Disc golf: Lean more on the few discs that (really) work for you

By: Taylor Larsen

This might come as a surprise to some …

But it’s not uncommon for disc golfers to own hundreds of discs.

And I’m not talking about those out on the road for eight months a year, either. Many of the most casual, weekend warrior-type golfers own more plastic than they’d care to admit. And even with one of those kitchen sink-carrying bags, at most, they can tote only 25-ish of ‘em on the course.

DGPT: Nate Sexton

Which brings me to a nugget of advice for you, me and even Sir Paul McBeth, assuming the Google algorithm accidentally force-feeds him one of our articles – give this thing a whirl:

  • Carry as many discs as you like – the more the merrier.
  • Identify the two or three you throw over and over again.
  • Then, in a shocking turn of events, throw ‘em even more.

These are your “workhorse” discs.

They rarely do you wrong; they deserve more action.

When you go out of your way to buy a crap-ton of discs, it’s tempting not to throw them. In fact, if you were to buy them and NOT throw them, you’d have a bigger issue on your hands …

A lack of functioning brain cells.

I don’t care if it’s a putter, midrange, fairway or distance driver …

DGPT: Paul Ulibarri

The more time you spend with your workhorse molds, the more uses you’ll find for them. And before you know it, with the SAME two or three frisbees, the number of shots you can trust in key moments during rounds that matter will start to expand – and the best part of it all?

No new equipment required.

Evidence of this is all over the Pro Tour:

  • Ricky Wysocki straight-up drives with a Harp.
  • Nate Sexton baby-flexes Firebirds up tight tunnels.
  • Michael Johansen uses a Comet for basically everything.

Hardly protocol for those molds.

And these are just three examples …

Mold infatuation is everywhere.

DGPT: Andrew Fish

James Conrad loves his Envy. Aaron Gossage works his Zone. Bradley Williams rocks his Pig. Simon Lizotte is known for his Hex. Gregg Barsby swears by his Eagle. Paul Ulibarri is “going with” his Nuke. Gannon Buhr leans on his D1. Calvin Heimburg dominates his Destroyer. 

The result of following in the above guys’ footsteps?

Familiarity with your gear. And more importantly, confidence in your game. When everything constantly feels comfortable, there are fewer surprises come time for takeoff. Find what works. Stick with it. Branch out ONLY when there’s a gaping hole in your bag that needs filling.

Easy as pie.

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Photo of author

Taylor Larsen

Taylor Larsen is a staff writer for Green Splatter. He uses disc golf to self-reflect, pondering questions like, "Where the heck did I throw that?" and "What happens if the disc lands on top of the basket?" He resides in Utah with his dog, Banks, who loves to chase frisbees of all sorts.

2 thoughts on “Disc golf: Lean more on the few discs that (really) work for you”

  1. Great article. But when you start giving examples of pros, you could just go ahead and add the fact that basically all the discs that any given pro or gifted amateur throw are workhorses. Most pros have at least 5-10 discs that they know ten times better than I will ever know any disc.

    Reply

    • This is true …

      Still, they have their preferences – that’s a given.

      But you’re right: They’re good with ALL of their discs …

      The rest of us?

      Eh, not so much.

      Reply

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