One of our local courses (Woodway Park) was installed in 1998. The targets are Innova Discatcher with single outer chains. Needless to say, there are putts that hit the target only to fly through or hit the pole and kick-out.

There are arguments for and against the addition of inner-chains. What do you think?

Also, does anyone have a parts list and instructions on how to add inner-chains to this target?

My home course is in the same predicament. Our baskets were put in around 12 years ago, and are teh innova discatcher with single chains. solid center chains putts can fly right through, or hit the pole and kick out. It's happening more frequently, even on short putts. Most newer courses seem to have more than one set of chains on their baskets and it feels like I'm in heaven when I putt on those courses. I'm sure there are arguments against them, but for those of us who have suffered from these splash-outs on a consistant basis, I'd think the majority would prefer to have more chains if they could be afforded.

I think another issue has to do with how long the single set of chains have been used for. Maybe there is less tension or grippiness after years of use. Basket prices keep going up and up (consistant with prices in general), and baskets do need maintaince. Our baskets have been hit by city mowers on several occasions and it's not always easy to fix a leaning basket, a dented basket etc.

I've seen local clubs have maintaince funds or chains funds, but for a small club such as ours here in east texas, a lot of these funds are needed for promotion and running our minis, our annual b-teir tourneys, and other parts of course improvement such as teeboxs, signs, trash cans, flyers etc.

I guess I got of topic, but short answer- Yes

IMO, the biggest problem w/ the old style DISCatcher is that there are too many chains on the outside. This seems to deflect nearly all high putts. It may just be my putting style, but I miss way more putts due to the density of the outside chains than from cut-throughs.

Has anyone tried modifying these baskets by moving every other chain closer to the pole? It might require that the moved chains be shortened by one link.

We added inner chains to the older Discatchers here in Round Lake, IL a few years ago. There were spit thrus and kick outs all the time. Those baskets now catch as good as any basket.

The course that I play at most often (Bradford, VT) has 14 single chains, and 4 double chains. I HATE the single chains because of the aforementioned problems. I really don't see any reason that should prevent you from adding the inner set of chains.

We added inner chains to the older Discatchers here in Round Lake, IL a few years ago. There were spit thrus and kick outs all the time. Those baskets now catch as good as any basket.


Of course modifying approved baskets makes them 'not approved' just like the rule against modifying approved discs.

We added inner chains to the older Discatchers here in Round Lake, IL a few years ago. There were spit thrus and kick outs all the time. Those baskets now catch as good as any basket.


Of course modifying approved baskets makes them 'not approved' just like the rule against modifying approved discs.



So is this really enforced???
If my club were to add some chains to our single chained innova discatchers to mimic other innova discatchers, they would not longer be tourney legal?? PDGA does not have a technical standard policy for repairing or legally modifying baskets? That would be bad policy (though I doubt anyone would call this out right before the tourney and risk shutting down a tourney, all that effort to get sponsers, money, and players time would be wasted).

With the variety of baskets you see from course to course, and sometimes from basket to basket on the same course, I doubt the adding chains in an effort to improve older baskets would make them tourney illegal. Now if the modification was not close to the technical specs of an approved target, I would see this being an issue. Maybe if chains were added to only one side of the basket, or if the target was made larger, then I could see where modifying a target would not be kosher.

It's not feasible for many clubs to buy a new set when others go into disrepair.

Most tournaments don't require you to have approved baskets.

According to the 2008 Technical Standards document, the chains are optional. I can understand Chuck's reply as the target would be modified. However, it would make it (Discatcher) more like the Discatcher Pro.

All disc-catching targets shall be composed of a basket and may have a deflection or entrapment
apparatus above the basket.

Not saying anyone would call you on the modification since even some manufacturer changes to target models haven't been tracked well let alone field changes. There is a significant subset of players from the survey who feel single chain baskets are actually more appropriate to maintian a higher level of putting challenge. We're grappling with the wording and how to enforce any stipulations right now for the 2009 specifications update and I'm not sure where to go with that regarding manufacturer and field changes to targets. Do we try to maintain consistency or not for our higher level events?

There is a significant subset of players from the survey who feel single chain baskets are actually more appropriate to maintain a higher level of putting challenge.



I'm in the same perspective. The object is, of course, to get it in the basket, not hit the chains.

There is a significant subset of players from the survey who feel single chain baskets are actually more appropriate to maintain a higher level of putting challenge.



I'm in the same perspective. The object is, of course, to get it in the basket, not hit the chains.



I disagree. I think that 100 shots thrown at the same speed, angle, and to the same spot in the chains should fall the same every time. They don't, especially not in single chain baskets. I'm not for making the game easier, just less random on the putting green. As I have said before, I would rather have a smaller target that behaved more consistently.

The object is, of course, to get it in the basket, not hit the chains.


Not in terms of how the game was created. Essentially, the basket is there to confirm that you hit the target area which is so high and so wide like the original taped tree trunk. If it were possible to be fair about it, just hitting the chains would be considered holing out. But since you can't see them and always hear them, Ed settled for a target capturing the disc for confirmation either in the chains or basket.

Dang! So all those putts that kissed the chains only to be deflected away from the basket really DID count. ;-)

Kette_Master, in your avatar is that an InStep basket the child is siting in? I bought an InStep basket over a year ago at my local Sams (great buy BTW and has been outside in the weather ever since...no rust at all...but a lot of putting spit-throughs due to single chain set up).

The reason I ask is that I am want to add an inner set of chains to the basket (due to spit-throughs). Have you added an inner set of chains? If so, how did you terminate the bottom of the chains? I am looking for a large diameter metal ring and not having very much luck...

Thanks in advance for responding...
__________________________________________________ ___

Well dang...looks like I didn't search enough...I found these chain rings at DGA:

http://www.discgolfassoc.com/discgolf-equipment/accessories/equipment-accessories.html#chainring

I am looking to have a chain configuration kind of like the Mach V DGA basket. I will use the inner ring at the top of the basket to hang the chains and was looking for a chain ring close to that diameter so that the inner chain create a cylinder through the outer chains at the bottom...anyway, if you have added chains I would like to know how you did it...

Skip the chains.

http://wilyhacker.blogspot.com/2008/02/putting-practice.html

I would say our 27 chain discatchers are the next best catching basket to the titian pro-24 in this area.
too bad they are rusting like crazy, I really putt well on them because of the bad!

here are the installation directions:
If you get 3/8ths 2.0-ott proof coil you can cut them 19 lengths (I think) and they will fit those 18 chain baskets perfectly.
you can connect the 9 chains to the same ring, by using #6 s-hooks from hodell-natco.

Its much better for the chain to be too long than 2 short if they are connected to the same ring.

Skip the chains.

http://wilyhacker.blogspot.com/2008/02/putting-practice.html



Thanks for putting up that link...I will try that before installing extra chains.

I was at the Dovillio mini last night and was discussing ways to add inner chains to this InStep basket. One person said that if I wanted to keep the basket quiet (and the InStep is a quiet basket due to the chain configuration at the bottom�IE: no chain ring to clang against the support pole�good for compact neighborhoods so as to not pi$$ off the neighbors during those 3 AM-can�t-sleep-putting-practice-sessions), in lieu of installing chains install instead coated cables (maybe a half inch in diameter) for the inner chains. I can see where this will aid in catching. Now if I put both alterations to this basket together (the string that alters the upper outer chain diameter and inner coated cables), it might make a great practice basket (that is quiet) with minimal cash layout.

"no chain ring to clang against the support pole"
If you really want to kill the "clang", Take the center support pole and fill it with sand. Easily done by using expanding foam/insulation(used in home repairs etc.) to plug one end -(let it dry overnight)-Fill pole with fine playground grade sand and gently tap side of pole with hammer to settle sand -add more sand up to about 1.5 inches from top of pole and seal with more expanding foam. The foam can be cut w/razor if it expands too much out of the top of the pole. This will greatly reduce the "clang" of the chains and will help make the basket more solid when catching. Not too mention it's the cheapest fix for "quieting" those chains. I've done this to several Sportcatchers and noise difference is very noticeable.
Hope this helps!

Take the center support pole and fill it with sand.



Sounds like it might add a few pounds. What about putting pipe insulation in the support pole? I still want to transport the basket when ever I want. I could cut the pipe insulation so that it stops short of the pins that hold the base, basket and chain hanger so that I get the quieting from the insulation AND the benefit of transportability. :cool: I might have to double up on the insulation when stuffing it in (all I have found is one inch insulation so far). See pic below...

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/465906_front200.jpg

Yeahhhh, it does add weight, not unbearable though. So if portability is real concern then just fill the pole with expanding insulation/foam and trim excess off. May be alot easier/cheaper than wrapping and stuffing a pole into pole. Either way it will deaden the clang!

May be alot easier/cheaper than wrapping and stuffing a pole into pole. Either way it will deaden the clang!



I will only stuff the insulation into the center post, that pic I posted also showed the copper water pipe (expensive!) which will not be part of my modification. BTW, I found some left over pipe insulation in my garage last night...so no cost at all, I will just double it up and stuff it in! :)

Thanks for replying...

May be alot easier/cheaper than wrapping and stuffing a pole into pole. Either way it will deaden the clang!



BTW, I found some left over pipe insulation in my garage last night...so no cost at all,



Now if you can just find enough left over pipe insulation for all of us................ /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Now if you can just find enough left over pipe insulation for all of us................ /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif


...freaking google won't let me share a pic... :mad:

BTW, no insulation to share...I have yet to add insulation to my InStep yet...

Well, DGersRus will let me share a pic...so...(I have also posted this modification at that site...just search the blogs with "upgrading the instep").

I have modified my InStep...I wanted to make the target smaller (read as tougher to get in the basket). So I used weed eater line (.105) in the seventh link down and tied is as tight as possible. I also raised the basket up to reduce the opening from where the chains hang to the top of the basket (at the lower pin setting the distance was approx. 22 inches, after raising the basket to the upper pin position the distance reduced to approx. 17 inches).

Here is a pic before the modification:

http://api.ning.com/files/2KTIessZq7NQviWD-jwsCq40EkQJjfBL7l8qfU8S16a2LnIW0IsEhBNA7Knqr608gkd w469PTJmfqqoa4vkqYuq0Qn-JicuO/InStep01PreMod.jpg

Here is a pic after the modification:

http://api.ning.com/files/2KTIessZq7NjJlk6cVQK09bf7pkamG1udEZPYoYZzM7EeRZBpK lm9pNsj0ILfQur4R847cnXg0-sbyU0qrx5rIH4W97Zlfuu/InStep02PostMod.jpg

I can add more chains to the basket with minimal cost (I was pricing s-hooks at Home Depot and they want way to much...). I think I will buy light-use chain that can be bent easily and just ziptie the cheap chain to the upper outer ring between the original chain locations. Then install a 3 inch ring at the pole above the original chains and just bend the cheap chain around the ring. This will make the chain configuration look somewhat like a MachV...somewhat... :) I will post another pic once complete...

Sorry about the size of pics...I will size 'em down next time...

I added the inner chains following these directions:
http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=374271&page=14&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I got the rings from Hobby Lobby which is a craft shop. The rings are used for leather work. They may not be as durable as the ones you found. However, I've had them on my basket for 4 years with no signs of rusting.

I added the inner chains following these directions:
http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=374271&page=14&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I got the rings from Hobby Lobby which is a craft shop. The rings are used for leather work. They may not be as durable as the ones you found. However, I've had them on my basket for 4 years with no signs of rusting.



Thanks for that link...I saw a post in that forum from a <font color="blue">krupicka</font> (posted on 03/05/08 at 04:07 PM) who linked me to this blog at DGersRus:

http://discgolfer.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1809917%3ABlogPost%3A138395

I have done essentially what <font color="blue">krupicka</font> did...but now I am think about adding more chains...