I've only been playing for six months and was wondering how safe (to the discs) it is to play in cold weather? I'm located in AR and it does get pretty cold here in the winter. What I'm worried about is the disc breaking from contacting trees, etc. I play with discs in DX, Standard, and Innova Champion plastic. What are suggestions on cold weather play?

I've played in all weather conditions here in Kansas from 108 degree days with rock hard fairways to 5 below days with 8 inches of snow on the ground (a little hard to find your disc :D). Ice and snow can be dangerous/slick but so can rain slicked tee pads or grass. :(

As far as your discs, I've split one in half by hitting a metal pole when it was about 15 degrees and I've heard of it happening to a few others. It was always the less expensive/less durable plastic that had already been "well broken-in". I personally don't worry about it.

If you want to be a well rounded good player, I recommend that you play all year round and in all types of weather. The "fair weather golfers" really have it difficult when the weather changes for the worse during a tournament. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Champion plastic SHOULD be alright, but DX will crack pretty easilly.

I don't know if you have any Gateway discs, but Gateway H plastic is designed to stay flexible up to 30 below! I think Gateway E also has great cold weather properties. Gateway S holds up very well in very hot weather.

Gateway H discs have big domes, so you may not like them, but they aren't effected by cold. I've put some in the freezer and thrown them into rock walls from point blank, and they don't crack. It's great plastic!

graham...

you have really done that?

Yeah I've really done that! The disc bent a little, but it was a worthless disc to me, so it didn't matter!

As long as you dont play with a cyclone youll be fine those are the only discs ive ever broken in the winter and the shatter inta baout 15 peices

Yeah, I broke a 10x roc into 2 peices last winter when I hit a tree.

Yeah, I broke a 10x roc into 2 peices last winter when I hit a tree.



I know I am being a huge smarta$$ but if you don't want to break discs... don't hit trees. :D

I know I am being a huge smarta$$ but if you don't want to break discs... don't hit trees.



Wow why didn't I think of that. What a genius. This is an absolutely foolproof method huh Treeklunker?

I know I am being a huge smarta$$ but if you don't want to break discs... don't hit trees.



Wow why didn't I think of that. What a genius. This is an absolutely foolproof method huh Treeklunker?



Actually not Rodney, still have to avoid the rocks and roads to be foolproof. (if you bite a smartass... expect a bite back)

Cold weather hot weather, the only thing that's different is how you prepare and what you wear

Last year at Chills at The Mills it was -9 when we teed of for the first round. If you want to improve your game play during the winter. 4-6 layers of clothing will give you a whole new outlook on technique. Bad footing and the inability to rotate like you are used to makes you much better. Barry credits his skill to playing all year round.

Don't worry about your discs just create a winter setup that you are not attached to. it is a good time to try new molds. You will throw drivers alot where you would normally use a midrange. It also teaches you how to stand nd throw without a run up.

Outdoor stores sell strapon metal cleats that help. At Hudson Mills the park stores shovels and Potassium salt for us to keep the pads clear.

DO NOT USE HALITE ON CEMENT!!!! Not only is it bad for the grass and animals but it breaks down concrete pads.

Play Winter golf !!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

I second the suggestion to play winter golf... I have only been playing for a year now, but I have played that entire year. My first ever tournament was an ice bowl with about 8 inches of packed snow on the ground. It was so cold that the lake on the course was frozen over and for that day only it was in play. Was really cool to just tee off down the center of the lake and play from it. Plus you get to see your favorite course with a little less foilage so that it actually is a little easier for approaches and upshots. It will play longer since you can't torque as much, but snow golf is awesome! Just make sure you have VERY colorful discs. The one time of the year that white discs are horrible.

I second the suggestion to play winter golf... I have only been playing for a year now, but I have played that entire year. My first ever tournament was an ice bowl with about 8 inches of packed snow on the ground. It was so cold that the lake on the course was frozen over and for that day only it was in play. Was really cool to just tee off down the center of the lake and play from it. Plus you get to see your favorite course with a little less foilage so that it actually is a little easier for approaches and upshots. It will play longer since you can't torque as much, but snow golf is awesome! Just make sure you have VERY colorful discs. The one time of the year that white discs are horrible.



About 30" of bright ribbon duct taped to the underside of your disc works well and is PDGA legal for winter play. Doesn't affect the flight terribly much either.

I have two things to say about ribbon.

1. I have seen it slice fingers upon release.
2. I have seen many a disc hanging by the ribbon in trees :eek: :eek:

Never seen either happen so far in 2 winters of using it when needed in league play. I could totally see getting hung up in a tree however.