Building a Winning Bag

Latitude 64 has been a part of my journey for eight seasons now. Everything seemed quite incomprehensible when I first tried to familiarize myself with their selection in early 2017. However, today, I have a selection of discs that feel both handy and familiar — discs that have helped me reach the top of the podium many times. What exactly are these discs, and how have they helped me?

In 2017, my main drivers were the Trespass and the Defender. I remember that, within the Latitude 64 range, I struggled to find the ideal distance discs. All of that changed in the autumn of 2019 when our then-European team manager, Teemu Nissinen, visited from across the Gulf of Finland and brought me a couple of mysterious discs to test. They later turned out to be the Grace and the Rive.

Today, these discs are indispensable in my bag. Grace filled a crucial need for an easy yet controllable distance driver. It’s a wonderful tool for achieving long distances without compromising on accuracy. On the other hand, Rive is a fantastic companion to Grace when I play in windy conditions or near OB. In these situations, Rive offers extreme reliability. For instance, I relied heavily on it during my first World Championship win in Emporia, sacrificing a bit of distance but sticking to my game plan, which ultimately helped me secure the coveted title.

Fairway drivers are another essential part of my bag’s contents. While the Grace achieves impressive distance with great control, sometimes I need a disc that is even more reliable for narrow forest tunnels. A good fairway driver is key to success when playing in the woods. I rarely use discs faster than speed 8 in these environments, preferring to stick with the Saint Pro. This disc, once made famous by Johnny McCray, immediately felt right for me. Despite being a fairway driver, it flies nearly as far as a driver — sometimes even farther if a player’s arm speed isn’t ideal for discs faster than speed 10. I’d recommend the Saint Pro to both beginners and advanced players.

When the Saint Pro excels in the woods, the Explorer steps in on open fairways, providing a reliable and stable flight for windy conditions near OB. If you would like to go even further on the scale of overstability, my recommendation would be the Glory, which I’ve grown to love since it came out. It is useful for stable hyzer shots with both backhand and forehand on an open field or facing headwind. It's definitely a must-have in my bag!

Reliable midrange discs are equally important. Beginners may be excited to grab the fastest discs, but it quickly becomes clear that control and precision are what yield good results. Midranges offer this control, and I remember that, at one point, they became my go-to for hitting lines I couldn’t with drivers. I prefer to throw them hard rather than going for semi-soft driver shots — it helps me focus on the shot and get the consistency I need. The Claymore, for example, became one of my favorites thanks to its generous glide and versatility. However, I also need something more stable in open courses, and the Verdict fills that role perfectly. I carry three Verdicts with different stability in my bag, covering every possible situation. One of them has been with me throughout all eight seasons, and though it now flies more like a Claymore, it’s become one of my favorite discs. Its profile is very comfortable for forehand shots, allowing me to achieve throws I can’t with newer Verdicts.

The BT Medium Harp has been indispensable for my short game. Since I started as primarily a forehand player, I still prefer precise, short shots with this technique. The Harp provides reliability for forehand approaches with various angles. As my game has evolved, it’s also become useful for shorter backhand shots, especially when I need control for hyzers.

Recently, I added the Grand plastic Savior to my bag. It’s similar to the Harp but has a slightly stronger plastic, allowing for a small skip when needed — perfect for specific shots.

Even though I prefer to approach with a forehand, sometimes I’m still required to use a backhand. I´ve found the Gold Line Pure to do the work for these types of shots. It is easy to control with soft speed, yet when thrown with power, it covers a great distance with a straight flight.

Putting is one of the most important skills for turning approaches and drives into birdies. The Medium Pure has been my go-to putter for all eight years. Designed with the legendary Swedish player Jesper Lundmark, it has a low profile that makes it easy to handle. Its flight is straight and predictable, so I don’t need to apply excessive force to get it on the line I want, maintaining accuracy and reliability for putts from various distances.

While discs are unquestionably the most essential part of a disc golfer’s equipment, I also like to emphasize other aspects of the game. One of the expressive parts of disc golf is how we present ourselves on the course. I’ve always loved a refined and professional yet personalized look. It’s a form of self-expression, and fortunately, disc golf allows for individuality without strict uniforms. I enjoy experimenting with different colors to create memorable outfits. As a fan of skirts, I’ve discovered that some of the best finds are from the tennis section rather than golf, as they tend to be bolder in color and style.

Footwear is equally important — not just for the look but for quality throws. My undisputed favorite is the Nike Pegasus Trail, which provides excellent grip on various surfaces. These shoes come in conservative or bold colors, adding sparkle to any outfit.

Overall, I believe it’s essential for every player to understand their unique needs on the course deeply and to fill the gaps in their bag with discs that match their style of play. I recommend having a selection of understable, stable, and overstable discs across all speed ranges, covering every challenge you might encounter.

Latitude 64 and the entire Trilogy family offer an impressive variety of choices, which may initially feel overwhelming — as it did for me. However, as you become familiar with the options, selecting the right discs becomes easier, ultimately leading to a winning bag.

WANT TO TRY OUT SOME OF THE DISCS I MENTIONED IN THIS POST? HEAD OVER TO THE LATITUDE 64 FACTORY STORE OR DYNAMICDISCS.COM TO EXPLORE AND ORDER THE DISCS THAT CATCH YOUR EYE. WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR DISTANCE, CONTROL, OR PRECISION, THERE’S SOMETHING HERE TO ELEVATE YOUR GAME!