Disc Golf Accessories
Gear. Most organized sports, whether amateur or professional, require some sort of gear to play. And disc golf is no exception!
If you don’t already have discs and a bag, it’s best to start there. For discs, check out my recommended discs page; and for a bag, head over to my recommended bag page. If you have discs and a bag, that’s great! You’ve got the basics.
Now, it’s time to start looking at disc golf accessories. These extra items can make the game so much more enjoyable while you’re out on the course.
You may already have some of these, but I think you’ll be surprised at some of the items on this list and just how useful you find they will be. I’m hoping you’ll find at least one to add to your kit.
Let’s get started!
1. External Battery Charger
I don’t know about you, but my phone’s battery dies often when I’m out playing disc golf. It’s annoying, especially when using an app on your phone to keep score or listen to music. Aside from getting a better phone, a solid solution is to keep an external battery charger in your disc golf bag.
External battery chargers are a great way to recharge batteries on the go. Remember to charge it before heading out to play because what good is a dead charger? These are also handy for charging portable speakers (played at a respectful volume, of course) and other electronic devices.
I use the PowerCore 20100 by Anker. It can charge my iPhone almost seven times over, which is way more than I’ll ever need. It’s also a great size that fits snugly in the cargo pocket of my bag. I keep the charger and a cord in that pocket, just in case my battery gives out. You can get yours here.
2. Dude Wipes
So, let’s be real for a minute, fellas. (Sidenote: I say “fellas” because the ladies reading this already know about these magical little things, and we should try to learn something from them). Wet wipes are legit. I mean, just plain awesome! And guys, I highly recommend keeping a pack of them in your disc golf bag.
Let me introduce to you something called Dude Wipes. They’re wet wipes for guys. They’re super great for all things messy, like changing car batteries (which I was doing the other day, and was happy to have a Dude Wipe close by afterward). Sometimes, disc golf can be messy, too. You never know when your disc is going to land in tree sap, mud, or dog poop. These are things that you don’t want to clean off with your disc towel.
Besides being very handy, Dude Wipes are made from plant-sourced fibers, which helps in making them septic and sewer safe. They’re super handy and they come in a cool, manly package. Get them. You’ll thank me. You may even give up toilet paper altogether! Here’s where I get mine.
3. Pocket Knife
If you really want to step up your pocket knife game, try carrying a multitool instead. Apart from always having a knife with you, a multitool has a bunch of other helpful and efficient tools that will get you through many situations without having to trek back to your truck for your spare set of tools. (You do keep a spare set of tools in your truck, right?)
The Wave is an awesome 18-tool multitool by Leatherman. It’s inexpensive enough to be accessible to most people and has a great set of tools on it, such as needlenose and regular pliers, wire cutters, straight and serrated knives, scissors, small and large bit drivers, and yes, the ever-so-important bottle and can opener! It’s also a Leatherman, so you know it’s high quality and backed by a 25-year warranty. You can pick it up on Amazon for a reasonable price.
4. Hand Warmers
If you play in cold weather, or even wet/windy weather, you know that having cold hands and fingers is brutal for your game; it makes the whole experience of playing disc golf simply unpleasant. In situations such as these, my best recommendation is a set of hand warmers.
Hand warmers generally come in three types: disposable, electric, and refillable. The refillable kind uses lighter fluid, which fuels its flameless heat. These are fantastic little devices that will last forever as long as you keep refilling them. This one from Zippo is a great option.
If you don’t want to mess with the lighter fluid, I completely understand. There are also rechargeable ones, like this one from Ocoopa, which has three heat settings and lasts about four to six hours. Ocoopa offers a few different models, each with various power outputs and battery lives.
Last but not least, there’s the tried and trusted Hand Warmers brand disposable type of hand warmers. These are nice because they’re easy to use. Just break open the pack and shake them up. They reach full heat in about 30-45 minutes, so I recommend opening them well before hitting the course.
5. Golf Ball / Tennis Ball
For those of you who have been playing for a while, you know exactly why a golf ball or a tennis ball would be on this list. Discs like trees. They like them so much that they’ll stay in them and never come down. For that reason, it’s crucial to have something hard in your kit that you can toss up to persuade your disc to come back down and play out the hole with you.
Sometimes, if you can find a good stick or a nice rock, that will likely do the trick…but the best thing I’ve found is a tennis or golf ball. Just make sure to aim accordingly before winding up and throwing it towards your stuck disc.
6. Birdie Bag / Whale Sac
A birdie bag, or grip bag, is a small cloth bag filled with kiln-dried hardwood powder. The powder is super absorbent and is used to keep sweat and water off your hands and discs. This can help quite a bit to improve the grip you have on your disc.
Birdie bags have become sort of a staple item in disc golf; of the many varieties available, my favorite is the Whale Sac. It’s a cool little bag in the shape of a whale; you can tie the two ends of the tail to your bag as a convenient attachment method. They come in many cool patterns and colors, too. You can pick yours up on InfiniteDiscs.com.
7. Retractable Chalk Line
Yep, you read that right. A retractable chalk line is basically a small box with a wound-up bit of string inside. You can fill the box with chalk, which covers the string, then when you pull the string tight and snap it, the string creates a chalk line on a piece of material. They’re mostly used in construction to create straight and level lines.
In disc golf, it’s a handy way to compare the distance from the cage. If you and a friend want to find out whose disc is closer to the basket, use your chalk line to measure the distance to your disc, then to your friend’s disc. This way, you know the exact distance and who should be throwing first. Just remember not to put chalk in it. This is the one I use.
8. Water (…duh)
Do you ever feel tired when you’re out playing disc golf? Do your arms get heavy? Does your form start to falter an hour or so into the game? This is most likely due to dehydration. It’s vital to have water with you on the course. This may seem like a total no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many people I see on the course without some sort of hydration with them.
Water should be the number 1 thing you have with you besides your discs. You may be out playing in the sun for at least a few hours. You need water to stay hydrated and feel good on the course. Water bottles are almost everywhere these days. Please keep Mother Earth in mind when choosing a water bottle and opt for one that’s reusable, not the polluting plastic kind). The best water bottle I’ve found is the 32 oz. Nalgene water bottle. It’s tough as heck, cheap, and easy to clean. If you don’t already have one, you can get it here. Don’t leave home without it!
9. Disc Towel
Let’s face it: discs get dirty. You’re throwing them into the dirt, water, and mud, leading to a buildup of all sorts of nasty gunk. It’s not fun throwing a disc when it’s covered who-knows-what; plus, it can really screw up your throw. The dirt and water can make the disc slippery, allowing it to come out of your hand at the wrong moment.
This is why many disc golfers carry a disc towel with them. It’s a handy accessory to quickly wipe off a disc before putting it in your bag. That way, your discs remain clean and ready to throw. The best disc golf towels have a grommet in one corner so you can clip it to the outside of your bag.
My favorite disc towels are the Greens microfiber towels on Amazon. They come in a pack of three, so it’s easy to swap out a dirty towel for a clean one. They’re available in a variety of colors, so you can pick the ones that best suit your style (I prefer using the black towels). The microfiber is of nice quality and grabs everything off your disc without any problems. Just keep the towels away from the ground…they’re like Velcro and leaves and dirt will stick to them like crazy! You can find them here.
10. Extra Towel
We covered disc towels, but it’s also a good idea to keep an extra towel with you for your face and hands. You don’t want to be wiping down your sweaty brow with a towel that has a bunch of mud and sticks on it!
There’s also the slight chance that a disc will end up in the creek and you’ll have to go wading in after it. Playing the rest of the course in wet socks and with sand stuck between your toes probably isn’t the best time. If you have a spare towel, you can wade in barefoot and towel dry off after you’ve retrieved your disc. Problem solved!
I prefer carrying a medium-sized towel with me. My favorite is the sports towel by Desired Body. It has a super soft waffle texture, and it’s quick-drying, lightweight, and odor-free, so you can use it several times before washing it. You can pick it up here.
11. Extra Socks
Speaking of wading in the river. Despite your best efforts, there’s always the possibility of your socks getting soaked. It may start raining (in Texas, this can happen at the drop of a hat). Maybe you lose your footing and step into some water. Perhaps you have overly sweaty feet. Or maybe a disc landed in the creek and you want to wade in to get it, but don’t want to go barefoot. Understandable, rocks are sharp!
Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to bring an extra pair of socks with you, just in case. Like I said above, it’s miserable playing disc golf in wet socks. It’s much better to be prepared!
12. Granola Bars
Keeping a snack in your bag is a great idea when playing disc golf. You’re using a lot of energy and are constantly burning calories by walking (sometimes running) and throwing, so it’s important to refill that energy as you go. The trick is choosing the right snack. You need something to provide you with enough energy for a few hours without leaving you feeling hungry or drained.
Granola bars are perfect. They’re packed with calories and carbs to give you the energy you need to continue playing at your optimal level. My favorite is the Clif Bar (the Chocolate Chip flavor is delicious!). I highly recommend them. They’re non-GMO and free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. If you can’t find them at your local grocery store, here’s the link to get them on Amazon.
13. Sunglasses
Chances are that you already wear a pair of sunglasses when you play, or at least have a pair with you in your bag. If so, good job! If not, here you go…
Sunglasses are great for two highly critical reasons. The first is obvious. They make you look great, and who doesn’t want to look great, amiright? Second, and possibly more importantly, is that they provide protection from the sun. It’s estimated that 20% of cases of cataracts are caused by UV exposure. I’d rather not fall into that 20th percentile. And I’m betting you wouldn’t either.
You can pick up a pair of shades pretty much anywhere, but make sure they’re polarized. Polarized lenses are going to provide you with the best UV protection. If you don’t already own a pair, I recommend this pair that I found on Amazon. What I love about these is that even though they’re lightweight, they don’t fall off my face when I drive (in disc golf, not in a car!), unlike other sunglasses. There are several frame and lens combinations to pick from, so it’s easy to find the style that’s right for you.
14. Sunscreen
Since we’re talking about sun damage, let’s discuss sunscreen. Many of us, mostly the men out there, neglect putting on sunscreen. But it’s really important! You should be using and regularly re-applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every day…not just days you hit the course.
The reason I keep a small bottle in my bag is that I’m forgetful. When the sun starts beating down, and I remember that I didn’t apply any sunscreen before leaving the house, I reach for my bag and put some on. Blistering away in the heat isn’t fun!
My favorite brand is Elta. It’s SPF 50, lightweight, water-resistant, and works well on sensitive skin. I definitely recommend grabbing a bottle for your bag.
15. First Aid Kit
Continuing with the safety theme of the last few accessories, we have the good ol’ first aid kit. Disc golf isn’t the most dangerous sport, but let’s face it, you never know what’s going to happen. Courses often have wooded, rocky, or wet areas, so it’s easy to see how someone might fall and scrape a knee or cut themselves on a branch.
First aid kits are inexpensive and helpful, especially when you least expect to need them. This is the one I carry. It’s a mini kit with all of the basics you’ll need to patch up a wound to get back on the course in good spirits. Highly recommended.
16. Liquid Bandage
I mentioned first aid kits above, but there’s one thing most first aid kits don’t typically include: liquid bandage. Old fashioned band-aids are usually the go-to solution for covering a wound, but if the cut is on your hand, they can impair your game.
This is where liquid bandage comes in. Once it dries, it stays put. It’s not going to come off while you’re playing or get in the way of your disc as you throw. It’s a good addition to any kit. New Skin is my favorite brand of liquid bandage. You can pick it up here.
17. Sharpie
A Sharpie is one of the most common disc golf accessories. Because disc golf involves lots of obstacles and long drives, it can be easy to lose a disc. That’s why it’s a good idea to mark the back of your discs with your name and phone number. If a fellow disc golfer finds your disc and they’re a nice person, they’ll try and return it to you…as long as it’s marked. (Karma at its finest!) I’ve found several discs in the wild without a name or phone number on them. When this happens, there isn’t any other option than to keep the disc. You can pick up Sharpies almost anywhere, but here’s a link if you want to grab them online.
18. Hand Sanitizer
You never know what you’re handling when on the course. Your discs land in all sorts of places, both clean and not-so-clean…and then you’re touching those discs as you play. It’s important to sanitize your hands after (and sometimes during your game), but especially before you eat anything.
This is why it’s a great idea to keep hand sanitizer in your disc golf bag. You can’t go wrong with a classic: Purell. It’s been a trusted brand for hand sanitizer for decades, which is why I keep a small bottle in my bag. They come in one-ounce bottles, making them highly portable for on-the-go activities. You can get yours here.
19. Clipboard
If you like to do things the old-fashioned way, using a clipboard is a must when keeping score with a pen and scorecard. I suggest sticking with the memo-sized clipboards, as the letter-sized ones are far too large to lug around a disc golf course. I also recommend getting a plastic one, as the hard, cardboard-style ones degrade when wet…and the last thing you want to be worried about when the rain comes down is your clipboard and the scores on it!
I like this one from Officemate. It’s a nice, solid plastic clipboard that’s perfect for scorekeeping on the go. Pro Tip: Use a paracord to tie it to your bag. That way, you don’t have to worry about losing it.
20. Cell Phone
It’s always a good idea to keep a phone handy. In disc golf, there are several great scorekeeping apps to help you keep score. Also, there may be an unexpected phone call you need to take, or there may be an emergency on the course that you need to call in. And, if you like listening to music while playing disc golf, a phone is a great accessory to have. Just be sure you have enough battery power to keep it going (see external battery above).
21. PDGA Rulebook
Although disc golf is revered as mostly a “chill” game, it is an organized sport…and players can become overly competitive. Sometimes, it’s smart to have an official rulebook in the event of an argument among disc golfers. Things don’t tend to get heated very much regarding the rules, but sometimes it’s nice to have a reference point if there’s a disagreement. Here’s the printer-friendly version of the PDGA rulebook if you’d like to keep a copy with you.
22. Baby Powder / Cornstarch
I’d like to take a moment to talk about chafing. Yes, I’m sorry…it’s uncomfortable, both physically and to talk about, but it happens to the best of us. If you’re someone who’s susceptible to chafing (you know who you are), make sure to keep a small bottle of baby powder or cornstarch in your disc golf bag. I promise it will make your time on the course much more enjoyable (because rubbing yourself raw as you walk just isn’t fun).
To keep the embarrassment to a minimum, order a small bottle online. I recommend Dude Powder. It has a talc-free formula, contains natural ingredients, and offers 24-hour freshness. Here’s the link to Amazon.
23. Rain Jacket
You never know when it might start raining on you. Whether or not you live in a wet region, it’s always a good idea to stuff a lightweight rain jacket in a compartment of your bag. That way, your clothes won’t get soaked when you’re out playing disc golf.
My favorite brand for warding off bad weather is Columbia. My Columbia winter jacket has been my go-to for many years, so when I began searching for a lightweight rain jacket, I naturally went for Columbia. This jacket has worked out perfectly for me. It’s watertight, but breathable and lightweight, making it easy to roll up and stow in the side panel of your bag. It’s also part of Amazon’s Prime wardrobe, so you can order a couple of sizes and try them on when they’re delivered. Bonus: You’re only charged for the one you keep!
For women, I recommend this jacket. My wife has this one and uses it often during our unpredictable Texas weather! It’s not Columbia brand, but it’s really cute and has served her well.
24. Rainfly For Your Bag
When it comes to keeping the rain off your discs, there’s really only one option: get a rainfly for your bag. A rainfly is like a rain jacket for your bag. It’s made of waterproof material and it attaches to the top of your bag to keep the rain out. There’s also a handy opening so you can access your discs. The key is to find the rainfly that’s meant for your bag so that it fits properly. If you’ve got the Commander Bag (my favorite bag), then this is the rainfly for you.
25. Can Koozie & Mini Disc Can Topper
Many disc golfers like bringing their favorite canned beverages with them on the course. If you’re playing in the heat, however, your drink can get warm fast. This is where a can koozie comes in. These do an excellent job of keeping your drinks perfectly cold. My favorite is the this one from Yeti. It’s vacuum insulated, so your drink always stayed ice-cold, and the stainless steel body is tough as nails. It also looks awesome and comes in many different colors.
The partner accessory to the can koozie is the mini disc can topper. The last thing you want is for dirt and who-knows-what-else to drop into your can. The solution is a snap cap mini disc. It’s a mini marker disc, but doubles as a can topper that snaps to the top of your can to keep debris out of your drink. The mini Buzzz by Discraft is a quality one that I recommend.
26. Golden Retriever
One of my favorite accessories is the Golden Retriever by Dynamic Discs. It’s a tool used to retrieve a disc if it lands in the water. Basically, toss it in the water near where the disc landed then pull the rope back to you. The idea is that the retriever will catch up to your disc on the way back to you, thus saving you from having to get in the water.
It works really well and has saved me from going for a swim many a time. I highly recommend this accessory to every disc golfer. Even if you’re fairly confident that your disc won’t land in the creek, you might be playing with someone less skilled. That’s why it’s always nice to save the day with a retriever. The best place to get one is Amazon. You can pick it one up here.
27. Folding Tripod Stool
There’s a litany of reasons to keep a folding stool with you while playing disc golf. Getting tired? Long wait while your friends drive or search for a lost disc? Waiting for a group in front of you to finish up the hole? It’s great to be able to pull out a small stool and give your feet a break.
This one by TravelChair is great. It folds up small and fits nicely on the side of my Commander Bag. It’s also lightweight, making it easy to strap almost anywhere. You’ll barely know you’re carrying it! If you spend a lot of time on the course, I strongly recommend getting one.
Wrapping Up
This is the most comprehensive list I could think of for must-have disc golf accessories. I hope that after reading this article, you’ve found at least a few useful things to incorporate into your disc golf kit.