As we hopefully approach the final stretch of winter, for those eager to play the game despite the lingering chill, here are some tips to make your winter disc golf experience more enjoyable.
For a good round of winter disc golf, the emphasis is crucial on clothing. Remember - there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!
Firstly, keep your feet and hands warm! When your limbs are warm, the feeling of cold doesn't spread as easily to the body. The key words are waterproof footwear and warm mittens, and even waterproof socks! Various sports and outdoor stores offer a good selection of waterproof footwear. Don't forget to pay attention to the tread pattern, and it's advisable to have a higher shaft on the footwear to reduce snow entering the shoes.
Regarding gloves, there are various opinions, but we recommend warm mittens, where you can insert warmers if necessary. Waterproof socks may not be as common, but it's worth making the investment because they really do work!
When it comes to clothing in general, layering should be the keyword. Layered clothing means putting multiple layers of clothes on top of each other, allowing air to move between the layers and regulating that you don't get too cold or too hot.
Base layer or thermal underwear: wicks moisture away from your skin.
Insulation layer: maintains body temperature to protect you from the cold.
Protective layer: shields you from rain and wind.
Once clothing is in place, the next recommendation is to keep your discs cool. For example, you can leave your bag in your car overnight. This way, snow won't stick to the discs, and the effort of cleaning off snow is reduced.
As discs tend to be less stable in colder temperatures, some prefer using sturdier discs. On the other hand, our throwing movements are slower in winter, and it may seem counterintuitive that less stable discs are more stable.
If you are a relatively new player or can't always follow your disc's flight to the end, it makes sense to attach ribbons under the discs, which can be done neatly with packaging tape. The attached ribbons stay on top of the snow, making it easier to find the disc. PS! When attaching ribbons, choose their length according to the snow's thickness. Too short ribbons won't be of much help!
If you don't like playing with ribbons, it's advisable to throw discs in brighter colors during winter and make sure to follow the disc's flight to the end. Also, take note of a landmark near the disc's landing spot to make it easier to remember where the disc landed. Additionally, calmly observe the disc prints in the snow, as the disc can often disappear under the snow quite inconspicuously! To speed up the game, it's recommended to have a spotter who observes where the discs fall.
When playing in winter, always check the ground beneath your feet to ensure safety. Unexpectedly, a stump, branch, or ice may be hidden under the snow. To prevent slipping, bring towels with you that can be placed under your feet during throws to create a firmer footing. To avoid slipping, you can also use special spikes that are attached to your shoes.
It's a good idea to practice more standstill throws since with snow and slippery conditions, as throw control and feel are better, and it's also safer. Make sure to consider the ground at the disc landing site. If the ground is icy, the disc can skip very easily, and conversely, if there is a lot of snow, the disc is likely to stay where it fell.
PS! Don't forget to bring warm tea in a thermos!