Sick and tired hunting for your disc? Here's how to stop losing disc golf discs.
You can trust me on this one. In my 7-year disc golf career I've lost well over 50 discs.
That's why I'm the perfect example of what not to do, and why I'm putting together this guide.
If I'd just followed the tips here: Those 50 discs... I'd still have 45 of them.
Here's how to stop losing discs.
Why Losing Discs Sucks
Losing discs sucks, but why exactly?
Firstly, it's not always so easy to replace a disc. If you've beaten something in to the perfect spot, you can just replicate the flight pattern with a new disc.
On top of this, because you throw your favorite discs more often, you're also more likely to lose them.
Discs cost money. Those 50 discs I lost? A minimum of $500, and paying for a replacement disc is not nearly as exciting as buying a new release.
It's not just losing the disc, but also all the time you waste looking for it. Spending half an hour in thorn bushes can really ruin a round.
With all that said, here are 12 ways to lose fewer discs.
1 - Put Your Number On Your Discs
If you play disc golf, you will inevitably lose one or two discs. Even if you're very careful. That's why putting your number on your discs is important.
Back in the old days when you lost a disc it was unlikely to find its way back to you, even when you had your number on it. Nowadays things are much better. I'd say about 50% of the discs you lose will get returned if you put your details on them.
Pro Tip: I know it makes the disc ugly, but make your number large and noticeable. Someone who might usually keep a marked disc may return it as their friends can clearly see it's not theirs.
2 - Stop Throwing Multiple Shots
Throwing multiple shots probably accounts for 50% of the times I've lost a disc. To begin with, throwing double as many shots doubles the chances of losing a disc.
But it's actually worse than this. When you throw a few shots off the tee, it becomes almost impossible to remember each shot, and where they went.
3 - Count Your Discs
To stop losing discs, always count how many you're carrying before you start each round. Sometimes it's not even obvious that you've lost a disc until a week later.
When you know how many discs you're carrying, count them up every 3 to 6 holes you play. This way you'll quickly realize you've left one behind, instead of finding out 11 holes later, or worse when you're back home.
4 - Carry a Disc Retriever
Sometimes you can see your disc, but you can't get to it. It's frustrating.
Whether your disc is in the water, in a tree, in a briar patch, next to a snake, or under an alligator...
Maybe leave it for the alligator actually.
Anyhow, a disc retriever makes this easy. This article on the best disc golf retrievers can help you pick one.
Otherwise this is just about the best option.
https://discgolfdealsusa.com/products/max-disctance-max-stick-disc-golf-retriever-16ft?
I'm so bad at this I literally lost my disc retriever. Ironic.
5 - Retrieve Your Disc Right After Putting
Leaving your putter in the basket is probably one of the stupidest ways to lose a disc, but it happens all the time. The best cure? Make a habit to fetch your disc immediately after making your putt.
You'll generally realize you don't have your putter later in the round, but running back to fetch is nearly as annoying as losing a disc.
6 - Use Spotters
This only works if you're playing in a group. When throwing on a hole where you know the chance of losing a disc is high, taking turns spotting can help.
This is most important on blind holes, where you can't see where you're throwing to. Take turns going ahead and watching where your shots land.
This is also a good tactic for holes with long grass.
7 - Watch Your Shots
A lot of players instinctively look away after throwing a bad shot. Big mistake.
I wonder how many times this conversation has happened while searching for a disc.
Player 1 - "Where did you see it land"
Player 2 - "I don't know, I wasn't looking"
Nothing leaves a more bitter feeling in disc golf than losing a disc after throwing a bad shot.
8 - Start Running
Sometimes you can see your disc is heading for trouble before it gets there. Sometimes when this happens I start running towards where it's going to land. Once it touches down, keep your eyes on the spot.
Even if you make a note of where it lands, by the time 3 other guys have thrown and you've walked down the fairway, the memory will be foggy.
I mostly use this method when I see a disc heading towards long grass.
9 - Avoid Run Down Courses
Speaking of long grass, if you want to lose fewer discs then as a general rule of thumb you should avoid courses with low maintenance. These courses have thicker rough and long grass that eats discs, and never returns them.
10 - Don't Throw Over Water Carries
When I first started playing, I would never throw over water carries. This was for two reasons:
1 - I often didn't have the distance to clear the water consistently.
2 - I didn't want to lose a disc.
These days I throw over most water hazards as I have the distance, and I'm not as fussed about losing a disc anymore.
If you're not sure you can clear a water hazard, then just skip it. If you enjoy the thrill of throwing over water, then consider carrying a water disc.
A water disc is usually one of your older discs you don't care too much for, and don't mind losing.
11 - Throw discs in the right colors
Finding a green disc in summer undergrowth, difficult.
Finding a hot pink disc? Much easier
This table breaks down the easiest colors to find by season for disc golf discs
|
Disc Colors |
Summer & Spring |
Autumn |
Winter |
|
Pink |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
Orange |
9 |
5 |
7 |
|
Yellow |
8 |
6 |
8 |
|
Blue |
8 |
9 |
9 |
|
Red |
7 |
5 |
6 |
|
Purple |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Neon Green |
4 |
8 |
9 |
|
White |
9 |
8 |
5 |
|
Brown |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dark Green |
3 |
4 |
4 |
|
Clear |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Black |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Grey |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
Multicolor & Dyed |
4 |
4 |
4 |
You can read the full disc color guide here.
12 - Use Ribbons for Snow
This only applies to those who play in deep snow. Attaching ribbons is the most popular way to keep track of discs that slot into the snow, well out of sight.
You can learn more about this tip and more in our winter disc golf guide.
Bonus Tips
Here are two more great tips to help you stop losing disc golf discs.
1 - Never throw a bad shot again
2 - Stop playing
Doing number 2 is the only way to follow number 1.
These are obviously sarcastic, but I'm just trying to get the point across: If you play disc golf you will occasionally lose some plastic.
Don't fret, get some more at DGD 😁
Or somewhere else if you want to, I guess.
The End
Thanks for reading. I can confirm that all these tips are highly effective, and I wish I had the resolve to follow them myself.
Instead of making you read a long boring conclusion, I ask you to read one of our other articles. It'll be more interesting.
