PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT

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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:

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 don’t 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

1

Wash towel

For you (face, hands)

C L O T H I N G

(Extra pairs allow for changing between multiple rounds, at end of day, or for multiple-day events. Clothing can get rain or sweat-soaked, torn, or taken off your back during skins)

1

Belt

1

Cleats

For grippable playing surface (e.g. mostly fields)

1

Cross-trainers

All-purpose for varied terrain

1

Hat "with bill" or Visor

Shield early & late sun, protect head from branches

1

Hiking shoes or Boots (waterproof)

Rugged terrain, roots, rocks, mud, dew-laden fields, surprise puddles, rain, snow

1

Pants - Jeans

For cooler weather; poison ivy, brambles protection

2

Pants - Light cotton

For warm weather protection: sun, poison ivy, brambles

2

Shirts - long sleeve, midweight

Cold weather (only use turtlenecks for extreme cold as it is easy to overheat & sweat too much)

2

Shirts - long sleeve, lightweight

Sun, poison ivy, brambles protection; cooling weather

1

Shoelaces – spare

1

Shorts

For play (with pockets for minis or scorecard, pencil, rulebook, or whatever)

1

Shorts - gym

Casual

1 – 2

Sneakers / comfortable shoes

Wear for driving, after tournament, etc; backup for play

3 – 6

Socks - athletic

Thick enough for comfort, shoe fit, and avoiding blisters

1

Sweat pants / warm-ups

For warm-up; for layering if weather cools (unzip at bottom); sun, poison ivy, brambles protection

1

Sweatshirt

For warm-ups; for layering if weather cools; sun, poison ivy, brambles protection

1

Sweater

Cold conditions prior to or after play

3 – 6

T-Shirts

Play; casual

3 – 6

Underpants

Play; casual

1

Vest – Fleece

Easily removable "layer" less arm-motion restriction

1

Windbreaker (waterproof or resistant)

Lightweight outer layer - cold, wind, or rainy conditions

CLOTHING - RAIN

1

Gloves - waterproof

Keep hands dry and warm between throws

Enough

Hand warmers/ Hot pads

Keep those fingers warm! Can also warm the gripping edge of discs.

4 – 6

Plastic bags

To keep spare towel in golf bag dry; as emergency "waterproof" liners between socks & shoes

1

Rain hat

1

Raincoat – light, breathable

1

Rainpants – light, breathable

1

Resin bag or "Birdie Bag"

To remove moisture from your hands after toweling

1

Silicon spray

To pre-waterproof clothes, shoes, bag

4 – 6

Towels

To keep discs dry; dry off after rounds

1

Umbrella – large domed, heavyweight

To keep you, and more importantly your discs dry

2

Waterproof boots or hiking boots

2 – 4

Waterproof socks

If you can afford them

CLOTHING - WINTER

2

Boots – warm, waterproof, heavy duty

1 – 2

Flannel shirts – with buttons & collar

Collar can be turned down, shirt unbuttoned to release heat. (instead of turtleneck which traps heat with no mercy causing sweating)

1

Gloves – extra

Enough

Hand warmers/ Hot pads

Keep those fingers warm! Can be used loose in pocket or in mittens (see below). Can also warm the gripping edge of discs.

1

Hot beverage thermos

1

Jacket – warm, light, waterproof "windbreaker"

Removable outermost layer worn if cold & windy; easy to stow in golf bag if you warm up

1 – 2

Long underpants or light sweatpants

Middle leg layer in extreme cold

1

Mittens with glove inserts

Adhere toe warmers to inner surface of the mitten shell. (For extra warmth put one on each side of the insert)

1

Parka with hood

Before, between & after rounds

1 – 2

Scarves – thin, lightweight

Wear loosely for unrestricted neck movement; keep in bag otherwise

1 – 2

Silk long underpants

Warm, very light-weight, wicking layer closest to skin

1 – 2

Silk long undershirts

Warm, very light-weight, wicking layer closest to skin

1

Snowpants – insulated, waterproof or resistant

2 – 4

Socks – heavy wool

2 – 4

Socks – polypro liners

Wick moisture

1 – 2

Socks - waterproof

Alternative to waterproof boots

1 – 2

Tank tops

Middle layer - non-restricting

4 – 8

Toe Warmers (heat packs) with adhesive strips

Use in boots & mittens

1

Vest – fleece

Non-restricting outer warmth

1

Visor – adjustable

Wear over wool hat in bright sun

1 – 2

Wool hats (or insulated hat with bill & earflaps)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

1

Cooler – large

A Lot

Beverages – water, soda, ice tea, juice, etc.

{Buy in advance of tournament; remember many courses do not have stores nearby, or they are closed Sundays}

Bring enough for during play; meals; after rounds. Save lotsa money: Buy 2-liter bottles and fill up re-usable 20 oz plastic bottles prior to tournament

1 – 2

Breakfast snacks – ready to eat

Can/bottle opener

As needed

Car Snack & Drink

For the ride down

As needed

Prepared "cold" dinner meals

If camping or staying overnight in small town

4 – 8

Frozen 20oz to 1 liter water & beverage bottles (instead of ice). If this is not feasible try to use "reusable ice packs." Last option: buy ice.

No melting ice to deal with; Keeps cooler cold for 2 days. Drink them on 2^nd day of warm-weather tournaments. Also: Freeze bottom 1/3 to ½ of a few bottles the night before hot days, topping them off in the morning.

1

Hot beverage thermos

Cold weather

As needed

Instant coffee or cocoa; sugar, cream, etc

Cold weather

1 – 2

Lunches – e.g., pre-prepared sandwiches

If no lunch provided at tournament

1

Paper towel roll

As needed

Paper plates or cups

1

Set of utensils