Missouri Winter Wonderland
Hey Dogleggers, long time no talk! I promise I haven’t forgotten about you guys—I actually daydream about blogging quite often. For those who don’t know, I’m currently in my junior year of college, so let’s just say that I have to write a lot of stuff that’s not about disc golf during the school year and my brain can only produce so many words in a week.
Anyway, I’ve been DYING to tell you guys a little bit about the crazy winter we’ve been having here in Missouri. It’s been a winter wonderland. Not “wonderland” like the deep snow and beautiful trees on a Christmas card—we’re not quite northern enough for that. I mean WONDERland, like “I wonder if it’s going to be 60 and sunny, or if it’s going to be so cold the news anchors are telling me not to let my dog outside for more than 10 minutes.” So, let’s take a look at Missouri’s last few weekends.
Four weeks ago today I played in the 28th Annual Ice Bowl in Columbia, Mo. Columbia is not only my hometown, but the home of the original Ice Bowl in 1987. As we all know, the official Ice Bowl slogan is “No Wimps, No Whiners,” and for the 28th Annual there was nothing to complain about. The weather was beautiful, in the 40s and no rain or snow. I was very happy to be able to play in a division of 5 women, two of us celebrating one year since our first tournament! On top of that, I shot my personal record on the Oakland Top course with a 2 stroke improvement. It was a wonderful day!
Five ladies competed in the women’s division at Columbia’s 28th Annual Ice Bowl in January
The winners of each division at Columbia’s 28th Annual Ice Bowl
After such a great experience at the Columbia Ice Bowl, I was really pumped to play the following weekend in Jefferson City, Mo. However, the night before the tournament there was an ice storm and it wasn’t safe to make the 30 minute drive. Instead, I spent the day playing a 4-hole NOMAD course at my house and gathering with my neighbors to scrape ice off of my street. Not so wonderful.
NOMAD target set up in my backyard while the roads were too icy to get to a course
My street covered in ice, and everyone trying to get it cleared off.
I didn’t get any golf in the following weekend. There was more snow and I turned 21, so I think you can infer that I was a little busy doing other things…
Last weekend I finally made my way down to Jefferson City to play league at their new course. They still don’t have permanent baskets or tee pads installed, so we played the front nine twice with temp baskets. Just by looking at the front nine and hearing rumors about the back nine, this course is going to be a BEAST. There are a few water hazards, lots of elevation change, and a mix of tight tunnels and long fairway shots that have to be strategically placed. (It’ll definitely be worthy of a course guide when it’s finished.)
Although it only snowed a little while I was there, there was plenty of “leftover” snow on the ground, cause it hadn’t been above freezing in at least a week. The park’s namesake Binder Lake was frozen enough to walk on (although I never recommend walking on ice!), which is pretty rare.
During this round my winter weakness was particularly evident. I’m usually pretty good at not letting cold affect my mental game, keeping my throwing hand warm, and not letting my feet get wet. But the worst thing about winter disc golf is wearing so many layers that it limits my range of motion. For the most part it doesn’t impact my driving, but trying to follow through on a putt when I feel like the Michelin Man is just not going to happen.
Geese along the shore of Binder Lake, near Jefferson City’s new disc golf course
Jefferson City Disc Golf Club’s President Stan Balke putting from a tree on the new course
Me driving during league at Jefferson City’s new course
Just six days later, I played my first short-sleeved round of the year at Carrollton Park in St. Louis. It was a beautiful, sunny day reaching a high of nearly 60 degrees. Can you say complete weather 180!? Then, fast forward to today, when the high is expected to be only 38 degrees; my disc golf feat for the day will only consist of writing this post and wishing I were at the Gentlemen’s Club Challenge, where it is currently 65 and sunny!
Precarious basket at Carrollton Park in Bridgeton, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis
dgNOMAD New Logo & Glow Chains!
This won’t be news to any of you who know JT here at Dogleg DG, but I’d like to let the rest of the world know that his design came out on top in the search for dgNOMAD’s new logo, and we think it rocks! Thanks also to everyone else who sent drawings, there were several contenders.
If you need need any logo or promotional work done you can stop looking, JT did an excellent job for us. From concept to revisions to final drafts, as well as staying in touch and putting up with my busy schedule, he was on top of it all. The new logo looks awesome printed in black on our red carry bags, and the color version does a great job displaying the “UV-ness” (JT coins terms as well as designs logos!) of our newest product, retrofit Glow Chains. Our Glow Chains snap easily to any existing basket or target in under a minute and give glow golf a whole new meaning! Check them out here .
And speaking of Glow Chains, if you’re in western Pennsylvania or Northeast Ohio you can see them in action at Young’s Run DGC during Valley DGA’s Glow Throw! The first of the monthly events is May 10th, check in a 7:00 for the first 9 and after dark the Glow Chains are coming out for the next 9! If you miss this one try back, there’s one every month May to November. More info at ValleyDGA.com or email info@valleydga.com.
Trevor at Valley DGA has done a great job helping spread the word on our new chains to some neighboring clubs, anyone else who is interested in a club purchase for glow leagues or tournaments (or just to get a discount!) should definitely let me know. Club orders get 10% discounts and free shipping, email club@dgNOMAD.com for details.
Last but not least, there’s still a week left before our next drawing, register to win either a set of dgNOMAD Glow Chains or one of our revolutionary ultralight portable NOMAD Disc Golf Targets! These little guys are under 3 pounds, available in 6 standard and 4 Glow colors, and let you take a target places you never thought possible…toss one in your backpack, on your dash, or even on your bike handlebars and you can throw anywhere! They have regulation size target zones, and in fact are the only PDGA approved Object Targets on the market. In addition to being made in the USA, our targets are economical so you can grab one for yourself and give the kids their own!
Enter the drawing for free stuff here.
Thanks for checking out our new product!
Jeff@dgNOMAD.com
dgNOMAD Glow Chains/Portable Disc Golf Glow Target Review by JT
Good evening!
Do you enjoy night disc golf? Have you ever wanted to get into night disc golf? Or do you simply wish you just had a super lightweight practice target that you could easily tote around and set up in minutes?
Just about everyone could use some practice on their short-game, right?
Well I might just have an idea—or solution if you will—if you answered “yes” to any of the above questions.
A few weeks ago I posted a teaser video for this upcoming review here on the blog. Let me just preface this by saying the filming of this 13 minute video review took longer than anticipated to cut, edit and produce the music track in it. But several weeks later and many late nights put into it, I can proudly say IT’S FINISHED!
Just in case you missed the teaser, the guys at dgNOMAD were grateful enough to send a set of their new UV Glow Chains for us to review right here on Dogleg. While I was at it, I also bought one of their Ultralight Portable UV Disc Golf Glow Targets to include in the review as well. Both of these products are awesome I must say!
OK enough of the suspense already, just watch the video review!
Once again, special thanks to Jeff at dgNOMAD for hooking us up and a BIG thanks to fellow Doglegger Justin for filming and producing this video. You guys rock!
To get your very own dgNOMAD Glow Chains or dgNOMAD Ultralight Portable Disc Golf Target, check them out at dgNOMAD.com. Tell them DoglegDiscGolf sent you! =)
-jt
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dgNOMAD UV Portable Target Review Teaser
Earlier this week I received my dgNOMAD Ultralight UV Portable Target and a set of Glow Chains for my DGA Mach Lite in the mail! Join some of the Dogleg Crew as we will be doing a full review of both of these products from dgNOMAD in another week or so here on our blog. Check out this quick teaser for now!
Enjoy!
-jt
Innova Disc Golf Baskets: Which one is best for you?
Hi everyone! This is a guest blog post from Explore Disc Golf, a full-service disc golf design-build firm based in Western Massachusetts. We at Explore Disc Golf work exclusively with Innova Disc Golf products in our course designs, and took the time to take a look at the four types of baskets that Innova currently has on the market. While we install DISCatcher Pros at permanent courses, we have a fleet of DISCatcher Sports that we take on the road through The Mobile Disc Golf Experience, where we setup temporary courses at events up and down the east coast. DISCatcher Sports are wonderful for temporary courses and backyard putting, while DISCatcher Travelers and Skillshots are extremely portable for offering disc golf on the go. Check out some of the information we put together below and see what Innova Disc Golf basket is best for you!
Skillshot
The Skillshot, with it’s tripod leg system, enables this lightweight basket to be situated on hillsides as well as flat terrain, something not seen in the following three models. This model of basket is best for those who are constantly traveling, as it folds down to the size of an umbrella, and can be easily stored in your vehicle. The basket weighs in at 26 pounds, and has 16 chains — in comparison to the Traveler’s 12 — and is approved by the Professional Disc Golf Association. This basket, however, does lack the professional appearance of a typical disc golf basket, and is best used for backyard play and integration into physical education programs. This basket retails for $129 and can be found online or at the majority of local disc golf shops.
DISCatcher Traveler
The DISCatcher Traveler is Innova’s lightest basket, weighing in at only 16 pounds, and is terrific for disc golfers that are constantly in transit and looking to keep up with their thirst for the sport. Similar to the Skillshot, the DISCatcher Traveler comes with its own bag for easy transit. This basket, however, has the least amount of chains with 12, and is the least professional representation of a typical disc golf basket, although the dimensions are correct. This basket does have the ability to have mesh pulled around the chains to soft the sounds that so many of us love, but this is a plus for those who live in busy neighborhoods with neighbors right next door. The DISCatcher Sport can be purchased for $149, and while a sturdy basket for backyard play, we’d suggest that you spend the extra $50 and buy an incredibly nice basket in the DISCatcher Sport.
DISCatcher Sport
Our personal favorite out of the bunch, we highly suggest the DISCatcher Sport for any and all personal use. It is very comparable to the professional appearance of the DISCatcher Pro, while being more than half the weight at 40 pounds and a price tag of only $199. These basket — similar to the Skillshot and DISCatcher Traveler — have no way of preventing theft since they come with portable bases only. That being said, we at Explore Disc Golf, have found a way to secure the baskets in cement footings for temporary installation at events and locations like campgrounds, churches and schools. If you’d like more information, or to purchase one of these secured baskets, please contact us at info@explorediscgolf.com. With 18 outer chains and a small yellow band for visibility, this basket is extremely comparable to the DISCatcher Pro and a wonderful addition to backyard. This basket is admittedly less portable than the previous two baskets, but can still be broken down and stored away to the size of the tray, while the 40 pound frame can still be lugged through the woods as a single entity for friends that want to create a disc golf course on the go.
Innova DISCatcher Pro
The DISCatcher Pro is best suited for permanent courses. Weighing in at 85 pounds and costing the client $425 for a single basket, these high quality, durable baskets have 28 chains; bringing enhanced catch-ability with 14 outer chains, 7 intermediate chains and 7 inner chains. Clients can pick these basket up for $325 (plus shipping) per basket if you order 9 or more baskets, so if you’re looking for a single practice basket, this may not be your best bet. DISCatcher Pros do have a portable base (as seen in the picture) but are primarily situated and secured in sleeves that are concreted into the ground. This enables the client to easily move the basket to alternate sleeves on a hole to reduce compaction in any given area, while increasing the variety of the hole for players. A wonderful basket any way you slice it!
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If any of you folks out there have any questions about Innova Disc Golf baskets, please get in touch with us info@explorediscgolf.com or check out our website at www.explorediscgolf.com. Our most sought-after basket is our modified DISCatcher Sports where the baskets have 6 additional interior chains and are capable of being secured in the ground to prevent theft.
Explore Disc Golf’s primary services include Disc Golf Course Design, Site Planning Consultation and Installations, we also offer Course Improvements, Disc Golf Equipment Rentals and Merchandising — all done in house. We look forward to hearing from you and encourage you to check out some of our current projects on our website, ans sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch! Thanks for reading.
Hello Everyone! Want To Build Your Own Quality Basket?
I’m proud to now be apart of Dogleg Disc Golf!
My name is Destin and I’m originally from the Ann Arbor area of Michigan, but currently reside in Marietta, GA for school. I’ve been playing DG for about 5 years, and love every facet of the sport.
Back in 2010 I designed and built my own basket. The cost was less than $100, and the feeling of using your own basket beats buying one any day; and it truly works just as well as a basket at the park.
Below is my original post I put on my own Michigan Blog a couple years ago. I hope everyone can use the information to make their own backyard basket!
It may not be worth it to spend a lot of time making your own basket when nowadays a portable basket is not much more more than the cost of this basket, but I certainly want everyone who views Dog Leg Disc Golf to have this option.
And always remember that all questions are welcome!
Enjoy the Greenleaf Basket! Named after the road it was designed and made on.
Destin
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– Original post: 2010 –
Flickin’ Birdies
I’ve been experimenting with different forehand/backhand throws and gradually getting better at each. But one of the most crucial aspects of the game is being able to have a stellar short game.
I live almost 20 min from the nearest course, so getting out there and practicing my putts often wasn’t always the easiest option. Lately I’ve had numerous shots land within the 25-40 ft range after a long drive. Although luckily I’ve managed to sink a few of those, most of them I’ve missed pretty badly (I’m not one to always lay up, I like to go for it.) So i figured this is the area i need the most work.
I tried setting up make-shift goals consisting of large water buckets, laundry baskets and even fertilizer carts. They worked for what they were, but I was missing out on the “ching”!
After researching for a few weeks online for different disc golf targets, I came across the DGA Mach Lite basket. I was looking for something that had really good reviews, portable, and of course affordable. This was just that. I ordered it off Amazon for right around $150 w/ free shipping. It got here within a week and sets up within 5 min! It looks way better in person than it did online. It’s legit and sturdy. Regulation size but does have thinner, lighter-weight chains than the regulation baskets do. I’ve thrown at it a good bit already and the chains seem to stop it every time. I have had one throw that went all the way through, but that’s it. Highly recommended. Comes in red or blue and has a flag that attaches to the top. Get you one and you’ll be flickin’ in birdie shots from 25+ ft away in no time!
-JT
My new DGA Mach Lite target
Dogleg Disc Golf 