Simplify Your Game - For Beginners

Here is how I like to keep my bag simple.

Putter - Inside Circle

This is one type of putter that I carry in multiples, usually not more than 2 in my bag. Of those putters, only one is used consistently, and all are thrown strictly within the circle.  This benefits me by limiting my disc selection, which raises my consistency within the circle.

Wedge -  Longer jump putts / Shots outside 10m circle / Chip Shots

This is one disc carried in multiples up to 4.  Nothing more than a putter; keep it slow, controllable, and consistent.  A lot of wedge shots will be stand-still, chip shots around 150ft.  This is a difficult club in disc golf because, unlike in ball golf, putters are also used on the tee.  Ultimately, my wedge offers more control, accuracy, and consistency than any other disc on my bag.  I usually try to keep my wedge shots to a maximum of 200ft.

Irons - Control / Accuracy / Mid-range / All-Purpose

You will find a lot of different irons.  I Pick one that works for me and carry multiples up to 4 or 5 for all of the long iron shots.  By choosing an over-stable iron, it allows them to wear variously, and soon you will have a few that are no longer as stable; this replaces the need for different, under-stable irons of different molds.  It's always safe to swing the shortest club possible.  Irons do not skip as far and are easier to control over longer drivers.  Most iron shots range from 200 - 325 feet.

Hybrid - Control / Accuracy / Fairway

It's simple.  Very similar to irons, hybrids provide control and accuracy - only hybrids have slightly sharper edges and are faster, which allows them to go farther.  Hybrids have smaller rims and are not distance drivers, they are the longest of all the irons capable of reaching 350 - 400 feet.  I carry a couple as they are very reliable and will more often correct itself over shorter irons.

Woods - Tee Shots / Control Distance / Max Distance

Woods consist of Fairway woods and Drivers.  These have wide rims and are meant to deliver the longest, fastest distance off the tee.  Fairway woods are a little slower and easier to control as distance drivers are much faster, more stable, and require more power.  I wouldn't recommend carrying more than 5 different drivers.

Here is what's in my bag

KC Aviar - (2) - Putting inside 10m circle
Magnet - (4) - Wedge to 7 iron
KC ROC - (4) - 7 iron - 3 iron
Leopard - (2) - Hybrid
Teebird - (2) - Hybrid
Beast - (2) - Fairway wood
Orc - (2) - Fairway wood
Destroyer- (2) - Driver

I'd suggest carrying a Firebird, also.

 

[Mike McFarlin]

They might get in trouble with "Scott just tom-a-hawked his Apache and it's tomb-stoned on the green."

[Rob]

I agree with Chuck. Not all new disc golfers are familiar with ball golf terms and skills. 'Simplifying' your game to be like ball golfers is actually MUCH more confusing. Our game is only based on ball golf, it is not the same!

[Chuck Kennedy]

BTW, I don't necessarily disagree with the idea to appropriately co-opt selected ball golf terms because several of their terms are good for describing elements in the game such as tee, fairway and par. I simply disagree with the premise that it will somehow make it easier for new players.

[Dookville]

Which club do you use in ball golf to hit a flex shot, golf balls don't 'S' curve in the air. I never could find a club that made my ball spiral like throwing a thumber or tomahawk. Skip hyzering a shot in ball golf would mean you topped it, and those didn't curve.

 

Our game is just too different to pair up termanologies.

[Tate N]

You're right and the flight path terms would obviously stay the same. Golf discs and golf balls will obviously have different flight paths, although MOST disc golf shots can also be done in a similar way with a club and ball. This post has nothing to do with fligh paths, only disc selection.

[Andrew Sanders]

We shouldn't completely discount Tate's terminology. If you had a buddy that regularly ball-golfed, this would be a great, quick way to get him on the course and help him know how to pick discs. It's really only good for that: a consistent ball-golfer, and it should only be used to introduce him, after a couple rounds, he should know more than this.

[Tate N]

thanks man!

[Dookville]

He shouldn't have to worry about selection, he's only supposed to throw a putter for the first 3 years anyway.

[Tate N]

Three years is a little long, dude.

[Rob]

Good for ball golfers. More confusing for non-ball golfers. That was my only point.

Really just do what makes the game fun for you.

Thanks for the unique idea Take N!

[Dookville]

Most of my buddies that play ball golf are arrogant pricks, I'm not conforming one bit to bridge the gap for them. They can learn just like I did, trial and error. Or they can take advice from some arrogant prick disc golfer that tells them to go learn to throw their putter 300' and then they'll truly understand. The crap we sling just never ends.

[Andrew Sanders]

All of my buddies that play ball golf are nice guys; I'm gonna go out of my way to bridge the gap for them. I don't want them to have to learn like I did: trial and error.  Or they can come on websites like this and get really confused by all the angry disc golfers. The stuff we all get mad at each other about never ends.