Ahh, it’s springtime. Disc golf season is here. The leaves are green, the skies are blue, and the weather is perfect for getting out in nature and enjoying some quality recreational time.
This is the time of year when avid disc golfers often introduce their friends to the game, or the curious ones just decide this is a new hobby they want to try. When that’s the case, one often asks, where can I buy disc golf discs?
In this article, we’re going to discuss your different options and recommend the best places to buy disc golf gear.
1. Local Disc Golf Shops
With disc golf rapidly growing, local disc golf specialty shops are popping up all over the country. Yes, there are actually stores dedicated exclusively to disc golf! Sometimes these are multi-purpose shops—like a bike shop combined with a disc golf store—but more often than not, these businesses do one thing and one thing only: disc golf.
Local boutique disc golf shops are the best place to look because they:
Have local, knowledgeable disc golfers working there (almost always) who can help you find the perfect disc for you.
Often have used discs. Used discs are a great way to start playing disc golf because, to be honest, in the beginning, it really doesn’t matter much what discs you’re using until you figure out your form and master your throwing timing.
Almost always support your local disc golf community. They’re likely the ones who helped fundraise for that new course installation or paid for new teepads and signs. By supporting local disc golf shops, you’re supporting your own local disc golf scene.
Local disc golf stores usually don’t have the best prices because—let’s be honest—when you’re the monopoly in the area and don’t really have any competition, the locals will pay whatever price is available to get the disc they want. In the beginning, you likely don’t have a brand or plastic preference. But if you stick with disc golf long enough, trust us—you will. You’ll not only figure out your personal preference for brand, plastic variety, and disc colors, but you’re also likely to develop an affinity for your favorite molds, the ones with cult followings promoted by professionals and influencers.
2. Online Disc Golf Shops
If you’re like most people in the US, you don’t have the luxury of a dedicated pro shop nearby. But that’s okay—you can still support the companies that support disc golf by shopping at dedicated online disc golf retailers. These big online shops support disc golf by sponsoring tournaments, professionals, and the DGPT. Without these businesses, this side of our sport wouldn’t be where it is today.
One fun thing about these retailers is that they’re almost always started by passionate disc golfers at the grassroots level who genuinely love the sport. When it comes to selecting an online disc golf store, you really have two choices:
Lowest Priced Disc Golf Store
If you’re at the start of your disc golf journey, low prices are probably your number one priority—assuming you haven’t yet been drawn into the cult-like reasoning behind disc selection decisions. Don’t worry, we have an entire article on how to find the cheapest disc golf discs online.
For a side-by-side comparison of the cheapest online disc golf retailers, get the data here.
When buying discs online, you do, of course, have to pay shipping—but most retailers offer free shipping if you spend enough. That threshold is as low as $35 at stores like Discount Disc Golf. As long as you meet the free shipping minimum, this is the best way to buy disc golf discs.
Best Online Disc Golf Stores
With today’s technology and the competitive world of online disc golf shopping, retailers are going all out to win the business of die-hard fans. These elite online retailers offer dozens of disc golf brands, unique custom runs of popular discs, detailed photos—including side profiles (because even the same mold can vary from run to run)—flight charts (showing what the flight *would* look like if you could actually throw that far), reviews, ratings, scaled weights, and more. These are the Cadillacs of disc golf stores, but naturally, these extra services take time and manpower to maintain, so their prices carry a premium compared to the “budget retailers.” But trust me, once you’re obsessed with the game, you’re going to want to shop at these sites.
Even with all this extra service and detail, prices at online retailers are still usually better than local shops or big box stores—because, well… competition.
Check out our article on the best online disc golf retailers for more info.
3. Local Sporting Goods Stores
Your third option for buying disc golf gear is local sporting goods stores like Play It Again Sports, Big 5, Academy Sports, Al’s, Dick’s, etc.
Even though these are all chains, when it comes to disc golf, the selection varies—and generally, it’s just not that good. Our favorite of these is Play It Again Sports because they usually have used discs, which is perfect when you’re just getting started.
In addition to the limited selection, sporting goods store employees generally don’t know a thing about disc golf, and the discs at these locations are almost always drastically overpriced. Part of that is because these stores pay extra to have each disc neatly bagged and hung from peg wall racks. Local disc golf shops almost never do this—we don’t need that kind of waste in disc golf.
Local sporting goods stores also generally don’t invest in the local disc golf scene (although some do if they happen to have a disc golfer on staff).
4. Big Box Stores
Yeah, Walmart and Target do sell *some* disc golf products at most locations. The prices aren’t good—but they aren’t terrible either. The selection, however, is always terrible. And, well… maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather support the little guys than feed the big corporate giants.
5. Amazon.com
Lastly, what most beginner disc golfers usually do is buy their discs on Amazon. This is an option, but we highly discourage it—Amazon isn’t good for disc golf.
Most of the major disc golf brands were formed from grassroots movements in the US or Nordic countries—by disc golfers, for disc golfers—growing the sport along the way. Most of the discs on Amazon, at least the “cheap ones,” are Chinese-made by companies that know nothing about disc golf. And because they know nothing about the game, they also don’t know what makes a good disc. They’ve never thrown them—and trust me, these discs are usually garbage. A good portion of my disc golf reviewing career has been spent highlighting these “worst disc golf brands,” and I hope everyone avoids them like the plague.
That said, there are some good disc golf discs on Amazon—they just won’t be as “great of a deal” as the garbage Chinese ones. But the reality is, Amazon makes it’s money every time and it costs small businesses a lot of money to sell there. Disc golf companies are much better off—and better able to support disc golf—if you buy directly from their websites rather than through Amazon.
With that said, we do earn money when you buy products on Amazon using an affiliate link—so if you’re insisting on doing your disc golf shopping on Amazon, be sure to click through here.
Conclusion – You Have Options for Disc Golf Shopping
With today’s technology and modern shipping methods, there are lots of options for buying good disc golf discs. From our perspective, it’s best to support local shops and the companies that are actively making disc golf better. But the most important thing is that you get some great discs and have a lot of fun enjoying this fabulous time of year playing disc golf with your friends and family.
