The Best Disc Golf Basket

Best Disc Golf Basket

One of the best ways to improve your disc golf game is to purchase a disc golf basket.  You will be able to set it up in your back yard, practicing more frequently and greatly improving your game.  Purchasing your own disc golf baskets also lets you set up your own disc golf course or play disc golf when traveling.

This guide to the best disc golf baskets will highlight the different kinds of disc golf baskets that are available and offer some hints for choosing one.  We’ll then list 5 of the best disc golf baskets on the market!

Types of Disc Golf Baskets

There are dozens of disc golf baskets on the market, using different designs and materials.  Most disc golf baskets can be placed into one of four categories:

Portable disc golf baskets (Foldable baskets)

These baskets are primarily designed for portability.  Most portable baskets can be folded down to be easily carried with some models even coming with a carry bag.  They are perfect for people who want to practice their disc golf shots in the back yard but don’t want a permanent basket affecting the appearance of their yard.

Portable baskets are useful for anyone who wants to take their disc golf game on the road.  This makes them ideal for anyone wanting to play a few rounds with the family while on holidays.  They are also useful for players who like to take disc golf baskets to various locations to practice your game in different environments.

Portable baskets tend to be very lightweight, which can mean they have less durability compared to a heavy-duty basket.  If you intend on leaving your portable disc golf basket outside for a few years, don’t be surprised if it starts to look a bit worse for wear!  They aren’t really designed to be a permanent fixture or to tolerate extreme weather.  Because they are made from cheaper, lightweight materials, portable disc golf baskets are usually quite affordable.

If you are interested in a portable disc golf basket, check out the Innova DISCatcher Traveler Target or the DGA Mach Lite Portable Disc Golf Practice Basket.

Light-duty disc golf basket

The disc golf baskets used on commercial disc golf courses are considered “heavy duty” baskets.  They are built to withstand extreme weather conditions and are permanent fixtures on the course.  You can also purchase light-duty disc golf baskets, which are slimmed down versions of heavy-duty disc golf baskets.   

Light-duty baskets are lighter and sometimes use less chains than heavy-duty versions.  They can either be permanently fixed into the ground or used on a stand.  Most people use light-duty baskets in their back yards as a permanent practice goal or when they are making their own disc golf course.  The durable materials used to most light-duty baskets make them weather resistant.  They are more affordable than heavy-duty baskets.

If you are interested in a light-duty disc golf basket, check out the Driftsun Sports Portable Disc Golf Basket or the DGA M-14 Portable Disc Golf Practice Basket.

Heavy-duty disc golf baskets

Heavy-duty baskets are similar to the professional baskets used on disc golf courses.  They are the preferred choice of competitive players, because they work in the same way as baskets on official courses — they have the same number of chains and discs impact the basket in the same way.

Heavy-duty disc golf baskets may feature more chains than some other light-duty baskets and are made with very rugged materials.  Most heavy-duty disc golf baskets are designed for permanent installations, where they will be placed into the ground.  However, you can also find heavy-duty disc golf baskets that come with stands.  Most heavy-duty baskets are made of thick, galvanized steel pipes and chains — they are built to last!  Expect to pay more for a high-quality heavy-duty basket.

If you are interested in a heavy-duty disc golf basket, check out the DGA Mach 2 Disc Golf Basket or the Verus Sports Disc Golf Target.

Narrow Target Disc Golf Baskets

This type of basket has a smaller basket surface area.  They are useful for practicing putting and improving the accuracy of your throws.  After using this type of basket for a few weeks, you will be surprised how much your accuracy improves and how much easier it is to land a shot in a regular sized basket.  Because there is less material on a narrow target basket, they tend to be a little lighter than regular baskets.  Most people who buy a narrow basket already have a standard basket.

If you are interested in a narrow disc golf basket, check out the MVP Black Hole Precision training basket.

Choosing the right disc golf basket
There are many factors to keep in mind when choosing a disc golf basket including:

#1 — How you will use the basket
This should be your primary consideration when choosing a disc golf basket.  Some of the ways you might use your basket include:

Practicing in your back yard for recreational play
If you only play disc golf recreationally, you are probably best off with a disc golf basket that is affordable and portable.  Most recreational players don’t need a basket that adheres to competitive standards, so having a basket that is a slightly different shape to official baskets is also fine.  Having a portable basket also means you can quickly pull it out for a few practice throws then put it away — you won’t have a heavy, permanent basket in your back yard.  Because its lightweight, you will have no trouble carrying it to your garage or a cupboard.

Practicing in your back yard for competitive play

If you are interested in playing competitively, you will need a disc golf basket that complies with PDGA specifications.  Compliant baskets are usually heavy duty to replicate the performance of disc golf baskets on commercial disc golf courses.  They are generally heavy, bulky, and extremely durable.  Typically, they are made from galvanized materials and can handle extreme weather conditions.  You can build cement one of these baskets into your back yard and it will provide you with many years of use.

Playing disc golf while traveling
If you like to play disc golf when traveling, you will need either a portable or collapsible light-duty disc golf basket.  Ideally, you should purchase lightweight golf disc baskets that come with their own carry bag.

Building your own disc golf course
If you are really serious about disc golf and have a larger property, you may be interested in building your own disc golf course.  For this venture, you will need 9 or 18 baskets and some tee markers.  If the course is going to be a permanent feature on your property, opt for heavy-duty disc golf goals that will tolerate the weather.  If you only want to set up the course for a couple of weeks each year, opt for portable or light-duty baskets.  Before you start designing a course, be sure to check out this advice from the Disc Golf Association.

#2 — How much money do you have to spend?
Disc golf baskets range in price from around $50 for cheap portable baskets through to $270 for very high-quality heavy-duty baskets.  The amount you spend on the basket really comes down to the type of basket you get (portable, light-duty or heavy-duty) and the quality of the product.  If you are just getting into disc golf, you could start with a cheaper portable basket.  However, if you find yourself spending hours on the course each week, a quality light-duty or heavy-duty basket is a better option.  Because they are made with stronger materials, they will last for many years.

#3 — What material is the golf disc basket made from?
Golf disc baskets are usually made from galvanized or powder-coated metal.  Higher quality baskets with use steel or aluminum, while cheaper baskets may use an alloy (mixture of metals) or plastics.  Portable baskets will usually incorporate some plastic or fabric into their design to reduce their weight and make them easier to transport.

When purchasing your golf disc basket, take a closer look at its materials and think about how to plan to use the basket.  If you want to have a permanent basket in your backyard, spend a little extra to get a fully galvanized basket that can long-term exposure to the weather.  If you love disc golf so much that you think you will be playing it for years, spend a little extra on a basket made from high quality materials.

#4 — What accessories does it come with?
Some disc golf baskets come with accessories like carry bags, flags, and even remote controlled LED lights!  Flags are particularly useful as they help you understand which direction the wind is blowing.  LED lights can be useful if you are playing disc golf at night.  Think about which accessories may be useful before you choose your basket.

#5 — What configuration are the chains?
Golf disc baskets use chains to catch the disc and drop it into the basket.  The thickness of the chains and the number of chains can impact how easily the disc drops into the basket tray.  Most baskets have between 16 and 24 chains.  Heavy duty baskets sometimes use 24 chains with two layers.  Precision baskets may have less chains because the basket surface area is smaller.  Choose a 24 chain basket if you intend on playing competitively and require a basket that behaves like the ones on professional disc golf courses.

#6 — What size is it?
Disc golf baskets come in a variety of sizes.  If you are playing disc golf with your kids, a shorter basket with a larger basket surface area might be useful.  It will make it easier for them to play and inspire your kids to continue with disc golf.  If you intend on playing competitively, choose a basket that is compliant with PDGA regulations.

5 of the Best Disc Golf Basket

DGA Mach Lite Portable Disc Golf Practice Basket

This is a well-made portable disc golf basket that is lightweight and easy to move.  It has a folding upper chain assembly and folding basket so it can be made compact for storage.  Storage is made even easier thanks to it coming with a durable carry bag.

The Mach Lite is PDGA-approved and has the same dimensions as official disc golf baskets.  It uses 16 strands of chain to catch discs from all angles and has unique supporting ribs that stop the chain from riding up the pole.  The Mach Lite is made from durable zinc-coated steel with some plastic components.  This basket is the perfect choice for anyone who needs a high-quality portable disc golf basket.

MVP Black Hole Pro 24-Chain Porable Disc Golf Basket Target

The MVP Black Hole pro is a heavy-duty disk golf basket that comes with a stand.  It is made from extremely tough powder-coated steel that can stand up to harsh conditions.  This basket has 24 zinc-coated heavy duty chains in two rows.  The chains are equidistance apart which means there are no weak pockets.

The MVP Black Hole pro is designed in accordance with PDGA dimensions, making it perfect for keen players who want to play competitively.  Despite being a heavy-duty disc golf basket, it can be moved fairly easily and disassembled for storage.

Driftsun Sports Portable Disc Golf Basket

This portable disc golf basket is lightweight and easy to assemble.  It features collapsible components, so it is easy to store in your garage or a cupboard.  It is PDGA regulation sized, which makes it ideal for players who want to improve their skills.  It is made from heavy duty, zinc-coated steel that is guaranteed to handy harsh conditions.  The adjustable height means you can lower it for your children to join in.

Verus Sports Disc Golf Target

The Verus Sports Disc Golf target is a heavy-duty product that is designed to last for many years.  It is constructed from painted steel that is corrosion resistant and capable of handling extreme weather.  It has a stable base and comes with ground stakes to keep the stand perfectly still during windy conditions.

MVP Black Hole Precision

If you are an experienced player looking to improve your throwing skills, this is a great choice.  The MVP Black Hole Precision features a heavy duty portable base, pole, and cage assembly that conform to PDGA height and diameter specifications.  It is a precision basket with a single tier of 12 lightweight chains and no header band.  The player must be much more accurate when using this basket, which makes it perfect for skill improvement.

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