I have heard of it and have seen pictures of it - people playing discgolf in the snow. That's great and I would like to try it myself but how do you keep from loosing discs in the snow?

We don't get a lot of snow where I live in southern Michigan but at times it's enough to loose a disc - 12" to 18" or more. I have heard of people attaching streamers of surveyors tape to the center of the disc on the bottom but doesn't that kill the flight characteristics?

Does anyone have anymore information on this?

-Dave

The streamers don't effect the flight that much as far as I have seen. I have never played in freshly fallen snow of more than an inch or so, but usually I can find good dark discs if I know where I through them.

Maybe a long fishing wire, maybe "spiderwire" b/c its durable and thin. Sometimes its colored and would show up and stick out of the snow. Tape it to the bottom in the center. I think fishing line would create less drag than lanscapers tape.

SpiderWire (http://store.discountfishinggear.com/sporbr100yds.html)

But what do I know, I live in the south. We see maybe 1" a year maybe, if we're lucky.


nel

The whole point of the tape is to be wide and therefore visible... you are telling me you are going to find fishing line in the snow? /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

A braided fishing line, has color to it. I know i have a braided line that is GREEN not WHITE or CLEAR. The braided line would be the way to go, not a monofilament line.

just a thought

If i knew i was going to get shot down, I wouldnt have posted my thoughts, TreeKlunker

Nel

Here are my observations of my first year playing in the snow.

#1 Powder is better than wet snow. In powder lthe disc leaves a small slice in the snow, in wet snow that slice collapses and the disc disappears.

#2 Have spotters, have them watching from different angles to watch were the disc lands.

#3 Walk on already walked on paths and or walk single file, it makes it easier to see the disc marks in fresh snow.

#4 I call it the Alaskan method, heard of people in Alaska doing this, use chalk used for chalklines, darker the better and coat disc before throwing, it creates a colored slice in the snow.

I've only lost one disc this year, I was alone, in wet snow, and didn't have my chalk. I've nearly lost 3 others all in wet snow.

If i knew i was going to get shot down, I wouldnt have posted my thoughts, TreeKlunker
Nel


Well golly gee, Nel, didn't mean to get your panties in an uproar. Having a little fun and someone goes and gets pissy... you need any Midol? /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Yes, Disc Golf is a YEAR ROUND sport. I'm from Toledo, OH (On the Michigan Ohio border) and I've played disc golf all winter long. These streamers, fishing lines, and whatever are fine. But i prefer the old fashioned way of Throwing in the Snow.

Step 1 - Throw (Pick a NON WHITE DISC, cannot stress this enough)
Step 2 - Watch the disc's flight very carefully and pinpoint where it does eventually land.
Step 3 - Pick a marker (some tree off in the distance or a stick in the ground, or its distance from the basket)
Step 4 - If waiting for other players, keep your eyes on the spot it landed.
Step 5 - Only walk in the footprints provided before you (try not to create new ones)
Step 6 - Look for your disc (a small 7" wide slit in the snow is a good spot to start)

Always improve your game.

Winter is the best time for adding Distance, Determination and enDurance.

Enjoy.

Coolio! Thanks for the responses everyone - very useful information.

-Dave

I use 1/4 inch ribbon, the kind you would wrap a gift with... depending on the depth of the snow I use a 30"-40"piece and attach it to the center bottom with a dab of Shoegoo. On wet days most tapes will peel off, but the goo stays on for a few rounds as long as you don't pull too hard on the ribbon.

Also, the ribbon will make your disc go about 80% of your normal drive and it will be slightly more stable, so you may want to use some older beat plastic.

Oh and, if you take a scissors and run it down the ribbon on one side it will curl... if you run it down the other side it will straighten, you want to straighten it.

I agree with all of those except the one about winter is the best time to add distance. I don't know what school of thought you are from, but i don't think that is very true. Three major points.
1. Footing sucks
2. Air is cold, which drasticaly reduces glide
3. You are wearing 2-5 layers
So please enlighten me further on how these things Help your distance, cause they don't help mine at all. :confused:I've been playinbg in the winter for 7 years, so i am not a noob.

Hey, Dave -

Episode 4 of Disc Golf Live features a segment on snow golf and addresses the topics your post touches upon. Discing in the snow is a ball with the right preparation and know-how as others seem to attest.

I've never been a big fan of the ribbon thing. My drives are so short, a few feet less and I'd barely clear the tee pad.

I do know one guy who wrecked the end of his finger when the ribbon on his disc twisted around his finger mid-throw somehow. A bloody mess, indeed.

I don't know where you are, but DGL plays in several towns in MI, and Grand Rapids should be on board soon, too. If you have community access TV in your area, let me know and I'll get a free copy of the show your way so you can submit it for broadcast.

Playing in the snow can be a lot of fun. I tried the ribbon thing. Too much drag and flapping around. Best thing I've found is brightly colored carpenters string. About a 6 foot length. Take one of your older drivers, bright orange or pink. Drill a very small hole in the very middle (yes it is illegal, for fun only). Tie a couple of knots on the end of the string and pull the string thru, coming out the bottom. When throwing, carefully wad up string in your non-throwing hand and let her rip. Watch where it goes. Long string is usually laying on top of snow trailing behind disc where it is buried. Find disc, have a shot, and repeat. :cool:

Go out and try it. This was my first winter and I thought it was great. My wife thought I was nuts.

Most of my shots in 6" of snow actually bounced. Some settled in. The buried shots were usually within 3' of the point of impact. The buriec shots in wet snow didn't go as far. The only problem I had finding a disc...I was actually standing on it.

You may want to change your disc selection. No white discs. You might want to take out your Innova Champion Yellow also. (That's the one I stood on.) I don't normally use any type of run-up, so my distance (off the tee) really did not suffer. (Short in the summer..short in the winter.) Wearing a lot of layers did seem to affect my approach shots. I used some longer discs there.

Gloves. Everybody will have the own tip. Here's mine. I wore a cotton work glove underneath my leather wood-working glove on my non-thowing hand. The outer glove gets wet. Eventually, the cotton glove does too. Just replace it. My throwing hand got the wood working glove only...but that glove never touched a wet disc. It handled the towel only. Yea, it got wet too....just took a lot longer.

One last tip. Might be a waste for some. Go out and walk in your boots before you go to the course. You may find out they are not very comfortable.

Go out and have a blast. :)

I agree with you.
The only reason I play in the snow is to get my disc golf junkie form of methadone.
Playing in weather that cold is asking for injury unless you're not trying and keeping gloves on. I'll even go out and play a round with a big orange Ultra-star just to have fun and not lose anything. But the second I take my glove off and start going for distance, I'm going to hurt myself. Whether from losing footing or muscles getting cold, I'd just rather not. I've injured my hand before, and I can't afford to do that to the rest of my season.

I agree with all of those except the one about winter is the best time to add distance. I don't know what school of thought you are from, but i don't think that is very true. Three major points.
1. Footing sucks
2. Air is cold, which drasticaly reduces glide
3. You are wearing 2-5 layers
So please enlighten me further on how these things Help your distance, cause they don't help mine at all. :confused:I've been playinbg in the winter for 7 years, so i am not a noob.




Well i guess i wasnt very specific when i said that playing in the winter adds distance.

To be more specific:
When throwing in the winter you add layers (duh)
I typically wear an undershirt, a turtleneck and a polertec vest. (maybe a heavy shirt if its under 15 degrees or so)
And then i just wear shorts and wind pants and a piar of cotton socks and then some thick ones to keep warm in.

These are alot of clothes.

I DO NOT add distance in the wintertime.

I DO ADD distance in the spring when all these clothes come off.

In the winter i'm maxing out at about 400' when its about 20 degrees or under.

So logically, when it begins to warm up, i will add distance when i have:
-Sure footing
-Warm air (increases glide)
-And im wearing Shorts, a teeshirt and some shades.

But by throwing all winter long i build my armspeed throwing in these harder conditions. (Think about swinging a baseball bat with weights on it, then removing the weights and swinging faster)

That is the school of thought i come from.

[QUOTE]


So logically, when it begins to warm up, i will add distance when i have:
-Sure footing
-Warm air (increases glide)
-And im wearing Shorts, a teeshirt and some shades.

But by throwing all winter long i build my armspeed throwing in these harder conditions. (Think about swinging a baseball bat with weights on it, then removing the weights and swinging faster)

That is the school of thought i come from.




heres my school of thought.......im getting old, it hurts just to LOOK at snowy conditions outside, :Dit hurts to even THINK about going out all layered up and throwing your arm out, :Di just think, avoid the pain and go straight to the hot tub with a cold one in hand. :D:Dand wait for better days...... :D

I agree with you.
The only reason I play in the snow is to get my disc golf junkie form of methadone.
Playing in weather that cold is asking for injury unless you're not trying and keeping gloves on. I'll even go out and play a round with a big orange Ultra-star just to have fun and not lose anything. But the second I take my glove off and start going for distance, I'm going to hurt myself. Whether from losing footing or muscles getting cold, I'd just rather not. I've injured my hand before, and I can't afford to do that to the rest of my season.



Exactly, I've only been playing for about a year and I am already heavily addicted so winter did not stop me today. I played 9 holes today and found what you are talking about to be soooo true. It was about 39 today and all the hard packed snow/ice that covered about 50% of the ground was melting and there was a slight drizzle making it even MORE slick than normal. I came so close to falling several times. None of the snow today was deep enough to loose a disc but I found 15-20 feet of extra distance on some shots as my disc skidded across the bumpy ice! Of course that didn't help my score...Thanks all *again* for all the great advice...

-Dave

Hey, Dave -

Episode 4 of Disc Golf Live features a segment on snow golf and addresses the topics your post touches upon. Discing in the snow is a ball with the right preparation and know-how as others seem to attest.

I've never been a big fan of the ribbon thing. My drives are so short, a few feet less and I'd barely clear the tee pad.



I know the feeling...


I do know one guy who wrecked the end of his finger when the ribbon on his disc twisted around his finger mid-throw somehow. A bloody mess, indeed.

I don't know where you are, but DGL plays in several towns in MI, and Grand Rapids should be on board soon, too. If you have community access TV in your area, let me know and I'll get a free copy of the show your way so you can submit it for broadcast.



Well, there isn't any public or community access TV around here (that I am aware of) but I'll take the free videos anyways...*wink wink*

:D

Seriously though - I'd be happy to look and see if there are any around here. I know there aren't any on my system...

-Dave

If i knew i was going to get shot down, I wouldnt have posted my thoughts, TreeKlunker
Nel


Well golly gee, Nel, didn't mean to get your panties in an uproar. Having a little fun and someone goes and gets pissy... you need any Midol? /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif




I know holmes, i'm just messing around with you....& a Midol would be great so long as it works the same as Xanex, .. ;)

If i knew i was going to get shot down, I wouldnt have posted my thoughts, TreeKlunker
Nel


Well golly gee, Nel, didn't mean to get your panties in an uproar. Having a little fun and someone goes and gets pissy... you need any Midol? /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif




I know holmes, i'm just messing around with you....& a Midol would be great so long as it works the same as Xanex, .. ;)


Well there's only one way to find out, just take some midol and find out. Personally I don't think it will be quite as effective. My soon to be ex-wife once gave me midol telling me it was tylenol. Oh I was ******... well lets just say I got some good old army laxative gum and repayed the favor. :D :D

If i knew i was going to get shot down, I wouldnt have posted my thoughts, TreeKlunker
Nel


Well golly gee, Nel, didn't mean to get your panties in an uproar. Having a little fun and someone goes and gets pissy... you need any Midol? /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif




I know holmes, i'm just messing around with you....& a Midol would be great so long as it works the same as Xanex, .. ;)


Well there's only one way to find out, just take some midol and find out. Personally I don't think it will be quite as effective. My soon to be ex-wife once gave me midol telling me it was tylenol. Oh I was ******... well lets just say I got some good old army laxative gum and repayed the favor. :D :D



lol @ "SOON TO BE EX-WIFE" and the return favor..
any other pranks I can try out on roomates or girlfriends??


nel

These posts are always entertaining for those of us in Minnesnowta that play year round. :DSome good info here though. I used to say that I enjoyed playing in the winter more than summer. As I'm nearing 40, that's changing. I can't emphasize enough the value in stretching out when playing in the cold. The courses certainly have a lot fewer players and that makes it more enjoyable. I never use streamers and lose more discs in the summer foliage than I do in the winter. Practice in "reading" the marks in the snow helps. Playing in the snow also helps improve some techniques that help in the warmer months. Though the tee pads at my home course are shoveled and salted by the devoted local junkies, run ups other than on the tees are difficult. This helps improve what fellow MN Chuck Kennedy has called the "stand and deliver" shot. Very valuable for lies directly in front of trees or deep in the shule. Gore Tex footwear and gloves or mittens are definitely a plus and I will usually use my Gore Tex rain gear if it is windy or above freezing for shots where kneeling is the only way to go. For deep snow, gaiters are a plus to keep the snow out of your boots. Extra Towels are also a plus when the snow is wet. Hand warmers in a soft side cooler helps keep the adult beverages from freezing. Finally, I had my first ace of the year and first skip ace last Friday off the ice. Get off the couch and try it.

I don't find that the clothes act as a "weight" to help build arm speed. It's just cumbersome. If you want to add D from training, buy a total gym. Best piece of equipment for disc golf training(arm speed and strength). :D

Pranks, oh I know pranks. I lived in dorms from the age of 15 til 20 and then a frat house for a few years... I know a few ways to get at people depending on how nasty you want to get and how much destruction is allowed. :D:D

I have heard of it and have seen pictures of it - people playing discgolf in the snow. That's great and I would like to try it myself but how do you keep from loosing discs in the snow?

We don't get a lot of snow where I live in southern Michigan but at times it's enough to loose a disc - 12" to 18" or more. I have heard of people attaching streamers of surveyors tape to the center of the disc on the bottom but doesn't that kill the flight characteristics?

Does anyone have anymore information on this?

-Dave





back to the subject at hand.....? the best way to play in the snow is................
throwing your minis at your mini basket from your HOTTUB! :D :D

make sure you have a backstop, so when you dash for your minis, you dont have to be out too long, :) , and your wont lose any discs, and for gods sake, please wear a suit, :eek: im sure your neighbors will appreciate it....

I love snow golf! How about a few snow golf stories to waste some time...

Playing in the snow the first time on the Woodshed in Paw Paw, WV ... one of the drives in my group was too low on #10 and was not going to clear the pond until, :eek:, it skipped off the ice and parked near the basket for a birdie! It really didn't look like the pond was frozen from the tee...

Played with a buddy at Patapsco (yes, we had to hike in since the park was closed) after about 6 inches of snow had frozen over. The discs were sliding down any and all hills to the point that we had to play CTP on #10 because every shot that landed near the basket, slid all the way down to # 18's pin! Lots of laughing that day...

My cousins and I once threw drives all night long on a huge frozen lake in Maine. That was really cool...

Oh yeah ... as I mentioned in above post, one more thing you should know about snow golf is that sometimes the park is closed due to the weather. I'm sure this doesn't happen up north like it does in the Mid-Atlantic. I can't tell you how many times I have arrived at the park on a snowy day only to find my buddies sitting in their cars in front of the locked gate. You might want to call ahead to make sure you can get into the park.

Oh yeah ... as I mentioned in above post, one more thing you should know about snow golf is that sometimes the park is closed due to the weather. I'm sure this doesn't happen up north like it does in the Mid-Atlantic. I can't tell you how many times I have arrived at the park on a snowy day only to find my buddies sitting in their cars in front of the locked gate. You might want to call ahead to make sure you can get into the park.




there's always a way in :cool:

Oh yeah ... as I mentioned in above post, one more thing you should know about snow golf is that sometimes the park is closed due to the weather. I'm sure this doesn't happen up north like it does in the Mid-Atlantic. I can't tell you how many times I have arrived at the park on a snowy day only to find my buddies sitting in their cars in front of the locked gate. You might want to call ahead to make sure you can get into the park.




there's always a way in :cool:


True that, if the gates are locked, what park ranger is going to take the time to get in there and throw you out? They would have to make the hike themselves (unlikely to yell at DGers) or have a snow plow and plow there way in (again unlikely to yell at DGers). :D

I'm not an avid winter discgolfer, but I do know anything colder than 32* is NUTS.
However if theres no windchill and the sun is at it's warmest, it's really not that bad.
You can easily work up a sweat, thus keeping you warm.

I wear long jons, tops & bottoms and a sweatshirt.
Gotta have a good pair of waterproof Hikers & extra hand towels.
I like the Chalk idea but would seem more like a pain in the as. Nite glo lights would be another good Idea.
So far I like the tie-ing string thru the center of the disc best.

As for distance....{summer or winter} Over all...I still average the same score.
Either way... you have to account for the WIND, chill.

I DIDN'T COME TO THE PARK TO HEAR YOU WHINE!
I CAME TO THE PARK TO PLAY & whoop yer As.
peace/out

there's always a way in :cool:

[/QUOTE]
True that, if the gates are locked, what park ranger is going to take the time to get in there and throw you out? They would have to make the hike themselves (unlikely to yell at DGers) or have a snow plow and plow there way in (again unlikely to yell at DGers). :D

[/QUOTE]

The problem wouldn't be getting thrown out, the problem is how far you have to hike in to get to the course. That's the part I was actually saying to be prepared for :D
(disclaimer: I would never advocate entering a locked park and jeopardizing relationship with park rangers ;))

The problem wouldn't be getting thrown out, the problem is how far you have to hike in to get to the course. That's the part I was actually saying to be prepared for :D
(disclaimer: I would never advocate entering a locked park and jeopardizing relationship with park rangers ;))



Danny,

I've showed up at Warwick, South Mountain, and some other courses when they've been closed and it was never an issue because the course is located right at the park entrance. I think the big problem is that you play Seneca which is located all the way in the back of the park, several miles in, and walking to the course would not be feasible. But I'm sure you know about the other alternative when Seneca is closed that makes that walk very short, right? -Jeff

Well, after a buddy and I walked in from the gate the very first time, only to find Russ already on the course, we have known about the other way in :D Man, Russ was laughing really hard at us...

Patapsco was a hell of a walk from the gate in icy snow ... that first hill is a doozy!

Warwick must be great ... I guess you guys park in that ballfield across the street and start on # 11?

I hurt my foot and haven't been able to play any snow golf this year ... I'm totally jonesing!

I've been out once here since November (couple times in Colorado). It was like 50 degrees and I thought what the heck.....plus I had just recieved my new pro orc in the mail.
I fell on my hip throwing off some wet snow. I think I'll wait until thaw. Another drawback......most of my discs are white. Maybe I need some new discs and track shoes. :p

I played my best round at CMC yesterday with 2-4 inches of freshys. It was awesome.
Recommend at glove, good boots (I use Lowa Whistler GTX), and a selection of BRIGHT discs. Red is the best but any bright color helps. Haven't lost a disc in quite some time.
Here in CO ... it's not always cold when it's snowy. It was probably 50-60 degrees out there. Light jacket, jeans ... very nice. I might hit it again today.
I play the CMC course 3-4 times a week, rain, snow, mud ... doesn't matter to me. I've played in at least a couple full-on snow storms. Just have to pull back a little so you don't loose any discs. I haven't lost any for more than 30 minutes all winter.

I just played a round in 20* temperature, the wind/chill factor wasn't really that bad. Long jons and a lite coat & ear protection. I probley would have played a couple full rounds if it weren't so icy. Never the less, fired a couple birdies, and had a few nice drives.
Minnesota Dan

I play roughly as often in the winter as I do any other time of the year. There are many benefits, the main one being that you really learn where your power centers are. Having to throw with poor footing forces you to isolate your different muscle groups when throwing. For example, on a really icy surface I will of course stand still when throwing, but this alone is not enough to ensure a true shot. I must also isolate only my arm/throwing shoulder when throwing, as shoulder rotation/hip thrust would cause my back foot to slip resulting in a late release. Winter golf is even more of a thinking man's game. Experienced players have a clear advantage, and players who can throw hard with only their arms are better off as well.

What courses do you play in SW Michigan? Ribbons fail at all the Kzoo courses due to the trees.

Ice cleats are a must-have item for winter play. Or make dedicated ice boots by putting short screws in thick soled boots.

Household Goop is great for attaching ribbons. Do it indoors on warm discs the night before and let dry overnight. When you want to peel the stuff off, it will come off clean.

If you like pulling a golf cart in the summer instead of carrying you bag, a plastic sled is fun in the winter. Especially if there is a big downhill hole with no trees in the fairway.

Winter golf makes you a better player!!!! I have putt everyday in my backyard this winter 20 below windchill or 32 and sunny dont matter. also played 3 times a week.A friend has all blue discs in his bag helps out in the winter. keep playing it will be warm soon. I have lost only 2 discs all winter 1 I threw in the river no strings.

I have heard of it and have seen pictures of it - people playing discgolf in the snow. That's great and I would like to try it myself but how do you keep from loosing discs in the snow?

We don't get a lot of snow where I live in southern Michigan but at times it's enough to loose a disc - 12" to 18" or more. I have heard of people attaching streamers of surveyors tape to the center of the disc on the bottom but doesn't that kill the flight characteristics?

Does anyone have anymore information on this?

-Dave



We've been playing all winter around here(SE Wisconsin), never lost a disc. We just throw colored discs, nothing else on them.