Consistent Beginner Bag

[Frigobar]

Hi all,

I was talking to a friend who wants to get into disc golf, but doesn't have the funds to pay for several discs to try, so that sparked the idea of putting together a "beginner bag" to carry in my car when I randomly have friends that want to try the game. This prevents them from ruining my personal bag (losing or severely damaging my beloved discs) and would give them a grasp on the mechanics of the game. A solid bag would boost confidence and peak further interest in the game and I think the best way to do that would be to get beginner friendly, consistent, reliable discs.

I'm looking for what you would consider to be the 1-3 most reliable discs in each of the following categories:

Distance Driver, Control Driver, Midrange, Putter, Utility

I know I shouldn't even include a Distance Driver in a beginner friendly bag, but I'm curious about the responses I'll get.

So far, I've come up with this, but I know I'm biased, so I prefer further input including weights, plastic, level of seasoning, etc. I also like having discs from different companies to give a better feel for variety.

Distance Driver
Flick
PD
Wraith

Control Driver
Predator
Valkyrie or JLS
Teebird

Midrange
Buzzz
Classic Roc
Core

Putter
Soft Challenger
Soft Wizard
Soft Ion/Anode

Utility
DRAGON

I searched the forums and couldn't find anything current or to my liking. Feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[mjoyce]

I think you'd be wise to put a leopard or diamond on your list in the control driver category. You don't really need to give them a distance driver. And to be honest I think I would have been a lot happier starting out if my buddy who got me started gave me a buzzz and a putter and said throw the buzzz off the tee and the putter for pretty much everything else

I'd say that a predator is a little high speed/overstable for a beginner. If it's a light valk that would be OK.

Also I'd say you're putting a little too much thought into it and if you give a beginner a bag with 5 discs (one from each of you categories) you're likely to have a confused new player in terms of shot selection.

But as far as the idea of having a bag for beginners is a good one. If you picked up the Innova starter set with the leopard, shark, and avair it would probably be fine.

 

[Smigles]

Putters, Buzzz and a more understable midrange ( i usualy give the Comet ), Leopard.

You dont want any distance drivers ( All too speed stable ), the predator is waaaay too stable for a beginner, same for Teebird, valk is too speedstable again. Slower discs are easier to control, beginners will learn the fastest with just putters.

 

[dashiellx]

But as far as the idea of having a bag for beginners is a good one. If you picked up the Innova starter set with the leopard, shark, and avair it would probably be fine.

^^This^^

However, I think you could switch out the leopard for a diamond if you really felt the need to go that direction.

 

[AndyJB]

I disagree on the distance driver statements. I see a lot of people saying to start with a Leopard or something similiar, but I really don't see that as a huge advantage. If they are just starting to get into the game, I would give them a slower distance driver, such as the Valk that you mentioned. You could even get an Archangel or a Dragon, but the Valk is a good starting point. I would give them something like:

-Valk
-Eagle
-Buzzz
-Aviar

All the overstable/understable stuff really won't matter at first. As long as they throw it flat with a decent amount of power, they will be fine. But I DO agree that 5 discs is way too much for a begginer. An Eagle also might be a bit much, but I feel the Leopard isn't as versatile for a begginer. Just my two cents.

 

[MrFixIt]

You dont want any distance drivers ( All too speed stable ), the predator is waaaay too stable for a beginner, same for Teebird, valk is too speedstable again. Slower discs are easier to control, beginners will learn the fastest with just putters.

^This.

 

[HarkeyPuck]

I have a bunch of putters and midranges (Rocs, Sharks, Buzzz) for this exact reason. New players aren't going to throw a driver much farther than they'd throw a midrange. But if you decide you want to give them a driver, go with what mjoyce said, and go with an under stable (leopard, diamond, etc.) FAIRWAY/CONTROL driver.

 

[remember2morrow]

Leopard, Buzzz, Comet, Magnet. Heavy emphasis on the Comet. That disc will teach someone how to throw. As said above, I wouldn't put anything high speed or OS in there. Discs like the Pred. and Wraith are awesome in the hands of experienced players, but definitely NOT beginners.

 

[simpletwist]

I don't think the Flick or the Predator are very good beginner choices. They are way too overstable for many seasoned players let alone a neophyte.

Leopard, leopard, leopard! A 150g Champion Leopard to be exact. For variety a light Diamond could fill this spot.

A Comet or Meteor to compliment those mids. And I believe the Core and Buzzz are almost identical in flight potential so taking one of them out wouldn't hurt.

I differ from the mainstream of great advice by saying by all means leave in the distance drivers. So instead of a Flick, why not an Orc? Orcs may have some manufacturing consistency issues, but they are a great beginner distance disc. They are flexible, dependable & forgiving flyers.

I like your idea and I would add not only a variety of manufacturers but also plastics. For comparisons and contrasts.

 

[rd.bittle]

150g leopard
180g Roc
170g Core
Aviar or Omega SS

 

[wilsondl]

I think this a fantastic idea. I know when I took up the sport after a long hiatus I was not keen on throwing out of other peoples bags because I had remembered the feeling of showing a new person the sport and them dumping one of my favorite discs in the drink(untill 7 months ago i hadnt played in 3+ years). I know my first round back I was hesistant to let one rip, in fear of just that. This will allow who ever your showing how to play the ability to relax and have fun and not worry about loosing your plastic. If my memory serves me right I threw a beat to **** 170g leopard and a avair the whole round and did pretty well considering. Id say keep it simple to much info on disc and why they fly a certian way might be detrimenta.

Cuddos

 

[CrowLegs]

I'll go a little different direction and stipulate they don't need a putter, just putt with the mid. I'd go with:

- light driver (150g leopard or valyrie)
- mid (buzzz, super stingray, mako, coyote, panther, whatever)

 

[MrGlass01]

beginner bag hmmm ill give this a stab:
Valk: This is for the fun factor if they can start to throw well the valk will go far easy.
teebird: nuf said great stable compliment to the leopard
leopard:nuf said probably the best learning driver out there and will do great at teaching nose angle
buzzz/roc:nuf said whichever feels better id go buzzz cause they last longer than dx rocs.
comet meteor fuse: everyone should have a nice stable to understable mid.
any putter they like the feel of

dont over complicate a beginner bag, too many discs to choose from can confuse the situation and hinder their growth and understanding.

 

[jcburton24]

I would also consider a Roadrunner or Sidewinder on the distance driver also.

 

[joshuajames]

If we are talking true beginners, then I would suggest these:

Drivers:

Diamond
River
Leopard
GL Saint (maybe for something overstable for a noob arm)

Mids:

Buzzz
Warship
Fuse
Pearl

Putters:

Pure
Anode
Wizard
Magic (if they want no bead)

Utility:

XXX
Banshee

 

[jtreadwell]

Putters- Magnet, Sonic (for those that like a frisbee-like disc), Wizard.

Mids - Buzz, Shark, Mako

Fairway - Leopard, Diamond, Banshee (good beginner flick disc)

Distance - IF you must... Archangel, Vision, Sidewinder

 

[nomex]

I usually bring out:

Fairways (just to let them try out):
158 Trak
158 Ascent

Mid range:
158 Ibex X-link Medium
178 Cobra DX
178 Buzz Z-line

Putters:
175 Omega SS
175 R-Pro Aviar P/A
174 Summit Firm
176 Ridge Firm
174 VP Medium
154 DX Aero
175 Sole Medium

Generally people usually stick to the Ibex/Omega or the Cobra/Omega combos. I have the Aero for people who really must throw a frisbee-like disc. I just cringe when they want to putt with it, though. I should really get a Condor and a Zephyr sometime.

 

[Smigles]

All the overstable/understable stuff really won't matter at first. As long as they throw it flat with a decent amount of power, they will be fine.

That is exactly the problem. "power" comes from technique. Beginners dont have technique. Ergo they have no power.

For a true beginner, ANY disc will fade left. Why torture them with overstable stuff ?

Anyway, after thinking about htis a bit more, I came to this conclusion : Nothing overstable. Nothing fast. Simple and small bag. Therefore I vote for :

- 1 neutral putter
- 1 comet


that's all.

Btw, what I do when playing with beginners : I "caddy" for them, they get discs out of my bag, and I always pick the disc they should throw. But the disc I pick is the comet or a putter 95% of the time.

 

[rd.bittle]

I'll go a little different direction and stipulate they don't need a putter, just putt with the mid. I'd go with:

- light driver (150g leopard or valyrie)
- mid (buzzz, super stingray, mako, coyote, panther, whatever)

This isn't a bad idea. I have done that before.

 

[rd.bittle]

The first time I went out, they gave me a JLS. It got me hooked. Drove, approached, and putted with it. Didn't have to worry about which disc to throw. Didn't have to worry about leaving one at the last tee. Had a blast and got addicted.