Bag Hooks - Good idea? bad Idea?

[Billipo]

Contemplating installing bag hooks (place to keep disc bags elevated) at each hole... Is this wise? any good designs out there?

[Jaysus]

We have them at the one local course I play at... I am a big fan. Simple design too, just a couple pegs in the tee sign post.

[Timber]

I did half round 4x4 posts with 15 inch long 1 1/2 inch dowels drilled through the posts. A wood screw through the post and dowel keeps it in place.There are a few problems associated with them over time I plan to address in future installations.The post rots at and below the ground surface. I will dip the lower portion of the posts in tar next time. They began leaning towards the pegs which were used the most. I will add concrete next time and bury them 18 to 21 inches deep instead of 15 inches. The dowels are susceptible to baseball bats or hormone induced rage. I have considered using those rubber coated bicycle hooks from the local box hardware store but they can easily be unscrewed and stolen.

Another simpler design is a 4x4 (Not half round) with two 2x3's or 2x4's boards screwed (Not nailed) on adjacent sides. Place one near the top and the next one about 15 to 18 inches lower on the adjacent side.

Placement takes a bit of thought. always put them near the back or behind the tee. If there is a bench, put them next to the bench. My usual spec is no closer than 6 feet from the sides or no closer than 10 feet from the back of the tee. Try to put them nearest to the previous basket. It's amazing that people don't want to walk an additional six to twelve feet for the convenience. The same goes with trash cans.

Bag holders only tend to be used 30% to 50% of the time under dry conditions. EVERYONE uses them in the rain.

[Timber]

An example of the half round with dowel (leaning) can be seen here
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/view_image.php?p=course_pics/456/78ba0275.jpg
An example of the second version (also leaning) is barely visible on the right side of this photo
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/view_image.php?p=course_pics/456/b51da5a8.jpg

[optidiscic]

I would not too much money or thought into this. A few pegs or nails in a board nailed into a tree should suffice. Seems like one more thing someone would decide to break. I like them but generally as long as I don't have to put my bag in a puddle I'm happy!

[Jaysus]

We have them at the one local course I play at... I am a big fan. Simple design too, just a couple pegs in the tee sign post.

Photo: http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/233/848ff3d0.jpg

[bcr123psu]

I think bag hooks are great when I remember that they're there. But after you tee off, the luxury of a bag hook is nonexistant. Just playing devil's advocate here, but if you going to put your bag on the ground for the rest of your approach throws and putts, why bother hanging it at all? If you're going to be installing new posts and it won't take too much effort to install the hooks, then go for it. If you're going to install them just to install them, then I don't think that the juice is worth the squeeze.

[Billipo]

Appreciating the feedback...Keep it coming.

We have just added many benches on one of our courses. Natural reaction is players put their bags on the bench next to them, then next to arrive politely asks to move bags.... Motion is repeated again and again hole after hole. Gets old.

[cblack129]

Photo: http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/233/848ff3d0.jpg

i know that course, good ol' boulder woods.

[billnchristy]

Also like how it shows the bag sitting on the ground.

I always forget they are there and set mine on the back of the teepad or opposite side I am driving from.

[chainmonkey]

I usually set my bag on the back of the tee pad or on the bench if their is one. I have never played on a course that had them although I think they would be handy and I think I would use them.

[sidewinding]

I'd say it would be worth it if you could easily do it by adding to an existing sign post like the one in the photo, but if you have to install posts into the ground just for hanging a bag on, then it seems like a waste of resources and the time and money could be spent somewhere else on the course, like numbering baskets, killing poison ivy, building benches, bridges, etc.

[scarpfish]

For players who are toting single strappers, they're probably okay to have. When your bag is hooked up to quads like mine, they're pretty much useless, and having played so many courses without them, even if I had a single strapper, I'd probably not bother with them.

[zenbot]

I wouldn't care one way or the other.

[waynewf]

I am a big fan of bag pegs....

[zenbot]

If I'm concerned about mud I bring my Huk Sit chair.

[jkdisc]

bag hooks are a bonus, really nice when the ground is damp

[ERicJ]

Added a poll.

[Three Putt]

They are one of those things. Do players like them? Yes. Do players use them? Sometimes. Do they make a huge difference? No. As was mentioned, you have to set your bag on the ground for every other shot, so if your bag is going to get muddy it is going to get muddy. About all the hangers do is keep you from bending over 36 times to set down and pick up your bag. When you are as old and fat as I am, that's nice. That being said, I've never used them even in the rain.

So they don't accomplish much but they are overwhelmingly well received. Seriously, have you ever heard someone go off on how they hate them? So it's a easy thing to do that gets good feedback.

[RHINESEL]

While the point about setting your bag down for all other shots is true, I think the difference is because the tee pad is the most traveled part of the hole. Chances are this is the area that is going to be really dirty or muddy.

I'd use one. It should be placed about 10ft behind the tee pad in the direction of travel from the previous hole.

[bjreagh]

I also have Quads, so pegs don't work for me, but the primary reason I don't use them is because I have my bag maxed out with discs and hanging it on a peg puts enough curve on the bag to sqeeze the discs to where I can't get them in or out.

I actually prefer to put my bag on a bench, sits flat that way.

But I know lots of people like them, so pegs don't offend me.

[JMONEY]

If they are ergonomically placed correctly or convienent i would use them, but would not go out of my way to use them

[Chucktown]

Never thought about that, usually just hang my bag by the strap on the sign post whether or not it has hooks or put it on the recycling bin. depending on what bag you have, maybe put a carabiner where the straps connect, then take an S hook that is closed on one end.

[Chucktown]

Sorry I am an idiot, I read the poll but not the post and that was the first thing that came to my mind.

[Billipo]

While the point about setting your bag down for all other shots is true, I think the difference is because the tee pad is the most traveled part of the hole. Chances are this is the area that is going to be really dirty or muddy.

I'd use one. It should be placed about 10ft behind the tee pad in the direction of travel from the previous hole.

Great point about placement in direction of travel. SOme of the current tee signs (if the pegs on the sign are used) come after benches or are opposite side of tee from travel. THey would need to be relocated to serve the dual function (tee sign & bag holder). Human nature to take path of least resistance.

[WillACarpenter]

Pegs are a good idea...Benches are way better. Tables and benches are the best...but not really needed most places.

\/\/

[solomon.trenton]

unless its a course that has a really slow hole

[Lewis]

I don't like the idea of pegs, and I wouldn't notice or use them. Unless you come across a bunch of really cheap hooks or pegs that you can easily attach to a tree or post that's already there, I think it's a waste of resources and clutters up the tee pad area. Keep it simple.

[Danger]

I always hang my bag from the tee sign. I guess it has just become habit now. When there are hooks, I use them. Only one hole, at one course, out of the 20 I have played has had hooks. If there were hooks at more tees, I would use them; however I agree about the clutter, it would be best to attach them to the tee sign to keep things simple.

[Kwick]

I think bag holders are a great idea.

Tyler State Park has them as a seperate post from the signs (although none of the pictures here show them).

I think it is a great luxury to have on a course. I stress the word luxury. If you are looking to make the course top of the line it is something that can eventually be added, but other more important things to handle first would be excellent tee pads, signs, mutliple tees/baskets locations, etc.

I do love the bag holders, but there are many other things that are more important first.

[sloppydisc]

My bag can handle getting a little dirty. I don't use hooks when they are there, and don't miss them when they're not.

[paulrothley@msn.com]

We put them in @ Beaver Ranch, and I have srarted to install them @ my private course (Phantom Falls). I have been using old ski's and snowboards for benches, and I have been using the disgarded ski bindings (the back binding) as unique bag hooks for each hole. Cheep, green, and unique.

[thediscinmusician]

We have green metal tee posts out at our course. I found a hook type thing at lowe's for like $1.25. Those installed well. I attached a picture of those. Also...on our main sign I'm probably going to install some metal hooks. You can find those in the hardware section as well at Lowes for like $2.00. It would be something you might hang towels on in a bathroom. I'll attach a picture. I think those would work well on a 4x4 post or anything else wooden. Hope that helps. I love the idea of bag hooks!

[bazillion]

Okay so yeah, your bag's going to be on the ground all the time after you tee off, but still I think it shows care and concern on the part of the designer, and maybe the people who play there will think about it and not screw it up.

Ever hopeful ...

[ptld2001]

There's one place we play regularly, that has a short length of PVC through the signpost to hang bags on. Even though it's only useful at the tee, I appreciate them. When the weather's as muddy as it is now, any little bit helps.

[leppard]

Good idea if they are don't break or the fasteners work loose. I don't look for them because I usually just put my bag on the corner of the teepad if it is wet and muddy.

[Jukeshoe]

They're a pro if they're there, wouldn't really notice if they're not.

[wolito]

I really don't care if there are hooks or not. I just don't use them. Some people love them and for the cost, which is pretty cheap, then if that what makes the course a little bettter, then put them on.

[jdggna]

They'd be better for people with single strap bags, but with quads I wouldn't use them. I prefer a bag rest for them. That wouldn't be a good way to do that for cheap and/or vandal proof however. Like some others said, pro if they're there, not a con if they aren't.

[jongoff09]

I believe they are great at the tee pad, the course I play gets really muddy at the tee because of all the traffic and the rest of the course is not that bad. So even though it is the only place that your bag won't be on the ground, it is the place where the most mud will get on the bag even though every other throw the bag will be on the ground. The course I play doesn't have them, but it has benches or tables at most holes.

[eupher61]

Thing is, at a tee, I want to SIT on the bench, and I'd rather not have to ask someone to move their bag. The ground at a tee is usually the worst spot aside from the basket areas, so mud and gunk is worse.

I don't always use them when available, but I like them. Why not use them with Quads, for that matter??? That's the silliest excuse I've seen for not using a holder...

[LeewayeDiscGolf]

I like them at the tees. It's a good spot to double check your bag and you don't have to bend or squat right before your main shot for each hole. It's not much, but it saves your back some strain. I usually hang my bag off the sign, so a peg or hook would be cool. I think the only thing to watch for would be square edges. Use rounded edges on whatever type you use so there is no issue with snagging straps.

[smyith]

Lakewood Hills (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=579) in White Bear, MN has bag hooks on a few holes. they are really nice actually. just make sure they arnt anywhere close to in the way. make sure there are at least 4 hooks for tournament play.

[solomon.trenton]

theres no pics. can you desribe them?

[smyith]

4 x 4 post about 4-5ft high. and four posts with braces extending 8-10 inches off the post. heres a picture (http://yfrog.com/2i82037613p) i drew to illustrate. the "hooks" on them wernt the most durable. id attempt a different design thats a bit stronger. maybe just a round post put through the middle of each side would do it. or even puild the hooks outa 2 x 4 haha. i think of all sorts of ways to do it cheap.
http://yfrog.com/2i82037613p

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Two for a $1.50 at Sears.......... avoid screwing them into pine trees, the sap leaks out and down the tree right where your bag rests when it's hung there.

http://www.discgolfscene.com/media/26408_g.jpg

[jkdisc]

could have used some todat, so muddy

[mashnut]

I like having bag hooks, but they're certainly not something I need or expect at a course. My disc golf stuff has been muddy before, and I'm sure it will be again, so I don't worry too much about it.

[NothinButChing]

love the idea wish they did it around here

[WindyCityROCer]

I've only played 1 course with hooks, Valpo.... nice touch, but to be honest, i'm so used to putting my bag on the ground that I generally forget to use them...
:doh: