How to remove stench from your disc golf bag

Have you ever seen Bradley Williams’ back when he takes off his bag?

It’s drenched in sweat.

As disc golfers, he and I have different styles of play:

He’s good at the sport.
I’m as bad as they come.

What we DO have in common, however, are sweaty backs. This isn’t a year-round issue, but when the warmer weather turns up, the sweat glands on my back kick into high gear …

My bag pays the price for it.

After a few dozen sweat-soaked rounds, the result is a bag that reeks of funk. Whether the cause of moisture be sweat, rain or some other icky liquid, here are five simple ways to handle it …

Knowledge bombs: Look out below.

1. The great outdoors

This is the easiest of the methods on this list …

It requires ZERO effort.

Assuming the weather is hot and dry and plans to stay that way for at least a few days, simply leave your bag outside. Remove all discs. Empty the pockets. Turn ‘em inside-out, if possible. Trapped moisture leads to mold and musty smells. In 24 to 48 hours, fresh air will fix it.

2. Freeze your bag (for real)

This is NOT a joke …

I’ve done this myself: It’s gold.

To make this work, all you’ll need is a gross-smelling disc golf bag, a trash bag and a spacious freezer. Also, for what it’s worth, it helps to have a patient wife, too. Seal your backpack in the trash bag. Next, place it in a chest freezer. Leave it there for five or six hours. Take it out. Let it thaw. Once complete, you, too, will be a believer: Cold temperatures kill odor-causing bacteria.

* Note: The internet disputes this. Again, I can’t stress this enough – just do it.

3. Vodka: More than getting merry

Clear, unflavored and bottom-shelf cheap.

That’s what works best.

Pour some into a dollar-store spray bottle. Hit every nook and cranny of your bag. As the vodka evaporates, it takes the foul-smelling odor with it. If you’re going for a fresher sensation, add a few drops of tea-tree oil to the mixture, as well. And, hey – leftover vodka, if that’s your jam.

4. Dryer sheets and sneaker balls work

Dryer sheets are dirt-cheap.

Sneaker balls are a bit pricier, but have a longer shelf-life.

Regardless, work ‘em into all the pockets and compartments in your bag. Considering the inadvertent sauna it becomes in the summertime, the trunk of your car’s not a bad idea, either. The beauty here is that these are small enough for you to leave them in your bag while playing.

5. Don’t overcomplicate things: Febreze

I mean, this is what Febreze does …

It masks stink.

Keep it in the car. After a round, spray down your bag.

Easy as pie.

As for actually cleaning (gasp) your bag?

In due time, I’ll get there with a post …

But for now, focus on what matters:

Barfy smells.

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

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