5 ways pro disc golfers can improve their ‘in-the-bag’ videos

I have to admit it …

This feels weird.

The bulk of my tip-centric articles are about emulating professional disc golfers – doing what they do out on the course. This time around, however, my words are for them. Clearly, nobody important is going to read this, but even the idea that I’m qualified to give them advice about something within the sport of disc golf is enough to make me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Today’s topic?

In-the-bag videos.

If you’re a pro disc golfer and your frisbee sponsor considers you talented enough to have one, there’s a good chance you suck on film. And I’m not talking about anything to do with camera equipment, creative direction or video-production prowess – it’s your words that need help.

Listen up.

1. Keep ‘em short

Before YouTube Shorts was a thing, there was TikTok. Before TikTok reared its ugly head, Vine existed. And if you’re too old to know what any of those are, you probably watch movies and sitcoms with the subtitles on. Regardless of entertainment quirk, the truth is the same …

Attention spans are short.

We’re all goldfish.

If you’ve felt the pain of having to listen to a close friend (or complete stranger) drone aimlessly on about the wonders of their kids, all while scrolling through pictures of them on their smartphones, you’ll know how viewers feel when YOU gush over every disc you own …

One word:

Snoozefest.

Here’s Jeremy Koling filibustering for 21-plus minutes on the wonders of Innova plastic …

I get it: The Star AviarX3 has transformed your existence.

We’re all very impressed.

Get. To. The. Point.

Less than 10 minutes is best.

2. Disc details, por favor

Yes, make things quick …

But don’t take this to an extreme, either.

There’s a difference between getting long-winded about the subtle, imperceptible intricacies of your beautifully beaten Star Destroyers and the weight you prefer them in for max-distance bombs. One comes off as mind-numbingly pompous, while the other has mass appeal.

Other factors (possibly) worth mentioning:

• Run.
• Dome.
• Plastic.
• Firmness.

Tell me what I need to know to build a bag like yours.

Don’t make me go to Reddit.

3. If there’s a story, tell it

Welcome to Marketing 101.

It’s sad, but true …

Consumers frequently forget product specs. What they’re less likely to forget, however, are stories about products. Furthermore, when “sold” to them via stories, they’re also less likely to realize they’re being force-fed marketing messages. Remember “The Lego Movie,” by chance? You might not’ve known it at the time, but you basically sat through a 100-minute commercial.

But it was a story …

So you didn’t notice.

Since then, you’ve definitely bought Legos.

Congrats: You’re now a marketing metric.

Again, speaking directly to Tour Card-carrying professional disc golfers, the main goal of your in-the-bag videos should be to move inventory for your manufacturing sponsor, thus putting a bit more jangle in your pocket. This works for everything: stock discs, signature series discs and …

Tour Series discs.

Here’s Gregg Barsby doing just that for the Champion Eagle in less than 10 seconds:

Tell stories. Make money.

You’re welcome.

4. Actually do them (and at the start of the season)

This one should’ve been first on the list, huh?

It’s too late now.

Back to the basics.

To quote Sheryl Sandberg:

“Done is better than perfect.”

Simply showing up with SOME kind of in-the-bag video at the start of each season will have you ahead of the vast majority of the Pro Tour field. This is easy money – go and get it.

Seriously, Aaron Gossage went toe-to-toe with Paul McBeth at the 2022 Worlds in Emporia, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s all but impossible to find any in-the-bag content for the guy online. The mustachioed man is literally one of the best disc golfers on Planet Earth, and still …

Nothing.

I get that an in-the-bag filming session might feel a bit overkill to start each season. But even if your bag’s not changed much, the actual discs you’re throwing probably have. And more importantly, so have the faces that build out disc golf’s ever-expanding audience.

Speak to them.

They’ll find you. They’ll follow you.

They’ll give you money.

5. The fun, non-frisbee stuff is worth presenting, too

Get personal.

For as much growth as disc golf’s experienced since the pandemic, it’s still a microscopic sport. Fans of the game love the idea of potentially being able to throw a few holes in a park with their favorite pro. Worship LeBron James all you want, he’s not joining you for a game of H-O-R-S-E.

And yet, with that option very much being on the table, the truth of the matter is that most amateur disc golfers will never run into Ricky Wysocki at Vista del Camino during the off-season. As such, it’s nice to get to know their preferred pros however possible …

An in-the-bag can help.

Frisbees are fun and all, but even though it might sound silly, share some of the non-disc items you’ve got tucked away in your bag. The stuff that’s totally NOT a game-changer during a tournament, but you’d never leave home without: minis, snacks, good-luck charms, etc.

Here’s Calvin Heimburg sharing two of the stranger things (lol) he has in his bag …

Once upon a time, at least:

That’s right …

Three-hundred marbles and a mother-freaking slingshot.

What other random, interesting items are out there?

Do tell.

* Honorable Mention: If you bag an unusual mold, don’t gloss over it – talk about why.

Disc golf is a gear-obsessed sport.

With the game driven by it, there’s a need.

What’s incredible to me, though, is that – in spite of this disc-collecting culture of ours – there are boatloads of full-time disc golfers at the professional level practically living off food stamps. 

No, busting out the occasional in-the-bag isn’t going to suddenly make your disc golf career lucrative, but man – it’s an apparent, bottom-of-the-barrel place to start. Like, it’s the easiest of hoop-jumps. To not make and promote ONE (!) a season feels like outright laziness to me.

As is the case with most things, if you’re going to do it …

Do it well.

See above.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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