Anyone have any gear tips or tricks for the snowy stuff?

i only have one tip and it should be a no-brainer (though learned the hard way): don't use white discs!

I have a decent trick:

take a paperclip and bend the inside so it sticks out (like a little tab). Now use automotive goop and glue this inside the disc right over the injection molding spot. Use this to attach bright yarn (2-3 feet) with a fishing swivel-hook. This will make it a LOT easier to find discs that go under the snow. The only time this is a problem is when the disc still has a lot of spin on it when it goes into the snow. The nice thing about the fishing swivel is that you can take the string off and move it to another disc or not put it on for certain shots (like ones that you want to make it through some trees). Also, the LED lights that they sell at gotta go gotta throw work well in the snow. They actually light up all the snow around it if it's a clear disc.

Anyone have any gear tips or tricks for the snowy stuff?



As I was born in, and grew up in Alaska, I like to check out the DG websites for my home state. At one point, I read how they use carpenters chalk to dust their discs so they can locate the entry point when the discs get buried in the snow. Each person uses a different color to avoid confusion! You might be able to find more on this at:
http://www.alaskadiscgolf.com

nanook

nice pair of waterproof gloves (snowboard gloves)
pair of snowpants (if it's really snowing out or it's deep on the ground)
generic pair of outdoor winter boots or waterproof boots(merrels)
Thermal, longsleeve t-shirt, waterproof Windbreaker (if you wear too big of a jacket you won't be able to throw)
scarf, beanie..

Bring a few extra towels (Use 80/20 or 70/30 MIcrofiber as they can hold 7 times their weight in water)
DOn't use white discs except to putt, try to use neon color discs as they will illuminate the snow around it a few inches.
DON"T throw extra discs on each hole.. You will eventually lose on that way as you won't remember where all your shots went.. You will also waste a lot of daylight while searching for said lost discs.
that's about it i guess..

-Scott Lewis

nice pair of waterproof gloves (snowboard gloves)
pair of snowpants (if it's really snowing out or it's deep on the ground)
generic pair of outdoor winter boots or waterproof boots(merrels)
Thermal, longsleeve t-shirt, waterproof Windbreaker (if you wear too big of a jacket you won't be able to throw)
scarf, beanie..

Bring a few extra towels (Use 80/20 or 70/30 MIcrofiber as they can hold 7 times their weight in water)
DOn't use white discs except to putt, try to use neon color discs as they will illuminate the snow around it a few inches.
DON"T throw extra discs on each hole.. You will eventually lose on that way as you won't remember where all your shots went.. You will also waste a lot of daylight while searching for said lost discs.
that's about it i guess..

-Scott Lewis




All this is very good advice. I would add to that list some sort of hand warmers. I have found it impossible to get a feel for throwing with a gloved hand, so pocket warmers are great for keeping your throwing hand warm. I also have a North Face acrylic down vest that is incredible. It keeps my core warm while allowimg my arms complete freedom of motion. The pockets are insulated as well, so its perfect for keeping my hand warmers. High end fleece is great as well--warm, light, and non-absorbent.

forgot to add hand warmers.. good call.
you can usually find them at Walmarts for cheap. they usually have 4 packs for less than $2.
Otherwise check your hunting/fishing section of stores.

-Scott Lewis

nice pair of waterproof gloves (snowboard gloves)
pair of snowpants (if it's really snowing out or it's deep on the ground)
generic pair of outdoor winter boots or waterproof boots(merrels)
Thermal, longsleeve t-shirt, waterproof Windbreaker (if you wear too big of a jacket you won't be able to throw)
scarf, beanie..

Bring a few extra towels (Use 80/20 or 70/30 MIcrofiber as they can hold 7 times their weight in water)
DOn't use white discs except to putt, try to use neon color discs as they will illuminate the snow around it a few inches.
DON"T throw extra discs on each hole.. You will eventually lose on that way as you won't remember where all your shots went.. You will also waste a lot of daylight while searching for said lost discs.
that's about it i guess..

-Scott Lewis


A very good list provided by Scott! The suggestion of NOT throwing extra shots is excellent as well. We put all of this to work yesterday here in Colorado. The Mile High DGC is in the second season of the "Winter Warriors" doubles series. Saturday we were in Widefield, Colorado with temps in the teens, constant snow flurries, and 4-6 inches of the white stuff already on the ground. What a blast!

I would add two things. First, suspend courtesy rules a little bit and advance beyond the "out" player(s) lie to locate all discs BEFORE anyone throws their next shot. Much more likely to remember where everyone's discs landed.

Second, I tried out some new ice climbing gloves from OR (the Alibi model). I could actually throw decent drives and upshots in them. I even hit two 25'-30' putts wearing them! Warm enough for the temps, thin enough for touch, and tacky palms for grip (and I was throwing Z-plastic)! A little spendy at $59 but I'll use them for inclement weather again...

nanook

We did a league round today in 16 to 18 inches of snow, 2 foot drifts. Nice 20mph+ swirling winds. I am VERY interested in some of these gloves you speak of, care to provide a link? The ribbon/yarns worked great and I wasn't afraid to throw big spike hyzers into blind areas. The yarn does seem to slow the disc down a bit and make it fly a bit more stable to overstable. It also screwed me a couple times when the yarn caught on a branch I was throwing over and christmas ornamented.

It also screwed me a couple times when the yarn caught on a branch I was throwing over and christmas ornamented.



There's already a ruling covering this - that is known as the "J-Bird" rule.

From: Breakthroughs in Winter Golf - Combating Old Man Freeze (http://www.disclife.com/lt010202.shtml)


J-Bird is a friend of the column and frisbee legend. If you own a tie-dyed disc, it was probably tie-dyed by J-Bird. J-Bird Discs and all that. So J-Bird was in my group at a recent Ice Bowl in Lansing. Hey, it was the first round so there is no shame in that. We came up to the next-to-last hole of the first round. J-Bird had had no breaks the whole round. Every tree bounce went the wrong way. Even the Mach 3's were unfriendly. Which is rare. Some days J-Bird is a putting God. Just ask him.

#16 was a 250' hyzer with a low ceiling. It normally was an easy skip shot to the basket but with deep snow there was no skip to be had. J-Bird decided to try the over-the-top anhyzer route. This was semi crazy. To hit the anhyzer route you have to throw it a mile up over the trees then have it flip at just the right angle and dodge through a maze of branches to get to the basket. J-Bird cranked a huge anhyzer. It got over the top! It turned hard and started gliding straight at the basket. Suddenly the disc jerked in mid-flight then hung and dangled. Yep. The ribbon got caught on a branch and the disc was swaying like a hanged criminal, 35 feet off the ground.

Thereafter, just to encourage players to use ribbons, we have authored the J-Bird rule. There is no 2 meter rule penalty if your disc is hanging OB solely by the ribbon. But, of course, we stroked J-Bird.

I think the most important skill is learning to identify the slight (but characteristic) mark a disc will make when slipping into the powdery stuff. Sunglasses help, since you'll be snow-blind after a few holes on brighter days. I'm not into the ribbon thing (saw one guy blow up a finger tip when somehow the ribbon wrapped around his finger-tip just after release).

Also, I'd invest a few bucks in a plastic sled. My pals and I use one to carry three or four bags pretty easily. Whoever is BOB has to pull the Bobsled. That can give you something to play for even if you leave your cash at home. You can also easily haul some de-icer and a shovel along if you're doing the dirty work to keep the pads clear for the other players.

I'd search old threads to find other hints. I know this gets discussed every year a few times.

Joe

We did a league round today in 16 to 18 inches of snow, 2 foot drifts. Nice 20mph+ swirling winds. I am VERY interested in some of these gloves you speak of, care to provide a link? The ribbon/yarns worked great and I wasn't afraid to throw big spike hyzers into blind areas. The yarn does seem to slow the disc down a bit and make it fly a bit more stable to overstable. It also screwed me a couple times when the yarn caught on a branch I was throwing over and christmas ornamented.

No problem. I bought them from REI since I am a member and I could get free shipping to the store near where I live.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47927147&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=BLACK/RED&img=/media/585550.jpg&view=large

Just a note: I followed the sizing instructions carefully and they indicated size large. But, I ended up needing the extra large size instead.

nanook

To keep up with teepad conditions, start a "snow shoveling" thread on your local board. As long as there are a couple people aware of it, they should be able to give frequent teepad reports. It's always nice knowing when you're going to have to shovel the pads, or when they are clear and you can relax.

ALSO- Always walk in the same footprints down the fairway. Just walk at 90 degree angles from the path, and it makes it much easier to find your disc, for 2 reasons:
1. The snow will probably be untouched where you disc lands, so it won't land in a footprint.
2. The 90 degree tracks are a good landmark. "10' past the second track", instead of "somewhere in the fairway"

I also find it helpful to both shorten my runup as well as slow down my throwing motion. These changes help minimize slipping...

You could always just move to Texas and play in shorts year-round.

You could always just move to Texas and play in shorts year-round.



Us Yankees like snow. Where can you ice fish and snowmobile in TX??? I'll pass. :D

The 90dg angle thing would really help -- we don't get a lot of snow here in Philly but we'll be trying that.

The little bobber lights work great for glow golf -- seems like there should a be a little beeper about the same size that you could turn on when you throw the disc to allow you to locate it in the snow. I've never looked for one but it seems feasible.

The little bobber lights work great for glow golf --



Yea, they do work well. Notice the dime to guage how small they are.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/IMG/jpg/bobberlight.jpg

There are a few tech oriented guys out here in Portland that assemble little tiny LED lights for night golf and charge $1-2 per for them at local tournaments to cover their costs. Then everyone goes out and plays night golf on the Saturday night of the tournament.

God bless those boys. :)

The little bobber lights work great for glow golf --



Yea, they do work well. Notice the dime to guage how small they are.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/IMG/jpg/bobberlight.jpg


Some of these have a twist-on~off mechanism which is TOTALLY inferior to the pop or pull/push on~off type.

It also screwed me a couple times when the yarn caught on a branch I was throwing over and christmas ornamented.



There's already a ruling covering this - that is known as the "J-Bird" rule.

From: Breakthroughs in Winter Golf - Combating Old Man Freeze (http://www.disclife.com/lt010202.shtml)


J-Bird is a friend of the column and frisbee legend. If you own a tie-dyed disc, it was probably tie-dyed by J-Bird. J-Bird Discs and all that. So J-Bird was in my group at a recent Ice Bowl in Lansing. Hey, it was the first round so there is no shame in that. We came up to the next-to-last hole of the first round. J-Bird had had no breaks the whole round. Every tree bounce went the wrong way. Even the Mach 3's were unfriendly. Which is rare. Some days J-Bird is a putting God. Just ask him.

#16 was a 250' hyzer with a low ceiling. It normally was an easy skip shot to the basket but with deep snow there was no skip to be had. J-Bird decided to try the over-the-top anhyzer route. This was semi crazy. To hit the anhyzer route you have to throw it a mile up over the trees then have it flip at just the right angle and dodge through a maze of branches to get to the basket. J-Bird cranked a huge anhyzer. It got over the top! It turned hard and started gliding straight at the basket. Suddenly the disc jerked in mid-flight then hung and dangled. Yep. The ribbon got caught on a branch and the disc was swaying like a hanged criminal, 35 feet off the ground.

Thereafter, just to encourage players to use ribbons, we have authored the J-Bird rule. There is no 2 meter rule penalty if your disc is hanging OB solely by the ribbon. But, of course, we stroked J-Bird.





lifting the 2 meter rule only eliminates the double penalty (probably they didn't have the obselete and silly 2 meter rule in effect anyways) :o:D ... if the tree stops the disc the tree as obstacle worked like a charm and no further penalty is needed. if the yarn/ribbon was the sole reason the tree blocked the disc's flight -- i guess you have to take the bad with the good...

sociologists tell us that competitive sport satisfies the instinct to hunt that the modern world no longer needs. other contend sport is a metaphor for life. in both cases, purging the sport of disc golf of absolutely every "luck factor" runs counter to the its very function. luck was a factor in the hunt as prey jumps frantically and unpredictably. luck is a factor in modern life as random events ranging from car accidents to winning lottery tickets define entire lives.

the 2MR, with all its randomness, provided one of the most clear links to real life. its frequency of occurance was a perfect and relevant nuance, and was true to the deeper meaning of sport itself.

Life's not completely fair - why should sport?

Yea, let's randomly jiggle shooting targets for guns and archery competitions. Or, heck just add some random "jiggle" in general... :o

common sense can tell the difference between things that are contrived or cross the line and become "too" unfair. you have said so yourself in your design comments.

using your logic (using the term loosely here) footballsshould be round to eliminate those funny bounces.

OK, just have the shooting targets loosely attached so they might blow in the wind. They don't do that to reduce randomness and increase skill, just like making the 2m rule optional.

The football is optimized for a purpose that's perceived as more important than how it bounces on the ground, which is the ability to throw, kick and catch it. A round ball of that size is harder to both catch and hold for running, thus the shape it's become.

exactly. and it mimics the movements of prey on the ground.

you cant seriously be suggesting that wind is unfair in disc golf are you chuck? golf is about recovery. like life, sometimes you need to recover from a random stroke of really crappy luck.

besides, the 2mR was the closest thing we had to "play it from where you threw it"

right, that is why when the disc was up 1.5 meters we played it from the ground. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif or if you want to be technical that is why we generally pick the disc off the ground where it lands and proceed to throw it from chest level :eek: :p :eek: /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Life's not completely fair - why should sport?



you have got to be kidding! do you seriously think for one minute that by taking out the 2 meter rule we have eliminated all luck from the game of disc golf? :eek:

no, we have eliminated the intrusion of one type of random flukey luck. worship flukiness all you like -- it will happen -- there is no need for us to artificially facilitate its intrusion. ;)

Not sure if anyone has metioned it yet.. Steal your kids sled and drag it around the course... you can fit a few bags on it, just take turns dragging it around.. makes for some fun downhill rides as well. I recommend screwing a 2x to separate areas and a few bungys to hold things down.

more jiggle.

:D

right, that is why when the disc was up 1.5 meters we played it from the ground. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif or if you want to be technical that is why we generally pick the disc off the ground where it lands and proceed to throw it from chest level :eek: :p :eek: /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

thats right. you throw it from approx chest high. one could reasonably argue that a disc that hangs 1.5 meters up is being played more closely to where it lies than a disc that landed on the ground.

and, yes, if you accept that sport is a metaphor for life, then absolutely luck SHOULD be a factor.

A shot suspended over 2 meters is already a bad shot 99% of the time and almost always results in a nasty lie, I am so glad that this double penalty has been largely removed from the game.

Oh good -- I always wanted the 2m rule to be debated on a message board. I'm sure that a lot will come out of this. I can't wait to read it all.

The little bobber lights work great for glow golf --



Yea, they do work well. Notice the dime to guage how small they are.

[image removed]


Some of these have a twist-on~off mechanism which is TOTALLY inferior to the pop or pull/push on~off type.



Indeed, the twisty ones suck.

And reading that article, I swear I could hear mark's voice telling it as a story around a basket somewhere.

I am looking for recommendations on cold weather clothing for disc golf. I want to get some hi tech stuff that is warm without being bulky and am willing to spend some money on it.....

From my experiences, long john undies or arctic gear don't really make a difference so long as you get GOOD outer layers. I use Columbia Snow board pants and a Columbia Bugaboo Shell over custom layers of various materials. I do, however, usually wear the expensive thermals as a base, and I'll get the brands for you when I get home.

I am looking for recommendations on cold weather clothing for disc golf. I want to get some hi tech stuff that is warm without being bulky and am willing to spend some money on it.....



I start with silkweight long underwear, tops and bottoms from The North Face. I have tried heavier undies but I think its easier to move in the silky stuff. Then I go with a light (100-weight) fleece layer; El Cap pants and El Cap 1/4-zip pullover from Patagonia. Over this, I have a Figure 4 jacket and French Roast pants (both Patagonia) as my storm shell layer. With a good hat (very important for overall warmth) and fleece neck gaiter, this is enough to keep me warm down to some reasonably low temps. Yet, I can still move pretty well since it is not too bulky.

nanook

Footjoy makes a product called DryJoys. It is realy good waterproof rain/windgear. Wear thermals underneath and you are good and warm. I have worn it in 20 degree weather with wind and I was warm as toasst!

Mainly, think light layers. I have found that bike tights fit me better than any long underwear and come in a wide range of thickness's. But that's personal preference. A good wool sweater for a mid layer is worth more than its weight in gold, with a gore-tex shell, I'm good to 10 deg. Gloves/mittens should be warmer/bigger than normal as you'll be in and out of them more often. If I play any more, I'll get one of those tube hand warmer things football players and hunters use. Above all else, take care of your head and you'll be alright.

I am looking for recommendations on cold weather clothing for disc golf. I want to get some hi tech stuff that is warm without being bulky and am willing to spend some money on it.....



A BIG thick down vest will keep your body nice and warm while your arms remain free to move!!

I am looking for recommendations on cold weather clothing for disc golf. I want to get some hi tech stuff that is warm without being bulky and am willing to spend some money on it.....



Underarmor comes highly recommended by several folks I know. Not cheap, but very thin and quite warm.

Joe