What do I NEED in my bag?

[harkerj]

Eternal noob here. Tired of buying random discs.

So right now I've got two discs I use for my long, open drives: a champ Valk (175g) and a champ Monarch (168g) that I am very pleased with. On wide open holes I can throw them 250' (if I miss the throw)-300' (if I hit one).

I've got a 175g Dart that I use for approach and putts. I guess I throw this from about 80-100' and in. Sometimes when I throw it, it goes in.

In between I've got a bunch of other discs that I've bought or found that I don't end up throwing much because, frankly, I have no idea when/why to use them. They include a TL, a Sidewinder, a Groove (all in the 165-168 range), and a 150 Shark.

So a typical hole for me Valk/Monarch full drive, Dart for the putt. Longer holes, Valk/Monarch full drive, Valk/Monarch medium/full throw, Dart for the putt.

On tight courses, I sometimes pull out the TL if I feel like I can control it more than the Valk for a tight fairway shot. But in the end I always end up feeling like I could make the Valk do anything the TL can do. Not a disc issue, but a thrower issue.

So... buy a disc to fill a hole in my arsenal, or just learn to use the discs I have?

[Frank Delicious]

burn the groove, take the sidewinder out, buy some mids like rocs, buzzes, cores, or whatever.

[jubuttib]

If you throw around 300', it might be better if you disc down a bit, and learn how to throw your slower discs properly. It's also probably a good idea to only have a few molds that you know, instead of a bunch you don't really know. Your bag is a bit all over the place and doesn't really have any clear workhorses (apart from the TL and Dart)

So something like...

Step one: Put down the Groove, Monarch and Sidewinder, anything above speed 7. A TeeBird, Eagle or TL should be plenty for most of your driving needs. DX TB's and Eagles are great. Maybe hang on to the Valk, it's not bad as far as faster discs go, but it should only be for max D. If the TL is beaten to understable already, good. If not, maybe throw a Leopard in there. DX Eagle and Star TL/Pro Leopard should work for most of your driver shots, with the Valk for absolute max d.

Step two: Emphasize your slower discs. The Dart can easily handle a 300' rip without turning a bit (unless it's a beat DX...), and it doesn't take a lot of power to hit 250' with a putter, just a semblance of technique. Also learn to work your mid ranges, they're one of the most important discs in your bag. Get a few more of those Sharks in your preferred weight if you like the feel, or Rocs/MD2s/Buzzzes if you want something different. Preferably get it in a more normal weight, unless you're dead set on 150 class. Mid ranges are usually more predictable and easier to throw than drivers, you should learn how to use them efficiently.

A line up of Dart, Shark, TL (or Leopard) and Eagle can accomplish a lot of things.

Step three: Practice. And practice some more. Work on throwing your putters and mids clean and, after that, farther. When you can throw your putters on straight and controlled shots over 200' all of your other discs will fly better also.

[money 21]

just keep playing with the valk monarch and dart. one of the best players i know plays with a jls, champ side winder, and a xd. keep playing with the 3 for a while and the shot you can't make will let you know what to add.

[kern9787]

What does the monarch do for you that the valk doesn't? Or vice versa. At your distance, I doubt you should be seeing too much difference in the two. I'd pick one (valk is better, imo) and work with it as your distance driver. And you should definitely pick u a midrange to work with. Good bag to learn with imo: Dart, midrange, TL, valk/monarch (one or the other). The TL or midrange should be your workhorse in the bag. Don't discount your putters or midranges off of the teepad either. Not only should they be two of your more accurate slots in your bag, but they'll help you realize flaws in your form and correct them, more so than drivers can.

[keltik]

you need a good mid. I suggest a Comet. after you have the Comet play about 10-15 rounds of golf with just the Comet and the Dart. after that add in the TL for another 10 rounds. then add the Valk. read the instructional articles and work on your form. then you'll start getting an idea of what discs can really do. then you'll start to realize what kind of disc you'll need next, and you'll be ready to ask more questions here.

[Billym]

If you throw around 300', it might be better if you disc down a bit, and learn how to throw your slower discs properly. It's also probably a good idea to only have a few molds that you know, instead of a bunch you don't really know. Your bag is a bit all over the place and doesn't really have any clear workhorses (apart from the TL and Dart)

So something like...

Step one: Put down the Groove, Monarch and Sidewinder, anything above speed 7. A TeeBird, Eagle or TL should be plenty for most of your driving needs. DX TB's and Eagles are great. Maybe hang on to the Valk, it's not bad as far as faster discs go, but it should only be for max D. If the TL is beaten to understable already, good. If not, maybe throw a Leopard in there. DX Eagle and Star TL/Pro Leopard should work for most of your driver shots, with the Valk for absolute max d.

Step two: Emphasize your slower discs. The Dart can easily handle a 300' rip without turning a bit (unless it's a beat DX...), and it doesn't take a lot of power to hit 250' with a putter, just a semblance of technique. Also learn to work your mid ranges, they're one of the most important discs in your bag. Get a few more of those Sharks in your preferred weight if you like the feel, or Rocs/MD2s/Buzzzes if you want something different. Preferably get it in a more normal weight, unless you're dead set on 150 class. Mid ranges are usually more predictable and easier to throw than drivers, you should learn how to use them efficiently.

A line up of Dart, Shark, TL (or Leopard) and Eagle can accomplish a lot of things.

Step three: Practice. And practice some more. Work on throwing your putters and mids clean and, after that, farther. When you can throw your putters on straight and controlled shots over 200' all of your other discs will fly better also.

This is very reliable advice. I would also suggest you learn to play without a driver at all. If you concentrated on the dart and shark you will improve a lot. That TL is a very good disc to have for your only driver.

[money 21]

as i have been think about your original post and beginners stepping up to more complete bags in general a thought on how to break dow a what i would cnsider a complete bag.

1. puter: most important disc in your bag find one that feels good for putting and throwing
2. stable mid: a mid range driver yo can throw pretty straight and fell confident n
3. work horse driver: usually a slightly over stable fairway driver in different stages of wear can cover a lot of shots.
4. distance driver: distance you can throw all out on wide open holes.
5. turnover driver: driver that you can flip over or work on lines when throwing less then 100%
6. meat hook: disc for make hard left turns (for Right hand back hand) or throwing into the wind
7 finess disc: Disc for working lines and approaches.

as you play longer some molds will cover others. a beat work horse can cover the turnover spot ect.

back to the origanal post.
you have
1 dart
2
3 tl
4 valk/sidewinder/monarch
5
6
7

The shark would fot the 2 spot but i would get a heavier one around 170. the 150 shark might fill the 5 spot if not get a stingray or something like it.
6 a viper or banshee works well here at first they are just going to fade from the moment they leave your hand to the ground, but into a wind or when you have to get around some thing they work well. 7 spot a beat up putter/mid or a lid can cover a sonic works great here.

this is just my opinion so others may have different advice.

[harkerj]

Wow lots of great advice here, thank you all very much. I went out and bought a 175 DX Shark (the only weight they had at the store, and I was anxious to get out and try this stuff). Feels a little heavy for me, but I hit the chains with it from a nice distance a couple times, so I'll keep working at it. Of course there were plenty of times I threw the damn thing in the dirt as well.

So I like the idea of playing a round with the Shark and the Dart. Am I understanding you guys right that I SHOULD be able to use the Shark as a distance driver if I throw it correctly? Right now my 175 Champ Valk will go 275-300 with a good throw (or at least what I think is a good throw for me). Will the Shark do this when I learn to throw correctly, such that I should just keep working with it until I can do that?

[kern9787]

A shark is very much capable of being thrown well over 300', though that is likely a ways down the road. But you should be able to throw your shark with similar form to your drivers and get accurate shots out of it. It won't quite get the distance typically of your drivers, but will get a good percentage of it. It should be easier to control though, which should really be your priority when learning.

[Rogue9]

If you throw around 300', it might be better if you disc down a bit, and learn how to throw your slower discs properly. It's also probably a good idea to only have a few molds that you know, instead of a bunch you don't really know. Your bag is a bit all over the place and doesn't really have any clear workhorses (apart from the TL and Dart)

So something like...

Step one: Put down the Groove, Monarch and Sidewinder, anything above speed 7. A TeeBird, Eagle or TL should be plenty for most of your driving needs. DX TB's and Eagles are great. Maybe hang on to the Valk, it's not bad as far as faster discs go, but it should only be for max D. If the TL is beaten to understable already, good. If not, maybe throw a Leopard in there. DX Eagle and Star TL/Pro Leopard should work for most of your driver shots, with the Valk for absolute max d.

Step two: Emphasize your slower discs. The Dart can easily handle a 300' rip without turning a bit (unless it's a beat DX...), and it doesn't take a lot of power to hit 250' with a putter, just a semblance of technique. Also learn to work your mid ranges, they're one of the most important discs in your bag. Get a few more of those Sharks in your preferred weight if you like the feel, or Rocs/MD2s/Buzzzes if you want something different. Preferably get it in a more normal weight, unless you're dead set on 150 class. Mid ranges are usually more predictable and easier to throw than drivers, you should learn how to use them efficiently.

A line up of Dart, Shark, TL (or Leopard) and Eagle can accomplish a lot of things.

Step three: Practice. And practice some more. Work on throwing your putters and mids clean and, after that, farther. When you can throw your putters on straight and controlled shots over 200' all of your other discs will fly better also.

This is very reliable advice. I would also suggest you learn to play without a driver at all. If you concentrated on the dart and shark you will improve a lot. That TL is a very good disc to have for your only driver.

What they said.

especially this: "A line up of Dart, Shark, TL (or Leopard) and Eagle can accomplish a lot of things"

Working on driving with your putter and mid range from the teepad. This will help increase your skill alot. I would add that you should get your mid range in DX so you can have it beat in. When it beats in it will get straighter and straighter until it starts fading right instead of left. When it loses its fade from being used add another DX of the same model so that you now have one that fades left, and one that goes straight. When the straight one starts to fade right, and the new one starts to get straight, add another new one. Now you will have one that fades left, straight, and right. This is VERY useful, plus it keeps your number of molds down so that you get very familiar with that mold. That way you will learn to make all kinds of different shots with that one disc, thus having a more complete game in your bag.

If you like the shark, great. The Roc is another great mid to do what I said above with. Choose whatever feels good in your hand and learn to throw it.

The TL is another great disc. Follow Jub's advice and just stick with putter, mid range,TL, and Eagle X. Get REALLY familiar with those. I am talking about a few months of just those three. Once you can get those discs to do lots of different things for you, and you can hit 250+ with your putter and mid, and 300+ with the TL then you might start to think about adding other discs.