The Ultimate Disc Golf Starter Kit: What You Need to Get Started

Disc golf is one of the most accessible outdoor sports around — low cost to start, easy to learn, and endlessly fun to improve at. But if you're brand new to the game, figuring out what gear you actually need can be confusing. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what to get to hit the course with confidence.

The Essentials: What Every Beginner Needs

1. A Starter Set of Discs (3 Discs to Start)

You don't need a full bag of 20 discs to enjoy disc golf. In fact, starting with fewer discs helps you learn faster. Here's the ideal beginner lineup:

• A Putter: Your most-used disc. Great for short shots, approaches, and — obviously — putting. Look for something with high glide and low fade.
• A Midrange: The workhorse of your bag. Midranges are forgiving, accurate, and perfect for most shots on the course.
• A Fairway Driver: A beginner-friendly driver with a lower speed rating (7–9) and slight understability. Avoid high-speed distance drivers until your form is solid.

Many brands offer beginner starter sets that include all three disc types at a great value. These are an excellent way to get on the course without overthinking your first purchase.

2. A Disc Golf Bag

Once you have discs, you need somewhere to carry them. Disc golf bags range from simple shoulder bags to full backpack-style setups with multiple pockets and built-in stands.

For beginners, a small to mid-size bag is ideal. You don't need to carry 20 discs yet, so a lightweight bag with room for 6–10 discs, a water bottle, and a few accessories is perfect. As your collection grows, you can upgrade to a larger bag.

3. A Mini Marker Disc

A mini marker disc is a small disc used to mark your lie on the course. It's a required piece of equipment under official rules — you place it in front of your disc before picking it up to throw. Mini markers are inexpensive and often come in starter sets, but it's worth having at least one dedicated mini in your bag.

4. A Towel

This one sounds simple, but a disc golf towel is genuinely essential. Wet or dirty discs don't fly as intended, and a quick wipe between throws keeps your game consistent. Clip a small towel to your bag and you'll use it every single round.

5. Comfortable Footwear

Disc golf courses cover varied terrain — grass, dirt, hills, and sometimes mud. A good pair of athletic shoes or trail runners with solid grip will keep you comfortable and stable through your throws. Dedicated disc golf shoes exist but aren't necessary when you're starting out.

Nice-to-Have Additions

Once you've got the basics covered, these items will enhance your experience on the course:

• A Scorecard or Scoring App: Track your progress and watch yourself improve over time. Many free apps are available for your phone.
• Disc Golf Gloves: Helpful in cold or wet weather for maintaining grip.
• A Water Bottle: Most disc golf bags have a dedicated water bottle pocket. Stay hydrated, especially on longer courses.
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen: Outdoor courses mean outdoor conditions. Come prepared.
• A Sharpie: Mark your discs with your name and phone number. Lost discs are a fact of disc golf life, and a marked disc has a much better chance of finding its way back to you.

What You Don't Need (Yet)

It's tempting to go all-in when you're excited about a new sport, but hold off on these until you've played a few rounds:

• High-speed distance drivers (they'll fly poorly until your form is developed)
• A cart bag or large backpack (overkill for a beginner's disc count)
• Specialty discs like rollers or approach discs
• Premium plastic on every disc (base plastic is great for learning)

Ready to Get Started?

The best thing about disc golf is that you can be on the course and having fun within minutes of getting your first discs. Most public disc golf courses are free to play, and the community is welcoming to newcomers at every skill level.

Shop our beginner-friendly disc golf gear at DarkSide Disc Golf. Whether you're looking for your first starter set, a bag to carry it all, or accessories to round out your kit, we've got everything you need to get out on the course.