Equipment Guide
Golf's rules, a frisbee's flight path, and a free course at the park down the road.
ℹ️ Kids under about 12 throw best with lightweight discs (150g and under) — heavy adult drivers will fight them and cause bad form habits.
Must-have estimate
$106 – $251
7 must-have items · 11 total
A three-disc set (putter, mid-range, driver) is the standard entry point and is cheaper than buying discs individually. For kids, buy a set specifically labeled lightweight or junior — most adult sets are 165–175g, which is too heavy for a young thrower to turn over properly.
Ignore the 'distance driver' marketing. Kids under 12 will throw a mid-range farther than a driver because drivers need arm speed they don't have yet.
The blunt, slow disc used near the basket and for short, straight throws. If you only buy one extra disc, make it a second putter — kids lose them in bushes and it's the disc that builds the best form.
Soft or 'base' plastic putters grip the chains instead of bouncing out — worth the extra couple of dollars.
A small backpack-style or shoulder bag that holds 6–10 discs plus a water bottle. Skip the giant tournament cart bags — a loaded 20-disc bag is miserable for a kid to carry over 18 holes of hills.
Make sure it has a dedicated bottom pocket for the mini marker and towel so they're not dumping the whole bag out on every hole.
A palm-sized disc used to mark where the thrown disc landed so it can be picked up before the next throw. Required equipment in sanctioned play and costs about as much as a coffee.
Buy two. The mini is the single most-lost item in the sport because it gets left on the ground at the lie.
Courses are wooded, muddy, and hilly — a round is a 2–3 mile walk on uneven ground. Trail runners with real tread are ideal; flat-soled sneakers slip badly on wet tee pads and on the plant foot during a drive.
Waterproof uppers are genuinely worth it — morning rounds mean soaked shoes by hole three.
Write your kid's name and your phone number on the underside of every disc. Disc golfers are famously good about returning lost discs, but only if there's a way to contact you.
Do it before the first round, not after the first loss.
A small microfiber towel that clips to the bag for drying discs and hands. A wet disc slips out of the hand early and flies straight into whatever is on the right side of the fairway.
Get one with a carabiner. Loose towels end up in the mud within one round.
The workhorse disc for most youth throws — more distance than a putter, far more control than a driver. A second one in a different color helps when two discs land in the same clump of brush.
Choose bright orange or yellow. Dark blue and green discs disappear in leaf litter permanently.
A telescoping pole with a hook or claw for pulling discs out of ponds, creeks, and thorn bushes. It pays for itself the first time it saves a $20 disc from a water hazard.
The parent carries this, not the kid — most retrievers are longer than a young player is tall.
Chalk bags, grip sacks, or a single grip glove keep the hand dry in humid weather. Useful for kids who chronically release early because their palm is sweaty.
A cheap rosin/chalk bag solves the problem for most kids without the fit issues of a youth-sized glove.
A collapsible basket for the backyard. Putting is the fastest place to shave strokes and the only part of the game that can be practiced in a normal yard.
Cheaper baskets have shallow chains that spit discs back out — read reviews on catch rate before buying the budget model.
For the parents on the sideline — because you're out there every weekend too.
A lightweight, portable chair with a carry bag. You will spend hours on sidelines — your back will thank you.
Est. $25 – $80
Keeps coffee hot through a two-hour game in the cold. Keep drinks cold all day in summer. A non-negotiable for any sideline parent.
Est. $20 – $45
Two hours on an open field adds up fast. Water-resistant SPF 50+ in a spray is the fastest to apply for the whole family before game time.
Est. $8 – $18
Fields near tree lines or evening games bring the mosquitoes out. Keep a travel-size can in the same bag as the sunscreen so you never forget it.
Est. $6 – $15
Fits snacks, drinks, and ice packs for the whole team. Collapsible cooler bags are easy to carry and store flat in the car.
Est. $20 – $55
For those early morning or late fall games when it drops 20 degrees by kick-off. Compact, warm, and doubles as a picnic blanket.
Est. $18 – $45
A solid dad hat or wide-brim sun hat for long days in the sun. Look for UPF 50+ if you're at weekend tournaments.
Est. $15 – $40
Fast-drying and compact. Great for wiping down wet gear, drying off kids after a rainy game, or cleaning up spills at the snack table.
Est. $10 – $25
Single-serve packets you can toss in a water bottle. Better than hauling cases of sports drinks — and easier on the sugar.
Est. $15 – $30
Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and an instant cold pack. Small enough to toss in your bag, essential when someone rolls an ankle in the last five minutes.
Est. $12 – $30
Folds to the size of a baseball. Games don't get cancelled for light rain — you'll be glad it's in your bag the first time it pours in the third quarter.
Est. $8 – $20
Bleachers, dugout benches, folding chairs — they are all hard after an hour. A folding, water-resistant seat cushion with back support makes a full tournament day survivable.
Est. $15 – $35
All-day tournaments mean hours of photos, group texts, and livestreaming to grandparents — with no outlet nearby to charge in between games. A power bank keeps you covered.
Est. $18 – $40
Catch up on a podcast, take a call, or just tune into the game — wireless earbuds keep your hands free while everyone else fumbles with a cord.
Est. $30 – $250
Heavy-duty collapsible wagon with wide wheels for hauling chairs, coolers, and gear bags across thick grass or mud at complex venues.
Est. $80 – $150
Enclosed pop-up tent to stay dry and warm during freezing rain, wind, or extreme cold at early morning or late fall games.
Est. $70 – $180
USB-powered padded seat with back support that hooks onto metal bleachers or lawn chairs to keep parents warm during long tournament days.
Est. $45 – $90
Rechargeable cooling fan with water mist attachment to protect young athletes and parents from overheating during summer tournaments.
Est. $20 – $40
Machine-washable, towel-style seat protector designed to prevent sweat, mud, and turf pellets from ruining car upholstery after games.
Est. $25 – $45
Divided snack organizer ideal for parents assigned to team snack duty or packing fuel for multi-game tournament weekends.
Est. $15 – $30
Compact muscle massager for warming up tight hamstrings and easing post-game quad soreness between tournament bracket rounds.
Est. $35 – $80
Fast-charging battery pack to keep phones, video cameras, scoring apps (like GameChanger), and heating cushions powered all day.
Est. $25 – $60
Loud gyms, packed rinks, echoey arenas — a good pair of over-ear headphones lets you dial down the noise between plays without missing your kid's turn.
Est. $40 – $200
Total Estimated Cost
$106 – $251
Based on must-have items at typical retail prices. Costs vary by brand, retailer, and whether the league supplies certain gear.
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