Disc Golf in the Rain: Gear, Grip and Disc Selection

Disc golf in the rain is manageable as long as you can maintain a secure grip on the disc. That means bringing dry towels, shoes with good traction and discs that work well in wet conditions. Rain usually affects disc flight less than wind, so the biggest issue is often simply keeping a slippery disc under control. Another challenge is a wet tee pad, where it is easy to lose your footing. The same problem can occur with morning dew or wet grass. Playing in the rain is also useful practice for tournament days when the weather does not cooperate.

What gear do you need for disc golf in the rain?

At minimum, bring a golf umbrella, several towels, waterproof shoes and a change of clothes. A rain cover for your bag is also a useful addition. A golf umbrella is usually wider and taller than a standard umbrella, with edges that often extend lower, so it protects both you and your bag more effectively.

• Rain cover: A rain cover helps keep the discs inside your bag dry. Choose one that fits your specific bag, as covers are not always interchangeable between different models.
• Jacket: Throwing requires full upper body mobility, so choose a flexible waterproof jacket. Many water resistant fabrics do not stretch enough for a comfortable throwing motion.
• Shoes: Look for shoes with both a waterproof membrane and a grippy outsole. The membrane can wear out over time, as disc golf puts unusual stress on footwear during the throwing motion.
• Change of clothes: Dry socks, a shirt and spare shoes in the car make breaks between rounds and the drive home much more comfortable.

How do you maintain your grip in wet conditions?

Dry only the part of the disc where your fingers make contact, and keep both the disc and your throwing hand under your shirt or jacket until your run up begins.

• Towels: Keep spare towels sealed in a plastic bag and hang the towel you are using underneath your umbrella rather than on the side of your bag.
• Material: Microfibre towels are dense and highly absorbent, while a PVA towel can still feel almost dry even when damp.
• Throwing hand: Use your other hand to pick up discs, enter scores and handle snacks or other gear.
• Warmth: A hand warmer in your pocket can help keep your throwing hand warm and dry.

A rainy round is not the best time to experiment with a completely new grip, so different disc golf grips are worth learning in dry conditions first.

How do you play disc golf safely in the rain?

The safest way to throw in wet conditions is to slow down your run up and place a towel on the tee pad if the surface is slippery.

Using a towel on the tee is allowed. Guidance published by the Finnish Disc Golf Association states that a towel may be placed on a slippery teeing surface. Save explosive movement for the moment when you really need it. If the tee pad is very wet, a standstill throw or a one step throw usually offers better balance than a full run up.

Choose reliable shots and play for par instead of forcing long, risky putts. If a tee pad is clearly dangerously slippery, consider choosing another course. For example, the hilly forest course in Meilahti, Helsinki has been described as especially slippery in rain and freezing conditions.

What types of discs work best in the rain?

For most players, softer plastics and slower discs with deeper rims tend to work best in wet conditions because they are easier to hold securely.

• Plastic: Innova DX, XT and R-Pro plastics feel grippier in wet conditions for many players, while GStar generally offers more grip than Star or Champion.
• Disc type: Putters, midranges and fairway drivers are usually easier to hold when wet than fast, shallow rimmed distance drivers. If necessary, switch to a slower disc with a deeper rim for a more secure grip and accept a little less distance.
• Stability: A weaker grip can make a disc behave more overstable because you are unable to generate as much speed. You can check the turn and fade values in the disc's flight numbers, and a less overstable mold can help compensate for reduced grip.

Your putter does not have to be completely dry. Try wetting both your discs and hands during field practice so you can find out before a round which discs still feel secure in your grip.

Once you know which plastics and disc types work best in your hand when wet, you can build a dedicated setup for rainy rounds. Explore DiscKing's selection of disc golf discs.