Gordy's
"Be Prepared for a Disc Golf Tournament"
Player's Checklist
This is obviously more than anyone would bring to a tournament. However,
depending on the tournament, conditions, and your preferences or
responsibilities, it may be useful to scan through the entire list "just in
case"
Pick and choose. Add your own stuff too. This checklist guarantees
satisfaction in all regards except your score.
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PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT |
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Φ |
Item |
Description |
| |
Pre-register |
Or risk being shut out |
| |
Secure Lodging |
Reserve motel, or a place to crash, or campsite, etc |
| |
Plan transportation |
Secure airline tickets, rental car, etc |
| |
Memberships |
Renew in advance or be prepared to pay (NEFA; PDGA; other local) |
| |
Tournament info |
Get current, accurate printed event information / flyer; directions; TD
& site phone numbers |
| |
Discs |
Select discs for specific tournament layout & variable conditions.
Label all discs with permanent marker |
| |
Laundry |
Do your laundry and have your playing & casual clothes ready |
| |
Waterproofing |
Waterproof your boots, footwear, golf bag, tent, etc. with Silicon
spray or equivalent |
| |
Shop |
Buy food & beverages; toiletries, etc. Scan this checklist
beforehand |
| |
Food prepared |
Prepare meals (sandwiches; dinners) as necessary where meals will not
be provided. Prepare snacks. |
| |
"Ice" set |
Pre-freeze plastic bottles of water (or other beverages) to use as
"ice" in cooler & drink on day 2 |
| |
Beverages |
Pre-freeze the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of some drinking water bottles prior
to hot days. (Fill remainder of liquid the morning you leave) |
| |
Money |
Get cash |
| |
Car ready |
Fill up tank, check oil, tires, washer fluid etc. |
| |
Cut 'em now |
Unless yer just freestylin' - Yer nails - finger & toe |
| |
Pack |
As much as you can by the night before |
| |
Wake-up set |
Set alarm or wake-up call |
| |
Weather & Road |
Check the weather forecast for the tournament site; check road
conditions |
| |
Time Changes |
Plan to re-set watches, car clocks, alarm clocks according to any
changes in time zones or due to daylight savings during your trip or at
the tournament destination. |
| |
Before Leaving |
Prior to leaving home or motel Did you: Pay your rent/bills; turn
off appliances, stove, heat, lights; close windows; set answering machine;
return those video rentals; program your VCR for the X-Files; etc |
|
IN THE GOLF BAG |
| |
1 |
Golf Bag heavy duty,
protective bottom; water resistant; closeable top; padded adjustable
strap; enough room for discs; putter pockets; zipper pockets for items
listed; beverage holder; towel ring, etc. |
Keep your playing gear protected, and have what you need accessible
while playing. |
| |
10 - 20 |
Discs - distinctly
labeled with your name. At least:
2 Putters
4 6 Drivers
4 6 Approach
|
For specific course & conditions. Stable/understable. Backups for
cracked or lost discs. Add specialty discs as preferences and the
conditions warrant (distance vs. finesse; wind; disc-eating lakes, etc.). |
|
|
2 |
Mini Marker Discs - labeled with your name |
Carry 2 in case you lose one. |
| |
2 |
Towels |
Water hazards, rain, casual water, morning dew, mud, sweaty palms, etc.
Carry 2 in case one gets soaked or lost - keep the spare towel dry in a
plastic bag. |
| |
1 |
Resin bag or "Birdie Bag" in a zip-lock bag |
To remove moisture from your hands due to humidity or other types of
pressure |
| |
1 |
Cold beverage bottle / H20 |
Avoid dehydration and boost your energy. Tip: for hot weather, freeze
bottom 1/3 to ½ in advance. |
|
|
1 |
Munchies bag, candy bar, etc. |
Energy. Hunger. Yum. |
| |
As needed |
Membership card(s) - current |
May be required for tournament entrance (and/or PDGA or local
discounts) |
|
|
1 |
Scorecard |
As given by tournament director |
|
|
2 3 |
Pencils (golf) |
|
| |
If available |
Course map - be sure it is current and designed for tournament
layout |
Avoid playing the wrong tee or hole and getting penalty strokes on
poorly marked, new, or changed courses or alternate tee & pin
placements |
|
|
1 |
Rules of disc golf handbook - current |
Resolve questions quickly and accurately |
|
|
1 |
Marker pen permanent |
Labeling new discs |
| |
As needed |
Money |
Tournament fee. Membership renewal. Disc or food purchase. Skins, side
bets. Coins - machines, phone. |
|
|
1 |
Watch |
(If you dont like wearing one) Be on-time for tee off |
|
|
1 |
Car key (spare) |
Inevitably you'll need it! |
|
|
1 |
Hat "with bill" or Visor |
Shield early & late sun, protect head from branches |
|
|
1 |
Sunglasses |
For those rare occasions the sun actually appears |
| |
Optional |
Protective clothing |
As warranted by conditions: Rain layer; longpants for briar patches,
etc. |
| |
1 |
Nail clipper and/or sandpaper |
Split nails, hang nails, annoying cuticle tears; also can
"trim" disc edges after a nasty tree-scuffing |
|
|
Variety |
Band aids |
For finger, toe, heel blisters; cuts, etc. |
| |
4 5 |
Moist towelettes (small packets alcohol based!) |
Essential for poison ivy-sensitive people. (Wipe skin AND discs
immediately!) |
| |
A couple |
Safety pins |
Come in handy |
|
|
|
See "IN THE CAR" section for things like sunscreen, insect
repellent, etc. |
|
|
IN THE CAR |
| |
All |
All highlighted items
on the checklist plus those that follow below |
Refer to all of the highlighted
sections of the checklist. You might remember to organize your golf bag
and fill the cooler. Now don't forget to put
them in the car! |
|
|
10 20 |
Extra Discs - variety |
Warm up, spares, changing conditions |
|
|
|
Travel Bag (clothes, toiletries, etc.) |
|
| |
|
Day Pack |
For specialty packing of overnight items, or next day's playing
clothes; or whatever |
| |
4 |
Towels extra |
Replace dirty or wet towels after warm-up; each round on rainy days |
|
|
1 |
Umbrella large domed, heavy duty |
To keep golf bag/discs and/or you dry |
| |
1 |
Sunscreen |
Apply BEFORE the round - avoid greasy hands later. |
| |
As needed |
First aid items, bandaids, tape, braces, pads, lip balm,
blistexsympathy, etc. |
Cuts, scrapes, callouses, blisters, sprains, chapped lips, stings,
missed gimmes. |
| |
1 |
Insect repellent (with DEET*) |
Apply BEFORE the round - avoid greasy hands later. (*Repellent
containing DEET is essential for grassy, shrubby tick habitats. Apply to
skin AND clothes) |
| |
Box |
Moist towelettes (extra) |
To clean hands; for poison ivy encounters; to remove greasy sunscreen
& insect repellent foolishly applied after the round starts |
| |
1 |
"Ivy Block" |
Some find this new product helpful to prevent poison ivy in the first
place |
|
|
1 |
Folding "lounge" chair |
Rest those bones between rounds |
| |
Optional |
Portable folding "camp" chair |
Rest those bones between holes; during backed up play |
| |
1 |
Jug of wash water |
Cool off & clean off on hot days between rounds; clean off dirty or
mud-caked discs |
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