has a very small selection of discs.
My go to place is a games store. Lots of board and role playing games, but a wonderful selection of new and used discs plus accessories. You can use traditional brick and mortars too, but the big box stores don't have any sort of selection and no individual discs to speak of.
Just like round golf, don't be afraid to test the used market. Although there is a bit less out there for disc golf, the opportunity is still there. I've bought discs on Facebook, Letgo and OfferUp for local meets. The pickins can be slim, but I got a nice starter for my brother-in-law to throw around the yard with his kids, and me (if we get the chance to get out there.)
The selection is abundant online. Amazon has some great deals on starter sets, and you can make that purchase after you put your hands of them in some brick and mortar stores so you know what it is that you're looking at. Ebay is good once you get more involved and are looking for specific discs, plastics and colors.
But the thing about disc golf is that there's so much to offer from the sport. Many of the disc golf courses are in public parks, so they're free (no greens fees!) You can go out by yourself, so no need to get a large group together and settle on a time and venue (that comes later as you meet more people) and all you really need is an open field to go throw some discs for a bit if you want.
So go find yourself some discs to get started and we'll get back together soon.
The first thing you need to do is get some discs. If you know someone that plays, go out with them. Disc golfers are really a cool bunch and will certainly allow you to borrow a few, even recommending what discs are right to get you started. I didn't have that so much, maybe you're on your own too. It's ok, you'll make plenty of friends later once you get going.
Time to get some discs
I had a feeling I was going to hooked on this game, so I jumped in with both feet, looking for discs. My recommendation is to get a basic starter set and I'll talk about two here.Franklin makes a basic starter set that will cost you around $10-20 depending on where you find it. Now, Franklin makes a bunch of recreational gear, baseball gloves, street hockey nets, portable soccer goals, all over the board. It's kind of like buying an Emerson appliance, it's decent, but not the best quality. The discs are a hard plastic and don't have the most consistent grip, but again, they're inexpensive. If you have a garage full of sports stuff (like that surfboard you bought 6 years ago and never so much as got wet) then start here. It'll be a nice yard game for the kids if you get it with the basic target set (about $40-50) when you move on up to some better discs.
My personal recommendation, an starter set from Innova. This set also comes with 3 discs, with the lower end DX plastic version for about $25, again, depending on whether you shop online or in person, you can find these for more or less than that. Typically, this set comes with a putter, mid-range and fairway driver (named Aviar, Shark and Leopard.) It's a good basic starter and the Aviar putter may be the disc that stays in your bag for awhile, although, each of these discs could be in your bag for a long period of time based on how quickly you get up to speed and get into the sport.
Where to shop
Your location will drive where you can shop for disc golf. Some areas are better than others and I happen to be very lucky when it comes to looking for discs. Major sporting good retailers at least have some sort of selection. I have been in Dicks Sporting Goods stores from Pennsylvania to South Carolina and every one had at least the end cap (four foot section at the end on an aisle) that had a selection of individual Innova Discs. Academy Sports + Outdoors had some Dynamic Discs and Latitude 64, but both had at least one starter set, and we'll talk more about brands later.Resale shops like Play It Again Sports will have both new and used discs in addition to accessories (baskets, bags, etc.) It can also be a place to find a new starter set, which is where I got mine before my very first time playing. I have an outdoor store near me in Wilmington that has a small section just around the kayaks, and a specialty store that does mostly tennis, running, a little soccer and other recreational activities that has a very small selection of discs.
My go to place is a games store. Lots of board and role playing games, but a wonderful selection of new and used discs plus accessories. You can use traditional brick and mortars too, but the big box stores don't have any sort of selection and no individual discs to speak of.
Just like round golf, don't be afraid to test the used market. Although there is a bit less out there for disc golf, the opportunity is still there. I've bought discs on Facebook, Letgo and OfferUp for local meets. The pickins can be slim, but I got a nice starter for my brother-in-law to throw around the yard with his kids, and me (if we get the chance to get out there.)
The selection is abundant online. Amazon has some great deals on starter sets, and you can make that purchase after you put your hands of them in some brick and mortar stores so you know what it is that you're looking at. Ebay is good once you get more involved and are looking for specific discs, plastics and colors.
Settling up
All that information...and we're just talking about buying your first discs. I like to shop and I LOVE getting gear. I have all sorts of sports equipment: baseball, softball, soccer, golf (lots of golf,) bowling balls, road and mountain bikes and a surfboard.But the thing about disc golf is that there's so much to offer from the sport. Many of the disc golf courses are in public parks, so they're free (no greens fees!) You can go out by yourself, so no need to get a large group together and settle on a time and venue (that comes later as you meet more people) and all you really need is an open field to go throw some discs for a bit if you want.
So go find yourself some discs to get started and we'll get back together soon.
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