Truck’s Picks: Disc Golf Guide
An intro to disc golf + courses on tour - by: Fuck Truck @FuckTruck122919
Disc golf and Widespread Panic—two things you might not immediately think go together. But for me, they pair perfectly, especially when I’m on the road chasing the band through new cities (and familiar ones too) for multi-night runs.
Whether I’m playing my local course back home or squeezing in a round before doors on the road, I always have music going—usually Panic—while enjoying the sport I’ve come to love. It’s the ideal way to get outside, get some exercise, and soak in a little nature.
There’s nothing better than waking up on a Saturday morning after a rowdy N1 show, grabbing your bag, and sweating out the alcohol (or whatever else…) with a peaceful round before jumping back into the madness. I always come back to the hotel or Airbnb feeling like a million bucks.
It’s even better if you can get a few friends from the crew to join. The camaraderie hits different when you’re slinging discs instead of just beers.
One of the great things about seeing Panic live is that almost every stop—whether it’s Asheville, Richmond, or even a small town like Brandon, MS—has a course nearby. And the best part? Disc golf is basically free, aside from a starter set of discs.
For the rest of this write-up, I’ll walk you through what disc golf is, some affordable gear to get started, and a few solid course picks in cities Panic will be hitting this year.
What is Disc Golf?
Disc golf is a pretty straightforward concept. Think of it like ball golf, but instead of a club and ball, you’re throwing a disc. Most courses are made up of 18 holes ranging from par 3s to par 5s. No carts—just you, your bag, and a walk through nature.
In traditional golf, there’s one basic way to swing. In disc golf, you’ve got options—backhand, forehand, or whatever feels natural coming out of your hand. And just like clubs, discs are made for different situations: you’ve got putters/approach discs, mid-ranges, fairway drivers, and distance drivers.
Discs also come in different plastic types. Cheaper plastics are less durable and scuff more easily, while higher-end options hold their shape and last longer. Each disc has a unique flight pattern, which is described by four numbers printed on it:
Speed (1–14): How fast the disc needs to be thrown to perform as designed.
Glide (1–7): How well the disc stays in the air.
Turn (+1 to -5): How much it curves to the right (for right-handed backhand throwers) during the initial part of flight.
Fade (0–5): How much it hooks left at the end of flight.
If you’re just getting started, don’t worry too much about these numbers yet. Focus on learning how your beginner-friendly discs fly out of your hand. Once you build consistency, those numbers will start to make more sense when you move into intermediate or pro-level discs.
One last thing: disc weights. They typically range from 120 grams (for kids or lighter throwers) to 180 grams (for advanced players with big arm speed). Most beginners—especially adult men—do best with discs in the 165g–172g range. I’ve been playing for four years and I still prefer that sweet spot.
Now, let’s get geared up.
Buying Your First Discs
Let’s keep this simple. Below are a few go-to links for beginner-friendly discs to help you get started on your disc golf journey. The only thing to really watch for is disc weight—stick to the 165g–172g range I mentioned earlier.
Putter: Innova Aviar
Approach: Discraft Roach
Mid-Range:
Fairway Driver: Discraft Cicada
Distance Driver: Discraft Avenger SS
These are solid picks for beginner to intermediate players, but I also recommend doing some of your own research. You might find a disc that better fits your throwing style just based on its description or reviews.
And if you’re going to grab any of these, I encourage you to purchase from dischub.com - good friends of mine and run a really great business.
Courses on Tour
If you’ve made it this far, here’s the most important tool you need to know about: the UDisc app. It’s a must-have. UDisc helps you find disc golf courses all over the world—seriously, every country. It maps out each course in full detail, including exact hole distances, layouts, and features.
Even better, it works as your scorecard and keeps track of every round you play, forever.
In this section, I’ll share a few of the top-rated courses in cities Widespread Panic is hitting this year. I’m only including courses I’ve played myself, starting with one of my personal favorites…
Asheville, North Carolina: Highland Brewing
https://udisc.com/courses/highland-brewing-company-W4cg
Indianapolis, Indiana: Fall Creek Disc Golf Course
https://udisc.com/courses/fall-creek-disc-golf-course-I1To
Memphis, Tennessee: Bud Hill
https://udisc.com/courses/bud-hill-A5Xf
Savannah, Georgia: Tom Triplett
https://udisc.com/courses/tom-triplett-G9NN
Go and Leave Your Mark
Now that you know a little more about disc golf, hopefully it’s easier to see how well it pairs with the band we all know and love—Widespread Panic. I hope this reaches a few of you fellas and inspires you to enjoy these two things together the way I do.
So grab your bag, fire up your favorite Panic playlist on a good speaker, and hit a course near you. Throw ’em straight, enjoy the walk, and soak it all in.
Thanks for the read—and enjoy the rest of tour.
Preciate y’all, as always…
—Fuck Truck